Eric Dirksen | Lead Pastor | eric@christchurchdavis.org | @EricJDirksen
Eric is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church who moved to Davis to start Christ Church.
Eric and Shelly fell in love with Davis the first moment they took the time to get some ice cream and walk around. When the opportunity presented itself to "plant" a new church in Davis, they couldn't resist. Though they have lived throughout the United States, it is Davis they are proud to call "home."
They are committed to seeing Christ Church become a church that remembers what it is like not to believe, a church that remembers faith is a journey, and a church that remembers it has a role to play in the ongoing redemptive story of Jesus.
Aleah Marsden | Pastor of Formation | aleah@christchurchdavis.org
Aleah is a recent graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. She completed her ministry internship with Christ Church and has been warmly welcomed into the part-time role of Pastor of Formation. Her hope is to cultivate a rich culture of spiritual formation and connection among the Christ Church community that is rooted in worship together on Sunday, encouraged to grow beyond the walls of the church building, and spills over into flourishing life throughout the week. Aleah and her husband, Mike, and their four kids are grateful to call Christ Church home.
Shelly Dirksen | Christ Church Kids Coordinator
With a degree in elementary education, Shelly has been involved in early childhood development for years. She brings that level of engagement and a love for children into her work coordinating our Christ Church Kids ministries. Whether it is creating curriculum, working with teachers and volunteers, or welcoming new families, Shelly is committed to making sure Christ Church is a place that values faith formation in all ages.
Kennadi Izenbart | Worship Arts Director / kennadi@christchurchdavis.org
Kennadi is a graduate of Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and a current student of Western Theology Seminary. She received a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance and a minor in Worship Ministry. It was in college that she fully realized the intersection between all of her deepest loves - music, the Bible, and people - was the church. This encouraged her pursuit of seminary after graduation. She believes that “we are what we love” (James K. A. Smith), and that the music we sing has the power to help form us into people who love God more rightly and thus reflect His image more fully. Over the past four years she’s led in a variety of denominations, from Presbyterian, to Anglican, to non-Denominational, to Christian Reformed, each expression broadening her vision of worship while also enriching her love for the formational liturgies of the historic Christian church. Kennadi loves listening to podcasts on walks, playing with her son, Owen, the slow process of brewing coffee in her Chemex, and exploring California wine country. She’s also recently started playing pickleball, as a way of trying (yet never quite arriving) to keep up with her athletic husband.