Below is a list of our church leadership and staff, including the elders who establish church policy and govern the church, and the deacons who minister to the congregation. Feel free to contact any of the people below for more information on Northern Lakes Community Church.
Our Pastor
Mike Riggins – (231) 342-1374 –
I Corinthians 12 tells us God has gifted each of us in particular ways so we might use those gifts in ministry. Mike has continually honed his teaching skills through training and experience. He graduated with a bachelors degree in Comparative Religion from Indiana University and a masters degree in divinity from Princeton. Mike has taught both youth and adults in churches from coast to coast. Additionally, he has coached sports and Odyssey of the Mind. No part of ministry brings him greater joy than teaching the Bible. From its beginnings 1997, he has led Bible studies at NLCC. Currently he teaches the Tuesday morning Bible study (7-8 a.m. at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant near US 31 and S. Airport Road in Traverse City). He also offers Bible 101, an adult class that assumes its students have no prior knowledge of scripture or those in need of gentle direction in developing skills for seeking answers in the Bible.
Our Elders
Barb Cain – Mission – (231) 499-4980 –
Jill Justin – Communications – (231) 590-1332 –
Sue Rice – Worship –
Doug Scherrer – Property – (231) 631-3356 –
Joe Schmidt – Finance – (231) 645-1150 –
Bill Scott Sr. – Clerk of the Session – (615) 945-5069 –
Tom Tatar – Adult Ministries
Bob Thompson – Personnel – 645-1767 –
Pat Thompson – Youth and Family –
Music Leadership Team
Jill Justin – 590-1332
Sanjay Woolcott – 649-5007
Administrative Assistant
Anne Larson- 935-4556 –
Our Deacons
Bev Adams – (231) 492-6027 –
Kristen Cybak – (231) 276-0148 –
Tonya Deater – (231) 275-2270
Doug Gauthier – (231) 276-9673 –
Melynn Jenner – (231) 499-9452 –
Sharon Kent – (231) 632-7102
Jean Mahoney – (231) 378-2402
Jean Scott – (615) 945-5068
Tom Tater – (231) 409-0979
Children in Worship Storytellers
Linda Riggins
Linda Riggins earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Early Childhood Education. She taught in schools in New Jersey and Indiana, and in the Young 5’s in the Traverse City Area Public Schools. Twice she has attended multi-day training sessions for the Children in Worship program. But these are only her “paper” credentials. She brings her experiences in church (including teaching Sunday school) and as the mother of two to Children in Worship, along with her dedication to achieving excellence in the program. Linda has started the program in two churches now, and she has seen how beautifully it develops faith in Jesus in young children. Linda’s experiences in church (including teaching Sunday School) and as the mother of two bring the benefit of her dedication to achieving excellence to our Children in Worship program.
Angie Carter
Sunday School Teachers
Julie Burton
Julie Burton teaches the 4th to 6th grade children at NLCC. This class is focused on reading and discussing the Bible. This year we’ve studied the Book of Genesis including the creation and Noah, Jesus’ last days on earth in Luke and Bible basics such as number of books in each testament. We begin each class by reading and discussing Pastor Mike’s scripture lesson each week. During the class we write Bible verses that move us in our journals. We hope to be able to have a nice list of favorite verses from the Bible at the end of the year.
Barb Cain
Barb Cain has spent a lifetime in youth ministries. She grew up in a strong Presbyterian youth program in Kalamazoo which continued to nurture her into adulthood and was the spark that started her passion for serving youth. Barb obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan, and she currently counsels troubled youth in her private practice. In addition to her current work as a youth group leader and Sunday school teacher, Barb has worked for and volunteered in many youth organizations, including Outward Bound, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a juvenile diversion program, Girl Scouts, and Girls on the Run. About her experience in youth ministries at Northern Lakes, she states, “It’s very easy to spend time with this group of kids and to grow with them as we explore through Bible study and activities, what it means to be and live as a Christian today. I am consistently amazed by this group of young people who are so fun, smart, motivated and committed to sharing themselves as Christians.”
Joe Deater
Kathy Gauthier
Kathy Gauthier has been teaching Sunday school at Northern Lakes since we began teaching Sunday school over ten years ago. Everyone who knows Kathy knows that she loves young children, and they love her. She is always the first to volunteer for young children’s ministries, including VBS and Sunday school for our young ones, aged K-3 grade. Kathy has a teaching degree from Central Michigan University and she has used her knowledge in her work with local schools and programs as a teacher as well as volunteering with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and spending her summers as a teacher at the Pathfinder Summer Camp. Kathy teaches bible stories and memory verses to her students while working on meaningful crafts. When the opportunity arises, Kathy leads her students in creating cards, crafts, and loving words to those in need such as those away from home in college or military; and children facing severe medical or social situations. Kathy’s class works in concert with our Children in Worship program, reinforcing bible verses and new concepts.
Sanjay Woolcott & Mike Riggins
Jill Justin
Jill Justin is currently teaching the Women’s Sunday School class. She has lived in the Traverse City area since 1999, and joined NLCC that same year. Jill has two children. Her biggest loves are Jesus, her family, singing, knitting, and walking in the woods near her home. It is important to her that Sunday School be accessible, relevant, and meaningful for women of any age or background, and it is her hope that everyone can find insight and support there on a Sunday morning.
Webmaster Steve Kellman –