Ordained on January 1, 1908, Born 1876, Died 1946: Prior to being named “Christian Reformed Church of Artesia” the church began its existence as one of two “preaching stations” organized by Classis Pacific. These two stations were located in San Pedro and Santa Ana. Pastor De Jonge was appointed to both mission fields. In 1933, the Santa Ana group began renting a meeting space in Buena Park. During the Great Depression, there was a period of time where Pastor De Jonge was ministering without being paid for 3 months and was down to his last 7 dollars ($175.84 adjusted for inflation). The congregation conducted an emergency drive and raised 35 dollars to pay Pastor De Jonge ($879.22). On April 4, 1933, the group decided to ask Classis Pacific for permission to organize as a mission station. Later that year, on September 6, the group asked Classis for permission to organize as a church, which was granted. They became the CRC of Buena Park. The meeting place the church used was eventually sold, and in 1937 they began renting the Artesia Women’s Club. In 1938, Pastor Jonge left the congregation to answer a mission assignment in Wisconsin.

Describe the item or anOrdained on October 20, 1938, Born 1899, Died 1994: After Pastor Jonge’s departure, Pastor Bouma felt the call to ministry after being a teacher for some years. That same year (1938) he was getting ready to graduate from seminary and expressed willingness to pastor the congregation. After a selection process, Pastor Bouma was ordained on October 20, 1938. His tenure at the congregation included milestones such as: the congregation reorganizing as the Christian Reformed Church of Artesia (Today as First Artesia CRC), switching from Dutch and English services to exclusively English services, and in 1939, the purchase of land at 185th street and Devlin Avenue for the construction of the congregation’s first church building. The building, which still remains standing to this day, was dedicated on October 20, 1939. Pastor Bouma’s tenure also saw him navigate the congregation through the early parts of World War 2. In 1943, Pastor Bouma accepted a call to pastor the CRC of Ontario. As the first called pastor of First Artesia CRC, Pastor Bouma bridged the transition from missionary group to an established congregation.

Ordained on January 1, 1930, Date of birth, date of death: February 16, 1980: After a lengthy selection process, Pastor Malefyt accepted the call to pastor First Artesia CRC, coming from Sunnyside CRC in Washington. His 21 year tenure makes him the congregation’s longest serving minister. He helped shepherd the congregation through post-World War 2 growth and the societal changes of the mid-20th century. Notably during his tenure, the congregation outgrew its building on 185th and Devlin, and after zoning issues prevented plans for expansion, it purchased a plot of land at its current location on 185th and Alburtis. The new church building was dedicated on April 30, 1948. During the 1950s, the church experienced so much growth that it was decided to plant a new church, which today is still ministering as Trinity CRC in the City of Artesia. In the 1950s, under Pastor Malefyt, First Artesia CRC also expanded its facilities with a new Educational Wing to accommodate the 50 Sunday School children under its care. Another significant milestone under Pastor Malefyt was the establishment of The Christian Home for the Aged (Today known as Artesia Christian Home), a senior care facility that offers Christ-centered living that is the collaborative effort of multiple reformed churches in the area. Under Malefyt’s tenure, the church flourished and experienced growth. After 21 years of faithful service, he retired and remained living in Artesia until his death in 1980.

Ordained on September 18, 1957, Dates of birth and death unknown: Pastor Vander Plate came to Artesia after serving at Bethel CRC in Sioux Center, Iowa. He was installed on April 7, 1965. During the 60s and 70s, a number of young men from the congregation were enlisted in the armed forces, and Pastor Vander Plate was tasked with providing spiritual comfort and ministry to their families back at home. During his tenure, the Cadets and Calvinettes programs thrived and the church was ambitiously engaged in community outreach and church growth. First Artesia CRC was his final ministry call, according to CRC records. He remained in Artesia after his retirement in 1981, and eventually moved to Arroyo Grande, California in 1983.

Ordained on October 8, 1967: Pastor Warners came to First Artesia CRC from serving at First CRC of Detroit. He was installed on February 14, 1982. Significantly, under his tenure the church constructed its Fellowship Activities Center, which broke ground in 1986. The FAC provided crucial space for gymnasium and banquet activities, as well as classrooms for Sunday School. In the late 1980s, First Artesia CRC saw a spirit-filled and active congregation, with members involved in fellowship and discipleship at all age levels. The church also hosted multiple seminarians over multiple summers to work with the youth and receive mentorship and guidance from the church. In 1986, a tragic aircraft collision occurred over the City of Cerritos, and Pastor Warners was among the pastors who responded to provide comfort and ministry to the city and families in distress. The church became involved in the Artesia Help Center, established to provide food and clothing to the needy community members. In the early 90s, under Pastor Warners, the church saw many active volunteers in all of its ministry, a testament to the faithful and dedicated leadership provided by Warners. Pastor Warners briefly retired from ministry in 1994 to be with family in Michigan, but he returned to ministry to faithfully serve Christ’s church until 2007 when he retired. His credentials are held at First Artesia CRC.

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.Ordained on November 17, 1976: Pastor Goudzwaard served in the ministry for 20 years before coming to Artesia, where he served another 15 years before retiring. He was installed on September 17, 1995. Under his leadership, the church began its Children in Worship ministry, which continues to this day, which allows children of the congregation to receive a Biblical lesson taught at their level of understanding during the message portion of the morning service. Also during his tenure, the church allowed its Educational Wing to be used as a preschool for another church, which inspired First Artesia CRC to establish First Steps Preschool in 1999, which also still operates today, to provide Christian-based early child education. Pastor Goudzwaard faithfully shepherded the congregation through the tragedy and fears of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, providing Biblical proclamation of God’s Word and constant prayer for the congregation, community, nation, and the world. In 2005, Pastor Goudzwaard established a new ministry at First Artesia CRC called “Connection”, which brought together the various Wednesday night groups for a fellowship and dinner before they met in their respective groups (such as Cadets, GEMS, and other groups). During his tenure, Pastor Goudzwaard served as a synodical deputy representing Classis Greater Los Angeles. His duties included examining ministerial candidates and participating in denominational governance. He retired from ministry in 2010.

Ordained on May 5, 1991: Pastor Hansen came to Artesia after serving the CRC for 2 decades. He was installed on July 17, 2011. During his tenure, First Steps Preschool continued to see success and grew in size, and Women’s Ministry was active and fruitful. The Connection ministry started by Pastor Goudzwaard also continued to find success, with Pastor Hansen leading an adults Bible Study. The various ministries for the youth continued to be blessed and fruitful as well. Church Life and Fellowship ministry sponsored many social events to bring the entire congregation together for fun and fellowship such as picnics, potlucks, and a Christmas Dinner. The church also began emphasizing outreach and evangelism in the community to bring others to Christ and participate in the Great Commission. The church also sponsored missionaries in Nigeria, which it still does to this day. The church also participated in the Founders Home of Hope ministry, which seeks to serve mentally handicapped adults with fellowship and ministry. Volunteers sing, worship with the residents and serve them goodies that the congregation prepared. Over the years, this ministry has touched many souls and reminded them that God’s love is unconditional and that His Church exists to serve others. Under Pastor Hansen, First Artesia CRC continued its faithful and spirit-filled worship and service that had defined the congregation since its beginnings. Artesia was his final pastoral call, as he retired from ministry in 2021. CRC records highlighted his practical engagement in training and equipping elders and leaders for church governance and discipleship.

Ordained on October 27, 2024, Born in 1987: Pastor Golding is on his first pastoral call with First Artesia CRC. He came as a graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary as a Commissioned Pastor. After completing the CRC’s educational requirements through Calvin Seminary, he was ordained as a Minister of the Word. Pastor Golding currently shepherds a multi-generational congregation that has both families that have been at the church for generations, and new young adults and young families joining the church. During his young tenure, he has overseen the church’s effort to make Reformed theology understandable and accessible by hosting theological conferences at the church in collaboration with other CRCs in the Classis. Under his leadership, and with the help of Pastoral Assistant John Dwyer, First Artesia CRC has continued an evangelistic mindset by sending volunteers to local colleges and universities to preach the Gospel to the young generation. Pastor Golding takes seriously his responsibility to oversee the spiritual lives of his congregation, and he regularly makes himself available to disciple and teach his members. He accomplishes this by teaching the church’s Adult Sunday School after morning worship services, and by meeting with members one-on-one. We at First Artesia CRC are blessed to have him and are excited to see how the Lord uses his ministry.