Staff, Elders & Chaplains
Who We Are
Church Staff
Our Pastoral and Office staff can all be contacted directly by clicking on the email addresses associated with their profiles. Alternatively you can contact the general office at admin@westendcrc.ca.
Pastoral Staff
Cecil Van Niejenhuis
Pastor Cecil was ordained into the ministry in 1981, and served congregations in Ancaster Ont, WoodyNook, Lacombe, AB, Kitche...View More
Cecil Van Niejenhuis
Pastor Cecil was ordained into the ministry in 1981, and served congregations in Ancaster Ont, WoodyNook, Lacombe, AB, Kitchener ON, and First CRC here in Edmonton. For the past 11 years, he has been a consulting Pastor for the denomination, providing input to councils and pastors during seasons of significant stress, transition and conflict. He serves as an occasional preacher at West End. “Connecting particular stories of persons, places and communities to the Story that frames life in this world,” Pastor Cecil writes, “is my joy. Preaching and pastoral care, engaging stories in novels and movies, solving puzzles, weeding flower beds and playing golf are some of my favorite things.
Henry Kranenburg
Henry Kranenburg was ordained as a Minister of the Word in 1987 and began his ministry in Brockville, Ontario. In 2000, he an...View More
Henry Kranenburg
Henry Kranenburg was ordained as a Minister of the Word in 1987 and began his ministry in Brockville, Ontario. In 2000, he and Marnie and their four children moved to Hamilton where he served Immanuel CRC for the next 16.5 years. He began his ministry at West End in March 2017. His ministry focuses on preaching, pastoral care, and staff leadership. Personal interests include hiking (and training) as well as a renewed interest in the lands of the Bible and how they inform our reading of the Bible. These interests do not, however, exceed his and Marnie’s new interest in recently becoming grandparents.
Lisa Vander Leek
Lisa Vander Leek was ordained as a Minister of the Word in 2005 and began her ministry at Hebron CRC, in Whitby, Ontario. In ...View More
Lisa Vander Leek
Lisa Vander Leek was ordained as a Minister of the Word in 2005 and began her ministry at Hebron CRC, in Whitby, Ontario. In 2009, she moved to Toronto to continue her studies, first a Master of Theology (ThM) and then a Doctor of Theology (ThD) in Systematic Theology at the Toronto School of Theology, Knox College (University of Toronto). Her area of specialty is in John Calvin’s sacramentology and anthropology. During her time in Toronto, she also served as Youth Pastor at Little Trinity Anglican Church and as a Campus Minister with the Christian Reformed Campus Ministry at the University of Toronto. She began her ministry at West End in the Spring of 2019. Her faith formation role at West End spans the generations and a multitude of ministries. It isn’t unusual to find her reading to the children at play group, hanging out with the teens in the youth room, or diving into the scriptures with the seniors. Her greatest desire is to see all of God’s children grow in faith, hope and love. She is also mom to two elementary aged sons, a human to two cats, and an amateur gardener.
Staff Associates
Jeanine started working at West End in 2021. She can be found behind a computer screen designing and posting on our social me...
Jeanine Mercus
Jeanine started working at West End in 2021. She can be found behind a computer screen designing and posting on our social media platforms. Her scope of work also includes the outdoor sign, assistance with the pre-service ppt and promotion/information materials.
James and Sherri keep the church facilities clean and functioning. They are the parents of three children.
James and Sherri McKinnon
James and Sherri keep the church facilities clean and functioning. They are the parents of three children.
Pamela started working in West End’s office in 2018 where she worked till the spring of 2020. Before and during her time ...
Pamela Sheriff
Pamela started working in West End’s office in 2018 where she worked till the spring of 2020. Before and during her time in the office she also worked as a self-employed bookkeeper. Today, she continues her bookkeeping business and can be found completing the financial requirements for West End.
Pamela and her husband James have two children.
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Rika grew up in South Africa, and became a member of West End after moving to Canada with her husband Johan in 1997. She has ...
Rika van den Heever
Rika grew up in South Africa, and became a member of West End after moving to Canada with her husband Johan in 1997. She has been involved in church music since the age of 16, playing the organ in several different Reformed churches. In South Africa she was a church music director as well as a math and computing teacher in high school.
Rika and her husband Johan are the parents of two children.
Pastoral Staff
Cecil Van Niejenhuis
Pastor Cecil was ordained into the ministry in 1981, and served congregations in Ancaster Ont, WoodyNook, Lacombe, AB, Kitchener ON, and First CRC here in Edmonton. For the past 11 years, he has been a consulting Pastor for the denomination, providing input to councils and pastors during seasons of significant stress, transition and conflict. He serves as an occasional preacher at West End. “Connecting particular stories of persons, places and communities to the Story that frames life in this world,” Pastor Cecil writes, “is my joy. Preaching and pastoral care, engaging stories in novels and movies, solving puzzles, weeding flower beds and playing golf are some of my favorite things.
Henry Kranenburg
Henry Kranenburg was ordained as a Minister of the Word in 1987 and began his ministry in Brockville, Ontario. In 2000, he and Marnie and their four children moved to Hamilton where he served Immanuel CRC for the next 16.5 years. He began his ministry at West End in March 2017. His ministry focuses on preaching, pastoral care, and staff leadership. Personal interests include hiking (and training) as well as a renewed interest in the lands of the Bible and how they inform our reading of the Bible. These interests do not, however, exceed his and Marnie’s new interest in recently becoming grandparents.
Lisa Vander Leek
Lisa Vander Leek was ordained as a Minister of the Word in 2005 and began her ministry at Hebron CRC, in Whitby, Ontario. In 2009, she moved to Toronto to continue her studies, first a Master of Theology (ThM) and then a Doctor of Theology (ThD) in Systematic Theology at the Toronto School of Theology, Knox College (University of Toronto). Her area of specialty is in John Calvin’s sacramentology and anthropology. During her time in Toronto, she also served as Youth Pastor at Little Trinity Anglican Church and as a Campus Minister with the Christian Reformed Campus Ministry at the University of Toronto. She began her ministry at West End in the Spring of 2019. Her faith formation role at West End spans the generations and a multitude of ministries. It isn’t unusual to find her reading to the children at play group, hanging out with the teens in the youth room, or diving into the scriptures with the seniors. Her greatest desire is to see all of God’s children grow in faith, hope and love. She is also mom to two elementary aged sons, a human to two cats, and an amateur gardener.
Staff Associates
Jeanine Mercus
Jeanine started working at West End in 2021. She can be found behind a computer screen designing and posting on our social media platforms. Her scope of work also includes the outdoor sign, assistance with the pre-service ppt and promotion/information materials.
James and Sherri McKinnon
James and Sherri keep the church facilities clean and functioning. They are the parents of three children.
Pamela Sheriff
Pamela started working in West End’s office in 2018 where she worked till the spring of 2020. Before and during her time in the office she also worked as a self-employed bookkeeper. Today, she continues her bookkeeping business and can be found completing the financial requirements for West End.
Pamela and her husband James have two children.
Rika van den Heever
Rika grew up in South Africa, and became a member of West End after moving to Canada with her husband Johan in 1997. She has been involved in church music since the age of 16, playing the organ in several different Reformed churches. In South Africa she was a church music director as well as a math and computing teacher in high school.
Rika and her husband Johan are the parents of two children.
Chaplains & Retired Pastors
Rick Mast
Rick Mast has served as youth pastor in West End since 1998. Before that he served the Second Christian Reformed Church in Brampton, Ontario for six years.
He is currently serving as the Chaplain at the University of Alberta. http://www.classisalbertanorth.ca/university-of-alberta.html
Tom Oosterhuis
Tom Oosterhuis served as Campus Minister for the Christian Reformed Church at the University of Alberta from December 1975 until his retirement in 2007. West End was his 'calling church', and he held the position of associate pastor. He was actively involved in West End during that time, and his involvement continues. From January 2010 to September 2015 he served as a member of the committee responsible for this website.
Tom and his wife Alyce have two adult children.
Cyril Cutting
Cyril Cutting retired from his part-time position in West End at the end of August 2015. In that position he provided pastoral care to seniors and other members of the congregation for about ten years. Prior to serving in West End, he served 32 years in full-time parish ministry in the United Church of Canada.
Cyril and his wife Eunice have three adult children.
Bob De Moor
Bob De Moor has been a minister in the Christian Reformed Church since 1975. He joined West End’s staff in 2006, after working as an editor for the denomination’s publishing ministry for a number of years. Until August 2015 he continued to serve as editor of the denominational monthly magazine The Banner on a half-time basis. He retired from full-time ministry in February 2017.
Bob and his wife Margo have four adult children. Bob’s hobbies include reading science magazines and doing crossword puzzles.
Gordon Pols
Gordon Pols retired from his position as associate pastor in West End at the end of August 2015. He served West End as full-time pastor from 1974 to 1993, when he left to serve congregations in Mississauga and Ancaster, Ontario for the next 14 years. He retired from full-time ministry in 2007, returned to Edmonton, and served West End on a part-time basis for the next 8 years.
Gordon and his wife Ann have two adult children.
Elders
Note: The following members serve as pastoral elders along with Pastors Henry Kranenburg and Lisa Vander Leek. The ‘FG’ numbers indicate the Fellowship Group on whose leadership team the elders serve.
- Tim Pasma (Chair)
- Johan van den Heever, FG 1
- Wilbur & Renee DeVries, FG 2
- Kevin Visscher, FG 3
- Ed Vanderveen, FG 4
- Terry & Joan Allison, FG 5
- Henry Koopmans Sr., FG 6
- Larissa Vogan, FG 7
- Ken Eerkes, FG 8