Here To Serve
Diaconal Ministries Canada is staffed by individuals who are committed to promoting the work of deacons within the church and the community.
Our Staff
Deacons are charged to mobilize their churches in the areas of justice, compassion, stewardship, and community engagement. WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
John Wildeboer
National Director
Rachel Vroege
Regional Ministry Developer (Western Canada; BC-Sask)
Mark Vanderwees
Regional Ministry Developer (Eastern Canada; Manitoba-Maritimes)
Amy Baarda
NewGround Coordinator
Bea Vlieg
Financial Coordinator
Kim Zantingh
Office Assistant
Erin Knight
Communications Coordinator
Aren Plante
Development Coordinator
Cindy Stover
Justice Mobilizer - Canada*
*in partnership with CRC Canadian Justice Ministries, Diaconal Ministries Canada, and World Renew.
The Board of Diaconal Ministries Canada includes one (1) representative from each of the 12 Canadian Classis in the Christian Reformed Church. You can click on their name if you would like to be in touch with your Classis rep.
- Michael Werkman - NewGround Rep (Classis Alberta North)
- Sharon Bandstra - Secretary (Classis British Columbia NW)
- Liz Tolkamp - Chair (Classis British Columbia SE)
- Jeff Robinson - Finance Comm. (Classis Ontario South West)
- Mary Blydorp - NewGround Rep (Classis Huron)
- Bill Groot-Nibbelink (Classis Quinte)
- Richard Bodini - Vice Chair (Classis Toronto)
- Lawrence De Graaf (Classis Niagara)
- Pete Karsten (Classis Hamilton) - starting February 2026
- Linda Slomp (Classis ABSS) - starting February 2026
- Vacant - (Classis Eastern Canada)
- Vacant (Classis Lake Superior)
Partners In Ministry
Deacons in Canada have a long history of working in collaboration with each other and with the various agencies inside and outside of the CRCNA. Diaconal Ministries also models this in their work and ministry.
Diaconal Coaches
Diaconal Coaches are trained and experienced in diaconal work. Our coaches will work together with you to learn how to engage with your community, promote stewardship in your congregation, live justly and love mercy—and work out your calling in your church and community.
Don’t See a Coach in Your Area?
Contact one of our Regional Ministry Developers and they will be able to help you out:
Mark Vanderwees – Eastern Canada (Manitoba to Maritimes); mvanderwees@crcna.org
Rachel Vroege – Western Canada (BC to Saskatchewan); rvroege@crcna.org
Gary Veeneman
Abbotsford, BC | Classis BCSE
Gary has served 3 terms as deacon, including 2 terms as chair and 1 term as treasurer. He has served as chair of the Diaconal Ministries Canada board (2002-03), and was involved in the formation of Diaconal Ministries Canada in the mid 1990s. He believes diaconates are empowered when each deacon develops his or her own workplan.
Gary is currently serving the churches in Agassiz, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Langley.
Gary is currently serving the churches in Agassiz, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Langley.
David Hornor
Chilliwack, BC | Classis British Columbia NW/SE
Dave is married to Dianne and together they have three married children and five grandkids. He retired from the CRC pastorate in 2022 and wants to use his ministry experience to encourage, equip, walk alongside, and learn from deacons.
Dave and Dianne enjoy biking the Vedder Rotary trail and spending time with their kids and grandkids.
David is excited to serve the churches in BC, particularly in the northern regions.
David is excited to serve the churches in BC, particularly in the northern regions.
Lucia Lam
Vancouver, BC | Classis BCNW
Lucia has studied business and theology and is currently working on her PhD. She enjoys hiking, traveling, playing music, snowboarding, and windsurfing. She's also a freelance photographer and creative writer.
Lucia is excited to serve the churches in Greater Vancouver and Vancouver island.
Lucia is excited to serve the churches in Greater Vancouver and Vancouver island.
Marg Hoogland
Lacombe, AB | Classis Alberta North (Central Alberta)
Marg is interested in reading, digital scrapbooking, painting, photography, and travel. She is always ready for the next adventure. She served as a board member of Northern Alberta Diaconal Conference (NADC), World Renew, and the local Mission Thrift Store. She and her husband, Jake, have lived out-of-country in Bolivia and Nicaragua, working in agriculture and faith development. Technology enables her, a life-long learner, to participate in seminars about theology, justice, indigenous studies, and a variety of other topics.
Serving as a diaconal coach is a new adventure; one that she hopes will challenge her and the deacons of the churches in Central Alberta.
Serving as a diaconal coach is a new adventure; one that she hopes will challenge her and the deacons of the churches in Central Alberta.
Parry Stelter
Edmonton, AB | Classis Alberta North
Dr. Parry Stelter respectfully acknowledges that he lives on Treaty Six Territory a traditional gathering place for Indigenous peoples, including the Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Haudenosaunee, Dene, Ojibway/ Saulteaux/Anishinaabe, Inuit and many others whose footsteps have marked and continue to mark these lands.
Parry is married Angeline for 25 years and they have four lovely daughters together and four sons with two of their daughters now in heaven.
Parry sees his new role as diaconal coach as a privilege and honour. He looks forward to getting to know as many people as possible and building relationship with them. He believes that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ does his greatest work with the church as stated in the Ephesians 3:14-21.
Parry is married Angeline for 25 years and they have four lovely daughters together and four sons with two of their daughters now in heaven.
Parry sees his new role as diaconal coach as a privilege and honour. He looks forward to getting to know as many people as possible and building relationship with them. He believes that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ does his greatest work with the church as stated in the Ephesians 3:14-21.
Jean deBeer
Saskatoon, SK | Classis Alberta South & Saskatchewan + Manitoba churches
Jean is married to Andy and together they are blessed with 3 married children and 7 grandchildren. She retired in 2014 from her career of working as an LPN. She is a member at Bethel CRC in Saskatoon where she has served as a deacon. She has been involved with refugee ministry, has served on the CRC’s Canadian Indigenous Ministry Committee, and has been a Diaconal Coach for almost 15 years.
Jean’s focus is encouraging deacons in their role within the church and local community, bridging the isolation churches in Saskatoon and Regina can experience. She also connects with deacons in Manitoba (Winnipeg and Brandon) as the Interim Diaconal Coach for the western portion of Classis Lake Superior.
Jean’s focus is encouraging deacons in their role within the church and local community, bridging the isolation churches in Saskatoon and Regina can experience. She also connects with deacons in Manitoba (Winnipeg and Brandon) as the Interim Diaconal Coach for the western portion of Classis Lake Superior.
Teda Heerema
Thunder Bay, ON | Classis Lake Superior (Thunder Bay area)
Teda 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 assurance of this in their life as well."
Teda will be serving the churches in Thunder Bay and Emo, Ontario!
Teda will be serving the churches in Thunder Bay and Emo, Ontario!
Mark Vanderwees
Brampton, ON | Classis Toronto
Mark is currently in his fourth year with Diaconal Ministries. He is married to Nancy and they live in Brampton, ON. Their five adult children still occupy a lot of their time and thoughts. He loves anything to do with the outdoors; his passion at the moment is fixing up a family cottage on Lake Superior with his siblings. And he is always up for a game of Scrabble! He sees his primary role as helping set the conditions where a diaconate (team of deacons) has the resources to flourish in the ways their mandate envisions.
While Mark helps out as Diaconal Coach in parts of Classis Toronto, he is also Diaconal Ministries' Regional Ministry Developer for Eastern Canada (Manitoba to the Maritimes).
While Mark helps out as Diaconal Coach in parts of Classis Toronto, he is also Diaconal Ministries' Regional Ministry Developer for Eastern Canada (Manitoba to the Maritimes).
Terry Vanderhorst
Barrie, ON | Classis Toronto (Northern Churches)
Terry lives with her husband, John, in Barrie. She is in her 3rd year as a Deacon at First in Barrie. She loves being a deacon and serving wherever she can. She has helped with VBS, Serve, and the local Mission Thrift Store. She is looking forward to connecting with churches, organizing workshops, and encouraging and equipping other deacons! Terry has grown 2 daughters. She enjoys reading novels, visiting friends, meeting people, and running!
Terry is the coach for the seven (7) churches north of Toronto (First & Covenant CRC, Barrie; Alliston CRC; Bethel & Holland Marsh CRC, Newmarket; Community CRC, Richmond Hill; and Living Hope CRC, Orillia).
Terry is the coach for the seven (7) churches north of Toronto (First & Covenant CRC, Barrie; Alliston CRC; Bethel & Holland Marsh CRC, Newmarket; Community CRC, Richmond Hill; and Living Hope CRC, Orillia).
Fred VanderSterre
Brussels, ON | Classis Huron
Fred is a member of the Blyth Christian Reformed Church and lives on a farm where he and his wife Henrietta raised five children, who are all out of the house by now. Fred has served as a deacon several times and as a Diaconal Coach he has been a helpful resource to fellow deacons in Classis Huron for many years. Fred is currently the Stated Clerk for Classis Huron!
Fred serves mostly in the western half of Classis Huron but is willing to help out wherever he can!
Fred serves mostly in the western half of Classis Huron but is willing to help out wherever he can!
Jane Vander Velden
Kitchener, ON Classis Huron
Jane is a retired teacher who keeps busy with many activities. She swims everyday, plays the harp, reads, walks, volunteers for a number of organizations and spends lots of time with her 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. Jane enjoys being outside so from May to October, she spends a lot of time camping at her trailer. Jane has been a deacon in her church in Kitchener and now enjoys organizing meals for the homeless in her community. Over the years she has been involved in many ministries in her church: Sunday School, worship committee, and library, as well as the Mission Committee of her classis.
Jane enjoys making connections with the deacons in Classis Huron and is excited to share all of the resources Diaconal Ministries' has to offer them.
Jane enjoys making connections with the deacons in Classis Huron and is excited to share all of the resources Diaconal Ministries' has to offer them.
John Klein-Geltink
Ingersoll, ON | Classis Ontario Southwest
Over the years, John has served as a deacon in his own church and as a board member/volunteer with a local outreach ministry. His passion is to help the Church have a bigger vision of what the local community could become and walk alongside deacons as they lead the local church. He wholeheartedly supports and encourages asset-based community development so that churches can avoid harming the people they aim to serve. Not sure what that means? Ask him about it!
John primarily serves the church east of London in Classis ONSW.
John primarily serves the church east of London in Classis ONSW.
Anita Plat-Kuiken
London, ON | Classis Ontario Southwest
Anita is a Local Mission Leader for Resonate Global Mission and an Outreach Ministry Developer for Classis Ontario SW. She believes being a Diaconal Coach will be a good fit as it provides another opportunity for her to be in regular contact with the churches in her Classis. Anita is a member of Talbot Street Church in London with experience in youth ministry, worship leading, and mission/outreach. She is a former elementary and high school teacher and is a certified spiritual director. Anita lives in London with her husband plus a dog, and is in the 'revolving door stage' of three children ages 18-23 moving out and then back in again.
Anita looks forward to hearing stories of ministry and encouraging diaconates in showing God’s love to their communities. She serves as a coach in the greater London area, even as far as Sarnia!
Anita looks forward to hearing stories of ministry and encouraging diaconates in showing God’s love to their communities. She serves as a coach in the greater London area, even as far as Sarnia!
Vacant
# | Classis Hamilton
We are searching for a new Coach for Classis Hamilton.
If you are interested, please reach out to Mark Vanderwees, Regoinal Ministry Developer for Eastern Canada
If you are interested, please reach out to Mark Vanderwees, Regoinal Ministry Developer for Eastern Canada
Erick Schuringa
Grimsby, ON | Classis Niagara
Erick has been a pastor for 30 years and has always seen a strong connection between diaconal ministry and the mission of the church. He presently works with the deacons of his own congregation, considering himself a teaching deacon.
Erick hopes to bring his broader ministry experience to help the deacons in Niagara thrive in church and community ministry.
Erick hopes to bring his broader ministry experience to help the deacons in Niagara thrive in church and community ministry.
Diane Vandemeent
Newcastle, ON | Classis Quinte
Diane is a retired teacher (Educational Therapist) married to Doug. They attend Rehoboth CRC in Bowmanville. Diane is excited to see how she can help churches and communities grow closer to Him as they reach out to serve others. After completing two terms of being a Deacon Chair, Diane feels it is a natural step to become a Diaconal Coach so she can share her experiences and Diaconal Ministries' many resources with other deacons. When not doing ‘church work’, visiting seniors, or preparing to lead Bible studies, Diane can be found at home cooking with Doug or out playing a great game of pickleball.
Winston Visser
Prescott, ON | Classis Eastern Canada (ON & QC Churches)
A believer rediscovering his First Love, accompanied by an eclectic soundtrack in the background: from Bach to Bryan Adams to Stan Rogers. A faith influenced by reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Henri Nouwen, Kosuke Koyama, Randy S Woodley, Viktor Frankl, Anne Lamont, and others. A pragmatic Christian perspective shaped by growing up on a farm and being a long-haul trucker for seven years. A writer playing with words. A walker of trails, plus a labyrinth on their acreage. A builder of free-standing rock walls. A father of four adult children. Supposedly, a door-person for Ace, the black cat. And a helper in his spouse’s cut flower business. Having served as a deacon before a lateral move to becoming an ordained minister in 2006, Winston identifies with Stephen in Acts as both a deacon and a preacher. He is a former Local Mission Leader with Resonate Global Mission. He currently serves as an interim pastor and helps with pulpit supply. Believes these denominational and ministry roles dove-tail nicely with serving as a Diaconal Coach, supporting deacons, who are on the front lines of God’s mission within their communities, backing up faith with works.
Winston is primarily coaching the churches in Ontario and Quebec but has also travelled to the Maritimes as well!
Winston is primarily coaching the churches in Ontario and Quebec but has also travelled to the Maritimes as well!
Become 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 ongoing training.
If you are feeling the pull of the Lord’s leading, get in touch with us – we’d love to chat!