Our Staff & Leaders
Our Pastor
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...
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
Communications Director (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
Music Director 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 the...
Jennifer Semivan
Children's Music Director (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 directing...
Program Staff
Bridget Nelson
Children, Youth, & Family Ministries Director 248-541-4100 x1102 bnelson@rofum.org Bridget Nelson works with a great team of staff and volunteers to offer a wide range of programming to the children, youth, and families at Royal Oak First. From nursery care to...
Danielle Moody
Congregational Care and Family Ministries Coordinator 248-541-4100 x1315 dmoody@rofum.org Every person in our church is important to us and we work hard to know how everyone is doing. Danielle coordinates teams of callers, visitors, and card mailers to keep in touch...
Joyce Hollingsworth
Adult Discipleship Coordinator 248-541-4100 x1215 missions@rofum.org Joyce is passionate about helping others grow in their faith and their journey as disciples. Joyce works to create a diversity of opportunities for people to learn and grow in small groups, book...
Mike Monte
Community Support Director 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...
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
Sunday School Coordinator (248) 541-4100 office@rofum.org Christine creates an amazing experience on our second floor for kids Pre-K - 8th grade to grow in their faith on Sunday mornings. Using the Rotation Sunday School model, our kids learn Bible stories each month...
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