Jim Kamp

Occupation: CFO of Small Business

How long have you been at Calvary?

I grew up at Calvary Church and made Profession of Faith in 1978.

Family:  I am married to Linda and have 3 kids (Jake 17, Kait 15, John 8).  Other family members at Calvary include my mother, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins.

How have you been involved at Calvary or other churches?

Currently, I am work in the sound booth and teach Sunday School.  In the past, I served as Elder and Treasurer.

What challenges do you see at Calvary?

The most critical challenge to Calvary is how we can encourage each other to serve Christ in any manner possible.  This goal will impact everything we do, including:

A. How we address the healing process we Roger's departure.

B. Our organizational structure.

C. Our searches for staff people.

D. Mission's Focus.

What excites you about being on the church council?

I have to admit that I am more fearful about serving than excited about serving.  To help lead a church of Jesus Christ is an awesome responsibility.  What would excite me most is the understanding that only Jesus could give me the knowledge to fill the role of Elder.

How do you see Calvary implementing the “Opening The Doors” ministry plan?

The "Opening the Doors" ministry plan can best be implemented through small groups.  That way we can encourage each other to open our hearts to serve.

David W. Terpstra

Occupation:

Process Development Engineer

How long have you been at Calvary?

Since it was Chartered (August 1961).

Family:

George and Fran Terpstra (parents).  Juile Terpstra (wife), Wren Terpstra (daughter still at home).  Andy, Darcy, and Ally Terpstra (Son, daughter-in-law, and 1st granddaughter).  Casey, Shannoniah and Gabriella Soerens (Son-in-law, daughter and 2nd granddaughter).

How have you been involved at Calvary or other churches?

I was a Deacon back in the mid 1980s. I was active in the Evangelism Explosion back in the late 1970s, also served on the evangelism committee at that time.  Julie and I were the church janitors 1977-1981.  I have taught Sunday school for 25 or 26 years now here at Calvary, 1st - 9th grades.  I have also been treasurer for a couple of years at a Christian School and then was the Chairman of the Board for 6 years at that Christian School.

What challenges do you see at Calvary?

Healing and moving forward with positive spiritual growth, and nurturing our present church families to be a witness to the community.

What excites you about being on the church council?

The opportunity to be used by God to further His kingdom.

Randy Hedman

Occupation: Part-time job search, part-time consulting

How long have you been at Calvary? 39 years

Family: wife: Eva daughter: Lauren

How have you been involved at Calvary or other churches?

Current: Wednesday morning Men’s group, Single Adult’s Bible study facilitator, usher, Veteran’s Home volunteer, provide rides to church, Families Moving Forward, CRWRC Board of Directors

Past: Deacon, Evangelism committee, Social Concerns Committee, Stephens Ministry, EMDA Board

What challenges do you see at Calvary?

• discerning how God has already prepared us and is leading us as a community of believers to be used to impact our city and the world for His kingdom
• to lead, encourage and enable us as a community of believers to faithfully fulfill God’s call on our lives utilizing the preparation He’s provided and following in the direction He is leading us.
• helping to heal the heartache and pain congregation members feel and working towards repentance, reconciliation, and restoration of unity
• keeping our focus not on ourselves but on God and His kingdom in all we do individually and as a community of believers. It’s all about Him.

What excites you about being on the church council?

The opportunity to be part of the work of the Holy Spirit as God uses the abundance of gifts and talents he’s provided the members of Calvary for His kingdom.

How do you see Calvary implementing the “Opening The Doors” ministry plan?

To effectively implement the plan requires a collaborative effort by members of the congregation and leadership, led by the Holy Spirit. As individuals and as a congregation we need to be radically committed to the gospel of Christ and obedient to His call on every part of our lives. We need to be encouraged and equipped by prayerful and prophetic leaders. We need to work together in Word and deed ministry to our community. And we need to trust God and be open to His using us in ways that we don’t expect, that we didn’t plan for, and that may take us way out of our comfort zones.

Scott Ross

Occupation: Teacher/Technology Specialist Calvin Christian School

How long have you been at Calvary? 19 years

Family: Wife: Faye Daughters: Katie and Megan and soon to be son in law Nick.

How have you been involved at Calvary or other churches?

I have been chair of education committee, director of Vacation Bible school, elder, clerk of the council, and webmaster. I am currently an adult education teacher.

What challenges do you see at Calvary?

Regaining trust between council and congregation. Establishing open communication with the congregation. Dealing with deep seated historical conflict within the congregation. Fostering an attitude of grace. Paying off the church building in a way that benefits the Christian community and doesn't continue to give undue power and influence to people who make large contributions.

What excites you about being on the church council?

I can provide a perspective that sees the church as a church and not as a business, respects church order, fosters a spirit of grace and forgiveness, and attempts to establish a true community of believers.

How do you see Calvary implementing the “Opening The Doors” ministry plan?

This plan is a dynamic document and should always be changing. We need to examine it constantly based on our current situation and our gifts and talents. The best way for us to grow as a church is to use those gifts and talents. In a true reformed tradition we should work through the best way to do this and not blindly follow what "successful churches" are doing. The most important thing is to foster a spirit of community that people would want to become a part of.

Dean Rudie

Occupation: Print Sales Account Executive

How long have you been at Calvary? 5 years

Family: Carol, Eric, and Branden

How have you been involved at Calvary or other churches?

I have been involved in the following ways at Calvary:

Stephen Ministry; Adult Education; Veterans Home Ministry;

Transportation

Previously I have been involved in the following ways:

Elder; Worship Committee; transportation.

What challenges do you see at Calvary?

We need to wrestle with the following questions:

a) How can we nurture a church environment in which people are encouraged and supported to give their talents and gifts?

b) What is the difference between a church and a business?

c) How do we create ownership of ministry that results in the support of and commitment to our sisters and brothers in Christ?

d) How can our decision-making and organization structure better show Christ's love and grace without neglecting awareness of our sinful nature?

e) Do we want to be a successful church (conservative evangelical) or a significant church (Reformational)?

f) How do we transform ourselves from people who "what I want" to people that understand "It's not about me"

What excites you about being on the church council?

I am interested in and have gifts for the following:

- Opportunities to visit with church members

- Listening to members concerns

- Being a voice of support and encouragement for people to live

- fuller Christian lives

How do you see Calvary implementing the “Opening The Doors” ministry plan?

- Support the growth of small groups

- Have preaching that is expositional

Tim Brands

Occupation: President, iBusiness Solutions, Inc.

How long have you been at Calvary? 14 years

Family: wife: Vonda, children: Maria (8), Micah (4)

How have you been involved at Calvary or other churches?

I am currently involved with Calvary’s Praise Team that we started one and a half years ago. Previously, I have served Calvary as Strategic Ministries Task Force member and “Opening the Doors” author, Worship Planning Team member, Worship Committee member, Cadet counselor and head counselor, Deacon and Diaconate President, and Social Concerns Committee member and chair.

What challenges do you see at Calvary?

Calvary has been hurting and has had divisions on many issues for a long time, and the events of the recent months have only magnified that. I believe our challenges are due to us individually and collectively being more problem-conscious than Spirit-conscious, more inward-focused than outward-focused, more agenda-minded than mission-minded. However, in those challenges also lie the opportunities. We have the opportunity to become like the early church described in the book of Acts. We must (1) all join together constantly in prayer (Acts 1:14), (2) be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4), and (3) begin to speak and act boldly and obediently (Acts 4:31). Calvary has endured many conflicts the past several years, and the healing must continue through fellowship, care, and love among the believers. At the same time, we must begin moving forward boldly to create a healthy environment for unbelievers to experience the love, grace, and peace of our Lord.

What excites you about being on the church council?

When the Holy Spirit works, there is movement, excitement, and growth. Talking with many people the last couple of months, I sense a spirit of anticipation and desire to become a healthy, loving church that attracts people to Christ. We can build on this excitement by better leveraging the work of the Strategic Ministries Task Force and becoming students of what other churches have done to lead more people to Christ, encouraging disciples to learn more about Christ, and equipping apostles to serve and share Christ. The addition of key staff members will further encourage and equip us as we move forward. However, we must not be idle and wait for the new staff to join us, nor should we see staff as the answer for all the issues we face.

How do you see Calvary implementing the “Opening The Doors” ministry plan?

Having been a member of the Strategic Ministries Task Force a year ago, I was privileged to hear research and book reports from other task force members on what various churches are doing. The opportunities for implementing our ministry plan are almost endless and will require setting some priorities based on the needs of our congregation and the needs of the community we serve.

One area of opportunity is purposefully creating and designing environments that attract people and get them to come back because they want a part of what is happening in those environments. There are many environments we should look at, such as offering multiple worship environments of different styles at different times for different people, or trying things that may be foreign to us in order to be relevant to the world of young people today. Another area of opportunity is governance and leadership. We need to develop leaders within our church based on people’s gifts, make sure all ministries are aligned and integrated with the overall purpose and ministry of Calvary Church, and make the Council more strategic in how it functions.

There are many more opportunities for implementing our ministry plan. The consultant that helped us through the Strategic Ministries Task Force stated several times the amount of change required to implement this ministry plan will exceed the imaginations of most people. This is something we as a church have not yet been willing to acknowledge. I believe Calvary is ready and able to go through significant change to become a healthy, loving Christian church that attracts and leads many people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Bruce Gorter

Occupation: Director - IT, Thomson West

How long have you been at Calvary? 13 years

Family: Patty, Emma, Abby, and Eli

How have you been involved at Calvary or other churches?

I am currently a member of the Praise Team and attend Young Couples with my family. In the past, I have served in the roles of Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and choir member, and have regularly attended Adult Sunday School and Young Couples.

What challenges do you see at Calvary?

I see challenges in moving forward as a truly unified body of Christ. Given recent events, we need to be cognizant of those who need time for healing and those who want to immediately move forward with our church vision.

What excites you about being on the church council?

God has blessed Calvary with many talented, committed servants. It would be an honor to serve Christ and his church in this role at Calvary. Also, we have been given a unique opportunity of worshipping in a new community with a wonderful facility. If we can channel our collective talents and focus towards ministering to each other and to our community, God will bless our efforts richly.

How do you see Calvary implementing the “Opening The Doors” ministry plan?

I would like to see both an inward and outward approach, whereby all who walk in these doors feel welcomed as a brother and sister in Christ.

Marvin Beekman

Occupation: Patent Attorney, Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner, Kluth, Minneapolis, MN

How long have you been at Calvary?

Member of Calvary for 1 1/2 years.

Regularly attended Calvary CRC and Faith CRC during 1992-1996.

Regularly attended Wooddale during 1997-2002.

Family: Wife, Kathleen 

Expecting first baby in mid-June

How have you been involved at Calvary or other churches?

Participating in a recently begun Bible study with other young couples.

Single Adult Ministry at Wooddale Church.  Led a small group Bible Study, and small group discussion facilitor for a number of Bible Studies at Wooddale.

I participated in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) for four years, and participated in a Bible Study with a small group of men met in BSF.

What challenges do you see at Calvary?

Healing as a church family.  Pastor search.

What excites you about being on the church council?

Opportunity to serve God by serving the congregation of Calvary, and to see God unfold His plans for using Calvary to advance His Kingdom.

How do you see Calvary implementing the “Opening The Doors” ministry plan?

I see the "Opening the Doors" ministry plan being centered around teaching and studying Biblical truths in worship services and in children and adult education classes.  The Holy Spirit is working in the hearts of people (soon-to-be Christians, Christians looking for a church home, and existing Calvary members and regular visitors) such that they are hungry to know and to learn more and more about God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, about salvation, and about how we are to serve God reflecting His love in our lives.  God can use the ministry of Calvary to satisfy this hunger from a reformed worldview, and to develop and equip disciples of Jesus to work in His Kingdom.

Also, I see the "Opening the Doors" ministry plan providing a number of avenues for visitors and new members to get connected to Calvary congregation at their own speed and comfort level.  I see Calvary continuing to develop its small group ministries directed to fellowship, service and study.  For example, I see some small groups being set up and advertised to assist new members and visitors to consistently meet with other new members and visitors, and to assist with establishing mentoring relationships between newer and/or younger Christians and more mature Christians.  Additionally, I see the ministry plan reaching out through service, such as is presently displayed in the Friendship, Family Moving Forward and Vacation Bible School ministries, for example.