Pastor Eric Verhulst

Sr. Pastor

Born in Grand Rapids, MI, Pastor Eric moved 8 times in the following 15 years, the last move being back to Grand Rapids where he finished high school (1982 Grand Rapids Christian), college (1987 BA, History) and seminary (1991 M.Div).  In 1991, he accepted the call to the Hull, North Dakota Christian Reformed Church and was ordained in October of that year. Four years later, in 1995, he was commissioned a Lieutenant, Junior Grade in the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. His first assignment was overseas in Sicily, followed by duty on the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) and Naval Special Warfare Group 4 in the Norfolk, VA area. He deployed to the Middle East in both 2000 and 2003.  Finally, in late 2003, he joined the 2^nd Battalion of the 2^nd Marine Regiment and deployed with them to Iraq in 2004. In 2005, Pastor Eric transferred to the Navy Reserve and served 6 months with US Southern Command in Miami, FL.  In February 2007 he was honorably discharged from the Navy and joined us here at Shalom.

In 1985 he married Barb Van Dyk, one of Rev. Fred Van Dyk’s daughters. They have three children – a daughter, Dana (born 1988) and sons Roger (born 1990) and Brant (born 1993) – who have heard all of Pastor Eric’s sea stories already.

Click HERE to email Pastor Verhulst

Pastor Steve Moerman

Associate Pastor

Pastor Steve grew up and lived in northwest Iowa for most of his life. He is married to Diane and they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this past June. They have four children: Debra, Sheryl, Sandra, and David.  Before attending seminary and entering into the ministry, Steve and Diane were small business owners. 

In 1996, Steve and Diane began their path into prison ministry.  They began this path by participating in a Prison Fellowship weekend at the South Dakota State Penitentiary (SDSP) in Sioux Falls. Since that time they were part of many more PF weekends along with participating in the M-2 (Man-to-Man) and Crossroads Bible Institute programs. Before attending Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, Steve attended North American Baptist Seminary and served as an intern chaplain at SDSP with Chaplain Regan Beauchamp for nearly two years. Steve completed his seminary training and received an M-Div. degree in 2004. After graduation the doors opened up for Steve and his family to move back to the tri-state area.

With the support of Classis Iakota and a call from Shalom CRC, Steve has returned to the tri-state area to plant the Cornerstone Prison Church at the SDSP. He is excited about the opportunity to serve as a pastor to the men behind the walls.  It is his hope and prayer that he will be able to share God’s love with them and help them to become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

Click HERE to email  Pastor Moerman

T.J. Link

Youth Director

T.J. was born and grew up in Prinsburg, MN and went to Central MN Christian School, where he graduated in 2001.  After high school he attended Dordt College and graduated in 2005 with a degree in Youth Ministry. Immediately after graduation he went to Austin, TX and served as the Director of Youth Ministries at Sunrise Community Church.After the summer of 2007 he moved to Sioux Falls as he accepted the Youth Director Job here at Shalom.

T.J. enjoys playing all sports, and watching most sports.  He also loves playing board games, and pretty much any game.  His favorite things to do on his time off are paintballing playing soccer, basketball, football, and softball. 

T.J. loves working with youth. He has a desire to assist parents in raising their kids and helping them build a life long relationship with their creator

.Click HERE to email T.J. Link

Renae Elgersma

Adult & Family Ministry Director

Renae grew up in Chandler, MN and graduated from Southwest Christian in Edgerton in 1999.  Later she moved to Grand Rapids, MI where completed her BA in Business at Calvin College. In 2003, she moved to Sioux Falls, SD and married Justin Elgersma, son of Barry and Brenda Elgersma. God blessed them with their first child, Jada Renae, in October 2008, and she is truly one of the greatest gift they’ve been given.

In her spare time, Renae enjoys exercising, reading, camping, and spending time with family. Summer and fall are her favorite seasons of the year because she loves to be outdoors.

Prior to accepting the Director of Member Ministry position at Shalom, Renae worked in property management and residential cleaning services. In January ’09 she felt a strong call by God to the position and allowed Him to lead her to where she is today. She has a passion to serve Him and a desire to see His work thrive through ministry at Shalom.

Click HERE to email Director of Member Ministries

Deb Vogel

Worship Coordinator

Deb grew up on a farm near Edgerton, MN and loved being outdoors with her dad as a child.  She graduated from Southwest Christian High, and attended Dordt College and Central Michigan University, majoring in music education.  At Dordt, she met and married Dayton Vogel. They taught in McBain, Michigan, later moving to Dayton’s hometown, Sibley, Iowa, where Deb taught at Sanborn and Ocheyedan Christian schools. The next move was to Vermillion for graduate school where Deb got her MM in Vocal Performance.  They enjoyed being members of the small Christian Reformed outreach church while they were there. The last move was to Rock Valley to raise their two sons, Jon (20) and Jordan (18).

As well as keeping a private voice studio, Deb has taught voice at Dordt College since 1991 and also taught at Northwestern College for ten years. She was Worship Coordinator at Trinity CRC in Rock Valley for nine years.

Her favorite pastimes are cheering on her sons at basketball games, golfing with her husband, and doing Suduko puzzles to exercise her brain.  Her passion is putting music and various creative elements together to form voice recitals, worship services or youth group shows.  She is looking forward to learning and using the gifts of those at Shalom to help continue creating meaningful worship and praise to our God.

Click HERE to email Worship Coordinator