Our Staff
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Rev. Dr. Benj Petroelje
Pastor
After two years in a pastoral position with young adults in a large, non-denominational church in Brookfield, Wisc., Benj Petroelje moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, where he received his M.Div. from Regent College. After Regent, Benj was an associate pastor at Fleetwood CRC in Surrey, BC, for fifteen months (2013-14). While there he began to see doing a doctorate as vital to his sense of pastoral call. As a result, in 2014, Benj and his family moved to Edinburgh (UK) to pursue a Ph.D. in New Testament at the University of Edinburgh. He completed his degree in spring 2019. Benj began his ministry at Fourteenth Street CRC in December of 2018. Benj and his wife, Amy, have four children.
You can contact Benj here: benj.petroelje@14thstreetcrc.org .
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Meredith VanderHill
Administrative Assistant
Meredith grew up in Holland at 14th Street CRC before heading to Calvin College for her bachelors degree in Communications. She has served on staff at a few different churches in Michigan directing Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Worship Ministry before shifting her focus to business management and web design for non-profits. In 2025, Meredith moved into her most recent role at 14th Street, Administrative Assistant. Meredith and her husband Micah have four children and a rescued Aussie-doodle named Disco. Meredith loves to organize (and reorganize) her home, read thriller novels, and make earrings from LEGO.
You can email Meredith here: office@14thstreetcrc.org
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Beth Cooke
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Raeanne Walters
Director of Youth Ministries, Congregational Care & Co-Custodian.
After graduating from Calvin College in 1992, Raeanne Walters attended Calvin Seminary where she received her Masters Degree in Religious Education. During this time she served as our Director of Youth Ministries until 2001 and has returned to this post in the fall of 2016. Raeanne says, “It is a privilege to teach God’s people that they are loved and created uniquely by God. The Gospel is an amazing gift that transforms lives!” Raeanne is married to Rick and together they have three children, Nathan, Ryan and Karis. Raeanne enjoys spending time in God’s creation through camping, hiking, cross country skiing, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
You can email Raeanne here: raeanne.walters@14thstreetcrc.org.
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Jennifer Wolthuis
Jennifer graduated from Hope College in 2003 with a degree in International Studies and shortly after married Kevin Wolthuis. They felt a pull to live near downtown and bought a fixer upper on 19th St., which they renovated over the next several years. Jennifer chose to stay home full time to raise and homeschool their four children. Many hours have been spent with nature sketchbooks, reading books aloud, persevering through math lessons, and practicing patience with family members. Her husband Kevin works for IT Nation: Evolve as a senior program director. They love having people over for good food and conversation. Previously they belonged to an Anglican church, where they developed an admiration for liturgy, rhythm, and some of our ancient church practices. It has been life giving to try to incorporate some of those spiritual disciplines into their everyday family life. Jennifer believes the Nordic expression, “There’s no such thing as bad weather,” and tries to get outdoors no matter the what. She also enjoys a good book and making things (particularly bread, sewing, or knitting).
You can email Jennifer here: jennifer.wolthuis@14thstreetcrc.org.
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Albie Praamsma
Director of Kids’ Hope USA
Albie grew up in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, and enjoyed the rich Christian Reformed traditions and thick Dutch accents there. She has always had a love for children and understood the importance of education and relationships. She felt called to be involved with Kids’ Hope USA to help one child with one mentor for a greater purpose. Now she lives in Holland with her husband Lou. Together they have four children. Albie loves being outdoors, making her own strawberry jam and applesauce, and sewing.
You can email Albie here: albie.praamsma@14thstreetcrc.org.
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Sophia Godfrey
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Sawyer Winstead
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Matt Stilwell