Our Ministry Team
Pastor Mark Groen
Pastor Mark has served First Reformed since January 2016. He and his wife Kristin have been married since 1995. They have three children: Ahna (2000), Joshua (2006), and Carly (2008). Before serving First Reformed, Mark was a manager at Toys R Us (1996-2001), Youth Director at St. Paul Lutheran in Sandusky, OH (2001-2009), and Youth Director at his home church, Second Reformed, in Lennox, SD (2009-2015). Mark is a graduate of Liberty University (B.S. Religion) and Western Theological Seminary (M.Div). Pastor Mark was received as a Teaching Elder in the Rivers and Lake Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in April of 2023. In December of 2023, Mark released his devotional book “Dwell in Philippians”.
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is Michael Horton’s book on worship, “A Better Way: Rediscovering the Drama of God-Centered Worship” but when people ask that question, they are usually wondering about a work of fiction, so I will answer that as well. My favorite novel is “Till We Have Faces” by C.S. Lewis. I have read it three times, and every time, I enjoy it more.
What is one of your hobbies?
I’ve recently started enjoying collecting music. For years, I only purchased digital downloads of music. Now, I feel we are missing something by not holding a compact disc or vinyl album and owning it. I like a relatively small sub-genre of music, so it is fun to track down albums. I have also really come to appreciate the sound a vinyl album has compared to digital music. It is also refreshing to put on a record and listen to a band’s record all the way through without shuffling or skipping around to your favorite songs. While I love the convenience of digital music in the car or on a walk, there is something we are missing out on if we only pull up a playlist on Spotify and hit the shuffle button.
What do you like best about your job at the church?
There are many things that I love about my job, and that is what I like best. It is a job with great variety. I get the privilege of preaching God’s Word. I teach Middle School Catechism and go to RYM with them every summer. I work on the website and do some work with social media and communications. I have people stop in to talk and have coffee with me. I go to community sporting events, cheer on our students, and chat with people. You get the idea. It lets me be a jack of all trades and a master of none, but I am just fine with that.
Resource and Communication Director - Caitlin Arp
Caitlin Arp has been a member of First Reformed Church since 2013.
She and her husband, Greg, have been married since December of 2005. They reside just outside of Edgerton with their five children: Keaton (2007), Tucker (2008), Bergen (2011), Sutton (2016) and Kevin (2020).
Caitlin began serving as the Resource and Communications Director in the summer of 2022. Greg and Caitlin have also served as custodians of our church from October 2019 to June 2024. Caitlin worked at Edgerton Public School for three years in the preschool room. Before that, Caitlin ran an in-home daycare for 13 years. Greg has been the owner of Greg Arp Construction since 2016. He also farms when he is not swinging a hammer!
What are some of your favorite foods?
If you ask any of my kids, they will tell you I love chocolate and anything sour! And I usually have some chocolate candy on hand at all times!
What are your favorite hobbies?
Believe it or not, I am kind of a homebody. I love hanging out at home with our family, being outside with the kids, going for walks, riding four-wheeler, or sitting around a bonfire!
When not at home, you could find me at my kids’ sporting events, antiquing with friends, or at country music concerts!
I love staying busy, but always say, “It’s a good busy!”
What do you like best about your job at church?
I am a people person, so working here at church allows me to be involved with others! I also love working with children and helping them grow in their Faith. A big part of the job is staying organized and on top of things, which I also love!
Youth Director - Shawn Ranek
Shawn and her husband Justin live in Edgerton and have been attending the church since the fall of 2019. Although Shawn serves as the Youth Director, Justin is an essential part of the team— helping at Midweek, making popcorn, and keeping everyone laughing. It is a team effort!
Shawn has spent many years teaching in both elementary and middle school setting. Justin has worked in agriculture throughout his entire career..
What do you like to do for fun? Hobbies? I love being outdoors, especially in the spring, summer, and fall. Some of my favorite activities include walking, biking, swimming, and camping. Justin and I enjoy traveling in our camper and exploring new places together. We are also big rodeo fans and enjoy attending them.
Favorite food? I basically like three foods—steak, hamburgers, and pizza—but thanks to Justin being a great cook, I’m becoming more adventurous and trying new things.
Best part of the job? Working with the youth from our church family and the community has been a blessing. I enjoy staying connected to former students, and it is truly an honor to be a part of their faith journey.
Custodian - Courtney Kooi
Courtney has been a member of our church since she was born. She and her husband, Kellen, along with their children - Kaenen, Kamille, & Kenna reside in Edgerton. Courtney has been a custodian since July 2024. Before that, she worked at GuidePoint Pharmacy in Edgerton for 3 years, and you may still find her there a few days a week! Kellen works for Buffalo Ridge Concrete & is a volunteer fireman for the Edgerton Fire Department. You will find them busy in the church volunteering to teach Sunday School & running the projector screen.
What do you like to do for fun? Hobbies? Some of my favorite things to do for fun are spending time with my family and friends. We enjoy playing games, watching movies, going to the lake, attending sporting events, and going for walks!
Favorite food? Sweet & salty! You can’t ever go wrong with a good ole pizza but you’ll usually find me eating something sweet or anything chocolate!
Best part of the job? Obviously, the people I work with! But also I’ve always enjoyed cleaning. I find it satisfying when things are clean and all tidied up!
Secretary - Kristin Kroh
Kristin Kroh has been our church secretary for over 20 years. She and her husband, Doug, live in Edgerton. Kris has been a professing member since 1984. They have two children, Tyler (1991) and Kameron (1997). Tyler and his wife, Megan, have a son - Bridger, and live in Aurora, SD. Kameron is an RN at Mayo Hospital.
What are some of your hobbies?
Doug and Kris both very much enjoy being grandparents. They love spending time with our children and chasing around their grandson. She loves a weekend away, especially to watch the Twins play. She also enjoys reading and going on walks.
Where have you all traveled?
Doug and Kris love seeing the outdoors. They recently took a trip to the Grand Tetons, which was just beautiful. She loves hiking in Duluth, as well as in the Black Hills. Doug travels for his job, so they’ve been to Europe and all over the world.
What do you love most about your job?
Her co-workers. :)