OUR STAFF

Bob Karel

Lead Pastor

bobk@orchardhill.org Bob has served as the Lead Pastor since January 2006. Bob’s role at Orchard Hill is to primarily focus on vision and direction, preaching and teaching, and overseeing the OHC staff. Bob was raised in West Michigan and is married to his supportive wife, Amy. He has two grown children, Rebekah and Jordan. Away from church, Bob enjoys biking, traveling, being involved in community theatre productions, and playing pickleball.

Kathy Bartels

Pastor of Discipleship

kathyb@orchardhill.org Kathy has been with Orchard Hill since 2008. Pastor Kathy leads the discipleship team, the congregational team, and oversees most personal needs within the congregation. Kathy has been married to her husband, Bill, for 36 years and they have 3 grown children.

Laura Claus

Pastor of Outreach and Small Groups

laurac@orchardhill.org Laura has been with Orchard Hill Church since 2012. Pastor Laura’s ministry focuses on outreach, small groups, and the 18-30’s ministry called The Flock. Laura is a Grand Rapids native and currently lives in the West side area. She is passionate about mission and spends much of her free time with friends and family, and enjoys being active in God’s creation.

Frank Harper

Church Administrator

frankh@orchardhill.org Frank joined the Orchard Hill staff in 2001. Frank is responsible for most non-ministerial functions of the Church. The facility/property, human resources, financial tracking and reporting for both Church and Childcare, and maintains all contribution records for the Church. Frank and his wife, Sheri, have three daughters and three grandsons. In Frank’s spare time he reads murder/mystery novels and officiates high school basketball and umpires high school/travel fast pitch softball.

Wendy Huizinga

Director of Music & Worship Arts

wendyh@orchardhill.org Wendy began her career at Orchard Hill in 2008. Wendy is the music minister and director of worship arts. Her heart is to help people develop their artistic gifts to use in worship. She plans services and leads worship most Sundays with a team of talented musicians, works with the ministry team, and oversees the summer Arts Camp. Wendy is married to Mark who is a technical genius and a great partner in ministry. They have three children, Brennan, Bradley, and Kensley.

Greg Salmon

Youth Pastor

gregs@orchardhill.org Greg joined Orchard Hill staff in 2013. Greg leads the middle school and high school ministries. The youth ministry team desires to introduce students to Jesus Christ and to disciple students into lifelong followers of Jesus Christ. Greg loves to play basketball and do anything outside. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time out on the lake fishing and boating. When the weather turns cold you can find him hunting and skiing.

Miranda Huyck

Children’s Coordinator

mirandah@orchardhill.org Miranda has been with Orchard Hill since 2017. Miranda works with the kids of Orchard Hill from babies through 5th grade. She loves teaching kids, and teaching kids about Jesus is so special. Miranda has been married to Nate since June 2016. They love to watch a good movie or TV series, and they play video games together.

Allyssa Packer

Administrative Assistant

allyssap@orchardhill.org Allyssa has been with Orchard Hill since 2013. She answers the phones, responds to emails, creates and publishes bulletins and the ministry highlights, maintains the website, and has a cornucopia of other responsibilities. Allyssa married Josh in 2015 and they have a dog named Peaches. Allyssa loves to play volleyball and tennis, sunbathe, and read.

Amy Karel

Kids Hope Director

alkarel@comcast.net Amy has been the Kids Hope Director with Orchard Hill since 2007. She has the awesome privilege of connecting people from Orchard Hill as Mentors for children who need them at Kenowa Hills Central Elementary. Amy is married to the lead Pastor, Bob, and is an early childhood teacher and works with 4 and 5 year old children.

Jennifer Gray

Orchard Hill Christian Preschool and Childcare Center Director

jenniferg@orchardhill.org Jennifer has been the director of the Learning Center since 1998. She is responsible for the day to day operation of the preschool and child care center. That includes working with staff, families, and children daily. Jennifer has been married to Stew since 1992 and they have two wonderful children, Jakob and Sara.

Bev Buikema

Visitation Coordinator

bev.buikema@gmail.com Bev has been the Visitation Coordinator at Orchard Hill since 2012. She has the privilege of calling on all the shut-ins as well as those admitted to the hospital. She enjoys sharing God’s word with them, praying for them, and for those that are not able to attend church, serve communion to them. Since Bev is part time, that leaves her a lot of time to enjoy with family. Bev enjoys swimming, reading, and a good cup of coffee.

Denise Ford

Worship Ministry Assistant

denisef@orchardhill.org Denise has been with Orchard Hill since 2006. She works part time as the worship assistant for Wendy Huizinga. She helps with scheduling the vocalists/band members each week, getting things prepared for weekly rehearsals and Sunday mornings, and many more odds and ends items. She also plays the synth. Denise works for Advance Local full time doing collections. She and Kevin were married in 2011 and have a son, Leeland. They are expecting a second baby this October.

John Otstott

Janitorial

John came to Orchard Hill in 2017. John’s job is to keep the church and its facilities clean and picked up. He is also here to assist with any special requests and needs. John is married to Sandy, and between them they have five children and right grandchildren. They have a new puppy named Gracie. In his spare time, you can find John fishing, golfing, or tinkering around the house.

JOIN US

Orchard Hill Church

1465 Three Mile Rd NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
616.784.4060

Church

1465 Three Mile Rd NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544