Jeff Leys

Vice Chair

Bio coming soon

Joe Nowicki

Treasurer

Joe Nowicki lives in Holland with his wife, Tammy. They have three grown children. All three are married, two live in West Michigan (Dan and his wife Jess, Megan and her husband Jake) and one lives in Florida (Matt and his wife Megan). Joe and Tammy also have two grandchildren, Hannah who is 4, and Madeleine who just turned 1. Joe recently retired and moved back to Holland and now spends his time volunteering, traveling / outdoor adventures, and spending time with family. He also serves on two boards to keep him busy (LL Flooring – Lumber Liquidators, and Unifirst). He received a Bachelor of Sciences degree from Canisius College in Buffalo and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. His career spanned over 30 years in various financial roles from public accounting through financial leadership roles in companies like IBM, Herman Miller, Spartan Chassis, and Beacon Building Products. Through most of his career Joe made time to volunteer at church functions, his children’s sports teams, and other non-profit organizations like Kandu of Holland. Joe looks forward to continue to serve Harderwyk as his skills allow – he will also be serving on the 2022 Mission trip to Honduras.

Leanne Halma

Clerk

Leanne Halma lives on the south side of Holland with her husband, Wade, and their children, Ashton, Ella and Adelyn. She is a graduate of Dordt University where she earned her BA in Communications with a minor in Psychology. The Halma family lived in Sioux Center, Iowa; Pella, Iowa; and Cincinnati, Ohio before moving to Holland, Leanne’s hometown, in 2017. They have been attending Harderwyk Fusion since then, and more recently became members. Leanne works as the Director of Advancement for Holland Christian Schools, and serves on the HC Foundation Board, Investment Committee, Stewardship Committee and Ditto Resale Store Board.

She notes that Harderwyk was the first church they visited when they moved to Michigan, and were continually drawn back due its gospel-rooted teaching, welcoming community and opportunity to connect with a small group. She feels called to serve on Harderwyk’s Council and is eager to more deeply engage in the church and greater community, as we extend the invitation to join in the journey of being found in, formed by and following Jesus.  

Jessica Lynch

Deacon of Social Justice & Reconciliation

Jessica Lynch lives in Holland. She is originally from the greater Chicago suburbs but has lived in the area since 2002 and considers Holland home. Jessica works at the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce as the Director of Membership. She graduated from Holland Christian High School and went on to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in public and Nonprofit Administration from Grand Valley State University. Jessica’s first interaction with Harderwyk Ministries was as a middle schooler attending youth group. She has been volunteering/on staff with Harderwyk Student Ministries since 2008. Jessica has a passion for working with youth as they are the future leaders of the church. Through her job at the Chamber, she has the opportunity to engage with the community in a variety of capacities. Jessica currently serves on the Holland/Zeeland Young Professional Board, the Principal Shopping District Board, the Scholarship Committee for the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, the Ability Award Selection Committee for Disability Network Lakeshore, and the Honorary Campaign Cabinet for the Holland Community Ice Skating Park. Jessica cares deeply about Harderwyk Ministries and our community! She feels called and is eager to serve the Harderwyk community as the Deacon of Social Justice and Reconciliation.

Jill Vanderbent

Elder of Congregational Care, Prayer and Missions

Jill Vander Bent lives in Holland with her husband, Phil and her children, Hadley and Hudson. Jill has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work degree, both from Grand Valley State University. Jill has been a counselor and family therapist since 2003. She served and helped families and children at Bethany Christian Services since the beginning of her career until 2017 when she decided to open her own private practice where she continues to counsel children and families.

Jill specializes in providing services to children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families with a wide range of needs. Those experiencing anxiety, depression, loss, trauma, abuse, sexual abuse, relationship issues, behavioral issues, family and parenting challenges. Because of her work at Bethany, Jill also has expertise working with individuals, families, and children who have experienced trauma, been adopted, are in the process of being adopted, and families with children who are or have been in foster care.

Jill and her husband Phil have been attending Harderwyk Ministries since 2000. Jill has gone on Harderwyk mission trips to Ireland and Honduras. She has also been a part of the adoption team at Harderwyk, providing support and care to families and children have been adopted. Jill has enjoyed being a part of several small groups and Bible studies. The Vander Bents also support Neighbors Plus as Jill’s husband Phil currently serves as the treasurer and has been on the Neighbors Plus Board for several years.

Todd Boss

Elder of Children & Youth

I'm currently serving as the Children and Youth Elder, and I love working with the children to help them learn about God and his Creation. I am blessed to be able to spend time working with each of our youth programs.

I have attended Harderwyk since 2008, and I am part of the Watershed community along with my wife Jenny and children Norah and Xander. In the past, I have served Harderwyk as a Cadet leader, and I am also currently serving as a sound tech at Watershed.

I am the Director of Information Technology at Bradford Company. I also enjoy volunteering with Ottawa County Emergency Communications and the Holland Amateur Radio Club, where we provide emergency communications for local events including the Tulip Time parades and the Park2Park 1/2 Marathon.  

My favorite bible verses are:

Philippians 3:7-14

Matthew 6:25-33

Proverbs 22:6

Philippians 4:4-7

Mandy Laninga

Benevolence Deacon

My husband Richard and I have been married for 20 years and we have a 15 year old, Olivia and a 14 year old, Eli. Our family loves to be outside staying active whether it is skiing/snowboarding in the winter, hiking in the summer, coaching our kids at Cross Country and track meets or just spending a day at the beach. We have been attending Harderwyk for about five years and felt very welcomed from our first visit. Our family enjoys serving our Fusion community in whatever way we can from setting up the donuts and coffee, serving communion, doing the check-in station, helping in nursery or sitting in the sound booth. My kids have gone to GEMS and Cadets and now enjoy being part of the youth groups. I serve as the Benevolence Deacon on council and love being part of the process of helping out our neighbors in need. I would like to end by sharing my favorite verse from 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" 

Peter deVries

Celebration Elder

Peter lives on the south side with his wife of 50+ years, Barbara. Their clan includes four grown children, and grandchildren who are having children. Pete grew up in Grand Haven (2nd CRC) and GHCS); wandered off to attend the US Naval Academy and retired after 25 years as a carrier aviator and oceanographer. He pursued several additional mini-careers prior to coming home to West Michigan in 2019. He has previously served God’s family in numerous leadership positions, including 15 years as ruling elder. He now feels called into service again and eagerly anticipates the opportunity to establish relationships that collectively glorify God and advance the Kingdom, while being found in, formed by, and following the Lord Jesus Christ.

Andrew Gorter

Fusion Elder

Karen and I have been members of Harderwyk since 1995 and this has been our home where we have raised our daughters, engaged in ministry and developed strong relationships.  We have two daughters, Kate and Allison, who are both married and have children of their own.  My career has developed and evolved over the years.  I began in traditional pastoral ministry and then shifted to establish and operate Shoreline Counseling Services (partnered with Harderwyk Ministries) for 22 years.  In 2012, I began Plus One Coaching, a leadership coaching business, and as it grew decided to close Shoreline Counseling to operate as a leadership coach full-time.  My involvement though Harderwyk has been some teaching, preaching, pastoral care as well as playing guitar in the worship bands.  It is a privilege for me to serve the Lord through Harderwyk and I look forward to how he will continue stretching and equipping us to reach our community with the gospel.