The following is from our Spring 2016 magazine. To view the whole magazine, click here.
Tyler Gaastra
Beckwith Hills Christian Reformed Church
Grand Rapids, MI
Q. What do you do in your free time?
A. In my free time I read history, philosophy and theology books and visit Civil War sites.
Q. Where would you like to travel someday?
A. I’d like to do a Reformation History Tour: Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and England.
Q. What do you do to stay relevant to youth?
A. Embrace change and technology.
Q. I never leave for youth group without my _____.
A. Wife.
Q. What’s your favorite place to meet with students, and why?
A. I like to have students over to our house for movies, sporting events and swimming.
Lesli Van Milligen
CrossPoint Christian Reformed Church
Brampton, ON
Q. Where could we find you at 10:00 AM on a Saturday morning?
A. Probably doing some type of youth ministry re-visioning retreat on behalf of Faith Formation Ministries. Many churches are rethinking their approach to youth ministry and I enjoy coming alongside them as they brainstorm new ways of reaching their youth.
Q. What’s your favorite place to meet with students, and why?
A. Any place with good coffee or interesting food—Student’s choice. I like them to introduce me to places that they enjoy and where they feel “safe”. They will want to introduce me to their friends or they will choose a place where they have the freedom to talk and not be recognized. I always make sure that their parents are aware that we are meeting and where.
Q. What do you do to stay relevant to youth?
A. I find out what they are reading and read it myself so we can talk about it. We often had students share music, TV shows or movie clips with the group, using a rubric we put together as a group to help students talk about why that particular piece of pop culture was relevant to them and to dissect where it supported or challenged their faith. Great discussions.
Q. What do you do in your free time?
A. Because we love to cook, when we are not having folks over for a meal, my husband and I are working through a list of 501 must see classic movies.
Q. Where would you like to travel someday?
A. I would love to return to Spain. I studied and interned there on several occasions. I even preached my first sermon in Spanish while working with youth outside of Madrid.
Kevin VanderVeen
Covenant Christian Reformed Church
St. Catharines, ON
Q. What resource has inspired you for ministry lately?
A. I have been journeying through the Ridder Church Renewal through Western Theological Seminary. The process has been inspiring and encouraging.
Q. Where could we find you at 10:00 AM on a Saturday morning?
A. At home, sitting by my fireplace, reading Scripture. Saturdays are my Sabbath.
Q. If your students described you in five words or less, what would they say?
A. Giving, athletic and sensitive.
Q. What do you do in your free time?
A. In my free time I play hockey, exercise, host friends at my home or support my youth by going to their games/events.
Q. What do you do to stay relevant to youth?
A. Love them and listen to them. The most important part is being present with them and leading them into the Word of God.
