New Faces in Chaplaincy: July 2024

Thrive welcomes Kenneth Bieber and M. Dale Fopma as the latest endorsed chaplains in the Christian Reformed Church. Learn more about their stories below!

Kenneth Bieber

I grew up in a home with both parents and two sisters, and in which my father went to seminary to become an Episcopal priest when I was ten. Since graduating from Frankenmuth High School, I earned a BA in history from Western Michigan University, the MTS and MDiv degrees from Calvin Theological Seminary, a DMin from Drew University Theological School (NJ), and a PhD in religion/missiology from the University of Pretoria (in South Africa). Also during those years, I got married, have had six kids, and have served as an overseas missionary, pastor, and chaplain.

I currently serve as the chief chaplain and manager of Spiritual Care at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, Jackson, Mich.

M. Dale Fopma

I grew up in central Iowa on a farm. I was the third of 4 children with two older brothers and a younger sister. I attended Sully Christian Grade School and Pella Christian High School (Iowa).  I was a member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church where I was baptized and professed my faith. My wife, Cindy, is from the same area; we dated during college and were married before our senior year. While at our first congregation we adopted two daughters - one is married and lives with her husband, the other still lives in our home.

I currently serve as a chaplain for Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids, Mich.