Wildeboer to Lead Diaconal Ministries Canada

The Board of Directors of Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC) has announced John Wildeboer as its next national director. 

Wildeboer has been the pastor of Rehoboth CRC in Bowmanville, Ont., since 2012. His wife, Grace, is a social worker at a local Roman Catholic high school. Married for 31 years, they have three adult children. 

Wildeboer grew up in a Christian home. His father was a pastor, and his mother was the church organist. He jokes that he was born in Calgary, Alta., “between the first and second services.” He attended Christian schools and then studied at Redeemer University, Calvin University, and Tyndale University, drawn to schools with an emphasis on prayer and spiritual formation.

Despite completing a seminary education, Wildeboer initially resisted going into pastoral ministry. He had grown increasingly ill and depressed during his studies and in 1999 was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He underwent six months of chemotherapy and radiation, which he describes as God’s way of shaping him with humility, compassion, and empathy.

After recovering, Wildeboer volunteered at a church plant in Ajax, Ont., and that work eventually led to serving at a new church plant, Real Life Church in Oshawa, Ont. Then about five years later he became the youth pastor at Clearview Church in Oakville, Ont. There he honed his leadership and administrative skills, building a youth team of 20 leaders and mentoring his successor. This allowed the church to expand its youth and children’s ministries.

Following a family sabbatical in Europe, Wildeboer returned to Ontario, serving in pulpit supply until he was called to Rehoboth CRC. A highlight of his time there, he said, has been leading Brunchkins, a school-based breakfast and lunch program that is also a partner with Diaconal Ministries Canada’s NewGround program.

Through Brunchkins, volunteers develop close relationships with the families of children who participate – many of whom connect to Rehoboth’s kids and youth programs and/or attend the church’s Alpha program and Sunday services. Wildeboer also expanded Brunchkins, initiating startups at two additional sites in Bowmanville and Oshawa. 

True to his philosophy of “working himself out of a job,” Wildeboer helped to prepare Rehoboth’s youth pastor, Ryan Nirula, for growth in leadership. And when Nirula was ready to step up, Wildeboer discerned it was time to step away. 

Soon after his decision to step away from Rehoboth CRC, Diaconal Ministries Canada posted its national director position. 

Wildeboer said he has long been passionate about equipping churches to serve their communities. He has seen how loving one’s neighbors transforms both church members and the people they serve. His excitement for DMC has been strengthened, he said, through experiences with its NewGround program and a “Helping without Harming” workshop led by Mark Vanderwees at Rehoboth CRC in the past year. So he applied for the DMC position.

Convinced of God’s leading in this appointment, Wildeboer said he is eager to join the DMC team. “I believe God is shaping an exciting vision for the future of Diaconal Ministries. Ultimately I believe he has prepared me for this moment as I step into the role of national director.” 

Wildeboer began in his new role on Sept. 15, 2025. The outgoing national director, Ron Vanden Brink, plans to retire in November.