John was born and raised on the west side of Traverse City. He attended Traverse City Central High School and graduated in 1985. John then attended and graduated in 1989 from United Wesleyan College in Allentown, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pastoral Ministries and a minor in Psychology. In college, he was very involved in student government, serving as the junior and senior class president. He was also a key member of the college basketball team, winning three league championships in four years. His passion for the local church and the call of God is evident in every area of his life. Many describe John as a passionate, personable, out-going, and humorous person. His life-application messages are filled with deep Biblical truths and humorous observations from his own experiences. His love for the outdoors and quality time with his family are also very important to him.
Marriage and Ministry
Michele grew up in western New York on a dairy farm and was very involved in high school sports and her local church youth group. At the age of 16 she felt a clear call from God to be a pastor’s wife. John and Michele met each other the second day of college. They we were engaged and married in the spring of 1987. Their marriage is the fulfillment of two individuals who God called to serve in ministry and they have done so over the past twenty years. Together, John and Michele have led two very successful student ministry programs spanning fifteen years, and then started West Side Community Church in the fall of 2002.
Family
The Clarks consider their family to be a priority and enjoy their time together. The joy of their marriage has been their four children, ages 11 to 21. Their children are very involved in high school sports, extra-curricular activities and the student ministries at West Side. They spend a lot of time as a family playing games together, such as: hockey, basketball, wiffle-ball and splashing in the pool. They are very involved in the community and enjoy their home on the west side of Traverse City.
Pastor Lyle was born and raised on the west side of Traverse City. Lyle has a B.S. degree in Christian Ministries and has been a Pastor for 18 years. Lyle has served at West Side for the last nine years. His greatest joy in ministry is when he has been used by God to help make a difference in someone’s life. Lyle’s passions in life include spending time with his wife, Leanne and their two children Sierra and Shawn, archery and spending time with friends. Lyle has a sincere and transparent style that is inviting and heartfelt. Through a heart of compassion, humor and a spirit of humility, he encourages others to realize Christ’s love for them.
Marriage and Ministry
Pastor Lyle has been married to his beautiful wife Leanne for 17 years. They met at a Church Camp after being “Set- Up” by Lyle’s Pastor’s wife. Leanne earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Music. She serves as the Children’s Director at WSCC. Lyle feels very blessed with having Leanne as his wife, best friend and ministry partner. He couldn’t imagine life without her or his children.
Rick entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ at a Youth For Christ rally here in Traverse City when he was in high school. He has been involved in leadership in Christian groups ever since. After graduating from Traverse City High School, Rick earned a degree in psychology from Alma College, a Master of Divinity from Asbury Seminary in Kentucky, and a Master of Theology from Bethel Seminary in Minnesota. Rick loves teaching, both in the church and as an adjunct faculty member for Spring Arbor University. His hobbies include reading, snowshoeing, and kayaking.
Marriage and Ministr
When Rick was in college, he met Sharon in a small group Bible study and they became friends. That friendship has continued through thirty-seven years of marriage. Sharon also received a Master’s degree from Asbury Seminary with a focus on Christian education. She currently works for Bethany Christian Services. She has truly been a partner with Rick in ministry.
The Mavises served in pastoral ministry in Minnesota and Iowa, where they continued their passion for teaching God’s word and caring for people. Rick and Sharon also owned and managed Lemstone Books, a Christian bookstore in the Grand Traverse Mall from 1998-2006, faithfully serving 15,000 customers.
Family
The Mavises have two adult daughters, Sarah and Rachel, who live in the Traverse City area. Both young women have a love for the Lord and a heart to serve.
Andy was born and raised east of Traverse City where he attended and graduated from a small Christian school. A naturally gifted musician and songwriter, he honed his music skills in the Northern Michigan music scene for more than a decade, releasing several solo recording albums. After assisting a local church as a worship leader for 5 years, God called Andy to the process of searching nationally for a full time worship leading position. Simultaneously, in July of 2009, God also nudged him to begin attending West Side. He would soon discover God wanted him at West Side for precisely that reason. In January of 2010, Andy was invited to join the West Side team as Worship Leader. The following year, Andy completed his studies in Worship Arts online through West Coast Bible College and Seminary. In the fall of 2011 he graduated with a Bachelor of Worship Arts Degree and was ordained as a Pastor.
Marriage and Ministry
Andy’s wife Julie is a certified life coach and in the process of completing her degree in Professional Counseling. She enjoys helping others deepen their relationship and walk with the Lord. She teaches at West Side and at retreats with an emphasis on discipleship and spiritual formation. She also coordinates West Side Active Women, a ministry group that meets monthly for outdoor adventures.
Andy and Julie’s marriage is a testimony of God’s redeeming love, which resulted in a beautiful blended family with their two boys. They are proud of their boys who are growing in the Lord, serving in children’s ministry, and following the footsteps of their dad as budding musicians. The Six family loves the outdoors and creating family adventures. After searching for 2 ½ years for the ministry the Six’s felt called to, that ministry was discovered only 9 miles down the road at West Side.
David was born and raised in Traverse City and attended Traverse City Central High School. He is the second oldest of 6 brothers and 2 sisters. Prior to serving as Director of Operations at West Side, David was partner in a small business for several years. During that time, he met and married his beautiful wife, Morgan. They both enjoy living in Northern Michigan and spend time boating, swimming, hiking, and spending time with friends and family and their dogs. David and Morgan are passionate about ministering to orphans both locally and around the world. They spend time regularly in Mexico ministering to orphans and orphanages through LOCO Ministries, a West Side sponsored organization. Dave and Morgan have also opened their home to several foster children for emergency and long term placements. They are very excited to find out how God will use them to further minister to not only orphans but simply the disadvantaged of the world.
Dawn was born and raised in Port Huron, Michigan. After attending Ferris State University and receiving a degree in Respiratory Therapy, she moved to Traverse City in 1994 to work full time at Munson Medical Center as a respiratory therapist. Dawn became a Christian at a young age, but began passionately following the Lord in high school, which is one of the reasons she has such a passion for high school youth ministry.
Shortly after a mission trip in 2001, Dawn felt that God was calling her into youth ministry, and in 2002 she began leading the youth group at WSCC. Then in 2003 she started North Shore Outdoor Ministries – NSOM.org – a non-profit organization that hosts youth groups in northern Michigan on mission trips. In 2004, Dawn quit her job as a respiratory therapist to pursue full-time youth ministry.
Kim grew up in the Traverse City area. She spent a year at Indiana Wesleyan University and majored in communications. Kim works as a closing supervisor at Members Credit in Traverse City. God called her to West Side Community Church in 2004, where she has served as the Middle School Youth Leader since 2005. Kim has a passion for Middle School Students because of the impact that her youth pastor made in her life. She loves showing God’s love in the same way. Kim married a wonderful man named Bill Goss in 2010. They love their bishon, “Edward” and enjoy taking in God’s beauty while tubing down the river.