The Staff
Ian Lawton, Executive Minister and Theological InquiryEMAIL: ian [at] c3exchange [dot] org It has been an interesting journey since Ian was ordained as an Anglican Priest in Sydney, Australia, in 1994. Sydney is one of the most conservative Anglican dioceses in the world. Ian never fit into that church culture, as he was always more interested in connecting with the people who don’t go to church; the homeless people, the broken people, the creative people, the liberated people, the recovering people, the inquiring people, the family people, those who put their humanity before their ideology. These were Ian’s people. He met them in pubs and on university campuses, in gyms and at school picnics. He stood alongside them at protests and bar lines. He just didn’t see them in church. Ian always believed that he could create the type of community that met the needs of this church alumni. Ian worked on Sydney’s inner city streets and saw the reality of human suffering first hand. He sought a spirituality that made a difference in people’s lives. Ian went on to complete a second degree in sociology. In 2000, Ian left Sydney to find a more open place to explore a relevant and evolving theology. He found this in downtown Auckland, New Zealand, where he became the Vicar of St. Matthew in the City. Ian had four great years at St Matthews; a never-dull, gothic, white stone building in the shadows of the towering casino. His world opened up during these years as he was exposed to Maori language and culture, mixed with a stimulating community; and launched an online progressive network. Bishop John Shelby Spong then convinced Ian to come to the United States to lead an emerging group of progressive Christians in Michigan. Today Ian calls Grand Haven, Michigan home where he lives with his wife Meg and three children Hugo, Darcy and Raina. C3 Exchange (formerly Christ Community Church) in West Michigan (of all the most unlikely places) has a sizeable population of church alumni. The C3 community is an incredibly talented, impressive group of human beings. Ian is the leader and teacher of the C3 community. Since moving to the U.S. Ian’s sense of sacred has broadened to embrace all things. Ian has taken up meditation and Zen training which have helped to remove any tendency to divide the world up into good and bad, holy and profane. Bob Kleinheksel, Minister of Care and Community LifeEMAIL: bob [at] c3exchange [dot] org In the Fall of 1994, after almost three years of ministry in Wales, Great Britain, and Louisville, Kentucky, under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.), Bob returned to C3, where he has become an integral part of the ministry team as Minister of Care and Community Life. Bob, an ordained United Church of Christ minister, also has his Masters of Social Work degree and conducts counseling sessions with individuals, couples, and families. Particular interests and areas of expertise include sexual orientation, life changes, and assisting persons with their changing ideas about faith, religion, and spirituality. He brings social and cultural issues to our attention along with opportunities for service and involvement. Social Action events occupy much of his time, and include annual trips to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, engagements with Habitat for Humanity, and Non-violence training/learning, Thanksgiving Feasts, and Alternative Christmas Markets are among the many events and activities that Bob facilitates and oversees. In addition, Bob oversees Pastoral Care functions which include day-to-day hospital response and visitation, pastoral counseling, agency referrals, and pre-marriage counseling/encouragement. Bob enjoys being with good friends, sports and athletic activities such as C3 softball, reading, and playing guitar. Bob is thankful every moment for his three children. Malea Nicolet, Communications and MembershipEMAIL: malea [at] c3exchange [dot] org In 2006, Malea’s husband took the family to North Carolina. It was there that Malea discovered Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and where she found that working in a spiritual community was really fulfilling. Malea assisted in many areas of Sunday service for ERUUF, and worked in the kindergarten classroom as a Religious Education teacher. She also co-founded the Spiritual Parenting small group ministry, a regular meeting of parents on a journey to honor and develop their childrens’ spiritual growth. In 2009, Malea and her family (Steven, and daughters Marisa and Ayla) found an opportunity to bring them back to West Michigan. Malea became reacquainted with C3Exchange, Inclusive Spiritual Community, after reading an editorial by executive minister Ian Lawton in the Grand Rapids Press. She was living in Zeeland and feeling a void that ERUUF left behind. “I had no idea C3 existed. I had never heard of any churches that were *not* traditional here in West Michigan. I figured you either went to a typical church, or you had no spiritual home. I had no idea there could be a thriving and vibrant spiritual community that allowed for inquiry…for questioning and growing. I have found that at C3Exchange, and I’m really motivated and proud to help others find it, too”. Malea has found the job of her dreams, working in Communications and Membership Development for C3Exchange. When she’s not working, Malea enjoys local music concerts, working on her house, reading about parenting, education and Eastern philosophy, and improving her cooking. Her biggest joys, though, are daughters Marisa (6) and Ayla (4). Brad Vander Ark, Director of Audio/Video Production and WebmasterBrad began his professional career as a musician, playing bass in several jazz and rock bands until 1993 when he formed The Verve Pipe. The Verve Pipe sold over three million albums and ten million singles on the RCA Records label, and appeared on several television shows, including The Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The band was also awarded the opening act spot for KISS on their 1996-97 U.S. and European reunion tours. From 1999-2005, Brad lived in New York City, working as an independent musician, recording, performing and producing albums and live shows with a number of critically-acclaimed artists, including members of Shudder to Think, Nine Inch Nails, Guided by Voices, and Bright Eyes. Brad also played bass guitar and sang in a number of live comedy/music shows with actors including Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen, and Tina Fey. It was during these years that Brad began working as a webmaster and graphic artist, designing everything from business cards, logos and websites to entire corporate identities. In 2005, Brad moved to Spring Lake, Michigan, and accepted a position at C3 Exchange as the Director of Audio/Video Production and Webmaster. Brad oversees all of the technical aspects of Sunday gatherings, produces and edits our weekly DVDs, creates and uploads sermon video, sermon and prayer audio podcasts, and maintains the website.
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