Pastors
Nate Birkholz
Nate came to Lakeshore in 2007 after completing his Master of Divinity at Virginia Beach Theological Seminary. After investing six years in the youth of Lakeshore, Nate stepped into the senior pastor role in the summer of 2013. He is an expositional preacher and a shepherd-pastor. His wife, Kris, is his best friend, and they have four children: Adrianna, Natalie, Owen, and Seth. (Email)
ANDY DAVIES
Andy and his wife, Davina, moved from VA to MI to join the team at LBC. Andy leads the Small Groups, Adult Bible Fellowship, Greeters/Ushers, and BUILD Men’s Conference ministries at LBC, also assisting the Women’s Ministry Team Committee and coordinating the SALT Women’s Conference. Andy and Davina have five children: Caleb, Micah, Elijah, Annika, and Elyse. (Email)
STEPHEN ELLISON
Stephen is the Pastor overseeing the Youth Ministry. In 2023, Stephen came to LBC from Alabama via Missouri. Before moving to MI, he served as a youth pastor at two churches. His undergraduate years were spent at Samford University, then he pursued a M.Div through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating in 2021. Stephen is married to Macy, who teaches at Grand Haven High School in Grand Haven. (email)
DERON NELSON
Deron and his wife, Becky, have been members of Lakeshore since 2018. Throughout his adult life, Deron has served in various roles in the church, and loves to dig deeply into God’s word and share it with others. He is a veterinarian by profession and deals (mostly) with horses and their owners. Deron and Becky have three children: Andrea, Joshua, and Caleb. (email)
Mike Schaap
Mike came to Lakeshore in 1986, working with the youth and eventually assumed responsibility for worship and music. Mike is a devoted lay-pastor who works in the business world during the week and gives of himself sacrificially to the work of the church. Mike and his wife, Cindy, have three children and eight grandchildren. (Email)
PASTORAL ASSISTANT
ERIC EMMONS
Eric and his wife, McKenzie (or Kenzie) have long been associated with LBC, but returned to serve as the pastoral assistant starting in May of 2025. He oversees FORGE Young Adults and Children’s Ministries, while serving and learning alongside the pastors. Eric went to Taylor University (IN) and then spent four years at Southeastern Seminary. Eric and McKenzie have two children, Ethan and Ivy.
Deacons
Chairman
Gary Gomer
Buildings and Grounds
Mark George, Mike Nienhuis
financial/administrative
Mike Nienhuis, Rich Woodby
Insurance
Eric Johnson, Al West
Missions
Nate Birkholz
Security
Mike Hansma
Vehicles
Mike Hansma, Mark George
Internal Services
Eric Johnson, Todd Witters
Technology/Website
Todd Witters, Al West
baptism
Nate Birkholz
membership
Nate Birkholz
Communion
Manie VanNiekerk, Phil Hollar