New Life Church has been blessed with a preaching team made up of several members of the congregation. The preaching team works closely with the worship ministry and prepares messages that bring the Word of God to the congregation which encourages, teaches and challenges.

 

Meet the team:

 

Pastor Tom and Pastor Lesli van Milligen  

 

Tom van Milligen is half of New Life’s pastoral team. He has been a pastor in parish ministry for 18 years, but started early so isn’t as old as that implies. Most of those years have been spent serving the Christian Reformed Church in B.C., Michigan, and Ohio. He is a self-guided student of urban planning and is a committed walker, cooker, and eater.

 

Lesli van Milligen is the other half of New Life’s pastoral team.  She has been in pastoral ministry for 14 years, spending the first 5 years of their life together focussing on the care of their 2 daughters, Alexandra and Anna who are now both students at Calvin College.  Having served together as a team in four congregations, they have learned to be good sharers of everything from office space to pastoral duties to cooking space.  Lesli is a teacher, reader, and lover of great conversations over good meals.

 

 Peter Schuurman

 

Peter Schuurman is a preacher, teacher and writer, currently working on a PhD in Religious Studies at the University of Waterloo and teaching World Religions at Redeemer University College.  He has a history with campus ministry on secular universities—as a student, as a chaplain, and as a campus ministry development director for the CRCNA.  His greatest teachers are his two small children, Joseph and Petra.  Anything inspiring in his sermons comes from the editing of his wife, Joy.

Glen Soderholm

Glen Soderholm is a singer/songwriter, worship leader, teacher, and the director of Moveable Feast Resources – a ministry that encourages the people of God to participate in vibrant worship. He is married to Sharon with whom he is involved in a lifelong Scrabble competition. He has a daughter Danielle who studies at Carleton University and a daughter Julia who loves to paint. Glen can often be found developing sermon illustrations on patience at several local golf courses.

 

Jack Tacoma

 

Jack is a long time member of New Life and has served as an elder, a worship leader and musician.  He works as a Ministry Specialist with CRC Home Missions and is a partner in a local engineering firm. Jack is married to Tet and together they have three children and three grandchildren.  Jack is highly motivated by a passion to see all people growing their ministry potential.  One of his favourite quotes is “Change is a great thing… especially in other people.”

 

Gary VanArragon

 

Gary and Gretchen VanArragon have been members of New Life since 1993. Gary currently serves as chair of the Pastoral Elders and has served as a Visionary Elder. He recently retired as the principal of Woodland Christian High School. Gary is currently serving as the Advancement Director at Woodland Christian High School and Secondary Curriculum Consultant at the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools.

 

Jamie VanderBerg - Associate Pastor

 

Jamie VanderBerg is an ordained ministry associate at New Life, serving as a campus minister at the University of Guelph.  A graduate of the Institute for Christian Studies, Jamie enjoys navigating the strange waters of campus life--waters that include competing currents, different worldviews and a variety of perspectives.  Together with students, staff and faculty, he's constantly looking for ways to live out his faith, practice community and participate in God's story of redemption.  At home and at church, you'll see him celebrating life with his wife, Elaine, and their four children, Justin, Drew, Katya and Karsten.

 

Mark Wallace

 

Since arriving at New Life in 2005, Mark has found a community that both nurtures and inspires him. A computer consultant by day, he enjoys helping people solve problems and apply technology in appropriate ways. Currently serving as chair of the Visionary Elders (council) Mark enjoys the challenge and learning that this brings. While Mark’s humour can be a bit offbeat (not unlike his drumming), he hopes it helps bring a fresh perspective to God’s Word and what we are being called to be and do as a community.