Following the Union Congress last May, the new members of the Executive Committee have begun their five-year term. We’re excited to introduce them to you over the next few pages.
Miranda Broekhuis
Miranda Broekhuis works part-time for the Netherlands Union, as associate pastor of the church in Meppel. Until recently she was also the executive secretary of District North. She lives in Jellum with her husband Marius, and has two adult children: a daughter and a son.
‘Because of my experience in facility management, I always approach issues from a service-oriented perspective. This attitude promotes church unity, because it means you are always focused on others. That’s also how I’d like to summarise my role on the Executive Committee.
My greatest motivation as a member of the Executive Committee is to turn the church back into a movement where each current of Adventism has its own place. This can only happen if we stay in conversation and try to understand each other better. Right now we are in a transitional period. These changes will need to lead us towards an all-round healthier church. Striking a balance between the faith and business sides of church is the biggest challenge.’
Madelon Comvalius
Madelon Comvalius‒Duijster is married to Machlon. Together they have two children, Jordan and Jaylisa. Madelon works for the Netherlands Union as department head of Youth and Family Ministries.
‘On the Executive Committee, I represent the Youth and Family Ministries department. It’s important that we give space and consideration to the young people in our church, on both a national level and a local one. Our biggest challenge in this is to equip all the pastors.
I could never create unity in the church by myself—that’s something we need each other for! I hope to make every member and leader in our church more aware of the fact that everyone believes in their own way, and that that’s OK. We need to give each other the space to be different.’
Jacob Engelgeer
Pastor Jacob Engelgeer is married to Anneke Bekius, and has two adult children, Daphne and Jonathan. He has worked for the church for more than 25 years, in diverse capacities. Since June he has served as the department head of Personal Development.
‘My job in the Executive Committee is linked to my calling. My motivation to be a member of this committee is the same as my motivation to continue working as a pastor: there is a training side to it and a pastoral side. For me, that’s the ideal combination. As a department leader, on the Executive Committee I want to help shape the policy of the Adventist church in the Netherlands. I want to make sure people are fed, formed, and equipped to grow towards God’s image.
I am sad that the church is so polarised. Polarisation is bad for the church, and for our credibility to others. I see building unity as one of our greatest challenges. We need to keep building trust through dialogue, so that we can keep growing little by little. By staying in conversation, we’re working on unity. Jesus’s words in John 17 help me to remember this: “Let them all be one.”’
Richard Esenkbrink
Richard Esenkbrink is a Senior Account Manager. He advises his clients on the purchase and use of work clothes, and personal protective equipment. He is married to Marianne, with whom he has three children, and he is a grandfather as well as a father.
‘The fact that God has the future and the whole world in his hands is what motivated me to be a member of the Executive Committee. God calls you. He knows you, and knows what needs to be done. As one person, you are just a small part of a bigger team. A diverse team is a creative team, and the church can trust me to put my creativity and knowledge to good use.
Joining the Executive Committee doesn’t feel like a challenge to me—that’s not how I think about the position. We will all be working together to promote unity. How we make sure we give everyone the space they need will be an interesting question, and a job for everyone in our wonderful church.’
Christel Gossens has extensive experience in business management. She is currently involved in volunteer work. She lives in Hoensbroek, and is a widow.
‘When you’re a member of an organisation, it’s important to take responsibility when you are called upon. My determination to be a responsible member of the Executive Committee is motivated by my faith, and by my love for God and his children. I would also like to make it possible for us as a church to establish a sound, workable organisational structure for the future.
Operating within these frameworks and responsibilities of a committee member will be my biggest challenge. The fact that we that we currently have insufficient information and insight into the various levels and nuances of the organisation will also need to be addressed.
Unity is not a job for individuals. All members are involved, active and passive. My wish is that we have more understanding for each other’s personal faith. No one can impose their faith on someone else, and no one should judge another’s faith in any way.’
Muco de Jongh
Muco de Jongh is a supervisor with Child Protective Services. He is married to José, and together they have four children.
‘I read a lot about church developments on both official and independent websites, and I’m active in local and national boards. I know what’s going on with church members and managers, and I hope to use this knowledge and experience in a constructive way, to further the mission of our church. This mission is to bring the gospel to a postmodern and secular society, but also to equip and care for our own members.
I see our church primarily as a family whose members work together for this mission, in respectful dialogue. The biggest challenge the Executive Committee faces is promoting unity in a diverse faith community.’
Jessica Knopper
Jessica Knopper‒Koning is a wife and mother of two teenagers. She is a project leader at the Wilhelmina Hospital in Assen, an elder in Groningen church, and an administrative volunteer for a number of cycling clubs and KNWU events,
‘I’m excited to use the same qualities that I use in my daily life in my church life as well. That’s what motivates me to be a part of the Executive Committee. With God’s guidance, I will commit the full 100% of my gifts and talents to the church.
It will be a challenge to show others how, at the national level, churches are also businesses. level at country level, which is the biggest challenge for me. With God’s guidance, we can combine financial stability and church life.
For me, unity is diversity. By giving everyone the space they need within the church framework, we will continue to grow.’
Bert Nab
Pastor Bert Nab is married to Sandra, and has three adult children. He has worked for the church for 28 years in various roles.
‘My current role as President of the South District requires me to also have a seat in the Executive Committee. In its current form, this role is new to me. In any event, I want to make sure we have a positive and collegial team. I hope we can unite the different churches in the district, and make a positive contribution to the policy of the national church as well.
The greatest challenge of this role lies in the church’s enormous diversity—not primarily cultural, but more in terms of theological thinking. How can we ensure unity in a church that is so diverse? That’s the challenge for me.’
Dwight van Ommeren
Pastor Dwight van Ommeren is the president of District North, and is also pursuing a Master’s in Leadership. He is married to Andra, and has three children.
‘I’m thrilled that I can contribute to the vision and policy for the future of the Dutch church, as part of the Executive Committee. I will make every effort to ensure good cooperation between the Executive Committee, the pastors, and the churches in proclaiming God’s love. I want to use all the knowledge and talents I have received from God in this role.
Our church is part of a complex society. Leading this church is a big challenge. With God’s guidance, I want bring people with passion together. It’s important get everyone cooperating.’
Colvin Overdiep
Colvin Overdiep was born in Suriname, but has lived in the Netherlands since 1975. He has been on pre-retirement pension since May 2015. Before that he was a professor of social sciences at Inholland College, Rotterdam. Overdiep is married to Jane Lie Sam Foek, and together they have two sons and five granddaughters. He lives in Spijkenisse, where he has served as an elder since 1987.
‘The latest developments in our church—like the discussion of the position of women, ethical and moral issues, and the future of the church—have my full attention. It will be a challenge to work together to guide our church in the right direction, but that challenge is what motivated me to be part of the Executive Committee.
It is my intention to position our church in the centre of our community, and to focus less on the ‘church’ side of things. We need to become the Advent movement again. We need to stay on track, and focus on the Lord of the church above all!
We should cherish diversity: it is a gift from God. This means keeping in dialogue, giving each other space, and respecting each other without losing our biblical principles.’
Rozita Panneflek
Rozita Panneflek works as a Finance Manager. She also runs her own business. She is married to Frensly, and together they have three children: Timothy, Jonathan and Faith.
‘I want to build a church that is home to all, no matter how diverse. That’s what motivates me to take part in the Executive Committee. I want the church to be healthy in financial terms, qualitatively and quantitatively.
Based on my expertise, I will keep an eye on our finances and make recommendations for improvement. I also want to make sure polarization within the church does not increase.
My biggest challenge in this role is to make sure that God’s plan, rather than my personal interest, is carried out in church. We should listen to each other more, and if we focus on our mission, I’m sure we will soon be more willing to give each other space, and accept our differences.’
Willem van Rhenen
Willem van Rhenen is a medical doctor, board member of ArboNed, and Professor of Engagement and Productivity at Nyenrode. He is married to Lydia Bosma, and is the father of two adult sons and daughters-in-law. He is on the Executive Committee on behalf of ADRA.
‘It’s my dream to make the kingdom of God visible here on earth. The testimony of Jesus Christ and the beautiful advent message are both important tools for achieving this, and the church can expect me to use these them wherever possible. This can only be done with the help of God’s Spirit. Each of us will help the other to work lovingly, and with respect, for our family, our family, our brothers and sisters, our neighbours and friends, and all the other people we meet daily.’
Berry Quak
Berry Quak is from Ouderkerk aan den IJssel, and goes to church in Rotterdam-Noord. He is the husband of Anja and the father of three sons. He works in financial services and is currently enjoying a sabbatical.
‘For the past two years I’ve been a member of the District South board. Our motto was “Bring Together + Build Together = Grow Together”. The churches responded positively to this motto, and I believe that the local church is where the work needs to happen.
I hope that our church can continue to grow in diversity, both qualitatively and quantitatively. I want to help create an open atmosphere, and I want to keep conversation going on all levels so the Executive Committee can represent the voice of the members.
Our biggest challenge is to make sure everyone in the local churches feels comfortable and safe. We want a church where we embrace and utilise each other’s diversity, and I would like to work for that. As a national committee, we need to give local boards and members the space they need. In this way we can ensure unity within a diverse church, and I am convinced that this is really possible with God’s guidance.’
Executive Committee member Christel van Maarsseveen is not included in this introduction.
