Sunrise Christian Reformed Church

Meet The Staff

Our Leadership

The leadership at Sunrise is a mixture of paid and volunteer members who come from different backgrounds and circumstances, but who are all committed to the vision of Sunrise.

Bob Lyzenga

Pastor

Pastor Bob is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was in business for ten years before going into full-time ministry. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Calvin College and his Masters of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary. Pastor Bob served for eight years as pastor of New Life
                                  Church in Houston, Texas, before coming to
                                  Sunrise in 2002. Pastor Bob and his wife,
                                  Sue, have been married for more than
                                  30 years and have three children:
                                  Michelle, David, and Paul.

                             Pastor Bob's e-mail: boblyzenga@sunrisecrc.org

Jean Dahnke

Children’s Ministry Director

Jean leads "Kids Connect," our ministry for children 4 years old through 8th grade, and oversees the Sunday School program and administrative aspect of the Junior and Senior High student ministries. She enjoys exploring new ideas to help leaders promote teaching Biblical truths in creative ways. Jean graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education and vocal music from Bemidji State
                                  University. She plays piano and teaches piano
                                  and vocal lessons on the side, and thinks that
                                  one-on-one time with kids is the absolute best!
                                  Jean and her husband, Jerry, have been
                                  married for more than 25 years and have two
                                  children, Brent and Kim.

                                  Jean's e-mail: Dahnke@sunrisecrc.org

Michelle Lyzenga

Worship Director and Ministries Director

Michelle has been on staff at Sunrise as the Worship Director since 2004, and plays the piano and sings with the Praise Team each week. And in 2007, God opened up another door and she was able to also become the Ministries Director. She graduated from Ivy Tech Community College with a degree in Business Administration with a focus
                                  in Marketing. She is amazed that God
                                  provided a job for her where she is able to
                                  combine her love for God and passion for
                                  music every week!

                                  Michelle's e-mail: mlyzenga@sunrisecrc.org

Barbara Willis
Office Administrator

Barb was hired as the Office Administrator at Sunrise in October of 2009 and does a great job keeping us organized! Barb graduated from Miami University in Ohio, and her background is in teaching and sales. She also enjoys photography, art, and reading. Barb and her husband, Lew, have been married for almost 30 years and have 6 adult children
                                  between them, along with their little
                                  Dachshund, Lizzie, who she says is spoiled
                                  rotten.  They are so happy that God led them
                                  to move to Lafayette where they discovered
                                  Sunrise in 2007. Barb greatly enjoys being
                                  a part of the Sunrise family and working in a
                                  loving and caring place.

                                  Barb's e-mail: bwillis@sunrisecrc.org