Born in the summer of 1980, I was the first of three children in my family. I was a member of our church’s youth group, and came to accept Jesus as my Savior in my senior year of high school through the witness I experienced and relationship I had through a local Young Life leader in my school.
I went to Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where I studied elementary education, dove on the diving team, and made many good friends. Through my involvement in the ministry at Camp Geneva on the shores of Lake Michigan just before my last year of college, God started to grow in my soul a passion for ministry. After that summer, I knew that God was calling me some full time ministry.
The summer after graduating from Hope College in 2002, I again spent the summer involved with the ministry at Camp Geneva, and it was there that the Lord blessed me with an outbreak of poison ivy. As a result, I needed to see the camp nurse, who was a wonderfully, beautiful woman of God. “Nurse” Rochelle and I were blessed again, to be married in 2003 (after poison ivy season was over).
Also in 2002 I entered the halls of Western Theological Seminary and the community of Corinth Reformed Church in Byron Center, Michigan. During the next four years, the Lord grew his passion for youth and families as I participated in several ministries at Corinth as a pastoral intern.
As Pastor of Youth Ministry I look forward to what God is going to do by his grace and love in the hearts and lives of the youth and families at Calvary Church. I have passions to lead and equip God’s people for the work of ministry, young and old alike. I love to find people’s gifts and encourage them to use them to glorify our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Educational History:
2006 Western Theological Seminary (Holland, MI) Master of Divinty
2002 Hope College (Holland, MI) B.A. (Social Studies for Elementary Education/Math)
1998 Zeeland High School (Zeeland, MI) State Endorsed Diploma
1994 Zeeland Christian School (Zeeland, MI) “You made it through 8th grade” Certificate
1985 Sunny Hill Preschool (Zeeland, MI) Finger Painting Medal
Interesting Facts about Pastor Cody:
I don’t see green and red.
I love the book of Psalms in the Bible.
I catch poison ivy in the wind.
I have a very strong aversion toward camels; however the feeling is mutual.
I used to be able to hold my breath for two whole minutes…but I am afraid to try now.
I dislike anything with nuts in it (I think I am allergic).
I love to beat people at Settlers of Catan (especially my brother).