Shepherding

Michael O'Heran

Shannon Houtrouw

   Shannon has been with West K since 2002. He has been married to Susan since 1988 and has 3 kids under 20. He has worked as a computer software developer, an assistant professor of math, computer science and Bible, and now teaches computer science at the Kalamazoo Area Math Science Center (KAMSC). His life-passions have included third-world missions in Africa and Latin America, Christian camp Bible teaching and counseling since 1980, coaching youth and adult Bible Bowl teams since 1986, archaeology and antiquity, and teaching God’s Word every chance he gets. His vision for West K is to see it earn and live up to the reputation of the Berean church in Acts 17:11—“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” And that individually we would be living examples of James 1—“in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently… and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.”

Joe Ludy

   Joe grew up as a MK (missionary kid) in Mexico, where his parents are still active in the ministry. Shortly after moving to Michigan he married Kim and they now raise and home school 4 children. Working in banking as a branch manager for 13 years, Joe has gained valuable leadership experience and is currently working for PNC Bank in Kalamazoo.
-One of my favorite verses currently is 1 John 3:1. "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him." It is my desire that West K be an instrument for God to reach the "world" around us so that they may come to "know Him".

Tim Mallett

   Tim has been a member at West K for 20 years and has recently been appointed an interim elder. Tim has been married for 17 years and has 2 teenage sons. He has degrees from Kalamazoo College and Ferris State University. Tim has gained management and leadership experience by owning Ritter’s Frozen Custard and being the Director of Pharmacy at the Family Health Center. His position at Family Health Center has given him firsthand experience working with the homeless, unemployed and underserved of Kalamazoo County. “I feel, at times, overwhelmed with the responsibilities God has put before me but trust in his word that ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’”.