Our Staff & Leaders
Pastors
Pastor Jeff Nelson
Lead Pastor 248-541-4100 x 1216 jnelson@rofum.org Pastor Jeff grew up in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. He has his Bachelors Degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire and his Masters in Divinity from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary...
Rev. Bob Goudie
Pastor of Visitation (248) 541-4100 x 1198 office@rofum.org Rev. Bob Goudie is a retired United Methodist minister, having served churches in the Detroit area for over forty years. He has been the Pastor of Visitation at Royal Oak First since 2010, and visits our...
Administrative Staff
Jennifer Tripoli
Executive Director 248-541-4100 ext. 1225 jtripoli@rofum.org Jennifer Tripoli is our Executive Director. She is a lifelong member who was baptized here in 1973 and married here in 1997. Jennifer joined us on staff in 2017 after years of volunteer work in various...
Karen Calhoun
Office Manager (248) 541-4100 x 1220 kcalhoun@rofum.org Karen has been a member at Royal Oak First since 2006 and joined the staff as Office Manager in September of 2018. Along the way, Karen led "Parents' Night Out" and "Career Ministry", taught Sunday School...
Sam Garrett
Director of Communications (248) 541-4100 x 1224 sgarrett@rofum.org Sam has been a lifelong member of Royal Oak First. She joined the staff in July of 2014 as the Office Assistant, becoming Communications Secretary in October of 2015, and Director of Communications in...
Worship and Arts Staff
Erica Plesco
Worship Coordinator 248-541-4100 eplesco@rofum.org Erica Plesco was a long-time spectator, but joined as a member of Royal Oak First in early 2018; Formally joining the staff in September of 2020 as the Worship Coordinator. Erica believes strongly in the power of...
Tim Schoenherr
Director of Music 248-541-4100 tim@rofum.org Tim Schoenherr has served as a church musician for over 30 years. Having worked in Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and United Methodist churches, he has a wide variety of experiences in sacred music. When not serving as...
Jennifer Semivan
Director of Children's Music (248) 541-4100 x 1219 jsemivan@rofum.org Jennifer is a long-time member of Royal Oak First. She and her husband, Brian, raised their three kids in the church and all were very active in the youth and music programs. In addition to...
Discipleship and Missions Staff
Bridget Nelson
Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries 248-541-4100 x1102 bnelson@rofum.org Bridget Nelson works with a great team of adults to offer youth group on Sundays as well as outings, retreats and service opportunities. Bridget works for the statewide United...
Danielle Moody
Assistant Director of Discipleship 248-541-4100 x1315 dmoody@rofum.org Danielle Moody joined the staff of Royal Oak First as the Director of Children, Youth, and Families in December of 2016. She is a life-long member of Royal Oak First who lives in Berkley with her...
Mike Monte
Hospitality Coordinator 248-541-4100 x1108 mmonte@rofum.org Michael Monte has been a member at Royal Oak First since 2005. After 15 years of volunteering In a variety of positions including our lunch program. Michael joined our staff in January of 2020. In addition...
Ashley Erard
Nursery Coordinator (248) 541-4100 aerard@rofum.org Ashley Erard joined the staff of Royal Oak First in February 2018 as the Nursery Coordinator. She is a life-long member of Royal Oak First who lives in Royal Oak with her husband and daughter.
Christine Ryckman
Children, Youth, and Families Curriculum Coordinator (248) 541-4100 office@rofum.org Christine Ryckman is our CYF Curriculum Coordinator. She has attended Royal Oak First for much of her life – from baptism, to receiving her first Bible, to attending Choir Camp, and...
Building Staff
Fred Bowden
Building Manager/Head Custodian (248) 541-4100 x1424 fbowden@rofum.org Fred Bowden came to Royal Oak First in January of 2009 as a part time custodian. He later advanced to Head Custodian, then to Building Manager. Afterwards, Fred hit the ground running finding ways...
Shirley Harris
Kitchen Supervisor (248) 541-4100 sharris@rofum.org
Ben Graham
Weekend and Evening Custodian 248-541-4100 office@rofum.org