Rev. Leighton Seys, senior pastor Email Pastor Leighton
Leighton grew up in Michigan. As a child, he told everyone that he was going to be a preacher when he grew up. He didn’t really know what that would mean, but he knew that he looked up to his pastor and thought he was the smartest man alive. But life happened. His parents got divorced, and his mom was kicked out of the church. So, he didn’t go to church throughout MS and HS. He began going again when he started dating his wife. He wasn’t against church. He just felt they were against him and his family. Through it all he always felt God’s presence with him.
He met his wife Brandi at Grand Valley State University; and began attending church with her. They have three kids, all who are in college or grad school. Before going into ministry he was a 7th & 8th grade teacher and then a roofer and delivery truck driver. He had felt disqualified from being used by God since many events in his life seemed to be things "church people" would point fingers at. His journey back to his childhood dream started by getting involved in drama ministry at his church. After several years he began feeling God restoring that call to ministry he had known as a child.
He attended Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. After Seminary he spent time helping to coordinate Katrina relief efforts in TX, and helping with leadership development in a local congregation. Before returning to Michigan he served a church in Brookings, South Dakota and a church in Parkersburg, Iowa.
What is your philosophy of ministry?
What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy going for walks and bike rides. I love to fix bikes and give them away. I enjoy going out to eat or hosting people at our house for meals. I seek to go on at least one mission trip every year.
What do you enjoy about ministry?
I enjoy watching people take ownership of their faith and growing in gratitude for God's love for them, that drives them to live a life filled with grace, that culminates in serving out of their gifts and passions.
Leighton grew up in Michigan. As a child, he told everyone that he was going to be a preacher when he grew up. He didn’t really know what that would mean, but he knew that he looked up to his pastor and thought he was the smartest man alive. But life happened. His parents got divorced, and his mom was kicked out of the church. So, he didn’t go to church throughout MS and HS. He began going again when he started dating his wife. He wasn’t against church. He just felt they were against him and his family. Through it all he always felt God’s presence with him.
He met his wife Brandi at Grand Valley State University; and began attending church with her. They have three kids, all who are in college or grad school. Before going into ministry he was a 7th & 8th grade teacher and then a roofer and delivery truck driver. He had felt disqualified from being used by God since many events in his life seemed to be things "church people" would point fingers at. His journey back to his childhood dream started by getting involved in drama ministry at his church. After several years he began feeling God restoring that call to ministry he had known as a child.
He attended Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. After Seminary he spent time helping to coordinate Katrina relief efforts in TX, and helping with leadership development in a local congregation. Before returning to Michigan he served a church in Brookings, South Dakota and a church in Parkersburg, Iowa.
What is your philosophy of ministry?
- No one is beyond God's love or ability to use for ministry.
- Integrity matters more than anything we will ever say.
- The church is not for those who are inside the four walls alone, it is additionally for those yet outside the walls.
- We need to be stewards of our time, money and resources, including education and talents.
- All gifts are given for the building up of the body.
- If we neglect to use our gifts we are denying the body of what God has given us to use to be a blessing for the kingdom.
What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy going for walks and bike rides. I love to fix bikes and give them away. I enjoy going out to eat or hosting people at our house for meals. I seek to go on at least one mission trip every year.
What do you enjoy about ministry?
I enjoy watching people take ownership of their faith and growing in gratitude for God's love for them, that drives them to live a life filled with grace, that culminates in serving out of their gifts and passions.
Rev. Amy deGroot Bowling, pastor of youth and family Email Pastor Amy
After growing up in Minnesota, Amy graduated from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL. She attended Calvin Seminary and graduated from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. She and Nick have 3 small, energetic children.
Amy and Nick share the youth and family position and came to Ferry in October 2003.
What do you do in your free time? I enjoy gardening, making homemade pizza, and taking bike rides with my family.
What do you enjoy about ministry? I enjoy getting to know people, and seeing how God is working in their lives. In community, we have opportunities to grow in faith as we hear each others' stories, joys and struggles. God often uses others to teach us and encourage us on our journeys.
After growing up in Minnesota, Amy graduated from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL. She attended Calvin Seminary and graduated from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. She and Nick have 3 small, energetic children.
Amy and Nick share the youth and family position and came to Ferry in October 2003.
What do you do in your free time? I enjoy gardening, making homemade pizza, and taking bike rides with my family.
What do you enjoy about ministry? I enjoy getting to know people, and seeing how God is working in their lives. In community, we have opportunities to grow in faith as we hear each others' stories, joys and struggles. God often uses others to teach us and encourage us on our journeys.
Rev. Nick Bowling, pastor of youth and family Email Pastor Nick
Nick grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, milking cows, creating go-cart tracks and mini golf courses in his backyard. Nick is grateful to Trinity Christian College, Calvin Seminary and Western Theological Seminary for being exceptional places of learning and growth. Amy agreed to marry him after a hot air balloon ride over the Tetons 15 years ago.
What do you do in your free time?
Life has always been full of hard work and creative hobbies, most recently: kiteboarding, guitar, and woodworking.
What spiritual discipline have you been practicing?
Good timing has me learning the value of silence as a Christian discipline over the past few years. In contrast to the noise of life, I often find myself seeking God in places of silence and solitude. Our kids teach me about love.
What do you enjoy about ministry? My favorite part of ministry is being approached with interesting and deep questions of faith. Maybe this is why I love youth ministry so much--the wild and wonderful conversations and experiences that help us to grow in Jesus.
Nick grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, milking cows, creating go-cart tracks and mini golf courses in his backyard. Nick is grateful to Trinity Christian College, Calvin Seminary and Western Theological Seminary for being exceptional places of learning and growth. Amy agreed to marry him after a hot air balloon ride over the Tetons 15 years ago.
What do you do in your free time?
Life has always been full of hard work and creative hobbies, most recently: kiteboarding, guitar, and woodworking.
What spiritual discipline have you been practicing?
Good timing has me learning the value of silence as a Christian discipline over the past few years. In contrast to the noise of life, I often find myself seeking God in places of silence and solitude. Our kids teach me about love.
What do you enjoy about ministry? My favorite part of ministry is being approached with interesting and deep questions of faith. Maybe this is why I love youth ministry so much--the wild and wonderful conversations and experiences that help us to grow in Jesus.
Gloria Rademaker, administrative assistant Email Gloria
Gloria is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and has worked in a variety of vocations - health club manager, retail sales associate, bank teller, public and private school teacher, and secretary. She especially appreciates working at Ferry Memorial with a great team of caring individuals who are dedicated to Christ. Gloria has three sons - Ross (& Jacqueline & their daughter Madeline), Reid (& Ashley & their daughter Lola) and Ryan (& Taylor) - who are the joy of her heart. She enjoys gardening, walking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Gloria has served as Administrative Assistant since 1996.
Gloria is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and has worked in a variety of vocations - health club manager, retail sales associate, bank teller, public and private school teacher, and secretary. She especially appreciates working at Ferry Memorial with a great team of caring individuals who are dedicated to Christ. Gloria has three sons - Ross (& Jacqueline & their daughter Madeline), Reid (& Ashley & their daughter Lola) and Ryan (& Taylor) - who are the joy of her heart. She enjoys gardening, walking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Gloria has served as Administrative Assistant since 1996.