Rev. Jacob (Jack) Hielema

Jack Hielema’s life was marked by steadfast faith, thoughtful counsel, faithful ministry, and deep care for people. Jack, 94, died March 10.

Born in Groningen, the Netherlands, the fifth of nine children, Jack immigrated to the Hamilton, Ont., area at age 19 with his older brother, Ep. He worked as a truck driver, farm laborer, and in various other jobs.During this time, he sensed a call to ministry and enrolled at Calvin College (now University) and Westminster Seminary. In 1960, with his wife and daughter, Jack returned to the Netherlands where he studied for two years at the Free University of Amsterdam before completing his studies at Calvin Seminary.

Ordained in 1963, Jack served Forest (Ont.) Community Church and Victoria (B.C.) Christian Reformed Church before moving with his wife and now four children to the Netherlands in 1970. Believing it was important that his children experience Dutch culture and connect with the Hielema side of the family, Jack pastored a church in Surhuisterveen, Friesland, and also completed his doctorate in pastoral counseling. From 1976 to 1978 he was also director of Christian Television for NCRV, a Dutch public broadcaster.

In 1978 the family returned to Canada, where Jack accepted a call to Maranatha CRC in Calgary, Alta., where he served for eight years. He then accepted a position with the Middle East Reformed Fellowship in Larnaca, Cyprus.

In 1990 Jack accepted a call to Smithers (B.C.) CRC and then to the CRC of Prince George, B.C. He retired in 1999, moving a few years later, with his wife, Alice, to Alberta. They spent 17 years in Red Deer and then returned to Calgary.

Predeceased in 2025 by Alice, his wife of 67 years, and in 2020 by daughter Anna, Jack is survived by three children and their spouses; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.