June 2009 - Western Theological Seminary

133rd Commencement
Western TheoAssociate Professor of Youth, Church, and
logical Seminary
Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary
celebrated 44 graduand is widely considered a leading expert
ates at our 133rd
in youth ministry.
commencement
Robert Abel, a distance-learning masservice held Monday
ter of divinity graduate from Kohler, WI,
evening, May 11, in
and Kenita Harris, a master of divinity
the Dimnent Memograduate from Detroit, addressed the audirial Chapel on the
ence on behalf of their class. Thaweesak
campus of Hope Col- Chatmontree of Bangkok,Thailand spoke
Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean
lege. The seminary
on behalf of the master of theology graduawarded 36 Master of Divinity
ates. Scott
(M.Div.), five Master of TheolChristiansen
Thaweesak Chatmontree
ogy (Th.M.), one Doctor of
of Omaha,
speaks on behalf of the
Ministry (D.Min.) degree, and
NE spoke to
Master
of Theology graduates.
two Certificates in Urban Pasthe audience
toral Ministry (CUPM).
about pursuDr. Kenda Creasy Dean
ing a doctor of ministry degree, which he
spoke to the graduates on
received that night.
“Finding the Answers as We
The liturgy for the event was written by
Go” based on Luke 24:13-35,
graduates Kenita Harris, Demissew Kassaye,
with a humorous twist at the
Amy Nyland, and Marcus Roskamp, under
end when her five points crethe guidance of Dr. Robert Van Voorst.
ated the acronym T-U-L-I-P as
Afterward guests greeted graduates on
a tribute to her first Tulip Time
the lawn outside Mulder Chapel.
in Holland, MI. Dr. Dean is
Bill Flavin receives his degree from
President Tim Brown.
May 11, 2009
The distance
learning M.Div.
graduates
celebrate!
The Commons, June 2009
1
Western Theological Seminary
Robert Abel
M.Div.
Kohler, WI
Sara Appleyard
M.Div.
Pekin, IL
Wanzette Ann
Bilbrew
M.Div.
Homewood, IL
Andrew Bossardet
M.Div.
Holland, MI
Thaweesak
Chatmontree
Th.M.
Bangkok, Thailand
Rev. Scott
Christiansen
D.Min.
Omaha, NE
Bradley Gray
M.Div.
Adrian, MI
Kenita Harris
M.Div.
Detroit, MI
Ed Hawkins
M.Div.
Walden, NY
Rev. Jeffrey Hough
CUPM
Muskegon, MI
Agshin Jafarov
M.Div.
Baku, Azerbaijan
Neal Karsten
M.Div.
Zeeland, MI
David Mayer
M.Div.
Holland, MI
Rebecca McDonnell
M.Div.
St. Thomas,
Virgin Islands
Amy Nyland
M.Div.
Zeeland, MI
Laura Osborne
M.Div.
Kalamazoo, MI
Terika Raak
M.Div.
Kent, WA
Marcus Roskamp
M.Div.
Edgerton, MN
James Tol
M.Div.
Cedar Springs, MI
Joel VanderWal
M.Div.
Kalamazoo, MI
Tracy VanOpstall
M.Div.
Holland, MI
David Veldt
M.Div.
Grand Rapids, MI
Michael Weaver
M.Div.
Madison, WI
Travis West
Th.M.
Lansing, MI
photo
not
available
2
Western Theological Seminary
Lance Davids
M.Div.
Dyer, IN
Ryan Ende
M.Div.
Hamilton, MI
Kari Anderson Fast
M.Div.
Grand Rapids, MI
William Flavin III
M.Div.
Palos Heights, IL
Peter Gillotte
M.Div.
Michigan
Demissew Kassaye
Th.M.
Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
Dustyn Keepers
M.Div.
Spencer, IA
Ryan Landt
M.Div.
Ypsilanti, MI
Sophie Landt
M.Div.
Northfield, MN
Barrett Lang
M.Div.
Urbandale, IA
Lee, Bu Sang
Th.M.
Seoul, Korea
Brittney Stelpstra
Salverda
M.Div.
Sarnia, Ontario
Katie Jo Sewell
M.S.W.-M.Div.
Cleveland, OH
Wasihun Senbeta
Gutema
Th.M.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Patricia Simmons
CUPM
Holland, MI
Brett Spalding
M.Div.
Thompsonville, MI
Wesley Tillett
M.Div.
Lafayette, IN
Ann Conklin
M.Div.
Grand Rapids, MI
Class of 2009
Kevin Yurk
M.Div.
Portage, MI
Christopher Zeller
M.Div.
Holland, MI
The Commons, June 2009
“What does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and
to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
3
Photography by Walcott Imaging, Holland, MI
Alumni/ae Day
May 11, 2009
Seated: Gordon Webster
Standing: James Rozendaal,
Gordon Laman, Harlan Nyhof,
J. David Muyskens, Henry Stegenga,
Lawrence Doorn, Nicholas VanderWeide, Vernon Hoffman
NOT PICTURED: William J. Bouwer, Arie
Brouwer*, Ronald Brown*, Donald DeBraal,
Arthur J. DeJong, Donald DenHartog, John R.
DeWitt, Jack Fairey*, Charles P. Garrett, Paul
M. Hayaski, Walter A. Henrichsen, Jr., David
Hondorp, Rudolf Kuyten*, Bertrand Roskamp*,
Norman Schouten*, Harold Sieglaff*, Elmer
VanderPloeg, Lyle VanderWerff*, Wilmer
VerMeer
1959
50 years
1969
40 years
Peter Theune (M.R.E.), William DeYoung,
Henry Elgersma, Dennis Voskuil, William
Paarlburg (M.R.E.), George Brown
NOT PICTURED: L.V. Azariah (Th.M.), Richard
Bates, James Beltman, Richard Bennink, James
Blaine (Th.M.), Ronald Cassie, Donald Collier,
Bruce Derby, Russell Dykehouse, Thomas Eggebeen, James Esther, David Fennema, Edward
Fikse, H. Raymond Gaylord (M.R.E.), Richard
Groenhout, Jr.*, Edwin Hausser, Jr.*, Hsi Ming
Hsieh (M.R.E.), Richard Koerselman, Walter
Magans, Jr., Jon Norton, H. Lyle Rozeboom, Timothy Santinga, Stephen Struikmans, Arvin TenBrink,
George Timberlake (Th.M.), Albert Tripp (M.R.E.)*,
James Underwood (M.R.E.), Richard Welscott,
Robert White, Dean Wolbrink, Ronald Zartman
Front: Cornelis (Case) VanKempen,
Leigh VanKempen, Miriam Bush,
Kenneth Kuiper, Mark Minegar
Back: Mark Bush, Neva Evenhouse,
Jonathan Brownson
NOT PICTURED: Carol Bechtel, Robert Berkey
(D.Min.)*, Liala Beukema, Verlyn Boone, Wendell
Brenneman, Timothy Bush, Stuart Clark, John
DeHaan, Keith Dragt, James Foster, Wesley
Granberg-Michaelson, Robert Huizenga (D.Min.),
Shinji Kawano, Richard Knowles (D.Min.), Keith
Krebs, Louis LaFountain, Jr.*, Siskus Manabung
(Th.M.), Michael Pierce, Robert Post, Ruth Staal,
David Stout, R. James VanZetten, Paul Waney
(Th.M.), Randal Wieland, Chi Shou Yang, David
Zachrich (D.Min.)
* deceased
1984
4
25 years
Western Theological Seminary
AlumLine
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News
Henry B. Poppen ’44 writes that
he is the only living member of
his 22 classmates and that he
hopes to reach 90 on May 22
as well as his 65th wedding anniversary to Cornelia (TerLouw)
on June 23. The Poppens are
residing in Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Home in Orange City, IA
and are pleased that their grandson, Zachery Poppen, and his
wife, Loressa, will be students at
Western starting this fall.
Donald Buteyn ’51 is continuing
retirement in good health with a
variety of volunteer involvements
in community service, church
and political activities, and occasionally teaching and speaking
in Reformed and Presbyterian
programs.
I. John Hesselink ‘53 is heavily
involved in the quincentennial
celebrations of Calvin’s birthday. He participated in Calvin
conferences in the Netherlands
(Oct ‘08) and Calvin Seminary
(Apr ‘09); he gave four lectures
on Calvin in Sao Paulo, Brazil
in May and will be traveling to
France to give a lecture in July.
He also speaks on the topic in
area churches. Last Oct/Nov he
contributed essays on Calvin for
books published in Dutch and
German.
Paul Hostetter ’54 received the
Distinguished Alumnus Award
from his high school, Manheim
Township High School, Lancaster, PA in June 2008. He still receives letters from Murle people
in South Sudan, 51 years after
his departure—letters of thanks
and commendation. PTL!
Carl Schroeder ’56 announces
the publication of his book,
Heaven: Rainbow after the
Storm, Dec. 30, 2008.
After 35 years serving in the
pastorate, Douglas van Gessel
‘56 and his wife, Joyce, retired
from active ministry in the RCA
and began a new ministry as
counselors and senior Protestant Chaplain for Holland
America Line. After 17 years
and sailing around the world
seven times, they now serve
twice a year on shorter cruises,
providing crew and passengers
with daily worship services,
counseling, emergency needs,
land tours, and joint services
with the rabbi and priest on
board. They live in Artesia,
CA, serving local churches with
interim positions and special
speaking engagements. The
van Gessels are members of
Emmanuel Reformed Church in
Paramount, CA.
Lawrence J. Doorn ’59 completed six years as Chair of the
Board of Directors of Family
Health Care of Baldwin, MI—a
multi-site primary care health
center in Grant, White Cloud,
Baldwin, Cadillac, and McBain
serving over 30,000 patients.
The Michigan Primary Care
Association honored Lawrence
as the 2009 Board Chair of the
Year.
Vernon Hoffman ’59 reports
that he has “flunked the course
on retirement!” He continues
to work in the Advancement
department of Western Seminary and plans to do so until
he’s 80. Vern is helping with
the establishment of several
ministries: Jordan River Ministries for previously addicted
women (Holland, MI), Evergreen Park Ministries offering
Christian counseling (Evergreen
Park, IL), and The Micah Center
helping the disenfranchised as
well as societal issues (Grand
Rapids, MI).
In January 2008 Gordon
Damsteegt ’62 was appointed
pastor of the Ellington (NY)
United Methodist Church. Prior
to this he served the Stillwater
United Methodist Church in
Jamestown, NY for five years.
The Commons, June 2009
5
He writes that his Methodist journey began after he retired from
the RCA in 2001.
Ron Sikkema ’65 is presently
serving as Specialized Interim
Minister in Parkersburg, IA.
The US Small Business Administration named George
Boerigter ‘66 the 2009 Small
Business Exporter of the Year
for both Michigan and Midwestern States for his company’s
exporting success. George was
the pastor of churches in Illinois
and Michigan until 1977 when
he began working for Herman
Miller and then Zondervan Publishing. In 1992 he purchased
SoundOff Signal in Hudsonville,
MI, and has since led the company in growth and international
expansion.
On May 30, 2009, Calvary
Church of Orland Park, IL celebrated 25 years of pastoral
ministry by Howard Hoekstra.
Howard attended WTS from
1967-69 and then he and his
wife, Starr, went to Bolivia
through New Tribes Missions.
From there he went on to become a youth pastor at Hope
Community in Orlando, FL
and at Living Springs Community (Homewood Reformed) in
Glenwood, IL before a series of
God-ordained events led him to
Calvary Church.
At 87 years old, Raymond
Gaylord ’69, ’74 (Th.M.) is
still preaching each Sunday at
one of four worship services at
Cascade Christian Church (Disciples) in Grand Rapids, MI.
In 2005 Stephen Struikmans
’69 passed the leadership of
Rancho Community Church to
Scott Treadway. Dr. Struikmans
started the church just out of
seminary, and it has grown into
a 35 acre campus complete with
a preschool, K-8, high school,
and a Christian school of mis-
sions. He continues to teach
Bible classes, write Bible studies,
mentor pastors, and serve on
local community boards. Steve
and Rae Ann have been blessed
to serve the Lord these past 40
years.
Chaplain Wendell Brenneman
’84 retired from the Air Force
in August of 2007. He is now
a hospital chaplain at Sanford
Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Marjorie Longwood ’85 is
serving as interim in a small
Baptist church on the coast of
Maine. She writes that when she
has been confronted by “nonreformed” theologies during her
career, that is when she most appreciates the training in Bible and
preaching she received at WTS!
Last December Randy Weener
’86 was awarded a Doctor of
Ministry degree from Trinity
Evangelical Divinity School. In
October 2008 Randy became
Classis Leader for South Grand
Rapids Classis.
Up until October 2004 Robert
Hitchcock ’87 was a pastor
in Oceana County, MI, leading two church starts and one
established church. He returned
to school at Western Michigan
University and earned an M.A.
in Professional Counseling. He
currently has a private practice in
Grand Haven, MI and works parttime at a clinic in Muskegon, MI.
Recently hopeandhealing.org
interviewed Daniel Deffenbaugh
‘88 regarding his book, Learning the Language of the Fields:
Tilling and Keeping as Christian
Vocation. Daniel is Associate
Professor of Religion at Hastings
College, Hastings, NE.
After serving with the RCA intermittently for the last 15 years,
mostly in parishes and schools in
Japan, Tom Vande Berg ’88 is
returning to the States in June for
continued...
AlumLine
SUMMER INTERNSHIP
PLACEMENTS
meet our students!
Chuck Breen
Love INC, Denver, CO
Chad DeJager
Faith Reformed, Littleton, CO
Mike Holleman
First Reformed, Sully, IA
Nancy Claus
Third Reformed, Holland, MI
JB Wernlund
Tulare Community Church
Tulare, CA
Ryan Sweet
Church of the Pacific
Princeville, Hawaii
P.J. Van Kley
Firth Reformed, Firth, NE
Patricia Simmons
Brighton Reformed Church
Rochester, NY
Wayne Bowerman
Holland Hospital - Chaplain
Jeff Kroondyk
A Ministry in the Nat’l Parks
Zion Nat’l Park, Utah
Andy Kadzbahn
First Reformed, Oak Harbor, WA
Nick Wehner
Clinical Pastoral Education
Indianapolis, IN
Rachel Bush
The Branch, Grand Rapids
Mark Wilson
Cambodian Fellowship
Holland, MI
Jill VandeZande
Trinity Reformed, Waupan, WI
Norm Buursma
AmeriCorp, The Bridge Ministry
First CRC in Zeeland, MI
Jessica Kast-Keat
Clancy Street, Grand Rapids
Holland Hospital - Chaplain
Bob Wollam
EnGedi—Holland
Holland Hospital - Chaplain
Jose Macias
New Community Fourth
Reformed, Holland, MI
Bethany Popkes
First Reformed Church
Grand Haven, MI
Nate Kooistra
Servant’s Community Reformed Grand Rapids, MI
Sarah Hoogendoorn
CRWMS, China
Lindsay DeKruif
Camp Manitoqua, Frankfort, IL
Sarah Palsma
Camp Fowler, New York
Diane Schrotenboer
Camp Geneva, Holland, MI
Jason Mariano
Calvary Reformed, Holland, MI
Elizabeth Muyskens
Harvest Fellowship Church
Wabash, IN
continued from pg. 5
Clinical Pastoral Education. His 10 week
unit at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN will
be followed by a 9-month residency there.
After retiring two years ago and then
completing training as a Specialized
Interim Minister, Samuel Laswell ’94 is
now the Associate Interim Minister for the
English Ministry at the Korean Presbyterian Church of Metro Detroit, Southfield,
MI. This ministry is preparing to become
a separate church and a New Church Development within the Presbytery of Detroit
(PCUSA), and will then need to call its
first senior pastor. Pastor Sam is helping
the ministry leadership reach these goals.
In 2007 Kenneth E. Harris ’98 (Th.M.)
became the Dean of Student Life at
Ecumenical Theological Seminary in
Detroit, MI. Last year he was promoted
to full Professor of Urban Ministry and
Biblical Studies. Rev. Dr. Harris is also
the senior pastor at Detroit Baptist Temple
and teaches New Testament as an adjunct professor for Ashland Theological
Seminary.
David Willerup ’98 is serving under the
Formula of Agreement at the Nottingham
Presbyterian Church deep in the belly of
Amish country in southeastern Pennsylvania. He and Autumn have enrolled Mariah
(8) and Emma (7) at Bethany Christian
School and keep Samantha (3½) busy by
pushing her “higher and higher and back
and back!” on her swing.
In February Edie Lenz ’99 was installed
as the new pastor of First Reformed
Church in Fulton, IL.
Nick Bowling ’03 and Amy deGroot
Bowling ’03 had their first baby, Benjamin
Edward, in late October 2008. “Praise
God for new life!”
Nathan Huisman ’06 is serving as the
Interim Youth Pastor at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, NE, where
Stephanie Huisman ’06 is the Minister of
Children and Families.
Darin Namminga ’07 has accepted the
position of chaplain at Jamestown College
in Jamestown, North Dakota. He will also
do some teaching at this Christian liberal
arts college of around 1000 students,
founded by Presbyterians in 1883.
6
necrologist: Rev. Merwin (Mike) VanDoornik ‘60
on to Glory...
Norman Tenpas ‘47
b. Waldo, WI 5/14/22
d. Plymouth, WI 1/15/08
Central College ‘44; WTS ’47
Reformed Churches served:
(1948-51) Hamlin, Castlewood, SD
Other service to the church:
(1947-48) field sec., Christian Endeavor, WI
Walter J. Kline ‘53
b. Chicago, IL 5/27/23
d. South Holland, IL 1/22/08
Hope College ’50; WTS ’53
Reformed Churches served:
(1953-58) Berne, Beaverdam, NY
(1958-67) Brunswick, OH
(1967-71) Sanborn, IA
(1971-75) Faith, Kankakee, IL
Other service to the church:
(1975-92) Hospital chaplain, Oak Forest, IL
(1976-77) VPres & Pres, PSC
Sylvester Moths ‘56
b. Brown Co., WI 12/25/23
d. Peoria, AZ 3/17/09
Central ’53; WTS ’56; CalvinTS ‘62
Reformed Churches served:
(1956-61) Ferry Memorial, Montague, MI
(1961-65) Ada, MI
(1965-71) Bethel, Brandon, WI
(1971-85) First, Boyden, IA
(1987-91) Comm, Spring Valley, AZ
William Donkersloot
b. Passaic, NJ 12/28/47
d. Inwood, IA 3/10/09
Northwestern Coll ‘72; WTS ‘72-74; NBTS ‘88
Reformed Churches served:
(1974-76) First, Tampa, FL
(1976-81) Morningside, Sioux City, IA
(1981-84) Church on the Hill, Norco, CA
(1985-94) Pompton Lakes, NJ
(1994-? ) First, Lafayette, IN
(?-2009) First, Inwood, IA
Nominations?
Do you know a WTS Alum who should be
considered for the Distinguished Alumni/ae
Award? If so, please submit a ministry biography
and the reasons you believe this person should
be recognized. Nominations are due by October
31, and the Alumni/ae Council makes their
decision in November. Send your nomination to:
Alumni/ae Council, WTS
101 E. 13th St., Holland, MI 49423
or email: [email protected]
Western Theological Seminary
2009
Distinguished Alum
Rev. Dr. Eugene Heideman ‘54
by Dr. I. John Hesselink ‘53
students—Melvin DeVries and Jim
Gene was the director of a Bible corGene Heideman and I first met at
VanRoekel—who lived in the same
respondence course and also the India
Central College in Pella, Iowa, shortly
house. It was also during these days
Home Bible League, the chaplain for
after World War II. He was a year
that Gene met, and eventually married, a leprosy center, and the pastor of St.
younger, but somehow in the mysteriMary Mennenga, a local girl who also
John’s Church in Vellore. He also
ous providence of God we ended up
graduated from Central College.
did some teaching on the side. In the
being roommates in a private home for
Little did we realize at the time how meantime Mary was involved in womtwo years. Our backgrounds were difGod would lead us to
en’s work in nearby villages. During
ferent. He
very different places and
the second term Gene’s responsibilities
grew up
quite different careers—
became even greater. In addition to beon a farm
and still bring us back
ing the associate director for evangelism
outside
together again after
in the Madras diocese and being the
of a tiny
extended intervals. We
convener for corporate sermon preparavillage,
both went to Western
tion and ministerial training, he became
Hingham,
Seminary, but Gene did
the Presbyter of St. George’s Cathedral
Wisconsin;
his doctorate in the Neth- in Madras, the largest Protestant church
I was a
erlands and
minister’s
ended up in
son whose
India, whereas
critical
Gene with A. A. Van Ruler of the
I did mine in
years were
University of Utrecht, Netherlands, 1959
Switzerland
spent in a
and ended up in Japan.
slightly larger village, Leighton, Iowa.
But I am ahead of the
We both majored in philosophy
story. After completing his
under Dr. William VanderLugt, and we
doctorate under one of the
both found time to play a lot of ping
pong and the card game “Hearts” in the Netherland’s leading theologians, A. A. Van Ruler, Gene
evening with two other pre-seminary
accepted a call to
become the pastor
of the First Reformed
Church in EdmonGene and Mary congratulate girls at a
ton, Canada, an imconfirmation at St. George’s Cathedral in Madras.
migrant congregation
that tested the Heidemans’
in India, as well as the pastor of historic
skills in the Dutch language.
St. Mary’s Church in the Fort, also in
When it became possible to
Madras.
go overseas, the Heidemans
By this time the Heidemans had
responded to a call to serve as four children: Paul, Beth, Ruth, and
missionaries with the Church
Carl. Ruth had Down Syndrome and
of South India, where they
this was what brought the Heidemans
served for 10 years.
back to the United States in 1970 when
To say that these were
Gene became head of the religion defruitful
years
is
an
understatepartment and later chaplain at Central
Workers mail out Bible correspondence courses, and in
ment.
During
his
first
term
College. In the meantime, I was presithe background a man is correcting returned courses.
dent of Western Seminary and needed
The Commons, June 2009
7
continued...
Distinguished Alum
Eugene Heideman, cont.
a new academic dean. I was able
to entice Gene to come to Western
Seminary, where he proved to be an
excellent dean and effective teacher of
theology. During their years in Holland Mary found fulfillment in teaching
English as a foreign language to minority groups in the area.
But alas! This wonderful relationship only lasted for six years because
an invitation was extended to Gene to
become secretary for world missions
and director of Church World Services for the Reformed Church. Later
Gene became secretary for program
in charge of the General Program
Council. In these positions Gene was
to play a key role in our mission and
ecumenical endeavors.
Seminary student, 1953
America Mission to India,
and The Practice of Piety: The
History of Theology in the
Midwestern Reformed Church
in America 1866-1966, which
should come out later this
WTS President I. John Hesselink and
year.
Academic Dean Eugene Heideman award Carl
After retiring from his
Schroeder his Doctor of Ministry degree, 1980.
position in New York in 1994,
not always agreeing), going to Hope
the Heidemans moved to WilmingCollege football and basketball games,
ton, Delaware to be close to one of
and with our wives attending concerts
their children and her family. There
at Hope College and the Grand Rapids
Gene taught a variety of courses in the
Symphony. A relationship that began
continuing education program at the
over 60 years ago in Pella, Iowa still
University of
proves to be a mutually blessed one in
Delaware,
Holland, Michigan.
and both
Gene and
Mary became
active in the
life of a local
Presbyterian church.
However,
Eugene P. Heideman
in 2003 the
Heidemans
b. Sheboygan County, WI, 6/30/29
moved back
Central College ‘51; WTS ‘54;
to Holland to
University of Utrect, Netherlands ‘59
be near another of their
children’s
Reformed Church served:
The Heideman family, 1966: Gene, Paul, Ruth, Beth, Carl and Mary
families.
(1957-60) Pastor, First Reformed,
Here they
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
have been very active teaching courses
In the midst of all these activities
in the Hope Academy for Senior ProGene was writing books, his first while
Other service to the church:
fessionals, as well as being very active
he was working on his dissertation
(1960-70) Missionary to India
in the life of Third Reformed Church.
back in Hingham: A Reluctant Worker
(1970-76) Chaplain, Central College
Whether in Canada, India, Central
Priest, the story of his experience
(1976-82) Academic Dean and ProCollege, Western Theological Semiworking in a factory in Sheboygan, WI.
fessor of Theology, WTS
nary, or Board offices in New York
His doctoral dissertation—still highly
(1982-94) Secretary for World MisCity, Gene Heideman has been a faithregarded—was on The Relation of
sions, Director of Church World
ful churchman, an effective adminisRevelation and Reason in E. Brummer
Services, RCA
trator, a respected ecumenist, and the
and H. Bawinck. In India he propreeminent theologian of the Reformed
duced Reformed Bishops and Catholic
Church in America.
Elders, and while at Central College
Photos courtesy of Gene Heideman, Holland Joint
And now we are together again,
our contemporary statement of faith,
Archives, and the RCA Archives
constantly discussing theology (and
“Our Song of Hope.” In his retirement
he wrote two more: From Mission
to Church: The Reformed Church in
At a Glance
8
Western Theological Seminary
2009
Distinguished Alum
Dr. Arthur O. Van Eck ‘51
by Dr. George Brown, Jr. ‘69
Born in Denver in 1925, Arthur
ropolitan Regional Center. Art men“Bud” Van Eck moved to Grand
tored numerous RCA Christian educaRapids with his family to become part
tors, creating a network of consultants
of Fourth Reformed
Church. A veteran
of WWII, Art was a
Marine Corps pilot, a
skill he would use in
1981 to survey potential church planting
sites in Michigan and
Ohio. He earned a
B.A. degree from Hope
College in 1948 and
the Master of Divinity
degree from Western
Theological Seminary
in 1951.
Following graduaPastor of Calvary Community Church,
tion, Art was ordained by
Southgate, Michigan, 1962
the Classis of Lake Erie
and installed as the founding pastor of
and education leaders; oversaw the
Calvary Community Church in Southdesign and development of Heritage &
gate, Michigan. During his ministry,
Hope, the RCA’s “identity curriculum”;
the congregation grew to 403 memand chaired the leadership team for
bers and the Sunday school to 331,
Joint Educational Development,
requiring the construction of two new
a partnership of 12 denomichurch buildings.
nations including the RCA.
Art’s gifts and interest in education
Recognizing the need
soon became evident. In addition to
to equip himself with
leading the congregation’s education
knowledge and
ministries, in the summer he taught
skills to provide
as a faculty member of the Reformed
the denomiChurch in America’s (RCA) Leadership
nation with
Schools. Art served at Calvary Comleadership
munity Church until the RCA called
in eduhim to become Director of Adult Education in 1963.
For the next nineteen years Art
served the RCA, first as Director of
Adult Education, then as
Secretary of Church Life
and Mission, and finally as
Director of the Eastern Met-
cation, Art enrolled in the joint doctoral program at Union Theological
Seminary and Teachers College and
received his Ed.D. degree in 1969.
Many of the leading figures in the field
of Christian religious education were
graduates of this program.
Art went on to direct Education
for Christian Life and Mission at the
National Council of Churches and to
serve as Associate General Secretary of
the NCC’s Division of Education and
Ministry until his retirement in 1992.
“Retirement” is hardly a word to
describe Art Van Eck. He soon became the director of the Bible Translation and Utilization Committee of the
NCC and remained such until 1996. In that position he directed the development of the New Revised Standard
Version of the Bible (NRSV). From
1997 to 1998, he was the Interim
Minister at Hope Church in Holland,
Michigan.
For many years Art and his wife
Bea vacationed at a cabin they built
continued...
Distinguished Alum
Arthur Van Eck, cont.
in 1956 in northern Michigan. They
retired to a home built on the site of
their cabin at Fife Lake. As an active
member of the community, Art has led
capital fund campaigns for the local
library and historical association. For
several years Art and Bea enjoyed
traveling the world on Holland American cruise liners, where Art served as
chaplain.
All the while Art continued to serve
the church. He became the first Executive Coordinator of CERCA (Chris-
Michigan Wing Chaplain
Civil Air Patrol, 1958-63
tian Educators Reformed Church
in America), and in 2008 he
received RCA coaches training.
Associate General Secretary, Division of Education
Several awards have been
and Ministry, National Council of Churches, 1984
bestowed on Art through the
years. The Association of Couples
in Marriage Enrichment honored Art and Bea with the Distinguished Service
Award in 1978 for their work with Marriage Enrichment Groups serving various denominations as well as groups sponsored
by the U.S. Air Force in Greece and Turkey. In
1982 CERCA named Art the Educator of the Year.
The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators
honored him as Educator of the Year in 1990 (the
first RCA educator to receive this award). Hope
College conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of
Divinity on him in 1995. In 2007 he was named
Volunteer of the Year by North Country Hospice.
The Van Ecks have four children: Barbara Van
Eck, a UCC minister living in Kalamazoo, MI; Arthur Van Eck, a carpenter living with his wife, Jane,
in Columbia, NJ; Mary Knox, a nurse living with
her husband, Mikel, in Houston, TX; and Timothy
Van Eck, a research scientist, living with his wife,
Doris, in Los Altos, CA. The Van Ecks have eight
grandchildren, and they welcomed their first greatgrandchild on May 19, 2009.
Curriculum planning as Chair of Joint Educational Development, 1970s
At a Glance
Arthur “Bud” Van Eck
b. Denver, CO 6/6/25
Hope ‘48; WTS ‘51; Merrill-Palmer ‘59;
EdD Teachers Coll, Columbia Univ ‘69
Reformed Churches served:
(1951-63) Calvary, Southgate, MI
(1997-98) Interim, Hope, Holland, MI
Other service to the church:
(1963-68) Dir Adult Ed, RCA Bd of Educ
(1968-73) Sec, RCA Church Life-Mission
(1973-82) RCA Regional Services
(1982-86) Dir Educ for Christian Life/
Mission, NCC
(1986-92) Assoc Gen Sec, Division of
Education and Ministry, NCC
(1991-96) Dir, NRSV Project, NCC
Photos courtesy of Arthur Van Eck
As founding pastor, Art and his wife, Bea, presented an NRSV Pulpit Bible to
Calvary Reformed Church, Southgate, MI, in honor of its 40th anniversary, 1992.
10
Western Theological Seminary
News from Western Theological Seminary
Lightning & Thunder
by Ken Neevel
Vice President of Advancement and Communications
In a recent interview with World magazine, noted
author Randy Alcorn declares that giving is a “powerful witness of the gospel” and the
“greatest form of evangelism.” He
goes on to say, “When we give, we
are both experiencing and sharing
God’s grace. God’s grace is the
lightning. Our giving is the thunder.”
This past year has been stormy,
but there has been plenty of lightning
and some remarkable thunder.
The major drop in the stock marKen Neevel
ket over the past year has delivered
a 30% blow to Western’s endowment
fund. Considering that one-third of the cost of educating students is financed each year by drawing 5.5% off
the endowment, this 30% drop has significantly impacted the school. That is the storm. But here is the
thunder and lightning…
Giving to the Seminary Fund this fiscal year is up
almost 10 percent over last year. At a time when we
need your gifts the most, you have responded in a remarkable way. While this 10 percent increase won’t
completely offset the loss to our endowment, it makes
it possible for us to continue fulfilling our mission of
preparing men and women to lead the church.
So to those who have given generously, thank you.
And to God who always provides, we give thanks.
While we would prefer to go through life with no
storms, without them we would not see the lightning
or hear the thunder. To God be the glory!
If you would like to know more about how
you can partner in the work of Western Seminary,
please contact Ken Neevel ([email protected] or
800-392-8554).
This month Bruce Wierks, who has served in
Advancement since 2003, is retiring, and we
thank him for all his years of service. We will
soon welcome Dana Daniels to the Advancement team. Dana and her husband Jim (‘02) have
served churches in Iowa for the last seven years.
Representing the seminary, Dana will meet with
supporters in Michigan and Iowa.
The Commons, June 2009
11
The WTS Board of Trustees voted unanimously at their May 2009
meeting to name Rev. Dr. Dennis Voskuil President Emeritus of
Western Theological Seminary in honor and recognition of his dedicated years of service to the school.
The Board also promoted Dr. J. Todd Billings to Associate Professor of Reformed Theology, Dr. David Stubbs to Professor of Theology
and Ethics, with tenure, and Dr. Jaco Hamman to Professor of Pastoral
Care and Counseling, with tenure, all effective July 1.
Professor of Old Testament Carol Bechtel continues in her role
as General Synod President through June 9. Her travels have taken
her to California, New York, and Canada. She also visited Northern
Ireland, Hungary, Croatia, Kenya and South Africa, looking at ways
in which the themes of the Belhar Confession play out in various
contexts.
On May 23 Assistant Professor of Reformed Theology J. Todd
Billings presented “The Lord's Supper and Salvation: The Eucharist
as an Entryway to a Renewed Theology of Salvation in the Reformed
Tradition” at the Templeton Scholars Colloquy in Heidelberg, Germany.
Dr. Billings received his Templeton Award for Theological Promise in
Heidelberg at a ceremony with 11 other winners from around the world.
He will be the keynote lecturer at the International Reformed Theological
Institute Conference in Aix-en-Provence, France on July 11.
Dr. Billings has published, “Incarnational Ministry and the Unique,
Incarnate Christ,” Modern Reformation, Mar/Apr 09, and “Terms of
Endearment: The Missional Buzz,” The Church Herald, Feb 09.
As part of its Engaging Worship series, Baker Publishing Group
has published Worship Words: Discipling Language for Faithful
Ministry by Visiting Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship
Ron Rienstra and Calvin professor Debra Rienstra. The book was
featured at the Symposium on Worship at Calvin College in January.
In March Professor Rienstra traveled to Union-PCSE Theological
Seminary in Richmond, VA to teach at the “Validity and Voluminousness”
workshop, which included worship preparation/leadership, preaching,
and a master-class for musicians. On March 28 he taught on intercessory prayer at Church of the Servant (CRC) in Grand Rapids.
This spring Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics David
Stubbs taught a 3-week class for Mars Hills Church in Grandville, MI entitled, “How Then Shall We Live? Biblical Ethics in a Relativistic World.”
Dr. Stubbs is part of a special commission for the General Assembly of
the PC(USA) working on translation issues of the Heidelberg Catechism.
March 30-April 1 Professor of Reformed Theology Leanne Van Dyk
was a Schaff Lecturer at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, commemorating John Calvin’s 500th birthday. She spoke on worship and sacraments
at Northwestern College Pastors’ Conference April 13-14. In addition,
she has a chapter published in The Lord’s Supper; Five Views, edited by
Gordon T. Smith and published by IVP in 2008.
Robert Van Voorst, Professor of New Testament, had eight
articles published in the 4th volume of the New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. He also reviewed K. K. Yeo’s book, Musing with
Confucius and Paul: Toward a Chinese Christian Theology, in the
Sino-Christian Studies journal of Taiwan. He lectured and led discussion at the Church of the Servant in Grand Rapids on “Why I Support
the Current RCA and CRC Positions on Homosexuality.”
As a member of the Church Herald board’s executive committee, Dr. Van Voorst participated in talks with General Synod Council
representatives on the future of the Church Herald as the official RCA
publication.
Wes t er n Theo l o gic a l Sem ina ry
A Note from President Tim Brown
I love these lines from a poem by Eugene Peterson
and I think you’ll love them too:
Holy Spirit, shake our family tree;
release your ripened fruit into our
outstretched arms.
I’d like to see my children sink their teeth
into promised land pomegranates
and Canaan grapes, bushel gifts of God,
while I skip a grace rope to a Christ tune!
This issue of The Commons delivers
“bushel gifts” of God’s faithfulness to
Western Theological Seminary. What
a thrill it was to honor both Eugene
Heideman and Arthur “Bud” Van Eck with
the “Distinguished Alumni” Award. Could any two
be more deserving? – one of them, Gene Heideman,
a missionary/theologian/educator, and the other, Bud
Van Eck, a pastor/scholar/denominational leader, and
both of them Holy Spirit gifts of God to the church.
And what a thrill it was to watch more than 40
men and women walk across the platform of Dimnent
Chapel and turn their tassels toward the service of the
gospel as they take their part in leading the church in
mission.
I invite you to read this edition of The Commons
as a prayer for our graduates! I think I’ll pray that
they will be as faithful to the work of the gospel as
Gene and Bud were, and that someday, ages and ages
hence, they will “skip a grace rope to a Christ tune”
and hear the Beloved saying to them, “Well done,
good and faithful servants!”
Read and pray!
—From Eugene H. Peterson, The Contemplative Pastor, © 1993 by Eugene H. Peterson, Wm. B. Eerdman Co.
June 2009, Vol. 12, No. 3 Editor and Graphic Designer: Carla Plumert Editorial Council: Dr. Timothy Brown, Dr. George Brown, Dr. Matt
Floding, Rev. Dawn Boelkins, Ken Neevel. The Commons is published three times a year for alumni/ae and friends of Western Theological Seminary by the Office of Advancement and Communications, Ken Neevel, vice president, 101 E. 13th Street, Holland, MI 49423. 616-392-8555; fax
616-392-7717. Reproduction in whole or in part by permission only. [email protected]
Holland, MI
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