Fred Knoll | Community Works Pastor

1. New Ministry Development
2. Community Partnership Development
3. Pastoral Care

Fred's Administrative Assistant – Ashley Maxwell
Send an email to Fred - fredk@wrcc.org

5 things to describe him: Family man, Dutch, cheap, fu-fu coffee drinker, sappy

Tell us about him: He loves his family and enjoys cooking s'mores in the back yard in a fire pit with aluminum foil under it so it doesn't burn a spot in the grass. He wakes up ready to run and often takes his dog with him. He's believing that his '93 Toyota Tercel will last until Jesus comes, which may be soon. For him, pizza is good at least 2 times a week and downhill skiing is only fun if you don't turn until the end of the run. He loves Jesus and desperately wants other's lives to be better because of their relationship with Jesus.

What he cherishes: His wife is a beautiful Godly Proverbs 31 woman who loves the outdoors and being a mom. He has three biological children and one adopted girl from China that bless (and challenge) him daily. Family dodge ball tournaments in the basement and six member bike rides to the ice cream shop are regular weekend activities. His strong Christian parents live in Michigan (God's country, Go Spartans!) and are wonderful grandparents for his children.

Pet peeve: When people can't let their food touch on their plate. It all ends up in the same place anyway and you can't get nearly as much on a plate at the buffet if your sweet and sour chicken can't touch your crab rangoon!

What makes him cry: Videos and movies about a daddy's love for his kids.

His dreams for the future: The church is meant to be a dynamic living organism active in the lives of the people of the community in which it is located.  My prayer is that as individuals and as a church we would care for the least of these as a lifestyle of worship.  We need to see Jesus in the distressing disguise of the hurting for our hearts and actions to change.

Where he learned his stuff: He received a B.S. in Physics/Environmental Science from Taylor University and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Michigan State University Graduate School. After school he worked in engineering for about 5 years while attending White River Christian Church. During college and working in engineering he volunteered for 10 years with Young Life, an evangelistic para-church organization reaching teens. In the fall of 1999 he was hired as the full time Youth Pastor. On July 22, 2007 he began his full time role as a Community Works Pastor.

What he excels at: Jesus models and commands that we love those the world calls unlovable and befriend those that have no one to care for them.  Fred loves to show Jesus' to those that can not give back.  As the culture changes toward greater selflessness, the body at WRCC will continue to become more more Christlike and more authentically loving to al.

What it's like working at WRCC: Being a Pastor at WRCC is like eating a creamsicle on the Millennium Force roller coaster at Cedar Point. It's sweet and peaceful, yet fast and thrilling. God has called us to bring life change to this community through Jesus Christ. This is no easy task, but it is the most exciting and rewarding mission I can imagine. Serving on a team of committed Jesus loving servants like the staff and elders of WRCC makes it a joyful journey.

When he's not at WRCC: Guess Who?, Sorry Madagascar, and Nerf wars in the basement with the family are at the top of the hobby list. He loves to play tennis, basketball, lift weights and go running. Fishing is a true love but patience grows thin when skill is at a minimum.

What he's doing for the Kingdom through other churches: The Kingdom of God is stronger and more effective when local churches partner for the greater good.  He has formed partnerships with other local bodies to complete local service projects in the community and share resources to meet practical needs in love.  He believes that Kingdom minded Pastors see the big picture and those that harbor competitive attitudes with other churches miss the joy of what God is truly up to.

His best advice to aspiring pastors: Those sensing the call to be a Pastor should know that Pastoring is all they can do. If the passion is not white hot they will most likely not make it as our enemy is good at discouraging those who follow the call. To those who are truly called, welcome to challenging life of daily rewards and joys beyond this world.