PRESS RELEASE – September 15, 2025
The Board of Directors of Diaconal Ministries Canada is pleased to welcome John Wildeboer as our next National Director.
John has been the pastor of Rehoboth CRC in Bowmanville, ON, since 2012. His wife Grace is a social worker at a local Catholic high school. Married for 31 years, they have three children—Jason (married to Maya, parents of Freelton), Charis, and Michael.
John grew up in a Christian home; his father was a pastor and his mother the organist. He jokes that he was born in Calgary “between the first and second services.” He attended Christian schools, then studied at Redeemer, Calvin, and Tyndale, drawn to schools with an emphasis on prayer and spiritual formation.
Despite graduating from seminary, John initially resisted going into pastoral ministry. He had grown increasingly ill and depressed during his studies and, in 1999, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He underwent six months of chemotherapy and radiation, which he describes as God’s way of shaping him with humility, compassion, and empathy.
After recovery, John volunteered at a church plant in Ajax, eventually leading his own plant—Real Life Church—before becoming Youth Pastor at Clearview Church in Oakville. There he honed leadership and administrative skills, building a youth team of 20 leaders and mentoring his successor. This allowed the church to expand youth and children’s ministries.
Following a family sabbatical in Europe, John returned to Ontario, doing pulpit supply until he was called to Rehoboth Church. A highlight of his time there has been leading “Brunchkins,” a school-based breakfast and lunch program (and NewGround partner). The volunteers have developed close relationships with the families; many connected to Rehoboth’s kids and youth programs and with families attending Alpha and Sunday services. John later expanded Brunchkins to two additional sites in Bowmanville and Oshawa.
True to his philosophy of “working himself out of a job,” John helped prepare Rehoboth’s youth pastor, Ryan, for greater leadership. When Ryan was ready to step up, John discerned it was time to step away. Soon after, the National Director position at Diaconal Ministries was posted.
“I believe God is shaping an exciting vision for the future of Diaconal Ministries. Ultimately, I believe He has prepared me for this moment as I step into the role of National Director.” – John Wildeboer
John has long been passionate about equipping churches to serve their communities. He has seen how loving one’s neighbours transforms both church members and those they serve. His excitement for Diaconal Ministries was strengthened through experiences with its NewGround program and a “Helping Without Harming” workshop led by Mark Vanderwees at Rehoboth this past year.
Convinced of God’s leading, John is eager to join the team. “I believe God is shaping an exciting vision for the future of Diaconal Ministries. Ultimately, I believe He has prepared me for this moment as I step into the role of National Director.”
To ensure a smooth transition, John’s first day will be September 15, 2025, with Ron Vanden Brink’s retirement set for November.
