Our staff

Learn more about our local staff as well as our mission Pastors

Ben Verdonk

Lead Pastor

Ben Verdonk was born and raised in Southern Ontario. He came to Christ at the age of 21, and a few years later felt the Lord calling him into full-time ministry. Ben completed an undergraduate degree at Toronto Baptist Seminary in 2020 and a Masters at Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2024. Ben was called to serve as Lead Pastor at Covenant Reformed Church in Rexdale in October 2025. He lives in Toronto with his wife Nathaly and their children. Ben enjoys good coffee, warm weather, board games, and listening to Christian music. His desire is to be used by Christ Jesus in Toronto for the advancement of the gospel among the lost, the continued faith and maturity of Christ’s flock, and the growth of missions and church planting in the GTA and beyond.

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Jose Ramirez

Pastor (Iglesia Vida Nueva)

José Ramírez was born in El Salvador and emigrated to Canada at the age of 15. In 2000, he was called to be a church planter and since then he has been working in ministry. José began work in MINTS in 2010 as the El Salvador Coordinator. Currently, José is an Associate Dean in MINTS for Central America and Cuba. He is also developing the MINTS study program in Toronto, Canada.

Eric Pennings

Missionary Professor

Eric Pennings is a missionary professor with the URCNA under the supervision of Covenant Reformed Church of Toronto. He serves as the International Academic Dean of MINTS International Seminary (MINTS) with responsibilities for academic standards around the world. His teaching ministry involves travel throughout Latin America. He also is Academic Dean of the English language Word & Spirit Institute of the Canadian Reformed Churches in Toronto.