Meet the Board
Committed to the Cause
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
Curt Hooyer
Board President​
Curt serves as Board President of Forward With Faith and has supported the organization since its founding. He has been a board member since 2022. Curt has known two residents since before the first Forward With Faith home was built and is committed to ensuring all residents have a place to live with dignity and respect. Curt owns and operates Hooyer Construction. He and his wife, Julie, have three children, a daughter-in-law, and one grandchild. They are members of Covenant Reformed Church in Pella. Curt's favorite Bible verse is John 3:16.
Shawna Goemaat
Promotions Chair
Shawna has served on the Forward With Faith Board of Directors since 2023 and currently holds the role of Promotions Chair. After many years at home raising her four children, she now teaches English Language Arts at Oskaloosa Christian School. Shawna has a longstanding passion for serving individuals with disabilities and has spent several summers volunteering at Camp Daniel in Wisconsin. She and her husband, Ed, have been married for over 30 years and worship at Fellowship Bible Church in Oskaloosa. Her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 15:16.
Jerry Fynaardt
Treasurer
Jerry serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors and is a co-founder of Forward With Faith. His passion for the organization grew from a desire to help create a better life experience for his son, Caleb and for others living with disabilities. Jerry values a life rooted in God, faith, and family. He farms and brings a strong understanding of financial management and numbers to the Board of Directors. He and his wife Judy have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. They are members at Covenant Reformed Church in Pella. Jerry's favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 43:2.
Holly Schiebout
Promotions
Holly has served on the Forward With Faith Board of Directors since 2025 and serves on the Promotions Committee. She and her husband Reuben know the Fynaardt family well and have seen firsthand the impact Forward With Faith has had on residents and their families, making the decision to serve on the board an easy yes. Before having children, Holly worked providing recreation activities for individuals with disabilities. She and Reuben have five children and she keeps very busy homeschooling them. They are members of Hope Reformed Presbyterian Church in Pella. Holly's favorite Bible verse is Ephesians 2:4–5.
Kevin Stursma
Maintenance
Kevin has served on the Forward With Faith Board of Directors since 2024 and assists with maintenance. He brings many years of experience through farming, working at Pella Glass, janitor and now bus driver at Pella Christian Grade School. Kevin felt called to serve on Forward With Faith's board after learning more about the mission and the honorable work of the organization. He and his wife Brenda have been married for 27 years and have three children and five grandchildren. Kevin is a member of Third Reformed Church. His favorite Bible verse is Galatians 6:9.
Joel Braafhart
Maintenance
Joel has served on the Forward With Faith Board of Directors since 2025 and assists with maintenance. He owned and operated Braafhart’s Amoco Full Service Gas Station for 30 years and worked with his son in construction for three years. Having known one of the Forward With Faith residents for many years, Joel felt called to support Forward With Faith’s mission. He and his wife are members of Covenant Reformed Church in Pella. They have three grown children and 16 grandchildren. Joel enjoys woodworking, gardening, and camping. Joel's favorite Bible verse is John 3:16.
Cathy Veenstra
Vicar
Cathy has served on the Forward With Faith Board of Directors since 2024 and serves as Vicar. She brings more than 45 years of experience working with individuals with special needs through the Christian Opportunity Center, Pella Christian Schools, and Pella Community Schools. She now serves as a supervisor for student teachers at Central College. Cathy felt God was calling her to use her experience to serve on the Forward With Faith board. She and her husband, Mike have 3 three children and five grandchildren. They are members of Third Church in Pella, where Cathy serves as an elder. Cathy's favorite Bible verse is Psalm 46:10.
Devin Reimer
Secretary
Devin has served on the Forward With Faith Board of Directors since 2025 and serves as secretary. He brings extensive experience through 25 years in corporate management and 15 years as a small business owner. Inspired by Jerry and Judy’s passion for Forward With Faith and his experience supporting a friend raising a child with a disability, Devin felt called to serve on the board. He and his wife, Kristin, have five children and seven grandchildren and are members of Faith CRC, where they serve as youth group leaders. His favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:4–7.
Organization Coordinator
Alicia Vander Wal
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Alicia Vander Wal has served as the Organization Coordinator at Forward With Faith since June 2025. Her connection to the ministry began years earlier while in college when she spent several summers caring for Caleb Fynaardt, giving her a small glimpse of what it means for families to care for beloved children who have disabilities. Alicia brings 16 years of experience in education to her role, along with a deep passion for supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. She and her husband, Paul, have three daughters and are members of Liberty E-Free Church in Pella. Her favorite Bible verse is 2 Corinthians 5:21
The Co-Founders
Jerry and Judy Fynaaardt
Jerry and Judy Fynaardt co-founded Forward With Faith in 2016 after their son, Caleb, was in a car accident and could not return to the facility where he had been living. Driven by a deep desire for adults with disabilities to lead full lives filled with love and purpose, they established Forward With Faith to create homes and opportunities that honor that vision. Jerry and Judy are committed to serving God faithfully where He has called them and strive to pattern their lives after the mandate of Micah 6:8—to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. They are members of Covenant Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa.