Bryan Kolk: Board President

Hello. I am very happy to join the Fremont Christian School Board and give back from my own experience as a graduate from New Era Christian School and Western Michigan Christian. I do admit to being the black sheep of our family, since I am the only one that did not continue on to Calvin, but went to Ferris State due to my desire to go into Law Enforcement. Very happily, my Fremont area grandchildren have been attending here since around 2012 and it will be a few years before they are all graduated. I joined Trinity Christian Reformed Church when I moved here in 1984 and my wife joined me there in 1987 when we got married. My deep hope for Fremont Christian School is to do our part in teaching our students about God's love through example and guidance. Then encouraging them to spread it, first among themselves, then letting it shine out to everyone they meet throughout their lives, becoming that shining city on a hill.

Nate Kooistra: Vice President

Nate is Co-Pastor at Reeman Christian Reformed Church. He grew up in Fremont Michigan and is a graduate of Fremont Christian School and Western Michigan Christian High School. After High School he graduated from GVSU with a degree in Human Resource Management before heading to Western Theological Seminary where he earned an MDIV. Nate is blessed to have had 2 children attend FCS. One went on to attend WMC and the other went to FHS. Nate enjoys mountain biking and road biking and is trying to figure out how to hit a golf ball without landing in the woods. His deep hope for FCS it that it will continue to help students see God’s presence in all things and help them grow closer to him in all they. 

Kortnie Karp: Secretary

Kortnie Karp and her husband, Kelly, have three daughters at Fremont Christian School; Mayah, Kaylynn and Eden. They attend church at Harvest Fremont. Kortnie grew up in Grand Haven, went to Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL for undergraduate studies and Western Michigan University for graduate studies. She is a family medicine Physician Assistant working with Corewell Health at the Grant Medical Center. She has served in the Grant community for more than 18 years. She loves to water and snow ski, boat, hike, read, and listen to podcasts. She joined the FCS school board in 2020. Her deep hope for Christian education is to allow each child to be deeply known and loved and to then take this foundation to know the Lord Jesus personally and to become ambassadors for Christ.  

Julie Norris: Treasurer

My name is Julie Norris and I joined the FCS school board in 2023.   I was born and raised in Fremont, and love this community.  I am a graduate of Fremont High School, Cedarville University, and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.  My husband Dale and I have 3 children who have attended or still attend Fremont Christian.  They have all been a part of the Spanish immersion program, which has been an amazing experience.   I am privileged to work as a pediatrician here in Fremont, and to serve children and families in our community.  I attend First Baptist Church in Fremont and enjoy serving in the Jr. Church, AWANA, and MOPS programs.  I look forward to supporting FCS teachers, staff, and families as they work to glorify God and shine His light in our community.  

Wes Miller

Wes is the Director of Philanthropic Services at Fremont Area Community Foundation. In his role at the Community Foundation, he is able to serve the place his family has called home for seven generations. Wes is a graduate of Central Michigan University and holds a Master of Public Administration from Grand Valley State University where he studied nonprofit management and leadership. Before joining the Community Foundation in 2011, Wes worked at the Johnson Center for Philanthropy and The Right Place, Inc., a regional economic development agency in Grand Rapids. He joined the FCS Board in 2022 and is grateful to be a part of strengthening the Christian community that is educating and nurturing our children. He and his wife Melissa have two children, Evie and Leo, and enjoy gardening and spending time in God’s marvelous creation.

Katie Boven

Katie Boven is honored to serve Fremont Christian School as a board member and is passionate about nurturing both spiritual growth and academic excellence in the next generation. In 2011, Katie graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and shortly after moved to Newaygo County to marry her husband, Ryan (an FCS alum). Katie and her family are longtime members of Second Christian Reformed Church. Ryan and Katie have two children, Case and Cora, enrolled in the outdoor education program. Katie is a Philanthropic Services Officer at Fremont Area Community Foundation, where she enjoys helping others give back to the community. She also holds a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.  In her free time, Katie enjoys cooking, spending time in God’s creation, hiking, biking, and swimming, and likes to play a few instruments too.

Manda Weaver

Hello. I’m Manda Weaver and it’s my pleasure to serve on the school board as a trustee.  My background is in the legal field, but I’m currently a stay-at-home mom to my three wonderful children.  

My husband Eric and I chose Fremont Christian for our family because we wanted our children to be surrounded by others who would help them understand who they are and how to relate to the world around them through the foundation of God’s love.  

My children participate in Spanish Immersion where they have developed a deep appreciation for other cultures.  I believe this breaks down barriers and helps children to appreciate that all people are their neighbors in Christ.  Though I do not have any children in the program, as a year-round gardener who glories in the wonder of God's creation, I’m pretty enthusiastic about the Outdoor Education program, too.  

As a trustee, I hope to enable the school to bless children for generations to come with the foundations for a relationship with Jesus and an understanding of what that means for how they relate to the world around them.

Tricia Knoper

Chris Wren

I have had the privilege of living and working in Newaygo County for the past ten years, serving as the Newaygo County Administrator. My wife, Elizabeth, and our son, Edward, deeply enjoy being part of this community and appreciate the many opportunities it provides.  I graduated from Oakland University with a degree in Political Science, where I also met Elizabeth. We are committed to helping Newaygo County grow and thrive, and I actively participate in several community organizations to support that mission.  Our family attends St. Bartholomew Church in Newaygo. When it came time to choose a school for Edward, Fremont Christian School stood out immediately. A Christ-centered education is a top priority for our family, and we have been especially impressed by the Spanish Immersion Program and the incredible progress Edward has made.  Being involved in Edward’s education—and supporting the success of all students at FCS—is my highest priority.