cedar hills community church - cedar rapids, iowa

Kent Landhuis

Pastor of Teaching

and Leadership

Leonard ‘Doc’ Ranson

Pastor of Care
and Visitation

Leah Carolan

Director of
Worship Arts

Kris Crowther

Director of
Children’s Ministries

Paul Donnan

Maintenance Coordinator

Kent grew up on the east side of Des Moines. He's always had Cyclone leanings and became a confirmed fan when he started his studies at Iowa State University in 1981. He graduated from ISU in 1984 with a B.A. Degree in Philosophy. Pastor Kent then attended seminary at Trinity Divinity School where he graduated with a Masters of Divinity Degree in 1987. He was an Associate Pastor in Michigan before arriving at Cedar Hills in 1995.

He is married to his wife, Mary, and has three children, Kelsey, Travis and Shaina. In addition to spending time with his family, Pastor Kent loves to putter around in his garden. Passionate about preaching and leadership, Pastor Kent considers it his mission to proclaim the Good News of God's love to all who will listen.

Doc is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. Upon graduation from high school he attended and graduated from Washington and Lee University with a B.A. in Religion. Following his college graduation he went to Duke University Divinity School where he obtained his B.D. For the next 15 years he served United Methodist Churches in the Baltimore and Washington area.

Since coming to Iowa in 1971, Dr. Ranson has worked in the business world, Teleconnect and MCI; been a college administrator and coach, Mount Mercy; and served as interim pastor at the Shellsburg Presbyterian Church.

Leah joined the staff in Sept of 2007. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Simpson College in 2002, a Master of Arts in Christian Ministries & Worship from Briercrest Seminary in Caronport, Saskatchewan, Canada in 2007, and her Masters in Church Music from Concordia University of Wisconsin in 2011.

Leah is passionate about the 24/7 prayer movement and seeks to raise up leaders both musically and spiritually to draw the church into deeper worship. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Rick, writing music, webpage design, Star Trek Voyager, and Tim Horton’s Coffee. Recordings of her original music at can be heard at www.radiantventure.com.

Kris joined the staff in August of 2006 to fill the newly created position, Director of Children’s Ministries. She received her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska (yes she is a big “Husker” fan). She comes to the team with a dozen years of experience as a Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, VBS and Christmas Program Director.

Kris is married to Bruce and has two sons, Scott and Craig. Her hobbies include scrap-booking, crafts, gardening, quilting and more. Her mission is to help develop and train leaders to become good shepherds for our children.

Paul grew up in Cedar Rapids. He began working for the church in 2003. Prior to that he was a Detective on the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. His parents, Sally and Doug, joined Cedar Hills Community Church in 1961.

Paul has a wife Stephanie, and two boys, Grant and Michael. When not spending time with his family or at church, he enjoys the outdoors, baseball, and gardening. He is passionate about the commandment “Love your neighbor.” His favorite Bible verses are those that declare and describe Heaven.

Leslie Clauson

Director of

Noah’s Ark Preschool

Leslie joined the Noah’s Ark staff in 2003 and became the Director in August 2005. She is very passionate about Noah’s Ark and being part of this outreach ministry at CHCC. Her favorite part of her job is connecting with families in the community.

Leslie and her husband Jeff have been CHCC members since 1999. They have two daughters, Carly and Kelsey. When they are not busy with sports, school, and church activities the family enjoys camping. One of Leslie’s favorite Bible passages is found in Matthew 7:1-5.

Noah’s Ark

To reach any of our staff, all 319-396-6608 or contact the office.

Jennifer Wagaman

Office Administrator

Jennifer grew up in Winona, MN and Fountain City, WI. She attended Luther College in Decorah, IA majoring in Music Performance and Music Management. Jennifer went on to attend University of Northern Iowa for her Master of Music degree in flute performance.

Jennifer moved to Cedar Rapids is 2006 with her husband, Jon. A couple years later, a six-pound morkie (maltese-yorkie) dog named Tyke joined their family. They all enjoy going on walks together and watching the Dog Whisperer. Jennifer teaches as the flute instructor at area Suzuki Schools in her evenings. In addition to music, Jennifer enjoys reading, sand volleyball, and attending Hawkeye games with Jon.

Favorite bible verse: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” Contact the office.

Meet Our Staff | Children’s Ministries | Middle School Youth | High School Youth | Adult Ministries

More Information:

· Meet Our Staff

· Children’s Ministries

· Middle School Youth

· High School Youth

· Adult Ministries

JR Henderson

Pastor of The Bridge

Jeremy Van Genderen

Director of
Youth Ministries

JR joined the staff in December of 2011 as a pastor of the second campus of Cedar Hills "The Bridge." He earned a B.S. in Public Relations/Advertising and a Master's of Divinity from the Oral Roberts University and Seminary. Pastor JR has focused his ministry interests in reaching people outside the walls of the church. His passions in ministry focus on the relational connections, spiritual formation and leadership development that emerges from the dynamics experienced in both the small and large group gatherings of the church. He reminds us that Jesus came to "seek and to save the lost" (Lk19:10)). He reminds us that Jesus has called us to be fishers of men (Lk5:10). This means that we want to catch fish, we have to go to where we find the fish. Likewise, if we want to catch people, who matter to God, we must go to the people. People matter to God...this means they matter to us!

JR married his childhood sweetheart Terri, and together Jesus delivered them from a life of substance abuse. Theirs is a story of "wounded healers." They have been blessed to raise four children, Alissa, Amanda, Ashley and Andrew. Pastor JR loves to spend time with his family and their growing number of grandkids. For hobbies, he enjoys the outdoors where you can find him pursuing archery and fly fishing. Pastor JR believes his mission is to proclaim the Gospel in ways that help others discover God's call and purpose for life.

Jeremy was born into a Hawkeye loving rural family in central Iowa. In 2002, he graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa with a B.A. in Religion. He has been in youth ministry for the last 9 1/2 years and has loved every minute of it. He enjoys teaming up with parents to help them guide their students spiritually.

Jeremy has a wonderful wife, Jeanette and 3 amazing children—Breanne, Kara and Benjamin. As a family, they enjoy walking, riding bikes and playing at the park. During the cold winter months, they enjoy being with friends, playing board games or the Wii. Jeremy's goal is to live out 1 Peter 2:2 so that others will learn to crave God's word!