Meet Our Staff
Pastor Jeff Brower | Senior Pastor | Email
Pastor Jeff Brower came to Prairie Edge CRC in 2021. Jeff grew up in southwest Michigan and attended Calvin College, where he met his wife and best friend, Mary. He majored in English literature, intending on being a high school English teacher, but God had other plans. After discerning a call into the ministry, Jeff attended Calvin Theological Seminary, where he graduated in 1996. He served Munster CRC in Munster, Indiana as a Pastor of Youth and Congregational Life from 1995 to 1999, and Bethel CRC in Waupun, WI, from 1999 to 2021. In 2010 he graduated from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership and Spiritual Formation. Pastor Jeff is passionate about preaching God's word, leading new and experienced disciples to take their next steps into ministry and service, and helping the church as a whole to live out its mission to be salt and light in the city of Portage. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife, Mary, connecting with his adult children, Abby, Libby and Ruthie, biking, reading and creative writing. Mary and Jeff feel blessed and thankful to be a part of Prairie Edge and invite others to experience the love of Christ in community at this church.
Pastor Bill Fernhout | Pastor of Visitation | Email
Pastor Bill joined our staff for the second time a couple of years ago, and we are glad to have him back. He serves our church by faithfully visiting the sick, elderly, and shut-ins. He leads a Wednesday morning prayer time in his office for anyone who wants to stop by. Bill is passionate about missions and reaching the world for Jesus. He and his wife Joanie bring a fun, loving, and joyful spirit to our church community, and between them they have 6 adult children and 16 grandchildren. In his free time, Bill enjoys golf, Redwing’s Hockey, reading and hanging out with his grandkids.
Trudy Eshuis | Secretary | Email
Trudy Eshuis is the office secretary at Prairie Edge. Trudy tries to see all work as an offering to God, and helps to keep the details of the church running smoothly, whether that is through communication, typing the bulletin or paying the bills. She answers to Miss Trudy, Grandma and all of her sisters’ names. While she has served this church in many different areas throughout the years, her passion for service is in being a Storyteller for the Children’s Worship Ministry. She and her husband, Phil have been long-time members of Prairie Edge, and they have 4 adult children and 9 grandchildren. In her spare time she likes baking, cooking, quilting and reading. You can typically reach her in the office on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (and the occasional Monday.)
Kara VanderKamp | Outreach Director | Email
Kara is the Outreach Coordinator at Prairie Edge. Having grown up in this church, Prairie Edge has become like a second family to her. She enjoys connecting people with ways to serve in the community so that they can be the hands and feet of Jesus. She helps with coordinating different outreach events that bring Prairie Edge out into the community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dogs or reading a good book.
Tom & Becky Cook | Custodians | Email
Tom and Becky keep our facility clean, shiny and in good working order. They serve the church in ways most of us never see. They both have a welcoming spirit and volunteer in many capacities here. Becky is a long-time member of the Outreach Committee and is passionate about serving those in our community. Tom is the official Sunday morning greeter at the front door, and his handshake welcomes adults and children alike. Cleaning the house of the “best Boss in the world,” (as Becky puts it) as well as working full-time at their other jobs doesn’t leave them much time for fun. But when they do have spare time, they love to be outside doing yard work.
Tracy Gustafson | Children’s Ministry Coordinator | Email
Tracy Gustafson is the Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Prairie Edge. Tracy began her career as a social worker and worked as a children’s therapist in the foster care system for many years. Her position at Prairie Edge allows her to serve children in a different way. Tracy is passionate about finding ways for children to be an active part of the church and fellowship and helping their faith develop. She is also working to grow support systems for parents of younger children. Tracy loves music and you can frequently find her on the praise team. Tracy and her husband, Pete have two children and have been blessed to be foster parents to more as needed. In her spare time, Tracy enjoys travel, creative outlets, reading, and animals.