Brenda Rijfkogel – Pink Impact Team Leader.
I’ve been married to our Senior Pastor Sam for 20 wonderful, incredible years. We have two fantastic kids, Nathan and Sarah. I absolutely love the women of our church and am humbled at the opportunity to serve them. Some of my favorite things are my Kuerig Coffee Maker - they are the greatest, my Clearplay DVD player - a machine that plays filtered versions of your rented DVDs, I love being pampered and of course...chocolate!!

Now, I would like to introduce you to our incredible Pink Impact Leadership Team. A group of women that works diligently to see the mission of the women Grand Rapids First is fulfilled.

Adrian - has worked with teens through various venues for over 12 years.  She is a student at Spring Arbor University, pursuing her MA in counseling.  Adrian has been involved with several ministries at Grand Rapids First including First Touch, Living Waters, Sunday School teacher, missions, Transformation Weekends and small groups.  Her favorite things are “a really nice mechanical pencil with a squishy grip,  a comfortable pair of really cute heels and a made-from-scratch german chocolate cake!

Barbie - has been married to Ed for 27 “blissful” years. They have two wonderful children, Johanna and Josiah. Barbie enjoys cooking meals for those in need, making prayer books with small children and memorizing scripture. Barbie serves our Deaf Ministry and is very active in Servant Evangelism as she has a heart for outreach.

Christi - has been married to her wonderful husband Jeff for 31 years.  She has two step-daughters, Shelly and Jennifer, a son, Nathan, and one adorable yorkie poo named Molly.  Christi is Pastor Carl’s administrative assistant and very active at Grand Rapids First.  Her favorite things are her prayer journal, quotes, scriptures and Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans from Costco.  Her favorite shopping spots are Dwellings (on 44th Street), DSW shoes and IKEA.

Christie - Has been married to her best friend Andrew since 2004. They have one daughter, Georgia, born in 2008. She values relationships she has with others and has fun spending time with family and friends. Three of Christie’s loves are, “the Library – when I need a break I can go to the Library and read magazines, explore cookbooks, or find creative inspirations for my home." Reed Diffusers – make my home smell good without having to burn a candle. And baby oil – I use baby oil to remove my eye make-up. It’s cheap and works better than anything else I’ve tried.”

Connie - was married to her husband Jerry for over 43 years. Connie has three boys, all married, and nine beautiful grandchildren that keep her very busy.  During her years at Grand Rapids First, Connie has taught Sunday School, sung in the choir, been a greeter as well as the wife of a deacon.  Connie’s favorite things (besides those nine grandkids) are her Kuerig coffee maker, her Garmin GPS and Diet Coke. 

Dianna - has been married to Tom since 1988. They have three children Avalon, Tomas and David. They also have one grandson, Landon. Dianna is involved in music ministry, has done several Servant Evangelism outreaches. She has her BS in accounting and MBA from Grand Valley State University. Her favorite things include, "finding travel bargains on priceline.com and hotwire.com. We love to travel, especially when it’s a great deal. As an accountant keeping a balanced checkbook is a MUST in our household so I regularly update my personal Quicken software with debit and check transactions to make sure that everything stays in check!"

Helen - has been married to her husband Rick for 25 years! She is one of 10 children. Although Helen and Rick “were not blessed with children, we have found that there is no limit to the many other ways in which god blesses His children.” Helen is currently involved in the music ministry, as well as the PILT. She is the Extension Administrator for Michigan State University Extension. Helen’s favorite things are music, reading, walking and decorating.

Holly - is a retired teacher, life-long educator, mother of two adult children and grandmother. Her walk with God includes praising and honoring God through worship, encouraging women to be their best, and enjoying a healthy lifestyle in Jesus. A few of her favorite things are QVC.com and Overstock.com, “I can get fashions and housewares at a competitive price,” and HGTV, “I can see the latest designer ideas for home decorating.”

Jerry - has been married to Pastor Carl for over 26 years.  They have two beautiful daughters, Jenna and Jill both married to fine young men.  Jerry is the Servant Evangelism Coordinator at Grand Rapids First.  She is also an incredible cook.  Her favorite things are her Sleepmate sound machine, a little machine that gives off “white” noise for a great night’s sleep, food and snow tubing.

Jo - is married to Kenny and together they have six children and 28 grandchildren.  “We are a very full and happy household when we gather together.”  They live on a farm where they have various animals and grow most of their own food.  Jo is the Grand Rapids First Kitchen Supervisor and the one responsible for putting together some fantastic meals.  Obviously, her passion is cooking and we are the blessed recipients of her endeavors!!

Liz - is a native of Grand Rapids and is working currently as a Nutrition Program Coordinator with head Start for Kent County. She has a love of music ministry and has recorded two CDs. She also loves her two cats, Kylie and Montgomry. Liz is active with our Music Ministry at Grand Rapids First and sings on the praise team.

Mary Ann - is married to Dan, one of our deacons.  They have been married for over 18 years.  She is the mom of four very busy teenagers and says she has learned the true meaning of multitasking.  MaryAnn has been involved in several ministries during her 20 years with Grand Rapids First, but says that serving the women of the church through Pink Impact has been a highlight.  One of her favorite things is Ready to Bake meals from Costco; they make it, you bake it and life is good!  Also, her monthly coffee group of dear friends that “make me laugh and bring me joy” and chocolate – nothing more needs to be said!

Marilyn - has been married to Jerry for 11 fabulous years.  She has two children, six grandchildren, five step children, seven step grandchildren and nine step great grandchildren.  If that doesn’t keep her busy enough, she has also worked for Kent County for over 23 years.  Marilyn’s favorite things are Dickens Christmas Houses, silver jewelry and baking cookies with all those grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rebecca - has been married to Steve for over 20 years.  They are the God parents of four wonderful children.  She loves riding her horse, Mack and enjoys being involved with the Women’s Ministry and the choir at Grand Rapids First.  Her favorite things are TimeWise Replenishing Serum+C from Mary Kay (makes your skin feel soft and rejuvenated), WalMart Faded Glory Jeans (they fit well and are inexpensive), Best Defense from Herbalife (helps support your body’s resistance).

Stephanie - is married to Greg and mom of two beautiful children, Jared and Kenadi. She is the Assistant to the Director of Marketing and Media for Grand Rapids First. You see Stephanie most Sunday mornings during the announcements. Stephanie says her three favorite things are “fashion (surprise, surprise), because it is an outward expression of an inward place. No matter your socio-economical status, you can express your mood, personality or any number of things through fashion and, well…IT’S FUN! Also, a favorite thing and priority of mine is to make sure that I make the time to relax and/or have fun with my girlfriends. And finally, I love having the privilege of ministering and working in an area that I’m passionate about.”

Sue - is the mother of two beautiful daughters, Kelly and Jennifer. Sue is an incredible administrative assistant to Pastor Sam and has been involved in Women's Ministry for over 12 years. Sue enjoys spending time with her daughters, extended family and friends. Her favorite things are the Garment Deodorant Remover – instantly removes white streaks from your clothes. Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Hair Spray – "my hair never leaves home without it!" And sticky notes – "I stick them everywhere!"

Yvonne - has been married for 37 years. She has three children and nine grandchildren. She loves riding horses with her granddaughter in Montana and having slumber parties with her granddaughters at the family cottage in Grand Haven. “I try to savor the moments as I realize every day how quickly they disappear.” Yvonne’s favorite things are “My daughters’ blogs: With helpful hints for young moms, vanorder5.blogspot.com, mckeefamily2003.blogspot.com, and kruithoff5spot.blogspot.com. I love the book, God@work. It has totally changed my thinking about my workplace. Also, she likes the hidden boardwalks in Grand Haven. Every woman must find them.