Meet Kristen, Your Director of Communications and Marketing

What's your role at the CRCNA?

I'm Kristen deRoo VanderBerg and I'm the director of communications and marketing for the CRCNA. I started this role about 8 years ago and only applied because a dozen or so people sent me the posting and said I'd be good at it. I figured that with that many nudges, I should at least consider it. Even during the interview process, I told the team I wasn't sure, because I was working for World Renew at the time and really loved it. In the end, I decided to take the leap and try the new role.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I don't think that I have a typical day. Communications is the type of job that touches on a variety of things. I might be editing copy for news stories, or planning a video series with a videographer. I might provide advice to senior leadership on how to handle a crisis situation one day, or meet with Human Resources to brainstorm how to improve internal communications the next. I think variety is part of what I enjoy about it.

What is one thing you've learned while working at the CRCNA?

I've learned that the church is complex and that there are a lot of layers involved in what appear to be simple things. But I've also been blessed to work with wonderful, servant-hearted people whose deepest desires are to follow God's call on their lives. They inspire me.

What are you most passionate about in terms of serving and equipping congregations?

Helping people to see themselves as part of the whole. The "brand" of the CRC is not just a bunch of suits in a head office. It is 1,000 churches working together around the world to further God's kingdom. When people catch that vision, it is exciting.