Church Leadership
Rebecca Bell, M. Div.
Pastor
Rebecca (she/her) has been Threads’ pastor since September of 2022, though she began serving as Threads’ interim pastor in winter of 2022. Rebecca’s history with Threads goes back to 2016 when her family began attending Threads, and shortly thereafter Rebecca joined the staff team as the Child and Family Life Developer, serving in that capacity until 2021.
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Rebecca is a graduate of Western Theological Seminary where she received her M.Div. in 2024. In addition to pastoring, Rebecca is a mom of six,, “bonus mom” to one, Nana to three, spouse to Joel (27 years and counting!), sometimes runner, aspiring gardener, classical pianist, and constant bookworm.
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Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Rebecca was a pastor’s kid who grew up within the conservative evangelical world. Rebecca’s personal journey with theological wrestling and faith deconstruction and reconstruction started in young adulthood and has taken many twists and turns along the way. The one constant has been God’s faithfulness and kindness, and Rebecca looks forward to the future – both her own and that of Threads Church – knowing that the love that is God will continue to pour grace, mercy, and welcome into every circumstance, come what may.
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Email: rbell@threadschurch.org
Rebecca’s phone: 269-569-5931
Willis Bouwman
Creative Arts Leader
Willis (he/him) was born in Allegan, MI, but has lived in Portage for about 20 years. Willis has been married to Esther for 20 years, and they have two children, two dogs, and a cat.
Music has been a most important part of his life for many years, whether playing and singing in various bands, writing original music, or teaching music for a living.
Willis enjoys gaming of all sorts, reading, biking, and spending time with friends and family.
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Email: wbouwman@threadschurch.org
Board of Directors
Carman Goodrich (chair)
Nick Kroeze
Adrienne Brandenberg
Katie Bunting
Hank Bunting
Jaime Raifsnider
