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
Mart Novak, Pastor
I moved to Holland from Chicago, the son of a Czech Catholic father and a Dutch Protestant mother, and graduated from Hope College and Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. I am married to Bonnie, a nurse and wonderful mother of four children, who are scattered in Colorado, Virginia and Western Michigan. Before moving back to Holland and planting New Life in the late ’90’s, I pastored churches in Wilmington, Delaware, and Orlando, Florida. We have lived north, south, east and west, and enjoy Michigan most! I love time with family, as well as the body of Christ and wanderers wrestling with life’s tough questions and discovering Jesus is the key. I am a romantic about lakes, streams, rivers, and the wilderness—since childhood they have been a mysterious reflection of our transcendent God. So it’s a joy spending time in nature, hunting and fishing with my children and friends, time at Holland State Park reading along the channel, and traveling Europe with Bonnie. I do not like to read, yet always have a book with me. I am learning to enjoy sweets…in moderation. Outside of Scriptures, the most influential authors in my early life were John Bunyan and Jonathan Edwards; they are now C.S. Lewis and Tim Keller. The greatest sermon ever preached? The Weight of Glory! My ultimate passion and pursuit? To see every aspect of God’s creation restored to its intended glory.
Shepherding Elders
John Oudshoorn, Elder
John was born in Battle Creek, MI. He also lived in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids before joining the Navy in 1966. Upon his return from Vietnam Nam, he enrolled in Nursing School and moved to Holland, where he met and married Nancy in 1972. They have been blessed with two children, Michael and Melissa, and four grandchildren, who they love to spend time with. John used his Nursing degree in the Operating Room at four West MI. hospitals, Priority Health, and in the Navy and Naval Reserve over 42 years.
John and Nancy have been associated with churches of the Reformed Faith all of their lives. Wintering in Florida offers them a double blessing as they escape the snow and cold of MI and work 3 days a week at a church based Compassion House in FL. When at home, they seek out opportunities to serve in church or para-church ministries. They have been blessed with several mentoring and teaching opportunities over the years.
Since joining New Life two years ago, they have enjoyed rich fellowship and worship and are happy to be at “home” in the OPC!
Andy Miller, Elder
Andy is a transplant to the west Michigan area, he is a native Hoosier. He moved to Holland with his family in 2017 and has been attending New Life since. Andy met his wife Cristina in 2013 and they were married in 2015. They have a blended family with 7 children and 3 grandchildren. They enjoy raising their family, tending to their garden, having people in their home, and living a full and blessed life in West Michigan. Andy is a cloud architect with a local West Michigan company. He really enjoys coffee, reading Tolkien and Lewis, researching and learning new things, and like Kip he loves technology.
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, Deacon
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 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.
Cary Hirdes, Deacon
I have lived in Holland, Michigan all my life so far. I was raised in the Christian Reformed Church and
attended Holland Christian Schools. I’ve always been in awe of God’s creation from the vastness to the intricacies of it. From the beauty of a sunset to the marvel of the human body, how anyone cannot see a creator in this is mind blowing to me. I married Judy in 1970 and we have 3 boys, Jeff, who’s married to Beth, Ben who’s single and Corey, who’s married to Karen. We have 4 grandchildren, 2 boys and 2 girls. I have been a member of New Life Fellowship since 2018 but we started attending in 2017. I have been in the Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration field for 40+ years but now am mostly retired. I have been involved with the Calvinist Cadet program for 45 years, as a Counselor and Head Counselor at the club level, as the Vice President, President and Congressman at the Council level and served twice at the Corps level. I enjoy working on service projects. I’ve been to Louisiana on hurricane repair, Iowa after a flood and Judy and I have been to Houston and Port Arthur after the hurricane doing flood repair. My hobbies are camping, my classic car and flying kites when I have the time.
Christian Wichmann, Deacon
Christian was born and raised in Northern California. He moved to Michigan at the beginning of 2018 and has attended New Life since that first week. Christian is an Inside Sales Engineer with a West Michigan company. He also leads the Youth Group and College-Aged Bible Study for New Life. Going for runs, researching film and studying Scripture are things he enjoys. He is also very passionate about serving others and willing to grab coffee with anyone!