My name is Joe Venema, and I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to serve the Lord as the Secondary Principal of Ankeny Christian Academy. I am thankful that my parents made Christian education a priority when I was a child, and I am grateful that not only do I have the privilege of working at Ankeny Christian Academy, but that my wife and I are able to send our three children here as well.
I was born in Marshalltown, IA, but moved around a bit when I was a young child as my father was in seminary and graduate school. I spent my elementary years in Ontario, CA, attending Ontario Christian School, and then moved to Orange City, IA, where I attended Orange City Christian School and Unity Christian High School. Following my high school graduation, I enrolled at Dordt College, graduating in 1998 with a History major. After college I really wrestled with calling and where the Lord was leading me in life. After a period of uncertainty and indecision, I decided to pursue a career in education. As a result of this decision, the Lord led me to serve as a High School History teacher for fourteen years in three different Christian high schools. During my full-time teaching days, I earned a Master of Arts Degree in History from Purdue University as well as a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Dordt University. These degrees opened opportunities for me in School Leadership, and I have enjoyed serving as a Christian School for the past eight years, serving first at Oskaloosa Christian School in Oskaloosa, IA, and more recently at Ripon Christian School in Ripon, CA.
I have been married to my wife Rachael now for 22 years and God has blessed us with three children. Our oldest son Isaac will be a junior this fall at ACA, our second son Seth will be a freshman, and our daughter Abigail will be in sixth grade. My wife and I’s greatest hope for our kids is to see them continue in their love for the Lord.
As I reflect on God’s faithfulness in my life, I stand amazed at his grace. God has used the “ordinary” aspects of my life in incredible ways through being raised in a Christian home, attending faithful Christian Schools, and being actively involved in excellent Christian churches to bring me ever closer to him. A favorite passage of mine is Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.”