Who We Are
Our Vision
Every community transformed by the Gospel.
Our Mission
To advance Christ-centred education for children worldwide.
Where we work
Christ calls us to bring His Gospel to the ends of the earth – to all His children. That’s why we work with organizations serving in vulnerable communities – so all children, no matter their situation, have access to a life-transforming education. We currently work in ten countries in Central America, the Caribbean, and Africa.
Meet our partners
Why Christ-centred
education
Learning to Live as Christ
Education is one of the most effective ways to alleviate physical poverty, providing children better opoprtunites for employment and security.
Children need more, however, than just phyiscal well-being. They need lives of purpose, meaning, and joy. Christ-centred education teaches children to live as Christ - creating agents of transformation in the world.
Education is one of the most effective ways to alleviate physical poverty, providing children better opoprtunites for employment and security.
Children need more, however, than just phyiscal well-being. They need lives of purpose, meaning, and joy. Christ-centred education teaches children to live as Christ - creating agents of transformation in the world.
Learn MoreOur Team
Meet the people passonate about changing the world through Christ-centred education.
Hank de Jong
Executive Director
Hank de Jong
Executive Director
Hank has served as the Executive Director of EduDeo Ministries since November 2003. He is passionate about sharing the vision and mission of EduDeo Ministries and inviting others to join the movement. His most bestest subject in school was physical education and his present day reading is geared to a combination of theology and organizational leadership. When he’s not delighting in his family (Michelle and four children…plus a foster child or 2), he’s watching or playing a variety of sports, with hockey being the clear favourite.
Phil Beck
Operations Director
Phil Beck
Operations Director
Phil joined EduDeo in August 2012 and serves to keep EduDeo on point as it pursues its ministry goals. His favourite subjects in school were History and Geography and he loves being outdoors with family – gardening, hiking, camping – and anything to do with sports.
Uche Nweke
International Partnership Director
Uche Nweke
International Partnership Director
Uche has been at the forefront of our international work, engaging our global partners and promoting a healthy approach to international development since January 2019. He enjoyed Maths in school, he will always say yes to a flour-based food, and is a fan of organizational strategic planning sessions.
Hannah Moerman
Marketing Director
Hannah Moerman
Marketing Director
Hannah has been contributing to Hannah-confusion at EduDeo since June 2017. Hannah leads EduDeo’s efforts to share the story of Christ-centred education in the majority world and rally passionate advocates to the cause. Her favourite subject in school was English, she reads too much to have a favourite book, and she will talk passionately about personality testing with you.
Ryan Geleynse
Key Relationship Manager
Ryan Geleynse
Key Relationship Manager
Ryan has been with EduDeo since June 2017, and is responsible for building stronger connections with donors and Canadian Christian Schools. His favourite subject in school was Civics, he’ll gladly talk movies with you (and tell you why your favourite stinks) and can be found using his mediocre athletic skills for a number of recreational teams around Hamilton.
John Huizinga
Church Engagement & HANDS Coordinator
John Huizinga
Church Engagement & HANDS Coordinator
John has been with EduDeo since April 2018. One of his highlights has been seeing the difference the HANDS program has made in both the lives of HANDS participants and our international partners. In school, and still now, his favourite subject was History - seeing how the events of yesteryear shape us into who we are today. With the free time he has, he loves woodworking projects and spending quality time with his family.
Danielle Burgsma
Programs Assistant
Danielle Burgsma
Programs Assistant
Danielle joined EduDeo in September 2019 as Programs Assistant. Assisting with the Walking Together and HANDS programs, she turns big picture ideas into concrete plans with beautiful spreadsheets. As a kid, her favourite school subject was Art. She also enjoys whipping up cakes and other sweet treats, and exploring Hamilton’s green spaces with her family.
Elco Vandergrift
Walking Together Co-Leader
Elco Vandergrift
Walking Together Co-Leader
Elco has been working as a Walking Together Co-leader since June 2016 and loves opportunities to connect with EduDeo’s partners, primarily spending his time supporting our African partners. Pizza with Hockey Night in Canada is a tradition that he still enjoys after his early days growing up in Smithers, B.C. Elco enjoys any opportunity to be outside and summers would not be complete unless he experiences 2 camping trips - at the very least - with his family.
Diane Stronks
Walking Together Co-Leader
Diane Stronks
Walking Together Co-Leader
Diane joined the EduDeo team in June 2016 as one of the Walking Together Co-Leaders, building capacity for learning, leadership, and organizational development in our partner countries. She continues to be the nerdy student who loves mathematics and science, as well as enjoying coffee and chocolate while reading books.
Jack Hoek
Controller
Jack Hoek
Controller
Jack joined EduDeo in September 2019. He has managed finances for various charitable organizations, holds a CPA designation and is eager to focus his efforts to advancing Christ-centred education worldwide. He is married to Anita and together they have raised five children and have been blessed with eight adorable grandkids. They have also served as foster parents for several years. He loves spending time vacationing with family, playing mini-sticks with his grandkids and shooting pool with his dad.
Miriam Alblas
Design Specialist
Miriam Alblas
Design Specialist
Miriam joined the team in October 2019. She provides essential operational support to the EduDeo team – from entering data to watering the plants, Miriam keeps our team healthy and well fed with her baked treats. She loved Math and Art in school, and uses those art skills today with crocheting, painting, and doodling. She’s always got a quote from The Office at the ready.
Jenna Cottrill
Design Specialist
Jenna Cottrill
Design Specialist
Jenna has been with EduDeo since February 2017, blessing the team with her panic hugs and design skills. In school, Jenna loved English, "The Office" remains her favourite TV show, and she's always down to join you for a road trip.
Hannah Vermeer
Communications Specialist
Hannah Vermeer
Communications Specialist
Hannah has been behind the scenes at EduDeo since May 2017, writing communications, editing publications, and doing a little bit of everything. Her favourite subject in school was Writer’s Craft, and she loves watching 80’s movies while crocheting sweaters for all her friends.
Jonathan Horlings
Innovation Officer
Jonathan Horlings
Innovation Officer
Jonathan has been pushing the envelope with EduDeo since April 2014, finding new ways to tell stories, show impact, and improve the EduDeo experience. His favorite subject in school was Art, he loves both Lego movies, and enjoys watching Pokemon with his children.
Our History
