Our Staff
Pastor David loves seeing God’s grace impact and change people’s lives! He enjoys meeting new people and is outgoing!
His educational background includes a Doctorate of Ministry, and he has been a Senior Pastor for fifteen years. He has also served as a chaplain and a church planter. He enjoys fishing, hunting, biking, basketball, snowmobiling, treasure hunting, and the Packers.
He also received a speeding ticket during his first month as pastor at Gibbsville Reformed Church.
David is married to, Amber, and they have two boys, Caleb and Joab.
Where did you grow up?
I am a Wisconsinite! I grew up in Central Wisconsin near Cambria.
What makes you want to wake up in the morning?
I love adventure and change. My favorite verse is, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine . . ."(Ephesians 3:20)
What is your favorite pizza topping?
I am a supreme guy! I love the variety!
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
I enjoy watching American Pickers or playing ping pong with my boys. I also love road biking, basketball, and treasure hunting.
What's the number one item on your bucket list?
I would like to get back to the Middle East for another archaeological dig.
What does your ideal day look like?
Any day that involves a trip, an adventure of sorts, or meeting someone new is a day that makes me feel alive!
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
I would love to be ageless so I could play basketball at a high level into my eighties.
If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
I would ask God, "Can you tell me what one day in Heaven will be like?"
What led you to your position at GRC?
A good friend of mine interviewed at Gibbsville and said, "I think you may be a fit, you should interview there."
What is your hope for Gibbsville Reformed Church?
My prayer is that Gibbsville Church would have a laser focus on keeping the main thing the main thing. Jesus is the Main Thing!
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Covina, California. (Los Angeles County) So palm trees and In-And-Out are close to my heart!
What makes you want to wake up in the morning?
A warm cup of coffee and my time with the Lord. I love the slow pace of the morning. It's the best part of the day.
What is your favorite pizza topping?
Meat Lovers or Supreme or Spicy Italian or.....
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
My favorite indoor activity is sitting down with a good book. And if I'm outside having a good time, I'm on a skateboard.
What's the number one item on your bucket list?
Before I die, I'd like to swim with Sea Turtles
What does your ideal day look like?
Quality time with the wife and the pup, and a bag of Sour Patch Kids
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Hmm, to never need a haircut. Can that be a superpower?
What led you to your position at GRC?
When I was looking for a place to serve I came across this opening online. I applied for a number of reasons, but here are the top three:
- I was impressed by Pastor David's teachings;
- The vision statement online emphasized making youth, prayer, and outreach a priority in this church;
- The children's ministry was at the time going through a really good Gospel-Centered curriculum. In short, there were many signs that GRC was a very healthy church family!
What is your hope for Gibbsville Reformed Church?
That we would love Christ and love others.
Rev. Lynell Friesen MDiv, BCCI, a Board Certified Chaplain who is employed by Eastern Wisconsin Division HSHS working primarily at St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan.
Lynell is an ordained Pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America, earning his Master of Divinity Degree at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Oviedo, FL. Lynell pastored churches in North Dakota and British Columbia. After the church in Canada folded he served as the assistant director for Trinity Western University ’s adult education program in Bellingham (WA), he suffered a stroke. Subsequently, he initiated his clinical pastoral education internship at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center (Bellingham, WA) completing his residency at Providence Medical Center in Anchorage, AK.
Lynell is married to Deborah Friesen and they have three grown children, Joshua who currently lives with his two daughters in Woodbury, MN; their daughter Sarah who lives in Cottage Grove, MN, Micah and his wife Alexa who live in Bellingham, WA. Lynell was raised in Southern Minnesota, attended LeTourneau College in Longview, TX where he earned his BA degree in Missions.
Lynell has a shepherd’s heart for people as they journey through their own “valley of he shadow”. Allowing them to focus on reframing their curses into God’s blessings, and to bear witness to their world God’s faithfulness.
Where did you grow up?
I’d like to say I haven’t but that may be avoiding the question. I was born in Red Wing, MN. Two years later my brother was born and my parents return to their hometown, Mt. Lake, MN, where we remained until my father was hired by HyVee and we moved to New Ulm, MN where I graduated from High School,
What makes you want to wake up in the morning?
I love, absolutely love what I do
What is your favorite pizza topping?
Meat (Sausage, Ham, Hamberg, Bacon, Pepperoni)
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
Gardening, fishing, reading
What's the number one item on your bucket list?
See the seven wonders of the modern world: Great Wall is China, Petra, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Macho Picchu in Brazil, Chichen Itza in Mexico, The Colosseum in Pome, the Taj Mahal in India.
A hundred million internet votes can't be wrong. The Seven Wonders of the World now comprise: the Great Wall of China, Jordan's ancient rock city Petra, Brazil's Statue of Christ Redeemer, the hilltop city of Machu Picchu in Peru, Mexico's Chichen Itza pyramid, the Colosseum in Rome and India's Taj Mahal
What does your ideal day look like?
Spending the day with my children and granddaughters
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Peacemaker
If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
Just how did you want us to understand John 9:31 in the light of who we are - sinner’s?
What led you to your position at GRC?
God opened the door when I wasn’t looking
What is your hope for Gibbsville Reformed Church?
That God would use his Holy Spirit in our lives in such a way that every life that touches ours would have a saving knowledge of what he has done for us in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Danette grew up in Cedar Grove. She married her husband Todd in 1987 and GRC has been her home ever since.
Danette started at Gibbsville in 2009, and we lovingly call her “The Queen” because she takes care of just about everything around here. She loves serving God, the people of GRC and the surrounding community.
Danette has 4 children and 2 grandchildren and loves spending time with her family at their cabin in Upper Michigan.
Where did you grow up?
Cedar Grove
What makes you want to wake up in the morning?
Family, Work, and Fun (and coffee of course!)
What is your favorite pizza topping?
All the ingredients for taco pizza
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
Spending time at our cabin.
What does your ideal day look like?
Spending the day with my children & grandchildren.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Flying
If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
Why do bad things have to happen?
What led you to your position at GRC?
My youngest was going off to Kindergarten, and I was looking for a job. This job was in the bulletin and 2 of my kids told me to apply.
What is your hope for Gibbsville Reformed Church?
To be united, and to show the love of Jesus to ALL!
Where did you grow up?
Cedar Grove
What makes you want to wake up in the morning?
I really am not a morning person...but seeing the excitement and BIG smile on my youngest son's face when he sees me come into his room does put a smile on my face. I also strongly believe the saying I need " a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus" :)
What is your favorite pizza topping?
sausage, black olives, and pineapple...yes, all together :)
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
Outdoor would have to be taking a walk or hike with my family. Indoor, if I get the chance, cuddling up with a good book or movie at the end of the day.
What's the number one item on your bucket list?
Travels to various countries in Europe with my family. I also would really like to take my children on mission trips to third world countries to fully realize how blessed they are and to also instill in them to have a greater sense of the global Christian church and how we can support it beyond our own small community.
What does your ideal day look like?
Beautiful WARM weather and being able to be outside with my family without feeling the need to rush.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Be everywhere at once and fully present at the same time without feeling stressed and pulled in all directions...but I guess I'll leave that attribute or superpower up to God :)
What led you to your position at GRC?
I feel strongly that this next generation needs to be armed with the armor of God. That they need to not only know their Bible with their minds but how to apply it in their lives and claim God's truths for themselves. I so greatly want our children to enter the world of adulthood knowing what and why they believe and to develop a Christian worldview so that they will be strong in their beliefs when faced with the temptations and choices that will be thrown at them. I consider it a privilege and great responsibility to be able to support parents and be a tool to help in the spiritual training of their children.
What is your hope for Gibbsville Reformed Church?
That we can be a church that seeks God's truth before man's approval in all things without compromise. That we can be a church that is ready to love, serve, and come alongside people to help them know and grow in their relationship with God.
Kim has lived all over the world during his lifetime as first a son of missionary parents, attending 13 different schools in 12 years, and later as a member of the United States Air Force. Kim considers himself a lifelong learner and enjoys exploring and learning new technologies. He graduated from Oostburg High School in 1974, Cleveland Institute of Electronics in 1980 with a degree as an Electronic Technician, Lakeshore Technical College with an Associate Degree in Information Technology - Networking, and finally UW-Stout with a BS in Information and Communication Technology. He has worked at everything from Aircraft Mechanic to operating his own computer sales and service business.
Kim has been married to his wife Pam since 1978, has two grown children and four wonderful grandchildren, which are the apple of his eye. He has a passion for sharing his faith and seeing others understand what an adventure life in Christ can be.
Where did you grow up?
All over. As a kid I lived in Milwaukee, WI; Holland, MI, Libertyville, Ill.; Fullerton, CA; Malaysia; and Indonesia; with a few short stops in other places along the way. I served in the Air Force in England, Denmark, Spain, Italy, and Tucson, AZ. I have lived in this area ever since.
What makes you wake up in the morning?
Just the anticipation of what the Lord has in store for me today. Psalm 5:3 is one of my favorite verses “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Life has been such an adventure with the Lord, and I take pleasure in His constant reminders that He hasn’t given up on me yet.
What is your favorite Pizza topping?
If it is on Pizza, it is already God’s perfect food.
What is your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
Playing with the grandkids.
What’s the number one item on your bucket list?
Take my wife on a train trip across the USA.
What does your ideal day look like?
A sunny, warm, relaxing day with my wife in Door County.
If you could have one superpower, what would that be?
Eat all the pizza I want to, without gaining weight!
What led you to your position at GRC?
The thoughtfulness and kindness of members who recognized that this job would be ideal for me and the many experiences that God led me through to give me the knowledge and skills to be used for His glory.
What is your hope for Gibbsville Reformed Church?
That together we make Christ the center of our lives, overflowing with love and grace for each other so that the whole world will know we are Christians by our love and that translates into an overwhelming desire to share our faith with those God brings into our life.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up on the North Side of Sheboygan Falls around the airport. Now I live on the south side of Gibbsville.
What makes you wake up in the morning?
Usually to say good morning to my boys and play with them. However, this is why I want to keep sleeping some days as well.
What is your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
I like to build lego's in our "Lego Room" in the basement with the kids. Camping, Campfires, etc. in the summer and fall.
What's the #1 thing on your bucket list?
I would love to take an extended European Vacation and visit a dozen countries.
What does your ideal day look like?
Good nights sleep, kids behaving, and a nice dinner date with my wife.
Name one food item you couldn't live without?
Buffalo Wild Wings!! (As long as it's not a chicken head)
What or why did you feel called to serve at Gibbsville?
I had just switched jobs so I had more free time. I enjoy working outdoors so it seemed like a great opportunity.