40 years ago, our mission was shaped by our early board. They shared a passion for helping families struggling with alcoholism and chemical dependency.
As we evolved into a comprehensive mental health agency, our boards have given of themselves and used their God-given blessings to help meet every new challenge. New Leaf is grateful to God for blessing our organization through uniquely skilled and passionate individuals.
Tim is a resident of Dyer, Indiana and is married to Kim. They have two children, Sydney and Tyler. Sydney graduated from Ball State University and is working in Indianapolis, and Tyler attends Illiana Christian High School.
They are members of Bethel Church in Lansing, Illinois where Tim has served as chairman of the deacons, a cadet counselor, tech director, and on both the property team and vision team. He is currently the finance and facilities director. Tim has also served as the president of the board at Second Life Resale Shoppe in Crown Point. He currently serves on the Illiana Foundation Board, and as treasurer of Classis Illiana of the Christian Reformed Church.
Tim owns C&T Lawn and Landscape. He started it in 1993 with a partner to help pay for college. Tim found his life's passion and after college, continued to build the business to what it is today.
Tim was a client at New Leaf Resources and saw the value in the Christian counseling he received, so when asked to serve on the board he readily agreed. He included in his statement, "I am honored to help this great organization continue to provide hope, help, and healing to all those that need it".
Ryan Matthysse serves as the Executive Director of Worship and Arts for Faith Church. After graduating from Calvin University with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Ryan helped plant a Reformed church in Grandville, MI that grew from 12 to 500 people in 4 years. In 2003, Ryan accepted a call to Faith Church and moved to Crown Point, IN, where he has been overseeing the weekend services and creative arts ministry for over 20 years. In that time, Faith Church has grown significantly with 5 campuses in the Chicagoland area. In addition to his role as Worship Director, Ryan has been involved in numerous mission trips to Haiti, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. As an elder, he also officiates weddings and funerals for the church family.
Ryan has served on the boards of God’s Littlest Angel’s Baby Ministry (Haiti) and Visible Music College. Ryan and his wife, Susan, have 3 children, Ella, Preston and Cleo. When not involved in ministry, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, running, skiing and bee keeping.
Ryan began serving on New Leaf's board of directors in 2024. He called it “a tremendous honor”, adding, “The mental health crisis in our culture today is at an all-time high, especially with young people. I feel it's more important than ever to provide hope and healing to those in need, and to equip local churches with practical tools and biblical resources.”
Mary Boonstra is a retired Certified Public Accountant and serves as the Board Treasurer. She
is married to Peter Boonstra, and they have four adult children, one of whom is married. Mary
grew up in the Chicago area, and has lived in South Dakota, New Jersey, and Michigan before
returning to the area 24 years ago.
Now that Mary is retired, she fills her time with volunteering and mission trips. She and her
husband have recently chaperoned groups of high school students on trips to Uganda and the
Dominican Republic. She also enjoys reading, taking walks, and playing board games with her
family.
Mary has been a client at New Leaf Resources and later became a board member. She values
the organization’s Christian perspective on counseling and is honored to be a part of working for
the Kingdom in this way.
Thriesa Hubers is a retired teacher who has found a niche filling in gaps as a volunteer. Hailing from Alberta, Canada, she met her husband at Dordt College, taught for 2 ½ years in Liberia, and settled in DeMotte more than forty years ago. They enjoy spending time with their six children, five in-laws, and twenty-four grandchildren.
Thriesa enjoys worshiping through music, especially playing keys, piano, or organ on Community Church’s Praise team. She teaches high school Sunday School, loves to cook for crowds, and dabbles in creative arts like writing, textiles, and pottery. Friday afternoons find her leading a “What’s Your Story?” workshop at the local retirement center.
She loves the Lord, loves life, and lives to the fullest.
Pastor Childress "PC" serves as the Pastor of Development and Discipleship at Faith Church Highland. He specializes in tearing down racial barriers. He is originally from Baldwin, Michigan, and obtained his undergrad in youth ministry from Eastern University in Pennsylvania. In addition, he has earned a Doctorate in Ministry Leadership, and has a Master's Degree in Ministry Leadership from Moody Theological Seminary and a second Master’s in Marriage & Family Therapy from Liberty University.
PC is married to Eunice, who is from the Dominican Republic, and they have three daughters: Natalie, Hailey, and Naomi.
In his years of Christian service, Pastor Childress has served in various settings—church, school, prison, and street ministry, along with over 20 years of coaching experience. He is dedicated to helping people understand the Gospel in everyday language and life. Childress has worked with 8 different denominations and holds three ordinations. He has helped hundreds of couples restore and prepare for marriage. Pastor Childress has started and worked with many organizations and currently sits on two organizations' board of directors.
Judy has been involved with New Leaf Resources' ministry since the very beginning, when it was called ‘Christian Care Center’. Her late husband, Marty was one of its founders. She was also part of an intervention team through Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, and has now served as a board member since 2020.
Judy believes in the importance of encouraging people to find help through Christian counseling when things aren't going well.
Dr. Kathryn Huls was raised on a farm in Northwest Indiana. She attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she met her husband, Jack. She obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida and completed her internship year at LaRabida Children's Hospital in Chicago. While raising 3 amazing sons, now all married to wonderful Christian women, she worked in hospitals, schools, and most recently, a clinic setting.
Dr. Huls was recruited by a former director to ‘moonlight’ at New Leaf to provide supervision, conduct psychological evaluations, and see a few therapy clients through 2021.
It is now Dr. Huls' privilege to serve on the board of New Leaf, where she is thankful to be surrounded by a strong group of humble, talented leaders committed to the ministry.
Dr. Huls and her husband are members of Bethel Church in Crown Point. They enjoy leading a (very large) small group, spending time at Gun Lake with family, and walks enjoying God's beautiful creation.
Stephanie is a resident of DeMotte, Indiana where she lives with her husband, Matt, and two daughters Annika and Aspyn. They are members at Crown Point CRC. Stephanie enjoys being a loud and proud mom for her daughters' many sports teams and announcing for sports events at DeMotte Christian High School where she also works as the Guidance Counselor.
Stephanie graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with her Bachelors in Social Work and went on to spend several years working in community mental health, a residential treatment center for adolescents, and for the Department of Child Services Hotline before moving back to DeMotte and jumping into the Guidance Counselor position.
She discovered New Leaf many years ago after experiencing a difficult time post cancer treatment and is grateful to serve the Lord in this ministry now. She volunteers on her church's Praise Team, raises a ministry wildflower garden with her daughter, and in her spare time enjoys vacationing with her friends and family.
Kari Coffer resides in Fair Oaks, Indiana where she lives with her husband, Tim, and 4 sons: TJ, Jonny, Zeke and Andrew. They are members of Community Church in Roselawn, Indiana. Kari enjoys spending time with her family, going for walks and volunteering for a variety of ministries.
Kari graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelors in Recreation Therapy. She spent several years working in a residential treatment facility. Kari is certified in equine assisted psychotherapy and as a horseback riding instructor.
Kari started out as a supporter of New Leaf Resources many years ago. She later became a client due to the unexpected loss of her first husband. A few years later, she joined the Board of Directors, having found that “Counseling that is rooted in Biblical truth is vital to healing.”
Previous Board Members
Marilyn Anderson
Jim Benes
Bruce Bere
Ken Blauw
Clarence Boersma
Lois Boonstra
Hal Brown
Angela Buikema
Trenice Bulthuis
Bruce Buursma
Russ Clousing
Dr. Arlo Compaan
Ken Cooper
Ken Cowan
Jack Davids
Jim Davids
Clarence Deckinga
Gerald Decker
Donna DeGraff
Dr. Alex DeJong
Rev. Alexander DeJong
Ralph DeJong
Hets DeRose
Liz Dorn
Dr. Marty Doot
Lisa Doot Abinoja
Chris Dykstra
Gene Eeningenburg
Jack Elzinga
Tim Eriks
Bud Fennema
Glen Fiala
George Gabrielse
Claire Griffith
Dr. Rick Hamilton
Donna Hamstra
Elsie Hannenburg
Tanya Harper
Jan Hoekstra
Pat Hoekstra
James Hofman
Robert Honig
Case Hoogendoorn
Lisa Hooker
Pete Huizenga
Mary Ideran
Dr. Mike Ideran
LaVerne Jordan
Dr. Dan Kallemeyn
Betty Kerkstra
Dr. Betty Klassens
Jeff Klein
Dean Koldenhoven
Deb Koster
Mary Koster
Shari Krajewski
Tad Lagastee
Clarence Laning
Dave Larsen
Bev Lich
Dick Lubbers
David Mackinnon
Marc Martinez
Liz Metcalfe
Carol Moxey-Mesman
Beverly Nelson
Rev. John Ouwinga
Tom Ottenhoff
Hilda Ozinga
Michael Reagan
Dave Rosendale
Rev. Joel Sheeres
Dave Schuuman
Brian Smith
Cheryl Smithgall
Marianne Tigchelaar
Ralph Troller
Donald Toby
Kathy Toby
Donald Van Beek
Jean Vanbeek
Ken VanDellen
Al VanDenBosch
Burt VanderLaan
Gayle VendeWerken
Bernie VanHowe
Carolynn VanNamen
Thelma Venema
Rev. Gerrit Veenstra
Brenda VenHuizen
Tom Visser
Wayne Vriesman
Cal Walstra
Dr. Fred Wezeman
Denise Williams
Barry Zalane
John Zeilstra
Rev. Joel Zuidema