Access is…
Located on the edge of Grandville, Michigan, where a group of college age and 20-somethings spend Thursday evenings. We are students, professionals, singles and married couples coming together for two things: to grow in relationship with Christ and to grow in relationship with each other.
Why We Exist: Access exists to equip college age and 20-somethings with the tools they need to fulfill their God-given destiny and to live their identity in Christ.
We Do It Through:
- Practical, applicable Bible teaching
- Music that glorifies God and is culturally current
- Learning to walk out our faith together as a community
- Volunteering our time, money, and energy to impact the world
- Small group settings and the growth they bring
When & Where: 7 p.m. each Thursday at the Ground Floor. (Map)
What We Believe: We believe that the Bible is truth; that Scripture holds the keys to fulfilling God’s plan for our lives. Ever ask those hard questions, “Who am I? What am I here for? What am I suppose to do?” We believe that God’s word has those answers. Through worship, prayer, discussion, teaching, and fellowship we discover the answers to questions just like these. We also learn how to walk out our faith as followers of Christ.We believe that true life transformation only happens through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. By examining God’s Word–the Bible–and applying what it says, we allow God to change us from the inside out. Through fellowship with other believers we develop lasting relationships that encourage and strengthen us in our daily walk.
Staff
Brent Matzen - Access pastor
Before he joined the US Air Force, Brent often found himself at Access on Thursday nights. After his time in the service and a degree from Regent University, Brent returned home to ResLife and joined the staff here in 2006. Now he heads up the very ministry he used to attend! He’s the joyful husband of Angela and proud father of their daughter, Sienna. When it comes to Access, he wants it to be a place where people completely surrender their lives to Christ’s kingship and grow together.
Special talent? I have been playing guitar for over 15 years and have done a few independent recordings.
Who’d have known… I own a Ronald Reagan talking action figure that I proudly display in my office. Why? Because it’s Ronald.
Favorite book? With the exception of the Bible, I would have to say that Mere Christianity by CS Lewis is one of the most amazing books ever written (really anything by CS Lewis). I also very much enjoy the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and church forefathers like Charles Finney and Charles Spurgeon.
What makes you laugh? Really dumb movies.
What’s in your iPod/CD player? Right now I have been listening to a lot of podcasts by Brian Zahnd.
Favorite TV show? NCIS
Daniel Niño - Worship pastor
Daniel is the guy with the guitar who leads worship at Access. He leads a really awesome band called Tierra and on weekends you can find him leading worship at the ResLife campus in Holland.
Favorite book? First the Bible and then Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
What’s in your CD player? Worship music, John Mayer, Wilco, Mana, Dave Matthews
What’s something crazy you’ve done? I knocked down the lower parking lot clearance sign at the mall with my truck. (Not on purpose though.)
Something little known about you: I’m right handed but left footed.
Jessica Rillema - Lead Intern
Whether it’s rolling down hills just for fun or worshiping God and hanging out with friends, Jessica loves life. She’s originally from Grand Rapids, but grew up in the wilds of Montana. She returned to Michigan to study Music Education for a while at Hope, and then God brought her to Access in May of 2007, and…she never left!
What makes you laugh? Way too many things to name! If you spend any amount of time around me you will quickly find that I LOVE to laugh!
Things you dislike with a passion: Pickles, swimming in chlorine, history classes in high school, lima beans, reading Joseph Conrad
Favorite TV show? Sometimes I feel like the TV’s sucking out my soul and filling me with that skunky-smelling rubber cement. I feel like an absolute blob when I watch TV, so I just don’t watch it anymore.
What’s something you do like? I love corn! I just really like corn and food with corn in it.
Something ridiculous you’ve done: During Christmas spirit week at my school, I came as a Christmas present in a large box with my head popping out the top with a big green bow on it! During the course of the day I fell while running down the hall in my box and I had to lay there until someone came to help me up. And yes, I did laugh really hard!
Best drink at the GF Grill? I had this peppermint shake once when I visited the Ground Floor back in seventh grade, and I’ve never been the same.
Patrick Konieczny - Director of Youth Worship
Patrick Konieczny (Con-itch-knee) traveled with Daniel Eric Groves Ministries for about 3 years. They were on the road 20-25 days a month doing worship all over the nation. He loved traveling, but is glad to have his feet planted in Grand Rapids again. His passion for music and people is evident in pretty much everything he does.
Favorite book? The Bible is by far my favorite, but I really like the book Sparkling Gems written by Rick Renner. It breaks down different words from the Greek throughout many verses in the Bible, and has a good teaching on the correct translation and interpretation of the Word of God.
The best band ever? Mutemath, Delirious?, and Hillsong United, along with so many others, may take the lead depending on the phase I’m going through.
What’s something crazy you’ve done? I used to ride/race BMX bikes, but something I used to do that was crazy, and just plain stupid was that one of my friends and I would play chicken with cars on our bikes. I would never recommend it!
Were you born with a guitar in your hand? I never wanted to be a musician. God got a hold of me and obviously re-directed my steps. I started piano at the age of 8, and it definitely just snow-balled from there God is SO good! ! ! And now I couldn’t think of one thing I would like to do better. I LOVE doing what God has called me to do! And I wish that more people would find that thing in their life!
Brennen Hilgendorf — Intern
Brennen grew up thinking about becoming a pastor, but a string of events right after high school changed his mind about God for a while. Despite the disappointments and hurts he’s found around him, God has proved himself and Brennen has found a new hope in Christ. Now, he is actively serving with Access and enjoys sharing about Jesus on college campuses. Besides all he does to get ready for Access during the week, you will probably find Brennen serving up some fine food at the Ground Floor Café after Access.
Favorite summer or winter sport?
I’m not a fan of “physical activity” per se … but I do enjoy watching a good game of football… European of course.
What makes you laugh?
How much time do you have? I pretty much love to laugh. A great comedy movie is always a good choice, and there are some pretty funny books out there as well. My friends and I are quite sarcastic with each other, and I have been known to have a very dry sense of humor.
Favorite book?
The Bible, but other than that my favorite would probably be My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok.
What’s in your CD player?
Hideaway by The Weepies, In Rainbows by Radiohead, Illuminate by David Crowder Band, and The Shepherd’s Dog by Iron & Wine
Best drink at the GF Grill?
The greatest shake in the GF Grill would have to be the Reese’s Peanut Butter Shake.
The best band ever?
I have a three-way tie right now between Belle & Sebastian, The Shins, and Iron & Wine.
What’s something crazy you’ve done?
My brother and I once did a rap dance to a DC Talk song for a talent show when we were little. We had matching checkered vests and everything!
Jennifer Christensen – Intern
You’ve probably seen Jennifer talking with newcomers at the front desk or maybe out visiting your college campus, or on the prayer team, but that’s not all she does. Besides helping get things ready for Access each week, she’s also involved in lots of other things: there’s youth ministry at ResLife, gardening and more…besides taking care of her husband, Jason, and keeping up with their two energetic dogs. With a heart toward ministry and missions, Jennifer is quick to get involved.
Favorite summer or winter sport?
I love hockey, but I don’t really watch sports. If my dad wanted me to go to a game with him I would be all over it! I like to go to baseball games too, but I don’t watch it on tv.
Things you dislike with a passion:
Chomping gum, talking with a toothpick or pen in your mouth, and pacing.
What makes you laugh?
My husband is probably one of the funniest people I know! I love to laugh though. It just brings joy to my soul!
The best band ever?
The Afters and Hillsong…
Share one more unique, little known or just a fun thing about yourself:
I’ve played the piano since I was knee high to a grasshopper (thanks dad). I also play the flute and the piccolo.
Dan Fagundo — Intern
Dan is a man of action. When it comes to trees, he climbs them. Cars? He fixes them. Access? He prays with people and helps with lots of things that keep this ministry running. Besides serving at Access you’ll probably find Dan working or hanging out with his fellow intern and soon-to-be wife, Jessica.
Favorite summer or winter sport?
Sports are fun to play, but hunting is the only real sport
Favorite TV show?
I wish I was born before the T.V. was invented
Best drink at the GF Grill?
I don’t believe in coffee, so an Oreo Shake
What’s the furthest from Grand Rapids you’ve ever been?
Ethiopia in December 2008
What’s something crazy you’ve done?
I like to climb stuff and mountain tops can be dangerous in lightening storms.
Share one more unique thing about yourself:
Few things can compete with cheese, except ice cream, but they never go together. NEVER.
Seth Garrett — Intern
You know those cheery greeters at the door to the Ground Floor? Well, Seth works with the team of greeters and does a bunch of behind the scenes stuff to let you and everyone else know you’re welcome at Access. Catch up with Seth and you’ll find he can probably talk with you about pretty much anything. He likes reading books, considers video gaming a sport, enjoys music and has a flexible sense of humor–he’ll laugh at just about anything!
Favorite book?
Well I don’t really have a favorite although I do read a lot. If I had to choose I would say, Through Violet Eyes
What’s in your CD player?
Jewel
Favorite TV show?
Hmmm not much time for T.V.
Share one more unique, little known or just a fun thing about yourself:
I’m a writer by heart. Both with words and with music. Music is so sweet to the ears. And when one can compose music so sweet that it catches your heart strings, well I think that is just awesome.