Board Information

Christian Courier is an independent, non-profit, board-run newspaper published by the board of Reformed Faith Witness (RFW).

To connect with the board, or express interest in joining, email: ac.reiruocnaitsirhc@draob.

Reformed Faith Witness Members:

James Dekker

CHAIR
Jim is a semi-retired Christian Reformed pastor and missionary who now works for Resonate Global Mission ten hours a week as “Member Care Coordinator,” which means “Pastor to Missionaries,” because where lots of our missionaries work it’s inadvisable to use pastor or missionary publicly. That cool job puts a framework to his week, keeps him in contact with hundreds of even cooler servants of Jesus all over the world, compels him to travel to visit them once in a while, though he connects with them via email and Zoom most of the time. The rest of the time Jim reads books–lots of free ones that he “pays for” with reviews. He was acclaimed President of Christian Courier Board of Directors while on his way to that meeting from a long ophthalmologist appointment. As long as God gives his wife Rose and him health, they ride a tandem bike around Niagara and other places in the bikeable months, paddle canoes and kayaks, visit children and grandchildren in the distant places they live because their parents provided them poor role models for stability of residence.

Sylvan Gerritsma

VICE-CHAIR
Syl is an old guy who still has youthful enthusiasm for solidly Christian worldviews, particularly as expressed in various distinctively Christian organizations. Before retirement, he operated a small business and now finds fulfillment volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity Restore. Syl loves Christian Courier for the excellent ways it bears witness to the Kingdom of God, which never grows old.

Ron Rupke

SECRETARY
Ron Rupke retired from paid employment in late 2016 after more than 4 decades working in journalism, Christian labour relations, commercial landscaping and crop farming. With Margaret, the wife of his youth, he now lives in Presqu’Ile Provincial Park on the shore of Lake Ontario where he serves as a neighbourhood handyman and volunteer, reads the great books, enjoys the great outdoors, and catches glimpses of the new heaven and the new earth.

Peter Elgersma

Peter and his wife Evy live in Thornhill, Ont. They have three children, who have all graduated from Toronto District Christian High School. Peter currently serves on Council at Community Christian Reformed Church in Richmond Hill, where he has been a member for just over 20 years. Peter also serves as Director of Congregational Services for the CRCNA.

Jaime Spyksma

Jaime is from Winnipeg, Manitoba but currently lives in Abbotsford, BC with her husband, Darren and two (almost grown) children – one in university and one in grade 12. She works as a marketing assistant at Abbotsford Christian School and has a BA in Communications and Business from Trinity Western University. She is a big Disney fan and loves crafting with paper, ink, and stamps.

Noah VanBrenk

Noah lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is a member of All Nations Christian Reformed Church. He is an avid soccer spectator and self-professed beer connoisseur, though this designation has not been verified.

Sarah van der Ende

Originally from Surrey, B.C., Sarah lived in Edmonton to complete an undergraduate degree at The King’s University, and now lives in Halifax to work on a PhD in Biochemistry at Dalhousie University. After finishing her PhD, she plans on heading back to school, specializing in medical genetics, and ultimately hopes to work in a lab studying rare genetic diseases. When she has any free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, knitting and all kinds of exercise. She loves the outdoors, learning new things, spending time with her family, and simply adores her little nephew Jack.

Emma Winter

Emma Winter joined the board in the late 90s, taking over from Stan de Jong in the finance department as the unofficial treasurer. She says she has most enjoyed seeing the transition from serving the Dutch immigrant readership to a younger, more diverse readership.