About Us
Welcome to Stratford CRC. We’re a midsized, multigenerational congregation rooted in the gospel and growing together in faith, worship, and service. Founded in 1951 by sixteen Dutch immigrant families, we’ve grown into a vibrant church community of around 500 baptized and confessing members. We will celebrate 75 years as a congregation in 2026; we look forward to reflecting on God’s faithfulness through the generations and to continuing His work together.
We are part of Classis Huron, a regional group of Christian Reformed churches working together in shared ministry and support. Our denomination, the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), connects us with congregations across Canada and the U.S.
At our core, we are not defined by what we do, though we value worship, Biblical teaching, discipleship, and outreach. We are defined by who we are in Christ: a group of imperfect people bound together by the hope of the gospel. We believe it is Jesus’ perfect life, death, and resurrection that makes us right with God, and we seek to know Him more deeply in all that we do.
- We are Christian, because we follow Jesus Christ;
- Reformed, because our faith is grounded in Scripture and shaped by the historic Reformed confessions;
- and Church, because we belong to the global body of believers.
If you’re searching for truth, for belonging, or for a place to grow and serve, we invite you to join us.
Our Beliefs
Our faith is rooted in God’s Word and shaped by the Reformed tradition. We believe that the good news of Jesus Christ changes lives and that everything we are and do flows from that truth.
- We believe in one true God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who created all things for His glory and invites us into a relationship with Him.
- The Bible is God’s true and trustworthy Word. It reveals who God is, who we are, and how we’re called to live.
- All people are broken by sin and in need of rescue. Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, lived a perfect life, died in our place, and rose again to defeat sin and death.
- Through faith in Jesus, we are forgiven, made new, and given eternal life. One day, He will return to restore all things.
- This is the good news that shapes everything we do.
Our Reformed Foundation
Our Reformed Foundation
As a Christian Reformed church, we are committed to a historic, confessional faith grounded in Scripture. Our doctrine is shaped by the Three Forms of Unity:
These confessions help us understand the Bible’s teachings, affirm the sovereignty of God in salvation, and guide us in living out our faith with integrity and purpose.
Our Shared Christian Heritage
We also affirm the ancient ecumenical creeds that unite Christians across time and tradition:
These creeds remind us that we belong not only to a local church, but to the global and historic church of Jesus Christ.
Our Leadership
At Stratford CRC, leadership is shared and service-oriented. We believe Christ is the head of the Church, and He calls people into roles of spiritual care, practical service, and equipping others for ministry.
Leadership at Stratford CRC isn’t about position. It’s about people serving God and one another, together.
Pastors
We are led by two co-pastors who serve side-by-side in preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and leadership. Together, they guide the spiritual direction of the church and equip our congregation to grow in faith and mission.
Pastor Martin Dam
Pastor
Pastor Martin was born and raised in the Niagara area in a Christian Reformed family. After feeling a call to ministry in High School, he studied at Dordt College and Calvin Theological Seminary, culminating in a Masters of Divinity degree in 2002. Pastor Martin served 12 years in his first church in the Haldimand area, where he also met his wife Rebecca and was blessed with a son and 2 daughters, before accepting a call to Stratford in 2014. His passions for ministry include preaching, teaching, and pastoral care. In his free time, Pastor Martin enjoys reading, golf, and is an avid fan of the NFL and MLB.
Pastor Nick Bierma
Pastor
Pastor Nick was born in Owen Sound and experienced the presence of God in his life as long as he can remember. He felt the call to ministry while completing his Bachelor’s Degree at Wilfrid Laurier University. After graduating from Calvin Seminary he met his wife Grace-Emma and moved to Kelowna, BC, where he was ordained at Kelowna CRC. He pastored there for 12 years before accepting the call to Stratford CRC. Pastor Nick enjoys preaching, pickleball, playing music and traveling.
Elders
Elders are spiritual shepherds who provide oversight, encourage spiritual growth, support congregational care, and help guard the truth of God’s Word in our teaching and life together. This is an elected position, with elders serving a three-year term.
Deacons
Deacons lead the church in acts of mercy, stewardship, and compassion. They help us respond to needs within the congregation and community with generosity, justice, and love. This handbook describes the duties of a Stratford CRC deacon.
Deaconesses
Deaconesses serve the church by caring for women and children with compassion and grace. They support the work of the deacons by offering help where they are best suited, extending Christ’s love through presence, service, and prayer.
Volunteers
We are grateful for the gifts of time, talent, and willing hearts within our congregation serving in worship, leadership, hospitality, care, and outreach. Rooted in our Reformed conviction that every member is called to serve, we encourage one another to use our gifts for God’s glory and the flourishing of our church family.