Who We Are.

On September 1, 2021, Christian Schools International, a Michigan non-profit corporation and the original sponsor of the Christian Education Health and Pension Plans in Canada (the “Plans”), transferred sponsorship of the Plans to CEBS Society, a non-profit society incorporated in Canada on June 15, 2021 for the specific purpose of serving as the new sponsor of the Plans. The Plans, like most pension and benefit plans, are structured as legal trusts and by law require both a sponsoring entity as the settlor of the trust and a board of trustees that administers the Plans.

The Sponsor Board is made up of Canadian Christian educators, current, and former plan participants as well as former members of Christian School Boards. Each Sponsor Board member is passionate about ensuring that Christian education flourishes in Canada and has relevant experience with the plans and/or skills in accounting, business management, law, and teaching.

Meet the Board & Staff


  • Ed passionately believes that Christian education is as relevant and necessary today as it ever has been. If Christian schools are flourishing, so are their staff members. Honoring staff members who serve Christian Schools faithfully with robust pension and benefits has drawn Ed to service on this board.

    Ed is a retired educator, having served in BC’s Christian Schools for 37 years. He continues to work part time as an educational consultant. He has served on the boards of The King’s University, The Christian Educators of BC, the Federation of Independent Schools Associations of BC, Christian Schools Canada, and Christian Schools International. Ed has a BA in Philosophy from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from University of BC in Vancouver, BC.

    Ed enjoys reading and watching movies. He retired from refereeing hockey to pursue two of his greatest passions: grandchildren and golf!


  • Gayle is the Executive Director of the Prairie Centre for Christian Education (PCCE), headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, which is an organization that partners with Christian schools in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Prior to this position, Gayle served for 28 years as a teacher and principal at Covenant Christian School in Leduc.

    Seeing Christian schools flourish has been Gayle’s goal throughout her career, whether that be at the local school level or in the wider Christian school community. She sees the opportunity for schools to provide a comprehensive pension and benefits program for their employees as one way to ensure that schools can flourish. A well-cared for staff, with Plans that provide for both current health care needs and future pension benefits, contribute to school communities in long term ways knowing their needs are cared for.

    Gayle lives in Edmonton, and outside of work, she attends The River Community Church, where she is currently the Chair of the Board, and is very involved with the church’s Social Justice Network. She also enjoys travelling, hanging out with family and friends, and exploring the city on her bike.

  • Ken is a partner in the law firm of Volkenant Law Group, in Langley, British Columbia. Called to the British Columbia Bar in 1987, he carries on a solicitor’s practice in the areas of corporate and commercial law, wills and estates, and real estate development. Ken specializes in the area of charity law, incorporating non-profit organizations, charities, and foundations, and assisting organizations with governance matters, restructuring, amalgamations, cooperative ventures, property transactions, and development programs. Ken also advises charities regarding legal risk management, asset protection, planned giving, and fundraising programs.

    Ken is a frequent presenter on topics related to charities and planned giving, and serves on the boards and advisory committees of several non-profit and charitable organizations. Ken resides in Surrey, British Columbia with his wife Sandee who is a passionate teacher. Together they attend Hope Community Church and enjoy travel, tennis, golfing, and spending time with their family and grandchildren.

  • Kevin is the Director of Planned Gifts & Investments at the Christian School Foundation (Canada) Inc., which serves Christian schools and donors across Canada by providing bursaries and resources, expanding the influence of Christ in our culture.

    Kevin previously spent 14 years in public accounting in rural southern Ontario, most of that time as a partner in the family accounting firm. Afterward, he earned his Master of Divinity and served in full-time parish ministry for 15 years, leading Christian Reformed churches in Kingston, and Exeter, ON. During that time, he also served on several boards including nine years as a trustee for the Christian Reformed Church Ministers’ Pension Fund.

    Kevin has a deep passion for Christian education and stewardship and enjoys sharing his passion with people. He is continually amazed at how God uses faithful people to build His kingdom through Christian education. As someone who believes in the transformative power of Christian education, Kevin is honoured to serve on the CEBS Society Board. He feels privileged to support educators and staff by using his gifts in service to the board, ensuring that those who dedicate their lives to shaping the next generation are cared for through health and pension benefits. For Kevin, serving on the CEBS Society Board is a meaningful way to give back to the educators and institutions that have played a crucial role in his faith journey.

    Kevin currently lives in Exeter with his wife, Mechele, who is an outreach worker on the streets in London, ON. Kevin enjoys spending time and playing games with their 4 children and their partners and finding much laughter in their joy-filled grandchildren.

  • Judy is passionate about Christian Education. Her two grown daughters are graduates of Christian schools in Ontario and she served many years as Executive Assistant & School Quality Assistant at The Ontario Alliance as Christian Schools, where her role led her to work with Christian Schools Canada, Canadian Hallmarks Institute, and many other organizations. She is delighted to be a part of the Christian Schools’ family once again.

    Judy is also an author (When the Light at the End of the Tunnel is Another Train) blogger and public speaker, with a focus on helping families who are struggling with loving and supporting a loved one strugglling with mental health and addiction.

    Judy and her husband Ron live in Prince Edward Island and are enjoying discovering all its beauty. Ron is retired and Judy is enjoying a semi-retired work life at home. Cornerstone Baptist is the church they call home and they are amazed at the growth they see in their church, especially in its younger generation. They enjoy entertaining family and friends over the summer months making life-long memories and providing a place of rest for those in need.

  • After a 40-year career as a teacher, Principal and organizational director, Ray remains active and passionate about the role of Christian education in the life of the Christian community. He believes that a knowledge of the God’s Word, through which a Christian worldview is taught and modeled, is foundational to all activities of the Christian school.

    Now retired, Ray attests to the faithfulness of God and His people as he has experienced it, not only, throughout his career in Christian education but also now in his retirement. He sees his role on the sponsor board simply as following in the footsteps of pioneers of Christian education in ensuring that employees of Christian schools will be able to access pensions and health care into their retirement years. He recognizes that the organizational structures and its many volunteers and employees, are fulfilling God’s calling to be stewards of all that has been entrusted to them and is honoured to be serving in this way.

    Retirement, however, has also allowed Ray to spend more time in activities like gardening, walking, enjoying the front or back porch of his home in Hamilton, and travelling. Ray and his wife Marlene share many children who bring great joy to both of them.

FAQs

 

My school is a member of CEBS Society. What does this mean?

Christian education organizations that participate in the Christian Education Benefit Solutions’ Health and/or Pension Plan can contact the Society to voice concerns, receive updates on the financial health of the Plan, or request AGM materials.

What is the role of CEB Solutions Trustees? 

The CEB Solutions Trustees are the “administrator” and fiduciary of the Plan. Their responsibility is to ensure the plans are in the best interest of the participants.

What is the role of CEBS Society?

CEBS Society’s role is to:

  • Appoint the trustees of the Plans

  • Approve plan design changes to the Christian Education Pension Plan

  • Consider appeals related to benefit decisions made under the Plans

  • Regularly review the activities of the Plans and offer advice to the trustees of the Plans regarding the sustainability of strong benefit plans

  • Report to our society members, in cooperation with the trustees of the Plans, regarding the health and growth of the Plans through regular communications and the Annual General Meeting (AGM)

What is the service fee for?

There will be an annual service fee of $250 CAN per participating organization for each Plan to cover the operating costs of Christian Education Benefit Solutions Society.

This includes, but is not limited to,

  • Professional development for board members

  • Communication to members

  • Publication of the annual report

  • Contingency funds for potential future actions

Is CSI membership still required?

Because the plans are now sponsored by CEBS Society, it is no longer necessary to hold CSI membership in order to participate in the pension and health plans.

Why an AGM?

In Canada, every corporation is required to hold an annual general meeting, including not-for-profits such as CEBS Society. The annual general meeting is conducted to ensure accountability to members. This is done through the presentation of the annual financial statements, presentation of the annual report, and potential nominations for board positions.