Wedding Party
Nicole Vanderschaaf
Maid of Honor
Nicole has been my best friend for many years. She is loyal, thoughtful, kind, merciful, wise and a great travel buddy for me. We first bonded over our love for Pride and Prejudice, pickle pizza and deep conversations. I'm so grateful for the ways that she has supported me over the years and loved me so well. We have traveled all over both in and out of the country on so many adventures and it is always fun and easy to spend so much time together. She is always there with Godly advice, wisdom and encouragement. She was the first person I ever talked to about John and was routinely my first call after our dates. Nicole has been so supportive and encouraging of my relationship with John and she is so important to me!
Sean Loftus
Best Man
Sean and I go way back; I don't know where I would be today if God didn't move him to invest in our friendship so much. We met in pharmacy school and really became good friends during our time living together with 5 other guys at the place we've all since dubbed the "Innes house." Sean and I have gone on many mission trips to Guatemala together including one where I was blessed to be baptized by he and another friend. Sean is a loyal friend and someone I truly admire and can always count on. He's one of the few people in this world who can match my buffoonery and we root for pretty much all the same sports teams. Whether serving together in church, on mission, as coworkers, or on a Men at the Cross weekend I've been blessed to be able to count Sean among my best friends for so many years.
Jessica Totten
Bridesmaid
Jess has been one of my best friends for nearly 7 years. I first met Jess when she joined my Bible Study group and we have been studying the Bible together ever since! Jess is one of the most fun and spontaneous people I have ever known. She is always encouraging to me and helps me to see the good in myself even when I can't see it. She challenges me to grow in a variety of ways, including letting go of my desire for a set schedule and moving past my fears and worries. Jess is also always down for a fun jam session in the car! Jess and I love to attend concerts together (especially when it's T-Swift), have beach days, go to the movies and take random road trips to have mini adventures. She is well loved and so appreciated!
Franco Vosloo
Groomsman
Franco and I met in pharmacy school and grew to be close friends living in the "Innes house" together and going on mission trips to Guatemala. A few years out of school, God lead me to a new job opportunity that placed me back near Franco and into the church and community he had become a part of for some time since graduation. Franco and I share a love of hospitality and spending time with friends for fellowship, food, and games. Franco is someone who has unbridled enthusiasm and love for people and the Lord and also possesses much Godly wisdom. I'm blessed to call him one of my best friends!
Maria Spousta
Bridesmaid
I first met Maria when she joined my Bible study group at church. I quickly learned that she makes every situation more fun, no matter what it is! Maria has a great sense of humor, she's generous, kind, thoughtful and always encouraging to me. Conversations with Maria always leave me feeling more positive and hopeful about the future. She can always make me laugh, and always catches my random Office references. We have had lots of fun times together, from holiday light tours to super bowl parties, movie nights and welcoming her new baby William. Maria is amazing and I'm so thankful for her friendship!
Erik Neiser
Groomsman
Not only did Erik and I live together in the "Innes house" but we are current roommates as well! We met in undergrad and became friends and continued to become close friends in pharmacy school and as roommates. Erik and I have also been on multiple mission trips to Guatemala together; one of which where he was one of my friends who baptized me. Erik shows God's love to everyone he meets and always makes sure they feel loved, welcome, and included. He brings fun and joy wherever he goes and we've shared many great adventures together. I'm blessed to count him among my best friends!
Debbie England
Bridesmaid
Debbie is my sister and someone that I am so grateful for. Deb and I have not lived in the same state for most of our adult lives, but I am so glad that the distance has not hindered our relationship. I have so much fun traveling to see her in all the new places she lives and getting to explore new places with her. Deb is a consistent source of truth, wisdom and great advice and she is always down for a deep conversation. I'm so grateful for her continued friendship, love and patience with our differences, she is so important to me!
Brandon Kainulainen
Groomsman
Brandon and I met at church and became friends fast. We've served on the worship team together, been to a ton of Lansing Lugnuts games, and share a passion for all kinds of sports and games. Brandon is a kind, genuine person who has a true love for God and people. He models Jesus and is a loving husband and father willing to serve his family, friends, and church. I'm blessed and thankful to name him among my best friends!
Hannah Carter
Bridesmaid
Hannah is my younger sister who has a quick wit and sassy sense of humor that can make every family gathering more entertaining. Hannah is one of the few people that will consistently challenge me at board games and our playful trash talk back and forth is one of my favorite things. I can always count on Hannah for encouragement, advice, funny gifs, pictures of her cats that make me smile and jam sessions in the car to our favorite musicals. Hannah is dependable and trustworthy and I am so blessed to call her my sister and friend.
Micah Norwood
Groomsman
Micah is one of the most kind and genuine people you will ever meet. He and I met at church and became friends and became closer while doing an intentional Bible study together through the book of Mark; meeting every week to not only study but grow in fellowship. We've served on the A/V team at church together, gone on camping trips, been in an axe throwing league, and share a passion for sports and games. Micah has a true love and passion for God and to live for Him. I'm blessed to have Micah as one of my best friends!
James Wierenga
Usher
I first met James at our young adult group at church. I was immediately drawn to his kindness, sense of humor and his willingness to be vulnerable. Over the years James and I have spent a lot of time together and gotten to know each other's stories and testimonies. James is a dear friend whose opinion and advice I am so grateful for. When John met James he liked him instantly and could see why he was so important to me. It was so fun for me to see them get along so well. I have learned a lot about Jesus and empathy from James over the years, and his friendship means so much to me.
Scott Polivka
Usher
"Scotty P" and I met in pharmacy school and became close friends living together in the "Innes house." We went on many mission trips to Guatemala together and God later led us both to be a part of the same church community where we are now. Scott is a kind, thoughtful, and genuine person who loves God and is a loyal friend. Scott is also one of the most hilarious people you will ever meet. He brings joy and a good time wherever he goes and his love for the Lord is genuine. I'm blessed to call Scott one of my best friends!
Lisa Fernandez & Emily McComb
Flower Girls
I met Emily and Lisa when I got my job teaching at West Ottawa over 6 years ago. They were two of the people I shared a suite space with and worked the most with. They quickly adopted me as their, "work daughter" and I soon came to see them as my "work moms" and also two of my greatest friends. I'm so grateful to still be working closely with both of them as they make even the most challenging situations seem hopeful. Their advice and help has made me a better teacher and person. Our "sweet" suite is known for laughter, fun and being a safe space for anyone and most of that is because of them. I admire the two of them so much and am so grateful for their friendship both at work and outside of work. They were some of the first people I told about John and they have been rooting for us since the beginning. They took me ring shopping when I had no idea what I was doing and have always been there when I have needed anything. I love and respect both of them immensely and am so thankful for them!
Joel Nagel
Officiant
Joel pastored the church I (John) currently attend for many years until very recently when God called him to a new and exciting teaching ministry that thankfully allows him to remain in our fellowship. Joel is one of the best listeners I've ever met and I've leaned on his wisdom over the years and in my relationship with Emily; not only as a pastor but as a good friend. Joel is one of the few humans who can match my jokes and shenanigans but his true strength lies in his love for the Lord and people as I've seen him lovingly serve our congregation for years; always being there for anyone who has needed him and mentoring many people along their journeys with the Lord. Emily and I are honored to have Joel officiating our wedding!