GUM Church
STAFF
Lead Pastor: Rev. Sherri Swanson
Pastor Sherri is originally from Burlington, Iowa. She graduated from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois with a Master of Divinity degree. She also studied for a year at an Anglican seminary in Durham, England. She served previous pastorates in Michigan at Faith UMC in Grand Rapids, Three Oaks, Lakeside, Galien and Olive Branch United Methodist Churches.
Sherri is married to the Rev. Brad Bartelmay who serves as the lead pastor at First UMC in Holland. They are the parents of three young adult sons: Ben who just recently got back from serving in the Peace Corps in Comoros, and twins – Tom who is a musician in Detroit and Sam who is a mechanical engineer in Grand Rapids.
In her free time, Sherri enjoys: reading, walking, playing the piano, going to the beach, skiing and yoga.
You can learn more about Pastor Sherri from our first episode of our podcast, GUM: Something to Chew on.
Director of Worship: Alex Barringer
Alex Barringer has worked at GUMChurch since July 2013. He has a BA in Music with emphases in Worship Arts and Piano performance. Alex moved here from the St. Louis area in the summer of 2012. He grew up in the Toledo, OH area. Alex has worked at several different churches in the past and is excited to be a part of GUMChurch. In addition to music, Alex enjoys reading, cooking, mountain biking, video games, and watching TV.
Director of Choir: Lynette Cole
Lynette Cole has been the GUMchurch Choir Director since 2001. She was previously a member of the choir and has been a member of GUMchurch since 1991. She holds a music education degree from Hope College and taught elementary music in the Hudsonville Public Schools for 10 years. After "retiring" she became a Kindermusik educator, which she has been doing since 1998. She and her husband, Kelly have two grown sons, Danny and Kenny, who grew up in the nurturing and challenging atmosphere of the GUMchurch youth program. Besides her family, singing is one of her biggest joys, along with writing, color (spring green is a good one), traveling and goat cheese. A good laugh is also high on the list.
Director of Young Disciples Ministries: Kerri DeZwaan
Kerri grew up in Grandville, MI. She went to Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA and graduated in 1996 with degrees in Theology and Sociology and a minor in Church Music. She and her husband Dan meet at Dordt, and were married shortly after graduation. They have 3 kids, Sam, Jonah and Grace. They have been at GUM church for 6 years. Kerri has been involved in Youth and Children’s Ministry for over 25 years in both staff positions and as a volunteer in various churches in the area. In her spare time, Kerri likes to cook and bake. She also enjoys singing in the GUM Church choir. As a family, the DeZwaan’s enjoy traveling.
Director of Nursery: Amanda Hoskins
Amanda was born and raised in the Grand Rapids area. She graduated from Hudsonville High School in 2014 recently graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in English and Elementary Education. Amanda has attended GUM since she was a young child and has been a member of the church since 2009. She has been active with ushering, children’s ministries, and nursery ministries for many years. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family.
Office Manager: Amy Schuiling
Amy Schuiling joined GUM in 2004 and attends with her husband, Marty. They have three married daughters and six grandchildren, and live in Georgetown Township. Two of their daughters and their families are also members at GUM, and one family attends Valley UMC in Allendale.
Prior to working as our Office Manager, Amy worked as an Elementary School Secretary in the Grandville district for 25 years. She feels blessed to work with the staff at GUM and is grateful to be a part of this caring church family. Amy likes to spend her free time with her family and friends, volunteering (here at church), reading, camping and cooking.
Communications Specialist: Zachary Avery
Zachary Avery has been a part of GUM Church for all his life, being baptized in November 2000. His two parents are members, and before joining on as the Communications Specialist he volunteered as a Sunday School teacher for GUM following the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Prior to joining our team, Zachary worked as the digital editor for Spirituality+Health Magazine. He’s a regular contributor to Revue Magazine, and he feels his experience in digital communications and editing has prepared him for precisely this role with GUM.
Hospitality Specialist: Todd Avery
Todd Avery has been a member of Georgetown United Methodist Church since moving from Mt. Pleasant to Jenison with his wife, Penny, and newborn son, Benjamin, in 1994.
His youngest son, Zach, came along in 2000. GUMC has always provided a strong faith foundation for the entire family for which the Averys will be forever grateful.
Todd retired from teaching in 2020 after 31 years in the profession. After living in Mt. Pleasant and teaching at Farwell Area High School, Todd spent 26 of those years as a Theatre and Language Arts teacher at Jenison High School where he also directed over 100 productions with the JHS Thespians. He has also acted in and directed dozens of theatre productions around Grand Rapids. Prior to that, Todd and Penny toured the United States for two years with the Montana-based Missoula Children’s Theatre after graduating from Central Michigan University.
Todd has been a part of the GUMC choir, led drama programs for youth and adults, and helped with nursery and vacation bible school when his sons were younger. The Averys are regulars at Family Church Camp in Pentwater and have helped scoop ice cream at the GR Festival on many occasions. Todd enjoys acting, directing, cheering on the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers, playing board and miniature games, building and painting models and woodworking. His favorite pastime, by far, is loving on his new granddaughter, Lilabelle, who was born in December, 2021.
Young Disciples Ministry Assistant: Laura Homminga
Laura grew up in Cadillac, Michigan where she was raised in the United Methodist Church. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Despite her degree, Laura has spent most of her adult life working with children and youth. Together, she and her husband Dennis have two children, Liam and Ellie, and two dogs. In her free time Laura enjoys spending time with her family, especially outside.