General Synod 2015 - Vice President Nominees

On Monday, delegates to General Synod 2015 nominated vice presidential candidates.

On Monday, delegates to General Synod 2015 nominated vice presidential candidates.

Chad DeGraff

is senior pastor of Hudsonville Reformed Church in Hudsonville, Michigan. He previously served as senior pastor of Riverside Reformed Church in Bloomington, Minnesota, and has served twice as president of Minnesota Classis. God has shaped him for the role of vice president, he said, “by serving in leadership positions in a banking environment, by serving as president of the Minnesota Classis, and by serving as a senior pastor for 10 years. Transformed & Transforming, racial reconciliation, and covenantal faithfulness can be seen in all aspects of my life.” Chad and his wife, Jen, have four children.

E.J. de Waard

is pastor of Owasco Reformed Church in Owasco, New York. He has served on church planning and development committees at both the classis and regional synod levels, as classis treasurer and executive, and on General Synod Council. “Growing up in a Dutch immigrant family, I was modeled and taught a strong work ethic,” said E.J., who worked for ten years as an engineer while also serving as a deacon, elder, and camp counselor before becoming a pastor. “God has blessed me with a godly wife and partner in ministry. The church has given us many opportunities to serve together using our complementary gifts for God’s glory and his kingdom purposes.” As a leader, E.J. values listening, respect, encouragement, and Reformed theology. He and his wife, Sharen, have three married children and one grandchild (a second is expected to be born next month).

Richard Dykstra

has served as pastor of Jay Gould Memorial Reformed Church in Roxbury, New York, for 34 years. A graduate of Northwestern College and New Brunswick Theological Seminary, he has served as president of Schoharie Classis and is currently president of Albany Synod; he has also been involved on many committees of the synod and the classis. “I believe every Christian is called to serve in some way,” he said. “The love of Jesus must be transparent in all of our actions, a love that includes forgiveness and acceptance. We have to be open to the greater actions of the Holy Spirit’s work. The kingdom of God is bigger and broader than we imagine.” Richard is married to Carol Ann; they have two grown sons.

Daniel Gillett

is lead pastor of First Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan. He has served as president of Holland Classis, a General Synod Council member, and adjunct professor at Western Theological Seminary. “My service on GSC help me see how the hard work of discernment can pay off in ministry,” he said. “Partnerships in ministry can bring new energy and new dawnings. I value the role of the priesthood of all believers in unleashing transformative ministry in the church.” Dan and his wife, Sherrie, have two children, and both are in college.

Kendra Van Houten

is pastor of Fair Street Reformed Church in Kingston, New York. She previously served as youth and education director at Unity Reformed Church in Muskegon, Michigan; in leadership development at Youth Unlimited in Grand Rapids, Michigan; as youth pastor at Trinity Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan; and as a seminarian intern at both Three Bridges Reformed Church in Three Bridges, New Jersey, and United Reformed Church in Somerville, New Jersey. “The church has…continued to affirm and support my call into ministry,” she said. “It is important that the person in this position listens, asks intentional questions, is honest and real, and is an open communicator. I believe that I bring these to the table.” Kendra has a mother, two sisters, one brother, and eight nieces and nephews.