Meet Our Chaplain
My name is Doug Hoeve, and I have served as the Chaplain at Royal Park Place since January of 2023. I also serve as the Congregational Care Pastor at Forest Grove Reformed Church in the Hudsonville area and have been there since September of 2013. I was educated through the Commissioned Pastor Program in the Reformed Church under Zeeland Classis. I am currently under the supervision of Forest Grove Reformed Church.
As a chaplain at Royal Park, my goal is to provide spiritual care for all who desire that assistance while living here. I do so by meeting the residents as they are beginning to make Royal Park their home. I also visit with residents as they have their noon meal and love to chat with people I meet in the halls. The conversations I have with the residents about their life experiences are always a joy and delight. I am always willing to visit as requested and pray with residents who have a physical or spiritual need in their life.
On Tuesday afternoons, we have a weekly worship service which is alternately led by me and the chaplain from the Royal Atrium Inn. The service consists of singing, prayer, and a message from the Bible. We also have special services throughout the year for the National Day of Prayer, Good Friday, and Thanksgiving Day.
Outside of my time as a chaplain and pastor, I love spending time with my family. My wife Sally and I celebrated our 40th anniversary in May of 2024. We have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren, who are a delight for us. The Zeeland area has been my home my entire life. I grew up in the small village of Drenthe, southeast of Zeeland, and we raised our family there. We now reside just north of the town of Zeeland. My wife and I enjoy hiking and spending time with the grandchildren.
It is a joy to serve at Royal Park Place. The residents become friends as we share our lives together, rejoicing with the years of blessing and supporting each other during times of hardship. The stories of God’s faithfulness in every situation are acknowledged and celebrated.
Chaplain Cindy had been involved with our community for years, and when the chaplain told her she would be a great fit for the new opening, she was interested. “I had volunteered leading worship services, which I enjoyed,” she said, “and after discussing the position with the previous chaplain and meeting with the administrator, I felt called to serve as the next chaplain for the Royal Park community.”
She loves her job, particularly the time she spends encouraging and praying with the residents, planning creative worship and learning opportunities for the residents, and hearing the stories from the residents’ life experiences and how God has been faithful in their lives.
“One of my favorite memories is when I organized an event for Veteran’s Day, and five men who had just returned from an honor flight to Washington, D.C. shared about that trip and told their stories about serving their country in World War II,” she says.
Chaplain Cindy also enjoyed emceeing a talent show that featured many residents performing and showcasing unique crafting talents. Another favorite memory was officiating at the memorial service of a Japanese woman who married an American serviceman. “Her story and testimony were a tremendous inspiration,” she says.
Chaplain Cindy has been married to Dave for 38 years. They have three children and four grandchildren. When she’s not working or spending time with family, she and her husband love to travel and find new trails to hike. She also enjoys jogging, trying new recipes, and writing. In fact, she writes devotionals for her church and has written a memoir about her parents. She would like to help others write their memoirs as well.
Providence Life Services is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.
