Leadership Team
Full Time Vocational Ministry
God calls some members of the body into full-time vocational ministry in order that they might equip the other members of the body for ministry. This call to full-time ministry is based on a person’s demonstrated ability to equip other Christians to do ministry (Ephesians 4.11-12).
Leadership
The Biblical norm of leadership is through a multiplicity of leaders (1Timothy 5.17), and decisions ideally are made by a consensus of those in leadership (Acts 15.23-25). This implies teamwork, a committed love for one another as a model to the body and the world (1 Peter 5.3; John 13.34-35), and a commitment to the same basic body of doctrine and philosophy of ministry (Amos 3.3).
Servant Leadership
The main qualifications for leadership are a servant and shepherding heart, and a teachable spirit. The heart of a servant, which is humility, must be demonstrated before a person is given leadership responsibility or function (Philippians 2.3-4; 1 Peter 5.1-3).
Church Government
New Life has a ‘presbyterian’ or elder-led form of church government (1 Peter 5.1-5), and the men chosen as elders must have developed a lifestyle that demonstrates the character qualities described in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
Shepherding
Pastors (and elders) are “shepherds” of the flock. As shepherds they lead, guide, oversee, feed and protect the flock (John 21.15-17; Hebrews 13.17). They are ultimately responsible for assuring that the people of God are being equipped to do the ministry of Christ so that the body of Christ is built up (Ephesians 4.12).
Teaching Pastor
The church is presently searching for a new pastor.
Shepherding Elders
Todd Boerman
Rich Vos
Deacons
Deacons are leaders who have oversight in the area of mercy and actions. The ministry of showing the Lord’s mercy to God’s people and the world, as well as caring for the financial needs of the body, frees the shepherd-leaders to focus on the task of spiritual oversight (Acts 6.1-4).
Rick Elzinga
Rick was born and raised in a Christian home in the Zeeland area. He graduated from Covenant Christian School. He and his wife have been members of New Life since 2020, they have enjoyed the fellowship, warmth and feel at home in the family of the OPC. Rick enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, and being a handy man of many trades, helping others when he can. He works as a truck driver/trainer for Holland Special Delivery.
Aaron Day
Aaron is a transplant to the west Michigan area, while born in Michigan he grew up in New England. He met his wife in the late 1990s at GVSU and together are raising their teenage son and daughter. They have attended New Life since 2000.
Cary Hirdes Cary was brought up in the CRC and attended for over 60 years. He made the choice to leave after becoming uncomfortable with the direction they were headed. Cary began attending New Life where he says “GODS word is preached truthfully” and has been a member for 9 years.