Our Leadership Structure
For even the Son of Man came ... to serve. Matthew 20:28
FHBC emphasises a “priesthood of believers” model of ministry, seeing each believer within the church as integral to the whole - each providing encouragement, accountability, admonishment, and support to one another. From within this context, a group of appointed, qualified, and gifted elders oversee and lead the vision and spiritual needs of the church body. To accompany the elders, a board of deacons and
deaconesses assist by leading, addressing needs, and supporting the function of the church ministry. Hired staff also serve the needs of the ministry (some function within the role of elder/pastor and some do not). All FHBC members are encouraged to volunteer their time, talents, resources, and energy to support the needs of the church family. FHBC believes that as each one serves, they also grow!
Meet our Staff.
Rick Larman
Director of Pastoral Care | Elder
Rick has served in this role for over 38 years. He is also the Executive Director of Covenant Ability Network of Michigan, on the board of Rest Haven Homes, and is an emeritus board member at Bair Lake Bible Camp. Rick and his wife of 48 years, Cheryl, have four children and 13 grandchildren. When he is not spending time with his family, Rick enjoys watching football and reading.
Tammy Leavitt
Children's Min. Assist. & Facilities
I grew up on the west coast in Canada where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English
language. Aside from the fact that I speak English every day, this is not helpful in my role as
custodian, but it does help me in the homeschool classes I teach. I have lived here in Grand
Rapids since 2005 and have enjoyed hiking in the area, seeing some of the popular travel
destinations with my family, and hanging out in local bookstores. My family has attended FHBC
since our arrival in Grand Rapids, with a brief stay in Pennsylvania, and the church body has
reached out to become an extended family for us. I am glad that this position as custodian is
another way for me to model service to my two boys.
Chester Wakefield
Director of Ministries | Elder
Since 2018, Chester (Steven) has served as full-time staff pastor, "Director of Ministries" at FHBC. He attended Cedarville University (engineering), Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (MDiv), and served on staff at the Holland Rescue Mission. Chester and his wife, Jenelle have lived in the west Michigan area since 2002 where they have been blessed with 3 wonderful children.
Andrew Wordhouse
Young Adult and Youth Leader
Andrew has attended the chapel for most of his life. In 2023, he graduated from Cedarville University with a bachelors in IT Management and a minor in Bible. He has had the pleasure of serving at UPBC on summer staff, program staff and as a counselor. In addition, he was given the opportunity to become a youth leader at FHBC in 2023. He currently works at Behler-Young as an Application Support Specialist. Andrew is excited to help foster community in the Chapel with the kickoff of their young adult ministries.
Emily Rogers
Communications Coordinator
Emily has grown up attending FHBC and has been thankful for the opportunity to be involved in the chapel by serving as the Communications Coordinator for the past 5 years. Emily graduated with her Bachelor of Science from Cornerstone University in 2021 and from Grand Valley State University with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2024.
Anna Henning
Ministry Coordinator
Anna and her family recently relocated to the area and have been blessed by the warm welcome of the FHBC family. After twelve years of full-time ministry in her hometown Detroit and a few years at Emmaus Bible College, her husband joined the Grand Rapids Theological Seminary faculty in 2022. Over the years she has used her BA in English and MA in Teaching & Curriculum to teach in high school, college, camp and church settings. She loves cross-cultural bridge building, real-world learning and opportunities to bring people closer to Jesus. In her spare time you can find her thrifting, gardening, reading to her three kids, drinking coffee with a friend, or finding an excuse to throw a party. She is thankful for the opportunity to grow and serve at FHBC.
We'd love to hear from you! Visit our contact page using the button above to get in touch with our staff or elders.
Meet our Elders.
Brian Cooper
Elder Chair
It would be hard to overstate the role of the Chapel in Brian's life. He has been a member since birth, met his now-wife, Sarah, in the nursery, and has no idea what his life would look like absent the investment that so many spiritual "Uncles and Aunts" made in him over the years. It is his privilege to serve such an amazing body as an elder and his and Sarah's joy to see their four kids learning to obey all that Jesus commanded us.
Paul Brinkerhoff
Elder
Paul and his wife, Beth, are blessed with five wonderful children. In his youth, Paul moved with his family from New Jersey to Michigan and attended Forest Hills Bible Chapel for a few years. After college, Paul returned to the Chapel and met Beth, whose family had returned after serving as missionaries in Argentina. Beth studied Bible and education at Cornerstone University, while Paul went to seminary (MDiv). When not serving at Our Daily Bread Ministries as a senior content editor of Our Daily Bread, Paul enjoys interacting with people, date nights with Beth, and learning.
Chad Furness
Elder Vice-Chair
Chad Furness has served as an elder at Forest Hills Bible Chapel since 2017 where he and his wife Meredith have attended since 2005. He is blessed to be a homeschooling father to five wonderful kids where his roles include being a science teacher and a basketball coach. After 20 years of private practice, he now works as a medical physician at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services.
Tom Felten
Elder
Tom and his wife Lynn have three sons, two daughters-in-law, and two Chinese “sons” who have been part of his family for many years. When not serving at Our Daily Bread Ministries as the executive editor of Our Daily Bread, you might find Tom spending time with his family, serving with people and music at FHBC, serving at Upper Peninsula Bible Camp in Michigan’s beautiful north, or enjoying the great outdoors.
Roger Roelofs
Elder - Secretary
Roger is married to Patty and has two adult children and one granddaughter. He graduated from Hope College and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (MDiv). He works as a web and mobile app developer. Roger and Patty have been attending and serving at Forest Hills Bible Chapel for the last 10+ years and they appreciate the chapel family for walking with them through every mountain and valley.