Pastor Chad served as an intern during his last two years of seminary at Central Avenue with Pastor Jim Scholten as his mentor. As he graduated in 2004, Pastor Jim was turning 65, but didn’t want to retire, leading to Pastor Chad becoming the full-time co-pastor and Pastor Jim the part-time co-pastor. Pastor Chad was ordained on September 19, 2004. He is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry, in preaching and teaching, at Knox Theological Seminary.

Pastor Chad and his wife Rachel have three children. Their family enjoys camping, sports, reading and time with friends and family.

Pastor Chad typically maintains office hours on and off, Monday afternoon through Friday. Saturday is his regular day-off. Please contact the church office or make an appointment to be sure he is available.

Pastor Kevin was born and raised in Visalia California, attended Calvin College for four years, and after graduating spent 8 years in the Middle East working with Resonate Global Missions working as a Bible Teacher and Youth Pastor. In the summer of 2021 Kevin and his wife discerned a call to return to the States. That summer Kevin came to Central Avenue as a part time interim pastor while he finished up his seminary degree at Calvin Theological Seminary. Upon graduating from seminary, Kevin was called by Central Avenue to full time ministry, which he gladly accepted, and was ordained in the summer of 2023.

Kevin and his wife Anna have three young children. Together they love traveling, reading, and spending time on Lake Michigan.

Jeremiah grew up all over the Midwest, including Illinois, South Dakota, Ohio, Iowa, and now Michigan. He professed his faith within the Christian Reformed Church in May of 2016. Jeremiah knew he wanted to be in pastoral ministry since he was 10 years old and is grateful that God has lead him to this church and Holland MI.

Jeremiah has a bachelor's Degree in both Theological & Biblical Studies and Theatre from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He is currently a student at Western Theological Seminary where he is working towards his Master of Divinity, and he is in the Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidates (EPMC) for Ordination within the Christian Reformed Church.

During Seminary, Jeremiah was looking for a strong church to attend. Jeremiah says “After visiting and being greeted by Pastor Chad as well as many members, my wife and I found Central Avenue to be home.” Jeremiah is able to serve as an intern at Central Ave (which is a requirement for both his seminary program and the EPMC.

Jeremiah married his wife Rachel in May of 2021. In his free time, he loves to read and watch birds fly to his bird feeder in his backyard.

Brian Knot has served as Music Director since the summer of 2018. He directs the Chancel Choir, Voices of Praise, and Orchestra, as well as various other musical groups.

Brian was born and raised in West Michigan, and travelled for his bachelors degree in Music from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, before heading back to Michigan for his K-12 Music Teaching Certificate and a Masters degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan.

In addition to his work at Central Ave CRC, Brian is the Band Director at Unity Christian High School and at Hudsonville Christian Middle School.

Brian and his wife Missy enjoy camping, Fixing up their 100+ year old home, cheering for U of M athletics and spending time with their 5 children.

Salli was born and raised in Holland, and met her husband, Jason, at Trinity Christian College. They stayed in the Chicago suburbs for 20 years before moving back to Holland 7 years ago.

Salli graduated with a degree in English (which she never really used!), and spent time teaching kindergarten, working in camping ministry, in food service, and in senior living before joining our staff at Central Ave CRC in 2021 (where she is finally using her English Degree).

Before moving to Holland, Salli’s pastor in Illinois knew Pastor Chad and recommended Central Avenue as a solid, Biblically based, complementarian church to check out. Salli grew up attending Calvinettes at Central Ave, and her grandparents were members here so she were already familiar with the church. One visit was all it took for them to know that this congregation was going to be their church home.

Salli is married to Jason and they have 2 adult children. She loves to read, to work puzzles, and to go to the beach (in any season).

Ann has been a member of Central Avenue CRC for her entire life! She graduated from Dordt College (now University) with a teaching degree and taught at Bradenton Christian School for almost 5 years before joining the Air Force. Ann first worked maintenance for Air Planes before become a secure communications analyst. She was stationed in Florida; Texas; Misawa, Japan; Berlin, Germany; and Ft. Meade in Maryland.

After her time in the Air force, Ann came back to Michigan, and ended up at First American Title as a customer service representative for 17 years. She retired in 2019 and has served as Administrative Assistant ever since. Ann assists the pastors and Council and maintains administrative functions of the church office. Ann also serves as the church librarian and on the fellowship committee. She enjoys embroidery and reading.

Karen became a member of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church in 1990 when her husband, David, became music director. They worshiped here but commuted every weekend from Flint where Karen was employed by the Flint Community Schools in their data processing department. David passed away in 1999 and Karen retired from Flint Community School in 2005. Karen moved back to her hometown of Holland and became treasurer soon after in 2006.

Karen has 2 children, a daughter with her family in Jenison and a son and his family in Orlando. Karen has 4 grandchildren that make her very proud.

Karen has enjoyed being in the Central Avenue Community saying “I've always enjoyed the solid Biblical teaching and fellowship here and have many very close friends. I've traveled a lot with the gals and played a lot of cards as well.”

Jeff was born and raised in Holland. He has lived here all his life except for 5 years when his dad moved us to Nappanee, Indiana to start a Family Fare store. Jeff graduated from a Mennonite high school before moving back to Holland in 1980. He met Mardi and got married in 1982 when they were 18 and 20 years old. They went right to work raising a family with 4 daughters and 1 adopted son. Jeff now has 10 grandchildren with #11 arriving soon.

Jeff and Mardi joined Central Ave CRC after they were married. They left only a year later to help plant New Life Fellowship Church. They have recently returned to Central Ave after they felt like their time and work at New Life Fellowship was done. One thing that drew them to Central Avenue was that Central Ave is preaching the true gospel of Jesus Christ and not bending to the culture. Through the Wednesday Night Bible study, they re-kindled old friendships and made new friends. Jeff describes it by saying “We definitely felt God leading us back to Central Ave. It was like coming home.”

With a career of doing facility maintenance, and buildingsSurveys, Jeff stepped into his position as Central Avenue Christian Reformed Facilities Manager. Jeff enjoys carpentry and home renovation projects.

In his free time, Jeff has been a volunteer firefighter, a wooden boat builder, a kayaker, and biker, and enjoys reading and debating theology.