FRC Staffing Updates

Dear Church Family,
As a follow-up to Sunday’s announcement regarding upcoming transitions in staff assignments, we would like to provide a few additional details and address questions you may have about April’s new position.

As shared in the video announcement, this decision has been part of a careful and extended process. In June 2024, Mark Bloemendaal was hired as Interim Director of Operations while we continued our search for a senior pastor. The consistory believed it was important that our next senior pastor have meaningful input into the gifts and qualifications needed for someone who would work closely alongside him.

Shortly after Pastor Fred arrived, conversations began about how best to move forward with this interim role. At Pastor Fred’s encouragement, Mark graciously agreed to continue serving while Fred became more familiar with FRC and developed deeper relationships with our staff.

Throughout 2024–25, both the previous and current executive teams reviewed structures and models from churches of similar size. We carefully considered titles, responsibilities, and organizational structures in order to discern what kind of leadership—and what specific giftedness—would best serve FRC in this season.

As Pastor Fred’s leadership style and strengths became clearer, and as he identified areas where additional leadership support would be most helpful, the focus of this role took shape. After prayerful consideration of all these factors, it was determined that, at this time, hiring from within our current staff best meets our needs.

We are pleased to share that April Beaver will step into the role of Director of Ministry Operations. This position recognizes April’s significant gifts in guiding projects to completion, identifying and navigating barriers, supporting ministry objectives, and bringing a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to communication.

Though much of her work happens behind the scenes, April has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and faithful service across a broad range of responsibilities. She is well equipped to take on additional staff leadership in this new role.

While this position builds on some of what she is already doing, it will focus on three primary responsibilities:

1. Providing guidance for the implementation of ministry strategies
2. Ensuring mission alignment among staff and ministry leaders
3. Leading comprehensive communication, both internally and externally

April and Pastor Fred will develop a job description for a part-time position to assume responsibilities that April will oversee but no longer directly manage. These areas will primarily include graphics, marketing, social media, and technology.

Once finalized and approved, this position will be posted. After hiring, April will help train this individual and then transition fully into her new role.

At the same time, Mark Bloemendaal will begin transitioning out of his interim position. Pastor Fred will assume the HR responsibilities Mark has been handling. April will report directly to Pastor Fred and will provide leadership in alignment, implementation, and communication as outlined above.

With Lyle Lundgren’s retirement last August and Mark’s interim status, we also have an opportunity to evaluate additional ministry needs and consider how best to address them. As we move forward, three primary goals are guiding our thinking:

1. Maintain as much stability as possible through known transitions
2. Fully utilize the gifts of our current staff
3. Faithfully meet the ministry needs of this season in the life of our church

Our prayer is that God would be honored as we seek to serve Him both effectively and efficiently. We have seen His faithfulness in the past, and we trust Him as we move ahead.

We invite you to pray for each member of our staff—that they would find joy and fulfillment in their work, confidence in their calling, and encouragement as they see the Lord at work in the lives of those they serve.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the ministry of FRC.