Leadership
Grace Church is led by a council of elders and a leadership team. The council of elders is responsible for spiritual leadership and pastoral oversight. The leadership team is the body within Grace Church where elders, pastor and task field leaders meet regularly , monitoring needs and deciding on actions to be taken.
Elders
Ronald Westerbeek
In April 2007, Ronald and Nienke Westerbeek were asked to lead the launch team of ICF Amersfoort, and prepare the planting
of an English-speaking missional church in Amersfoort. Ronald and Nienke were born and raised in The Netherlands, but having travelled extensively - mostly
in Africa and Turkey - they share a passion for both cross-cultural settings and 'exploring new ground'. They have two daughters, Myrthe and Noa. Ronald is
chief editor of the Christian magazine CV-Koers and studies theology at the Free University (VU) in Amsterdam. Nienke is head of the children's department
of the Evangelical Broadcasting Corporation (EO). Within Grace Church, Ronald serves as an elder, Nienke among other ministries coordinates the counselling
team. Having experienced how lives can be renewed and healed by God's grace, their desire is to help other people discover what it means to live in the
freedom of Christ.
Nico Zwemstra
Nico and Marianne Zwemstra both grew up in South Africa, but moved to the Netherlands in 1998. Just four years later they
left the country again, to serve in the mission field. They lived in Indonesia and Papua for several years, and came to The Netherlands again in 2005. They
have four sons, Nico junior, Roan, Stefan and Xander. Nico now works as a programme manager for the Leprosy Mission (LEPRAzending) and still travels
extensively, mainly to India and Bangladesh. He has a passion for world diaconate and mission. Marianne is a primary school teacher. Her passion is women's
work in the church.
Within Grace Church, Nico serves as an elder and evangelist, Marianne is part of both the hospitality team and the counselling team.
Pastor
We hope to appoint a pastor later this year. He will then be part of the council of elders.
Leadership Team
Besides the elders and pastor, the following task field leaders are part of the leadership team of Grace Church:
Willemien Dee (Finances & Operations)
Willemien Dee and her husband John van Dijk have been involved in Grace Church from the early beginnings in 2007. John
grew up in South Africa and moved to The Netherlands in 1990. They have two sons and a daughter; Tom, Bas and Juliet. John works as a company director in
Amersfoort, while Willemien works in the Financial sector in Amsterdam. They share their background in business, together with a passion for the Gospel of
Christ. Willemien serves within Grace Church as the treasurer, and is also part of both the Mercy Team (diaconate) and the Hospitality Team. John is chairman
of the board of ICF Amersfoort.
Johan Offereins (Mercy Team)
Johan and Sandra Offereins have devoted their lives to extending God's compassion and mercy. Johan and Sandra Offereins. They've always
enjoyed living among people from all nations and cultures in one of the colourful neighbourhoods of Amersfoort. They have two daughters, Rianne and Ilse.
Johan works in the Financial sector in Amsterdam and has a heart for reaching out to people in dire circumstances. Within Grace Church he coordinates
the Mercy Team (diaconate). Sandra is a gifted musician who writes her own gospel songs. She has recorded two gospel albums and serves within Grace Church
as a worship leader. During the week, she also participates in an international women's group.
Both of them love children and together with their daughters they want to be an open family with an open door and a warm heart for everyone in need of
company, a helping hand or just a listening ear.
Nienke Westerbeek (Counselling Team)
Nienke (see above) is part of the Leadership Team representing the Counselling Team within Grace Church.
Overseers
Grace Church is a young church plant, still 'growing up'. That's why we have a 'parent' who advises us and looks after us when we need support, until we are able to stand on our own feet. The role of 'parent church' is fulfilled by the Westerkerk and the Ichthuskerk, two of the 11 Reformed churches that took the initiative for ICF Amersfoort and Grace Church.
The Westerkerk and the Ichthuskerk appointed four overseers for this:
- Rev. Rob Soeters (Pastor of Ichthuskerk)
- Rev. Wim Quist (Pastor Emeritus of Ichthuskerk)
- Rev. Gerrit Gunnink (Pastor of Westerkerk)
- Klaas Mulder (Elder of Westerkerk)
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