New Coach in Town
How does a national organization engage, support, and equip its members in a hands-on, relevant, and meaningful way?
Here at Diaconal Ministries Canada we do this through our incredible network of Diaconal Coaches (formerly known as Diaconal Ministry Developers, or DMDs for short). In almost every Classis across Canada we have one (1) Diaconal Coach (and sometimes more!) ready and willing to serve. Our trained Coaches are available to connect and meet with every single Christian Reformed Church in Canada, each and every year. They are experienced in diaconal work and are able to connect diaconates with resources or provide training on how deacons can live into their mandates to engage with communities, live stewardly, and promote mercy and justice.
“Coaching is a profession of love. You can’t coach people unless you love them.”
Eddie Robinson
We are so excited to have some brand new Coaches join our team over the past few months. Here’s a snapshot of who they are:
Marcia Hosmar, Hamilton – Classis Hamilton
Marcia is really looking forward to being a Diaconal Coach. Hamilton has been her home for almost 20 years. Her husband, Jim, teaches at a local Christian school and their three children are completing various levels of education. When family activities don’t consume all of her time, she enjoys biking, reading, and camping – and anything dealing with food creativity in the kitchen.
“Being passionate about outreach and hospitality has allowed me to use my gifts as a Deacon at Meadowlands Fellowship CRC in Ancaster.” She is involved in their Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Debt Centre and enjoys ministry in various capacities.
You can contact her at marciahosmar@gmail.com.
Teda Heerema, Thunder Bay – Classis Lake Superior
Teda Heerema belongs to Hope CRC in Thunder Bay, ON. She has served as a Deacon for one term and has come to understand the importance of the deacon role in our churches. Over the years she has also served with Teen Club, Gems, Sunday School and VBS. With her wealth of experience in ministry, she is excited to now serve as a Diaconal Coach!
Teda is married with three grown children and is a grandmother. Her lifelong profession is in Critical Care Nursing. She enjoys sewing and the outdoors: canoeing, hiking, and gardening. “My God and Saviour has helped me through many rough patches in my life and I long for others to have this assurance in their life also.”
Teda will be serving the churches in Thunder Bay and Emo, Ontario! You can contact her at tedaheerema@gmail.com.
“A coach is someone who tells you what you don’t want to hear, who has you see what you don’t want to see, so you can be who you have always known you could be.”
Tom Landry
Don’t Have a Coach in Your Area?
Contact our Head office or one of our Field Staff and they will be able to help you out!
- Telephone: (905) 336-2920 or 1-800-730-3490
- E-mail: dmc@crcna.org
- Tammy Heidbuurt – Eastern Canada, theidbuurt@crcna.org
- Rachel Vroege – Western Canada, rvroege@crcna.org
Interested in Becoming a Coach?
As a Coach, you will help diaconates in your area connect with resources, generate vision, set goals, and fulfill the greatest sense of their calling as church leaders. These part-time positions come with compensation and full training.
If you are feeling the pull of the Lord’s leading, get in touch with us to find out more. (see above)
