Elders:
Rev. Jonathan Landry Cruse, pastor
Pastor Cruse is a native of Central Pennsylvania, where he grew up in a home that loved sports, movies, and Reformed theology. He attended Temple University in Philadelphia where he studied film for a time before graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies and English. Shortly after graduation, he married his lovely wife, Kerri Ann, and the two immediately headed for San Diego for Jonathan to earn his Masters of Divinity from Westminster Seminary California. They are enjoying life in Michigan with their children Jacob, Evangeline, and Caleb. Jonathan has been pastor of Community since June of 2017.
Pastor Cruse is an avid writer, and has published numerous articles, chapters, hymns, and books. He has written for The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Core Christianity, Modern Reformation, The Gospel Coalition, and TableTalk magazine. He is author of the new worship collection Hymns of Devotion, and the books The Christian’s True Identity: What It Means to Be in Christ, What Happens When We Worship, and The Character of Christ.
Brian Eshuis
Brian Eshuis was raised in a Christian home in the Kalamazoo area and attended an independent reformed church through his teen years and early married life. He is married to his true love, Michele, and has been blessed with three sons who are young men now. Outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, hunting and fishing are his chief hobbies, as well as watching and playing sports, but especially soccer which he coached for many years. Brian is employed as a flower grower and greenhouse manager. He and his family started attending Community in the fall of 2019, and after the interruption of covid, became members in 2021.
The law and gospel is his favorite theological topic which is evidenced by his favorite verses found in Galatians 2:19-21 which concludes with the words “if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”
One of his favorite hymns is By Grace I Am An Heir Of Heaven.
Tom Vander Band
Tom Vander Band is married and has 5 children. He was baptized as a young adult in the Free Reformed Church of Grand Rapids. His heart and ministry were with the neighborhood community of Grand Rapids for 40 years before becoming a member at Community, and subsequently an elder in 2020. Tom works quality assurance for Duncan Aviation in Battle Creek.
His favorite song is Psalm 69: Thy Loving Kindness Lord is Good and Free.
Perry Westerman, clerk of session
Perry Westerman made profession of faith in 1989. He believes that a reformed perspective helps him to focus his worship toward God and away from his own pride and works. It is only by God’s grace and the blood of Jesus that he is saved and this free gift was predestined by God, for which he is eternally grateful. Perry is a psychiatrist and teaches at WMU Medical School. Perry and his wife Jennifer have been members of Community Presbyterian Church since 2011, and he has served as an elder since 2017.
Philippians 4:4-7 is his favorite portion of Scripture.
Deacons:
Bryce Bekius
Derek McElvain, chairman
Derek McElvain is a Nebraska native and faithful Cornhuskers fan, but has called Kalamazoo home since 2004. He enjoys barbecuing, alpine skiing, and spending time with his family. Derek and his wife Michal have four children. They began attending Community in 2008 and Derek was ordained as a deacon in 2017.
A favorite hymn of Derek's is "Holy, Holy, Holy."
David Post
David Post was baptized as an infant and later professed his faith at Second CRC in Kalamazoo, Michigan. At the Community OPC's building dedication on May 15, 1988, David greeted the incoming congregation as a deacon from Heritage CRC. Little did he know then that he would go on to join Community, serve as a trustee for nearly 30 years, and be ordained as a deacon in 2017. Being the husband of one wife, father of four adult children, four children-in-law, and numerous grandchildren, he counts himself rich.
One of David's favorite hymns is "God, All Nature Sings Thy Glory."
Jacob Schumaker
Jacob Schumaker is a West Michigan native. Jacob grew up in the OPC, and he and his family started attending Community Presbyterian in 2018 when they moved to the Kalamazoo area for work. He and his wife Liz have two children. He was ordained as a deacon in 2022.
One of Jacob's favorite scripture passages is 1 Peter 1:3-5
Seth Verschoof
Seth Verschoof is married with six children. His hobbies include music, sports, and helping people. He is thankful for the Father's love, Jesus' sacrifice, and the Spirit's guidance. He attended independent Reformed churches for most of his life, but joined Community Presbyterian in 2014 and became a deacon in 2017.
One of Seth's favorite verses is Galatians 5:1, "Stand firm therefore in the freedom by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again by the yoke of slavery."