Streetlight Staff | Streetlight Ministries

Pastor Paul Aasman

From early grade school, Pastor Paul wanted a job where he would introduce the gospel to people. So after high school he attended McMaster University for his Bachelor of Arts and the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary for his Master of Divinity, both in Hamilton Ontario. He served for 18 years as a pastor in the Canadian Reformed Church of Grand Valley Ontario before coming to Streetlight Ministries as a missionary in 2006. Working at Streetlight is fulfilling a long-held dream, as well as God’s plan. There are many things that he loves about Streetlight, but his favourite activities are to preach the gospel on Sundays, teach reformed doctrine to youth and new members, and meet people to introduce them to Jesus Christ. Downtown Hamilton, and especially the Beasley neighbourhood, is a great place to do these things. In his spare time, Paul and his wife Evelyn enjoy camping and canoeing in the summer, and snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. He considers himself very blessed to have five children and a growing assembly of grandchildren.

Arlene Alkema, Program Director

Prior to becoming program director in June 2016, Arlene volunteered for seven years with the weekly Life Skills program for women. Developing relationships is the cornerstone of Streetlight’s mission and Arlene enjoys meeting the many people who love the Streetlight community, whether it is at church services, through a program, or when they stop by for assistance and a chat throughout the week. She has learned that there is much need and work to do in the Beasley neighbourhood, not only to meet the basic and material needs of our neighbours, but more importantly, to share the gospel with them. Arlene is excited to witness the blessings that God has given this community through the many points of contact Streetlight has with the neighbourhood. It is her prayer that Streetlight continue to be a beacon of light and hope in Beasley. Arlene resides with her husband Craig and their four children in the Caledonia area.

Danielle Heemskerk, Youth Worker

After attending a Service Week trip through Campfire Bible Camp while in highschool and having the opportunity to meet members of the Streetlight community and serve on the property, Danielle was amazed by the work God was doing in downtown Hamilton. Following that, friends invited her to serve alongside them at the Kids Club and Kingdom Seekers programs. She was also able to volunteer with the teen girls club of the Waterdown chapter of Youth for Christ. These experiences led her to pursue a job at Campfire Bible Camp, after which she was hired to cover a maternity leave at Streetlight. Danielle became a member at Streetlight soon after and now divides her time between covering the maternity leaves of her female co-workers, working as a part-time waitress, and enjoying life downtown with her husband, Tyler, and their two cats. She loves serving the children and youth of the Beasley neighbourhood and feels blessed to belong to such a loving, faithful, vibrant church family.

Erik Hoeksema, Youth Worker

For over ten years Erik served the Streetlight community as a volunteer and in the church leadership. In 2014 he and his family said goodbye to Streetlight and joined Rehoboth United Reformed Church in suburban Hamilton, where he took on the job of Outreach Director. Erik loved this job, but within a few years he felt the call to return to Streetlight. He joined the staff as a Youth Worker in the spring of 2017. In his youth he would have never dreamed of pursuing work in urban ministry. Erik grew up in rural Niagara, but when he attended McMaster University he grew to love urban life and specifically the City of Hamilton. He earned his B.A. (Hons) studying social geography topics such as urban renewal and community planning. His love for the city slowly merged with his growing involvement in outreach ministry (which was largely due to his wife’s long-time involvement at Streetlight). Now, Erik enjoys working with youth in the downtown of Hamilton, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with any one he meets, and teaching young people that life in Christ’s Kingdom is possible, enjoyable and comforting. He and Tracy Lynn have four children and live in the Stipley Neighbourhood.

Tracy Lynn Hoeksema, Mentor

Kristen Schulenberg, Administrative Coordinator

Kristen Schulenberg joined the Streetlight staff in March 2018, taking over the role of administration and bookkeeping. She completed a two-year course at Mohawk College in Office Administration and worked in the field for five years before taking some time off to raise her two boys. She resides in Vineland with her husband Ryan and their children Joseph and Hunter. She is new to Streetlight but has been involved in various organizations within the Canadian Reformed Churches since she was a child. Although she is not always at the Streetlight Centre, joining the Streetlight staff was a way for her to broaden her horizons and become more involved in mission work in her own backyard. What a blessing it is to freely serve our God and church at work!