Kent Landhuis
Pastor of Preaching and Leadership
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Kent used to think that being human was something sinful that had to be over come. Now he understands that people are made to bear God’s image by becoming human like Jesus. Kent wants to purge the phrase “I’m only human” from our vocabulary because the message of Jesus is that everyone can become more human, as God designed, which allows us all to flourish. Kent’s mission is to introduce others to this good news so they can become all they are meant to be in Jesus!
Steve Poole
Pastor of Youth & Young Adults
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Steve grew up in central Wisconsin. He met Cathy, his wife, at their alma mater Central College. Steve began ministry over 15 years ago as a camp counselor. He and Cathy have been camp program directors with Lake View Camps since 2009. Previously, Steve also served as the director of youth ministry at Adventure-Life Reformed Church in Altoona, Iowa. He enjoys his roles of disciple, husband, father, and ministry leader. Steve also loves to fish, hunt, hike, cook, and listen to audio books.
Leah Carolan
Pastor of Worship & Media
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Leah grew up in Central Iowa and joined the staff in 2007. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Simpson College in 2002, a Master of Arts in Christian Ministries & Worship from Briercrest Seminary in Caronport, Saskatchewan, Canada in 2007, and a Master in Church Music from Concordia University of Wisconsin in 2011. Prior to coming to Cedar Hills, she was a faculty assistant at Briercrest Seminary and co-lead the campus ministry program at Central College in Pella, Iowa.
She is passionate about setting Scripture to music to help people of all ages hide God’s Word in their hearts. Listen on Youtube.
Outside of writing music, she tries to enjoy running, loves bicycling and weight-lighting, drinks lots of coffee, and is ‘just a mom’ juggling kids, family and working full-time. She and her husband, Rick have four children.
Randy Fox
Ambassador of Care
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Randy join our staff in September 2024 as the Ambassador of Care. As head of our care ministry, he stays busy looking after our shut-ins, visiting those needing encouragement, and hospital visits.
Lindsey Ungs
Connection and Communication Architect
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When Lindsey was 20 years old, if you had told her she’d be working at a church later in life, she would have laughed and cried out of despair. It would have been the last place she wanted to be seen, let alone working. Now, 14 years later, she’s thrilled to be working in this role. Lindsey and Karl have two kids, whom they recently started homeschooling. Lindsey struggles daily to live in the space between her ideals and everyday living with fallible human beings. Lately, Lindsey has been working on living life with an open hand (as opposed to a closed fist) and reading a lot of Seth Godin and Brene Brown books. Creating healthy meals that taste delicious is either a nightly success or failure in the Ungs’ household. Regardless, she loves to share good food and drink with others, in her home.
Alan Crandall
Pastor Emeritus – Care Ministry
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Alan and Jan have followed Jesus together for 50 years, serving churches in Arizona, California, and Colorado. They also did extensive international ministry with Operation Mobilization onboard the ships Doulos and Logos II. In 1997, Alan was called to be the campus chaplain and teach theology at the University of Dubuque. Alan joined the leadership team of Cedar Hills in 2014 with a focus on pastoral care and building Christ-centered missional communities. One of Alan’s favorite books is Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Jan is a nutritionist who enjoys setting a welcome table for joyous celebrations. Alan officially retired in 2020 but continues in the role of Pastor Emeritus. He is writing a book about God’s outrageous grace.
Jennifer Wagaman
Office Administrator
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Jennifer grew up in Winona, MN and Fountain City, WI. She attended Luther College in Decorah, IA majoring in Music Performance and Music Management. Jennifer went on to attend University of Northern Iowa for her Master of Music degree in flute performance. She moved to Cedar Rapids in 2006 with her husband, Jon and their seven-pound dog named Tyke. After 14 years of thinking they weren’t able to have children, they had miracle daughter named Mira (Nov 2019). “For this child, we have prayed and the Lord has granted us the desires of our hearts.” (1 Samuel 1:27). Jennifer also teaches as the flute instructor at Orchestra Iowa School and enjoys distance running.
Kris Crowther
Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool
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Kris was born in Kansas and has lived in MO, IL, Mexico City, Mexico, Lincoln and Omaha NE. She received her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska. She taught first and second grade for numerous years in Lincoln and Omaha before moving to Cedar Rapids, in 1991. Prior to Kris teaching 3-year Preschool and coordinating the Lunch Bunch Program, at Noah’s Ark in 2013, she served the Cedar Hills Community Church as the Director of Children’s ministry for seven years.
Faith has always been a part of her life. She was blessed to have loving parents who exposed her to the knowledge and love of the Lord from the earliest age possible. Her mission in life is to let all children know how much they are loved by God. She loves to have interactions with children, listening to how they describe the world around them. She has a book full of the cutest quotes you could possibly imagine from her experiences here at Noah’s Ark Preschool. Accepting the role of Director in April of 2019 has increased her opportunities to share God’s love. She looks forward to growing the school into everyone’s first choice of preschools in Cedar Rapids.
Cathy Poole
Children’s Sunday Class Coordinator
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Cathy was raised in southwest Iowa, always dreaming of becoming a teacher. After attending Central College where she met her husband-to-be Steve, she taught K-8th grades for 12 years. Being able to minister to kids of all ages through her churches and Lake View Camp was something Cathy enjoyed all year round. When kids joined the family in 2016 and 2019 Cathy knew her main focus was to provide discipleship in her family, so she left the public schools. The Sunday Class Coordinator position allows Cathy to join the best of both worlds: family and spreading Jesus’ gospel to more kids! When Cathy is not cleaning up toys, she enjoys doing anything outside (except sports) and baking.
Frankline Tshombe
Children’s Church Leader
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You’ll find Franky back in the Children’s Church room on Sunday mornings. Frankline joined our staff in 2023. She has a deep and aspiring faith, as well as a wonderful love for children. Besides helping with children’s church, she is active with the Journey Youth and serves as an elder. Outside of Cedar Hills, Frankline is a Trilingual Social Worker and CNA, supporting youth and families through counseling, mentoring and health care.
Kathryn Pisch
Nursery Coordinator
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Kathryn coordinates our nursery care ministry, Cedar Kids Clubhouse and family activities. In her ‘spare time’, she is also a school bus driver! Kathryn loves our littlest of kids! And ensures they are in the best care on Sunday mornings.