Classis Red Mesa Leaders
Pastors
Rev. Bobby Boyd, Pastor, Churchrock CRC
Rev. Bobby Boyd is serving as the pastor of Churchrock CRC. Rev. Boyd has served several leadership roles within Classis, including president of Red Mesa Foundation. He has been active in denominational ministry including CRWRC. He currently serves on the board of Back to God Ministries. Locally he is known for his excellent preaching, combining English and Navajo, his compassionate pastoral care and his passion for evangelism.
Rev. W. Keith Bulthuis, Pastor, Bethany CRC
Pastor Keith Bulthuis has been the pastor of Bethany CRC for over 20 years. In addition to his preaching and teaching and other tasks, Keith provides Christian counseling to people in the Gallup area. He serves as the chairperson of the Classis Interim Committee, the group that handles Classis business in between its sessions. Keith has a passion for Biblical study and teaching and has been involved in the teaching and training of leaders over the years. At the present time he is one of the teachers involved in the Red Mesa Leadership Development Network.
Rev. Robert Byker, Pastor, Rehoboth CRC
Rob Byker has been the pastor of Rehoboth CRC since 2001. During his pastorate, the church built a new sanctuary on the Rehoboth Campus. With the expanded profile and capacity brought by the new building combined with a warm and caring congregation, Rehoboth Church has been growing through evangelism and discipleship. Pastor Byker has a passion for mentoring others and encouraging them in the ministry. He is currently chairperson of the Theological Education and Ministry Skills Committee (TEAMS) which launched the Red Mesa Leadership Development Network in 2008.
Ted Charles, Elder/Leader Ft. Wingate CRC
After 29 years of teaching, Ted retired in 1999 and is now pastoring the Church in Ft. Wingate, New Mexico. Ted served six years as president of Red Mesa Foundation. Ted is a Navajo, born in Ft. Defiance, Az. to Mr. and Mrs. John M. Charles. Ted graduated from Rehoboth in 1959 and after attending Dordt College he enlisted in the Marine Corps after which he finished College and received his degree from Biola College.. His wife Evie is of Dutch descent ad grew up in Denver Colorado. They have four children and six grandchildren.
Norman Chee, Pastor, Crownpoint CRC
Norman Chee is the pastor of Crownpoint CRC as a ministry associate. Without a pastor for several years, the Crownpoint Congregation planned and organized to be able to pay a pastor without relying on grant support or subsidies. Norman has taken a special interest in youth programs. He currently serves as on the Rehoboth Christian School board.
Rev. John Dykhuis, Pastor, Fellowship CRC
Pastor John Dykhuis serves the most urban congregation of Classis Red Mesa in Albuquerque New Mexico. It is also the furthest away from any of the other churches. Fellowship CRC has an economic development and outreach ministry called East Central Ministry.
Randy Freeland, Lay-Pastor, Toyee Chapel
Randy became more involved in pastoral work in 2002 when he was first asked to go to the Toyee Mission near Standing Rock, New Mexico. The people at Toyee have embraced Randy as their pastor and have great affection for him, his wife Debra, and son Malachi. Randy has been going there ever since. Randy is also involved as a leader in Crownpoint CRC, his home church and the “mother church” for Toyee Chapel.
Randy is Navajo and Laguna, born to Christian parents, Johnny and Bernice Freeland. He was in the first group of children who went to the Crownpoint Christian Elementary School from Second grade through sixth grade. He finished up his education in 1990 at Rehoboth Christian School – about a 55 mile distance.
Rev. John Greydannus, Pastor, Bethel CRC
Rev. Greydannus serves the congregation in Shiprock. As one of the larger northern Navajo congregations that have a pastor, Bethel is somewhat of a hub for the northern churches. John is very active within the Classis, serving as Stated Clerk. He is also a pastoral member of the Cottonwood Pass Bible Conference Committee.
Rev. Stanley Jim, Native American Regional Team Leader
Rev. Stanley W. Jim, a Navajo is the Regional Team Leader for Native Americans, through the Christian Reformed Home Missions (CRHM). He’s been working in that capacity for over 7 years. In addition to his specific work with CRHM Rev. Jim has an extensive “guest preacher” ministry, serving many of the Navajo congregations without a pastor. He also serves as an advisor to Classis in many areas. Stanley is very knowledgeable about traditional Native American traditions and culture as well as a fluent Navajo language speaker. He serves as important resource for the Classis, currently serving as one of the teachers for the Red Mesa Leadership Development Network. Prior to his employment with CRHM he served as senior pastor to the congregation at the First Navajo Christian Reformed Church in Tohatchi, NM. Rev. Jim is married to Sharon and have three “wonderful” adult children who are now pursuing their own careers. The Jim’s currently reside in Fort Wingate, New Mexico.
Rev. William Kempkes, Pastor, Window Rock CRC
The Window Rock congregation called their pastor, Will Kempkes, out of Canada, a few years back. Will serves Classis Red Mesa as a member of Classis Interim Committee and as a member of the Theological Education and Ministry Skills (TEAMS) committee.
Susan La Clear, Pastor, Maranatha Fellowship CRC
Susan La Clear is serving the Maranatha Fellowship Congregation in Farmington as a Ministry Associate. With her leadership the congregation is growing in their capacity to worship, in outreach to the Farmington community and in discipleship of their youth. The Maranatha congregation and Classis Red Mesa are supporting Susan in completing seminary education and seeking full ordination in the Christian Reformed Church.
Rev. Mike Meekhof, Zuni CRC
Rev. Mike Meekhof has been the pastor of Zuni CRC for over twenty years. Mike’s leadership within Classis includes a commitment to the Classis Home Missions Committee.
Rev. Ray Slim Sanostee Mission
Rev. Slim not only serves as the pastor of the Sanostee Mission but also as a regional pastor trainer. He is the pastoral coordinator the Red Mesa Leadership Development Network and is a frequent teacher for its sessions. As a pastor, Ray has focused on developing the people of his congregation in leadership, preparing them to assume full leadership for the congregation when he retires within a few years. Ray is also a resource for many of the northern congregations, frequently preaching and often serving as an advisor/mentor. Rev. Slim is very involved in Classis activities. Currently he serves on the Classis Interim Committee.
Rev. Paul Redhouse, Four Corners CRC
Although he has officially “retired” from ministry, Rev. Redhouse continues to preach and lead the Four Corners CRC in Teecnospos Arizona. He is known for his excellent preaching, in which he combines both English and Navajo. Because of the knowledge and wisdom gained over many years of experience within the church and Navajo tribal government, he is a highly respected elder within Classis Red Mesa
Lay Leaders
Ernest P. Benally, Red Mesa Foundation Leader, Maranatha CRC
Ernie has been involved with the formation of the Red Mesa Foundation since 1996. Back then as a regional director of Classis Red Mesa, one of the duties in his job description was to work with a task force of Classis to start the formation of the Foundation. Since the foundation idea was a rather foreign concept to the Navajo Christians, he talks about the difficult times they had in the formation process. The basic purpose of a foundation was appealing to him because of the necessity of seeing Red Mesa churches becoming self-supporting financially. He is confident that the churches and Christian schools will be blessed with funding provided by the final sale of Red Mesa Foundation property and will honor God with their ministry and growth. He thanks all of you, individuals and agencies, who have a share in this ministry in His Kingdom. He praises the Lord for you.
Rhonda Berg, Red Mesa Foundation Leader, Bethany CRC
Rhonda Berg was the executive director of the Red Mesa Foundation from 2001 to 2009. Rhonda sees ministry in Red Mesa flowing out of people who experience God’s love and healing in their own lives and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in reaching out to others. She sees the Red Mesa Foundation as being a transitional effort that paved the way for greater Classis ownership and collaboration in ministry.
Emily J. Lee, Red Mesa Foundation Leader, Zuni CRC
Emily J. Lee was a founding board member of the Red Mesa Foundation, serving for several years at the beginning, returning for another term in 2007. Emily is a member of the Chimoni family from Zuni New Mexico and a charter member of the Zuni Christian Reformed Church She attended Zuni Christian Mission School and graduated from Rehoboth Christian School. She has been teaching Sunday School at the church since she was an 8th grader and has also served as superintendent of Sunday School. Mrs. Lee has spent about 20 years working as a Nurses Aide in Nursing Homes and then served another 15 years as a Licensed Activities Director. She and her husband John Lee live on the Rehoboth Campus and have also served in a variety of roles at Rehoboth Christian School.
Mrs. Lee is encouraged when young people, like Randy Freeland who lived in the Rehoboth Dorm when she was a houseparent, grow up to be leaders in the Christian Church.
James & Darlene Litson, Small Group Developers, Four Corners CRC
James and Darlene are small group developers through the office of the CRCHome Missions Native American Team Leader. They are working, especially with the northern Navajo Churches, to develop small home-based Bible Study and prayer groups. James and Darlene are also participating in the Red Mesa Leadership Development Network.
Judy Peters, Children and Youth Ministries, Sanostee Mission
Judy “has a passion for Sunday School.” Every Sunday at Sanostee, during the sermon time, Judy meets with five to seven children, ranging from 2nd to 6th grade She knows that each of the children needs to be nurtured in their relationship with God and to grow in their knowledge and understanding of his Word. She hopes that as these children “grow up in Sunday School,” they will be the next group of Christian Native American leaders.
Judy lives in the Sanostee community and works at the Shiprock Northwest High School in the Work-Study Program there.
Colby Touchine, Worship Leader, Rehoboth CRC
Colby Touchine is a Rehoboth High School student and a member of Rehoboth CRC. As he grows in his Christian walk he is developing his talents for God’s service. Colby is involved with leading worship at his church and in planning and leading chapel services at Rehoboth High School
For three summers he participated in the Continental Singers, a Christian performing group that gives concerts in mega churches and on street corners. He enjoyed staying with and getting to know host families across the country. And he enjoyed looking into audiences and seeing that people were being touched by the message presented in music, drama and dance.
Dennis Van Andel, Red Mesa Foundation Leader, Bethany CRC
Denny Van Andel served 25 years as a teacher and then superintendent of Rehoboth Christian School until 2002. He was involved in the conception and formation of the Red Mesa Foundation in the 1990’s. returned to serve as a board member in 2005. Having lived in western New Mexico for 35 years, Denny has seen numerous lives changed and blessed by Classis Red Mesa ministries. Denny grew up in Lynden, Washington and is in his 40th year of a career in education. He has served as a teacher or administrator in schools in Michigan, Korea, Nigeria, and New Mexico. Presently he is a reading teacher at an all Navajo school in Church Rock, NM.