Paul is a lifelong resident of Grand Rapids. Paul graduated from Aquinas in 1995 - about the same time he came to faith in Jesus Christ. Upon graduating from AQ with a dual major in Business and Communications Arts, Paul took a job working with Sunshine Community Church. After three years on staff, he decided to enroll in Calvin Theological Seminary for further growth and training. During his last year in seminary, Paul completed a year-long internship at River Rock Church in Rockford, MI. He then did a residency with Classis Grand Rapids North and Christian Reformed Home Missions to determine if and where a new church might be planted. Upon completing his residency, Paul accepted a call to plant a new church in Walker, MI called theGathering. This work lasted until 2010 whereupon he stepped away from vocational ministry to start Finishing Touch Painting. Sensing the Lord's nudge, Paul happily accepted to join the team at VIS in January 2026. "I am so very grateful to work with such a caring, thoughtful and wise group of Jesus followers," says Paul. Two of his favorite things include quiet cups of coffee and the occasional weekend get-away with his wife of 40 years, Lavonne (VanDellen). They are blessed with two grown sons, Benjamin and Bryan. A perfect night for Paul's family is making pizza together and family game night. Lavonne and Paul call Westview Christian Reformed Church their church "family."
