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  • Meet the Children’s Ministries Team

    Dewey Thompson, Minister of Children’s Ministries

    Dewey is a West Michigan native who grew up in Grand Haven and graduated from Hope College and Western Theological Seminary.  He has served for over twenty years in solo and staff pastoral roles and has led the Children’s Ministries team since 2006. His passion has always been for children and sharing Jesus through the Bible as early as he can in their lives.  He also enjoys sports of many kinds, reading, computers and sharing his great sense of humor and wonderful love of Jesus with everyone around him. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Mary Deur, Programs Facilitator

    Mary attended Holland Christian High School and Calvin College, and graduated with an education degree. She taught emotionally-impaired children at Hesperia Public Schools (often feeling like an emotionally-impaired teacher herself, she jokes,) and then was a substitute teacher for Holland Christian schools for ten years.  A member of CMC for 20+ years, Mary loved working with children so she taught Children’s Worship for most of those years, eventually moving into the Children’s Worship director’s role.  She also teams up with Kate Bareman as programs facilitator.  Mary says, “I love the team I work with- they are like family.  We laugh together, cry together and have fun together.”  She also enjoys card- making, gardening, crafts and going to the beach. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Kate Bareman, Programs Facilitator

    Kate was born in Athens, Georgia and moved to the Holland area when she was 12 years old.  She has been a programs facilitator alongside Mary Deur in the Children’s Ministries department for over ten years.  Kate has a passion for kids of all ages and has a knack at making people laugh. Whether she is riding a horse in a Dr. Seuss hat, doing the “Cha-Cha Slide” or making “seemingly mundane” photo copies for Sunday school teachers she is sure to have fun at all times!  Her joy in the Lord is VERY apparent in our Kate!  She has a “wonderful husband and three fantastic kids,” loves to cook and enjoys playing games-especially cards. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Peggy Ankerman, Administrative Assistant

    Having directed Youth Ministries and Children’s Choirs at Zion Lutheran Church in Holland for over 12 years, Peggy is not new to the organizational skills it takes to help run a large program like the Children’s Ministries department at CMC.  Her love of people and excellent communication skills, along with her servant’s heart and creativity make her a welcome asset “behind the scenes.”  She thrives on chaos and loves the challenge of making plan “b,” “c” and “d” work, which is often the case when being involved in such a volatile ministry as Children’s Ministries. In her spare time she enjoys writing, gardening, ballroom dancing, S.C.U.B A diving and traveling with her husband, Bob.  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Julia Rottschafer, Care Center Director

    A life-long CMC member, Julia has enjoyed working in the Care Centers for over sixteen years, starting as a volunteer, then a coordinator and now a co-director with Barb Dykema.  Her passion and heart for children shows in her caring, nurturing spirit.  Julia also loves photography and graduated from Hope College with a Bachelors of Art in Studio Art degree.  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Barb Dykema, Care Center Director

    Barb has been a familiar face around the Christ Memorial Care Centers, having served in them for over 30 years.  Previously she was a nanny for over 20 years and also set up and staffed nurseries in local health clubs, so it’s obvious that Barb loves working with the volunteers and parents. She has a heart for all children and finds joy in sharing her love of God with them. Barb enjoys playing computer games, traveling with her husband, Don and spending time with her five grandchildren.  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Chris Nyhuis, Cadets Facilitator

    Chris grew up in Hamilton, Michigan, where he attended the Cadet program at his church for five years and then went on to help lead Cadets during his high school years. After he met his wife Melissa, he became a Cadet counselor at Oakland Christian Reformed Church, eventually taking on the role of head counselor. Since Chris and Melissa became members of Christ Memorial in 1996, they have both enjoyed working with the kids by teaching Sunday School and being GEMS and Cadet leaders.  Chris is now looking forward to directing the Cadet program and feels very honored and privileged to be a part of the Children’s Ministries Team.  In addition to his wife and best friend Melissa, Chris is blessed with three beautiful children.  He enjoys outdoor sports like golf and coaching the church softball team, however, most of all, Chris enjoys hanging out with his family.  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).