Born into ambitious immigrant families and raised in the CRC church, both Ralph and Margaret Terpstra are no strangers to hard work and giving back to Kingdom causes. After immigrating to Canada, Ralph left school early to help support the family and often his Saturdays and evenings were filled working with his father doing landscaping and other home improvements to earn extra income.
Being an entrepreneur came naturally to Ralph and this peaked in 1980 when he opened his own steel fabricating business manufacturing farm machinery. His new business grew over the years and so did his charitable heart. In 2002 Ralph and his wife Margaret started Hope Haven Canada Ministries sending missionary teams to Guatemala. Giving back has always been important to the Terpstra family.
In 2020, Ralph and Margaret sold their business and wanted to use a significant amount of the capital to fund ministry work. While searching for a way to do this without the complexity of establishing a foundation, they were introduced to the CSS Donor Advised Fund (DAF). The DAF allows them to make donations to their favorite charities on their own timetable; while the funds which have not yet been allocated to ministry continue to earn interest within their account.
Ralph is extremely pleased with their decision and has already recommended Christian Stewardship Services
to a friend. The Terpstras continue to operate Hope Haven Ministries where they distribute food and wheelchairs, and build homes in Guatemala.
