Meet Patty and Joyce

Welcome Patty Dekker and Joyce Zaagman!

Patty Dekker and Joyce Zaagman have joined the staff at Thornapple in two new interim part time positions.  Below is a brief look at their positions and their experience.  

Patty Dekker: Interim Director of Cross-Cultural Ministries

Job summary: Working with leaders and volunteers to develop the refugee ministry plan to address the spiritual, physical, material and relational dimensions of welcoming refugees to Thornapple. Coordinate, train and support mission teams or volunteers seeking to engage in cross cultural places of service. Support the work and volunteers of the global missions ministry team and refugee ministry.

Experience: Patty and her husband have been at Thornapple for 18 years. She recently worked with the Bhutanese park program and prior to that worked for many years on our urban ministry team. In addition she has served on the Kids Food Basket Board of Directors. Patty’s desire to serve goes back to her years at Wheaton College where she volunteered as an Urban Youth tutor in uptown Chicago. Patty also works at Grand River Gastroenterology in Patient Accounts. She has a B.A. in Christian Ed from Wheaton College and has taken additional studies at North Park and Fuller Seminaries.

Patty: “I sincerely believe that I know Jesus more fully because of the people I have been privileged to meet who are different than myself.”

E-mail: pdekker@thornapple.org  

Joyce Zaagman: Interim Congregational Care Associate

Job summary: Providing short-term pastoral care to people in need. Connecting people in need with ongoing caring communities within Thornapple. Organizing help for people in need such as meals, cards, etc. Reaching out to those who have ongoing needs such as bereavement, long term health issues, etc.

Experience: Joyce and her husband have been attending Thornapple for about two years. Joyce has worked in Chaplaincies at Spectrum, Hospice of Holland and Pine Rest. Joyce also works at Pennock Hospice as Spiritual Care Coordinator/Chaplain. Joyce received her B.A. in Business and Communication Arts at Calvin and Aquinas, and her M.Div. from Western Seminary.

Joyce: “I look forward to getting to know and serving the people of Thornapple. I am honored and thankful for this opportunity to care for, come alongside, and journey together.”

E-mail: jzaagman@thornapple.org