A PUBLICATION OF WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARYJune 2016

The Commons

The Class of 2016 received their degrees on Monday evening, May 9, in Dimnent Memorial Chapel on the campus of Hope College. Western Theological Seminary awarded 50 Master of Divinity degrees, five Master of Arts degrees, six Master of Theology degrees, and two Doctor of Ministry degrees.

140th Commencement

The 2016 graduates stand to face the audience.

Chloe stole the show! She is the daughter of graduates Jerry and Michelle DeBoer and was born March 19, 2016.

Faculty members of Western Theological Seminary. First year student Ruth Estell played the violin. Incoming student Rachel Klompmaker accompanied her on piano.

Board member Karen Barker, Commencement speaker Dennis Voskuil, Interim Academic Dean Jim Brownson, and President Timothy Brown.

Grad

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Jared AyersM.Div.

Philadelphia, PA

Adam BailonM.Div.

Lafayette, CO

Rev. D. Ryan BoesD.Min.

Ann Arbor, MI

Lisa Braunius M.Div.

Holland, MI

Melisa BlankenshipM.Div.

Union City, CA

Gerald DeBoer M.Div.

Allegan, MI

Christopher DeHaan M.Div.

Holt, MI

Ross Dieleman M.Div.

Holland, MI

Michelle DeBoer M.Div.

Union, IA

Dustin De Vriend M.Div.

Sacramento, CA

Stephen Gundlach M.Div.

San Francisco, CA

Jordan Hall M.Div.

San Francisco, CA

Michael Hooker M.Div.

Chicago, IL

Carly Hubers M.A.

Erie, MI

Jeffrey Hubers M.Div.

Platte, SD

Brendan McClenahan

M.Div.Grand Haven, MI

Christopher Maki M.Div.

Charlevoix, MI

M.Div. = Master of Divinity Th.M. = Master of Theology M.A. = Master of Arts D.Min. = Doctor of Ministry

Class of 2016

JUNE 20162

Julia Brown M.Div.

Colts Neck, NJ

Paige Douglas M.Div.

Holland, MI

Byoungsun Hwang Th.M.

Seoul, South Korea

Noah McLaren M.Div.

Holland, MI

Kyle Meyaard-Schaap M.Div.

Holland, MI

Grace Miguel Cipriano

M.Div.Grand Rapids, MI

Dr. Laura Miller-Purrenhage

M.Div.Lansing, MI

Arek O’Connell M.Div.

Truckee, CA

Jonathan Owens Th.M.

Irving, TX

Bradley Parrish M.Div.

Quincy, MI

Kara Lepley M.Div.

Jenison, MI

Alexandra Lysdahl M.Div.

Peoria, IL

Steven Magneson M.Div.

White Plains, NY

Graduates of Western Theological Seminary

A PUBLICATION OF WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 3

Bryant Brozik M.Div.

Garner, IA

Paul Burkhart M.Div.

Philadelphia, PA

Laura Claus M.Div.

Grand Rapids, MI

Dr. Murray Cooper M.Div.

Richland, MI

Elizabeth Carroll M.Div.

Holland, MI

Julian Ebenezer Sampath

Th.M.Bangalore, India

Audrey Edewaard M.Div.

Holland, MI

Dana Daniels M.A.

Holland, MI

Timothy Fry M.Div.

Santa Rosa, CA

Class verse:

“Come,” my heart says, “seek God’s face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek.

Psalm 27:8 NSRV

Agshin Jafarov Th.M.

Baku, Azerbaijan

Kyome GodfreyTh.M.

Mityama, Uganda

Alberto La Rosa Rojas M.Div.

Glendale Heights, IL

Timothy Nelson M.Div.

Holland, MI

Rev. Adam NavisD.Min.

Grand Haven, MI

Jeffrey Nine M.Div.

Pittsburgh, PA

Peter Smith M.A.

Grand Rapids, MI

Sharon Smith M.Div.

Grand Rapids, MI

Jennifer Ryden M.Div.

Holland, MI

Robert Sackett M.Div.

Denver, CO

Lindsey Sackett M.Div.

Inverness, IL

Class of 2016

JUNE 20164

Photos by deVries Photography, Zeeland, MI

Not pictured: Matthew Bach, M.A. (Alma, MI)

Annalise Radcliffe M.Div.

Grand Rapids, MI

J. Tyler Richards M.Div.

Austin, TX

Benjamin Rowe M.A.

Plainfield, IL

Andrew San Nicolas M.Div.

Long Beach, CA

Caleb Schut M.Div.

Chicago, IL

Diane Shircliff M.Div.

Zionsville, IN

Seven Generations!You can say that the call

to ministry is in her blood. Julia Brown comes from seven generations of RCA pastors in the Neevel lineage. Two of her ancestors were professors and

presidents at Western. Her father, Scott Brown, is an RCA pastor in New Jersey, and her uncle, Ken Neevel, directed advancement at WTS for many years and now is Director of Development and Facilitation for the RCA.

Adrian Zwemer, Hope Academy, 1855 (4x-great-grandfather)James F. Zwemer WTS 1873 (great-great-great-grandfather)Siebe C. Nettinga WTS 1903 (great-great-grandfather)Alvin J. Neevel WTS 1929 (great-grandfather)James A. Neevel NBTS 1959 (grandfather)Jeffrey A. Neevel WTS 1994 (uncle)Julia E. Brown WTS 2016

Julia Brown

Jonathan Vanderbeck M.Div.

Jenison, MI

Jeffery Vedders M.Div.

Holland, MI

Mitchell Wagner M.Div.

Holland, MI

Jason White M.Div.

Scotia, NY

Jordan White M.Div.

West Glenville, NY

Ma Xiaoqin Th.M.

Baoji, China

1873 1903 1929 1994

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The Difference

Jeff MunroeVice President of

Operations and Advancement

When I returned to WTS a little over four years ago, I co-opted an old advertising slogan and started saying, “This is not your father’s seminary.” The world of theological education has changed a great deal, and Western has adapted to meet those challenges.

Let me ask you a question: Is Western a small or large seminary? Compared to a college or university, we’re small, but in terms of theological schools, we’re large. A recent report provided by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) put us in the 76th percentile for enrollment, meaning we are larger than three-fourths of the other seminaries in North America. Western’s self-image at times has been that we are a modest school that is part of a modest denomination nestled in a modest part of the country. But according to ATS stats, we’re a big deal!

On top of that, looking at the other 270 member schools in ATS, we see a collective enrollment decline over the past decade. However, Western has grown during that time period.

Why has WTS grown when others have declined? Although many posit it’s because of the handsome vice presidents, the real reason came in 2003, when we made the decision to dive into Distance Learning. In today’s seminary world, it’s all about flexibility and options, and Western has delivered that in our Distance Learning Master of Divinity degree, our WTS-Newbigin Distance Learning M.Div. degree, our Master of Arts degree, and our new Graduate Certificate in Disability and Ministry.

Our next great challenge is to become more multi-cultural. The numbers don’t lie: enrollment of Caucasian students across ATS in the past decade has declined 25%, while enrollment of Hispanic students has increased 47%. Enrollment of women students and second career students has also been on the rise. The message is clear: if your seminary is designed to educate young white males who move to campus (which described WTS for decades and decades), your school will be in decline.

“This is not your father’s seminary.” Western continues to change and adapt to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. However, this still is our Father’s seminary—the capital F makes all the difference—and we remain faithful to Him in an ever-changing world.

Jeremy Bork, Camp Fowler, Speculator, NY

Lisa Braunius, Fellowship Reformed Church, Holland, MI

Sarah Campbell, Reformed Church of Highland Park, NJ

Murray Cooper, First Presbyterian Church, Richland, MI

Vincent Derr, Lake View Camp, Pella, IA

Wilford Dilbert, Shekinah Revival, Holland, MI

Stacey Duensing, The Church on the Hill, Flushing, NY

Joshua Harrington, Vriesland Reformed Church, Vriesland, MI

Ross Hoekstra, Maurice Reformed Church, Maurice, IA

Libby Huizenga, Sunrise Community Church, Austin, TX

Amy Klanderman, Intersections Ministry, Holland, MI

Mark Mares, Lynwood Reformed Church, Schenectady, NY

Julie Myers, Benjamin’s Hope, Holland, MI

Kyle Nesbitt, Herkimer Reformed Church, Herkimer, NY

Eric Nichols, Reformed Church of Highland Park, NJ

Marcy Rudins, Theresa Presbyterian Church, Theresa, NY

Maggie Rust, Clinical Pastoral Ed., VA Hospital, Seattle, WA

T.J. South, Faith Christian Reformed Church, Zeeland, MI

Michelle VandenBerg, CrossPoint Church, Chino, CA

Adam VanderStoep, Christ Community Church, Denver, CO

Jacob VanSteenwyk, Pella Reformed Church, Adams, NE

Jeff Vedders, United Church of Christ, Hudsonville, MI

Jordan Vermeer, Christian Ministry in the National Parks,

Glacier National Park, Montana

Matthew Warfield, First Reformed Church, Oak Harbor, WA

...at their Summer Internship placements:

Meet our Students!

In-residence Master of Divinity students at WTS are required to have 800 hours of ministry experience to graduate. During the school year, they are assigned to ministry settings where they learn under the guid-ance of a mentor. In the summer after their middler year, they complete a 10-week internship at a ministry suited to their abilities and calling.

Distance learning students often earn their Master of Divinity while employed in a ministry. They complete four semesters of 125 hours each in a ministry setting under supervision with a mentor. It may or may not be their employer.

Both in-residence and distance learning students are formed for ministry through a combination of in-ternships, plenary sessions, and peer groups.

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ALUMNI DAYCLASS of 1966

front: Leon Aalberts, Stanley Rock, Sherwin Weenerback: Larry Teitsma, Wayne Kiel, George Boerigter, Mark Walvoord, Jack Cooper

NOT PICTURED: Harold Brown, Paul Colenbrander, Bernard Ekema, Douglas Groen (MRE), Henry Hoeks (MRE), Karl Overbeek, Richard Rhem (ThM), LeRoy Sankey, Lewis Scudder, Edward Seely, Franklin Spoolstra, Gordon Timmerman, Stanley Vugteveen, David Wright, Kunihiko (Paul) Yazaki (ThM), Paul ZoschkeON TO GLORY: George Beukema, John Ekema, John Faas, Kenneth Hartgerink, Gordon Nyenhuis (MRE), Donald Vuurens

CLASS of 1976

front: Larry Schuyler, Stephen Wing, Irwin VanLeeuwen, Mark Nieuwsma, David Bastback: Darwin VanderWal, Eildert Zwart, Timothy Brown, Robert Schut

NOT PICTURED: Joyce Borgman deVelder, David deVries, James DeVries, Roger DeYoung, Elaine Forrest (MRE), Paul Fox, Ronald Franklyn, Gary Hofmeyer, Marvin Jacobs, John Koedyker, Dirk Kramer, Roger Krutz, David Manting, Robert McAndrews, Marinus Moerman, Peter Nordstrom, David Phillips, Nancy Phillips, Christiaan Platteel, Lynn Post, Roger Punt, Leon Roggen, Jr., Gregory Simpson, Paul Smith, Vernon Smith, Samuel Solivan, Arlin VandeZande, Calvin VandeZande, Milo VanVeldhuizen, Paul WesselinkON TO GLORY: Don Bloemendaal, Curtis Liesveld, Shirley Meendering (MRE), Takeshi Takasaki (ThM)

1966 50 years

1976 40 years

May 9, 2016

JUNE 2016

NewsHerman Hartmann ’46 has spent his retirement translating the entire Bible from Hebrew and Greek into English vocabulary. He is now working on translating the Apocrypha.

The children of Wally Stoepker ’46 are endowing a student scholarship at the seminary in honor of their parents’ 70th wedding anniversary this year. It will be named the Rev. Wallace and Dorothy Stoepker Ministerial Scholarship.

Charles Johnson ’57 of Williamsport, PA continues to serve as pulpit sup-ply, sing in the choir, and lead Bible studies. He and Donna will celebrate their 63rd anniversary in June. They have four children, 14 grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren.

Since 2005, Albert Studley ‘58 has resided in Longview Assisted Living of the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff, NJ, where he had served as

chaplain from 1977 to the 1990s. Prior to that he served churches in Red Hook, Johnstown, and Ghent, NY and studied in Middletown, CT for a year. His wife of 63 years, Dorothy, passed away in the fall of 2013.

From 2013-15, Gerald Bates ’64 (ThM) served as the rector of Hope Africa University in Bujumbura, Burundi. Back in the U.S. he continues to serve as Chair of Friends of Hope Africa University, a charity to assist the university. Hope Africa University gave diplomas to 1,205 graduates in February of 2016, including Masters graduates and some M.D.’s.

Bruce Laverman ’65 is serving as a RCA Retired Pastors Chaplain as well as the website manager for evange-lismconnections.org.

In 34 years of ministry, Henry Hoeks ’66 served as director of education at LaGrave Ave. CRC in Grand Rapids, MI, then taught religion and theology at Calvin College 1968-93 (earning a doctorate in religion and education from Columbia in 1976), and finally ran his own chauffeur service serving the elderly and disabled from 1995-2000. He and Caroline delight in their chil-dren’s Christian commitment, as well as that of their three “grands”.

On June 7, Karl Overbeek ’66 and his wife, Ruth Ann, celebrated 56 years of marriage. They are enjoying life at beautiful Lake Wildwood, Penn Valley, CA, with their two kids and four grand-kids close by. Karl works part-time for the Far West Region and Central Cali-

fornia Classis and celebrated 50 years of ministry in June. He still plays a little golf, goes bass fishing and pheasant hunting, and is thankful for his health at this stage of life.

We have received word that Arlene Van De Hoef, the wife of Cornie Van De Hoef ’68, died on October 14, 2015 in Louisville, KY.

In September of 2015, Donald Plantinga ’70 retired after 45 years of ministry. He served the Reformed Church of Dell Rapids, SD (1970-78), Trinity Reformed Church, Pella, IA (1978-2000), and Bethany Reformed Church, Clara City, MN (2001-15) where he is still helping with visitation in the transition. He earned a D.Min.

A PUBLICATION OF WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 7

degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1990. He and his wife, Susan (Vanderwel), have one son, Joel, who is senior pastor of Desert Winds Community Church in Palmdale, CA.

Ronald Mayers ’73 (Th.M.) was named Professor Emeritus by Corner-stone University of Grand Rapids, MI after teaching philosophy and religion from 1969-2008. He moved to Florida in 2014. His main publications include: Both/And: A Balanced Apologetic and Evangelical Perspectives.

Don DeGlopper ’74 retired from ministry on October 13, 2013. He and his wife, Cindy, now live in West Des Moines, right next door to their grandson, Mason, who is one of the biggest joys in their lives.

After 40 years in ministry, Mark Nieuwsma ‘76 retired. He is looking forward to traveling and seeing fam-ily, and plans to do some consulting and writing. He and Paula celebrated 48 years together on April 6.

After 39 years of active ministry, Irwin Van Leeuwen ‘76 retired in July of 2015 and moved to Sioux Falls, SD.

After serving the Mescalero Reformed Church of Mescalero, NM and living on the Mescalero Apache Indian Res-ervation for over 29 years, Bob Schut ’76 retired in September of 2013. He now drives a school bus for special needs students, fills in as a substitute bus driver, facilitates a Sunday school class, and leads high school and middle school youth groups.

Greg Simpson ’76 retired in 2016 after serving 40 years in ministry: Elim Reformed Church, Kings, IL (1976-82), Christ Presbyterian Church, Lakewood, CA (1982-93), and First Congregational Church (1993-2016). He volunteers as a chaplain for Riverside County Sheriff. He and his wife, Judith Gay (Sheets) celebrated 50 years of marriage. They have five daughters and 11 grandchildren.

Thomas Bartha ‘81 retired in April. He and Mary have moved to The Pocono Mountains in East Strouds-burg, PA, where Tom intends to enter interim ministry. Since ordination, they have served Ivanhoe Reformed Church, Riverdale, IL (1981-88), The Communi-ty, Ada, MI (1988-2002), and Pompton Reformed Church, Pompton Lakes, NJ (2002-16). Tom and Mary have four daughters and two grandsons.

Since 2012 Mary Fitzgerald ‘85 has served as supply priest/pastor in Episcopal and ELCA congregations throughout Northern Michigan. Prior to that, she was the Priest-in-Charge of Calvary Episcopal Church in her hometown of Hillman, MI. She is enthused about the enrollment of Episcopal students at WTS, since we have much to learn from and share with other Christian traditions.

In March, Roger Nelson ’86 was featured on Episode 18 of Preachers on Preaching, presented by Christian Century (christiancentury.org). In the episode, Roger talks about writing sermons as a person with ADD and finding inspiration in song lyrics, among other topics. He is the pastor of Hope Christian Reformed Church in Oak Forest, IL and presented at the last WTS Bast Festival of Preaching.

Jeff Munroe (‘88) announces the publication of his poem, “The Treadmill,” in the May 2016 issue of U.S. Catholic magazine.

Gregory Heille, O.P. ’91 (D.Min.) announces the publication of his book, The Preaching of Pope Francis: Missionary Discipleship and the Min-istry of the Word. Fr. Gregory Heille is Academic Dean and Professor of Homiletics at Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, MO.

Tom Merchant ’06 is serving as the pastor of Grace Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, AR. He and his wife, Terry, have a “retirement” home east of Fayetteville on a ridge above Beaver Lake.

E. Quarshie-Konuah ‘06 (ThM) is ordained into the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and has served over ten years as Director of Christian Education of the Ghana Region of the Church. In January of 2016 the Region established the L. L. Reddick III School of Theology & Leadership Studies and appointed him Dean of Academic Affairs.

Lynne Kammeraad ‘08 graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN on May 22 with her Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Preaching. Her thesis was “Preaching More Effectively to Multiple Generations.”

This summer, Josh Wierenga ‘08 will be ordained in the Classis of Central California (RCA).

AlumLine

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In May, Jose Macias Bocanegra ’10, ’11 (ThM) accepted a call to Calvary Lutheran Church of Golden Valley, MN where he now serves an established Spanish speaking congregation as well as the greater church body as Associate Pastor of Hispanic Ministries.

Jill Sweet ’12 is the proud grand-mother of twins born to Ryan Sweet ’11 and his wife, Jaci. Jill is pursuing a D.Min. degree at Fuller Seminary. She and her husband, Ben, have started Quiet Oaks, a retreat and spiritual direction space for ministry professionals.

Seth Bush ’12 is the associate pastor at Mason County Reformed Church in Scottville, MI.

Sarah Farkas ‘13 is serving as the chaplain for Forgotten Man Ministries at Allegan County Correctional Facility, where she ministers to an average of 175 men and women daily. She is also the associate pastor of Hopkins Community Reformed Church in Hopkins, MI.

This year Mark Vellinga ’13 became the pastor of Mescalero Reformed Church in Mescalero, NM. He will be working to minister to the Mescalero community in a way that honors their Native American heritage and demonstrates how that heritage shapes their faith. Mark previously worked for 25 years teaching computer science at Northwestern College in Orange City, IA.

Dan Claus ‘14 and Grace Claus (Dec ‘13) welcomed Miriam Elaine into the world on December 28, 2015.

On May 1, Jennifer Ryden (Dec ’15) was ordained at First Reformed Church of Holland, MI. She has been called to pastor Embody Christ Fellowship, a church plant of First Reformed Church.

On April 8, Alberto La Rosa (Dec ’15), became a father. He and his wife, Anna, celebrated the birth of their son, Simon Alberto. (7 lbs 9 oz, 21.5”)

Also on April 8, Tim Nelson ’16 and his wife, Allie, welcomed their third child, Abram Timothy, announcing, “He brings 7 lbs 7 oz of joy to the family!”

On May 2, Chris Maki ‘16 and his wife Kari welcomed their baby girl, Ailyn Jo, into their home.

On to glory...Adrian Newhouse ‘41b. 12/4/1915 Kalamazoo, MId. 1/17/2015 Grant, MIHope ’38; WTS ‘41Reformed churches served:(1941-43) First, Sibley, IA(1943-47) Prairie View, KS(1947-50) Hingham, WI(1950-55) First, Sheldon, IA(1956-60) Bethel, Grand Rapids, MI(1960-71) First, Zeeland, MI(1971-81) Grant, MI

John Nyitray ‘55b. 12/27/1926 Kalamazoo, MId. 12/16/2015 Zeeland, MIHope ’52; WTS ‘55Reformed churches served:(1955-62) East Fruitport, Fruitport, MI(1962-67) Fourth, Kalamazoo, MI(1967-84) Second, Little Falls, NJ(1984-89) Second, Marion, NY

James G. DeWitt ‘62b. 4/17/1937 Zeeland, MId. 11/11/2015 Walker, MIHope ‘59; WTS ‘62Reformed churches served:(1962-66) Ferry Mem., Montague, MI(1966-72) Hope Com., Orlando, FL(1972-79) Rosewood, Jenison, MI(1979-94) Calvary, Grand Rapids, MI(1994-?) Mohawk, NY Other service:(2008-16) Chaplain, Heron Woods Assisted Living, Grand Rapids, MI

Arthur Scheid ‘64b. 12/8/1937 Passaic, NJd. 10/22/2015 Alto, MINyack Coll ’60; WTS ‘64Reformed churches served:(1964-67) Seventh, Grand Rapids, MI(1967-70) Alsip, IL(1970-77) Gibbsville, Sheboygan Falls, WI

Richard Bates ‘69b. 10/15/1937 Detroit, MId. 5/11/2016 Grand Rapids, MIGVSC ‘66; WTS ’69; CalvinTS ’78 (MTh); AustinPresbTS ‘82 (DMin)Reformed churches served:(1969-76) Trinity, Grand Rapids, MI(1979-83) Third, Grand Rapids, MI(1983-90) Christ, Oakbrook, IL(1990-94) Fairview, Grand Rapids, MI(1994-2000) Orchard Hill, Gr Rapids, MIOther service:(1976-79) Chaplain, U.S. Army

Philip Rauwerdink ‘88b. 12/31/1944 Sheboygan, WId. 4/14/2016 Sheboygan Falls, WIHope ‘68; WTS ‘88Reformed churches served:(1989-99) Glendale, Queens, NY17 years RCA interim pastor(2010-16) Cong. Care Pastor, Hope, Sheboygan, WI

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Can you imagine being paid in poultry? Can you imagine hitch-hiking to college with I. John Hesselink? How about burying two wives over the span of a half century? Or burying a brother who died in a farming accident and a Dad who drowned in the pond on the farm? Can you fathom what it would be like to take a pay cut with every single call in ministry?

I have a hard time imagining it, but this was all reality for Rev. Mel De Vries. Mel graduated from Western Theological Seminary in 1953. He was a church planter before being a church planter was the cool thing to do. The Rev. Harold Korver once called him a “cock-eyed optimist.” He is known for his sayings like, “whatever we’re

going to do, we’re going to have fun,” and “if it’s to be, it’s up to me.” He has planted three congregations that have all celebrated more than 50 years of ministry. He has retired at least four times and up until a few years ago, he pastored the only Reformed congregation to ever go into bankruptcy. Keep in mind that Mel went to, as he calls it, “Dam Sinus—I mean San Dimus, CA” when the congregation was already in bankruptcy, but Mel went there anyway because he felt called by God to go and pastor this congregation. He is also the worst diabetic ever. Mel has never met a donut or cookie he did not like, especially when it is enjoyed in the living room of a parishioner or around the tables in the fellowship hall with the “Weed & Feed” crew at church.

He has overcome esophageal cancer by God’s grace (and the most positive of attitudes) and when asked how to close a sermon, he will say, “Just say Amen.”

The term “they don’t make them like they used to” is about the best way to summarize my good friend

and colleague in ministry. I first met Mel at the Alpen Rose Restaurant in Holland, MI when I was a 24-year-old senior at Western Theological Seminary. Mel was the calling pastor at the First Reformed Church in South Holland, IL. The twinkle in his eye and the cackle of his laugh were infectious from the moment I met him. He is the kind of genuine, hard-working, faithful pastor whom every WTS graduate should aspire to be. In fact, in a lot of ways, I was only called to that congregation because of Mel. He is the one who stood up in front of the consistory during a time of great change and loss and said, “You either have to sell the building, do nothing and die, or start changing.” Thankfully, they decided to start changing. He was my biggest supporter, warmest encourager and daily chaperone in his big black Buick, paving the way in the congregation for me to lead and pastor.

2016 Distinguished AlumThe Rev. Melvin De Vries ‘53

Melvin H. De VriesPastor, Planter, Pioneer

b. Holland, NE 12/30/1924Married Marcia Schoeneman in 1952 (d. 1979)Married Bette Boer in 1982 (d. 2015)Children: John, Ann, and Alan Six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren

B.A. Central College, 1950B.D. Western Theological Seminary, 1953Lifetime of Service:(1953-56) Strasburg Reformed, Strasburg, ND(1956) Missionary Pastor, Bismarck, ND(1957-60) Bismarck Reformed, Bismarck, ND(1960-74) Trinity Reformed, Kent, WA(1974-85) Valley Community Drive-In Church,

San Dimas, CA(1985-91) Tinley Park Reformed, Tinley Park, IL(1991-95) Minister Evangelist, Thorn Creek

Reformed, South Holland, IL(1995-97) Riverside Community, Hammond, IN(1998-2013) Minister of Evangelism and

Outreach, First Reformed, South Holland, IL

At a Glance

Mel and Bette celebrate with Matt Waterstone at his graduation from seminary, 2008.

JUNE 20168

Mel De Vries ‘53

WTS graduation photo

Preaching in 1974.

by saying, “Well, that’s exactly where I want to go. They need the Gospel!” In Strasburg, South Dakota, he would preach a Sunday morning sermon, lead Sunday School and then drive across the river to lead Bible classes for Native Americans and others who could not make the 20 mile drive into church, then go back to preach at night, and then lead the youth group.

He closes most funerals by telling the story about the headstone on his first wife Marcia’s grave. I’ll do my best to re-tell the story. He always gets a little emotional at the part when he says, “In a little cemetery 20 miles west of Waterloo there’s a headstone that reads, ‘Lord is my Shepherd. That’s enough.’ And ya know what, He is.” The Lord has been enough for this good and faithful brother for all these years. He may

not have written books, and there may not be additional degrees and letters before or after his name, but what makes Mel DeVries a distinguished alumni has nothing to do with books or degrees. What makes him distinguished are all the saints he has buried, all the babies he has baptized, all the congregations he has planted, all the new member classes

he has led, all the bedsides where he has prayed, and all the individuals he has led to Christ. Mel is distinguished because he is a pastor in the truest sense. The kind of pastor I aspire to be every day.

by The Rev. Dr. Matt WaterstoneSr. Pastor First Reformed Church South Holland, IL

A PUBLICATION OF WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 9

The three Central College and WTS classmates, reunited: Gene VanderWell, Mel De Vries, and I. John Hesselink.

No one should be surprised by any of this about Mel. He is the 91-year-old who has few pictures in his home commemorating the past because that is not where he lives. He lives in the present, pressing forward to the future. Why else would he go door to door in the early 1990s, inviting neighbors to church and, in so doing, disciple the first African-American to join Thorn Creek Reformed Church at a time when that was definitely not the norm in South Holland? Why else in the 60s would he leave a thriving congregation in Bismark, North Dakota, to plant a church in the Seattle area all because the city was hosting the World’s Fair in 1962 and it would be a great opportunity for evangelism? This is just the kind of pastor Mel DeVries is and always has been. To this day, he continues to host block parties for

his neighbors on Parkside Avenue in hopes of inviting them to worship.

Mel has always had a heart for the marginalized. Long before diversity was in every congregation’s mission statement, Mel sought ways for the Church to look more like heaven. He once was told, “You don’t want to go to that church—it’s where all the divorced people go.” Mel responded

Mel baptizing his granddaughter.

Mel and Marcia in Bismarck, ND, 1957.

High School, 1941.

JUNE 201610

Western Theological Seminary and Hope College were pleased to co-host The Summer Institute on Theology and Disability in May. Founded in 2010, the Summer Institute brings together academics, theologians, practitioners and others—people with and without labeled disabilities—to explore the inclusive intersections of theology and disabilities.

Bill Gaventa leads the Summer Institute, along with core faculty such as Hans Reinders, John Swinton, Tom Reynolds, Amos Yong, Erik Carter, Darla Schumm and

Julia Watts Belser— leaders in the fields of ethics, theology, missiology, education, etc.

This year people from the WTS community led various parts of the conference, such as plenary sessions and worship. Students in the Hebrew class and members of the Friendship House also participated.

160 people from around the country attended the 2016 Summer Institute. Sponsors include the Myers Foundation of Holland, MI, the Ruderman Family Foundation of Boston, the Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State University, and the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship in Grand Rapids, MI.

Hosting the Summer Institute is all part of Western’s new focus on preparing leaders for the church for ministering to and with those with disabilities. Our new Certificate in Disability and Ministry launches this fall under the leadership of Dr. Ben Conner, Professor of Christian Discipleship. Read more about it at: westernsem.edu/academics/degrees/gcdm

Summer Institute on Theology & Disability, May 23-26

Stephen Weisser and Lisa McKee

Classroom conversations

Roundtable discussions over lunch

Bishop Craig Satterlee

Disability Network Lakeshore

At the end of this academic year, we will say goodbye to four valued members of our faculty and staff.

Chris Dorsey joined WTS as Faculty Fellow in 2011. He was appointed Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology in 2012, then Assistant Professor of Theology and Preaching in 2013. During his time at WTS, Chris led the Diversity Committee and the

Journey Group, “Theologizing Violence.” His presence in the WTS community will be remembered with deep appreciation.

Dynna Castillo Portugal has served as Faculty Fellow for the 2015-16 academic year, teaching “Practice of Counsel and Care” in both residential and distance formats. In April, Dynna presented an evening lecture on domestic violence in Spanish for

Latino pastors and students of the Instituto Biblico Ebenezer (IBE). Dynna returned to Mexico City in May and will stay connected to WTS in 2016-17 as an adjunct professor. We are grateful for Dynna’s presence in our community this year.

Associate Director of Journey for Bast Preaching Initiatives Lindsay Small has accepted the position of Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Community Life at Fellowship Reformed Church in Holland. Since November of 2013 Lindsay has led the Bast

Preaching Initiatives, connecting college students, seminarians, and pastors to encourage and enhance their preaching. She will stay a part of WTS as a mentor for interns and leader of The Pulpit, a monthly gathering for female students.

LuAnne Van Slooten began working at WTS in late 1999 as the Administrative Assistant for Advancement and Communications. In her role she managed the database, processed donations, coordinated mailings, put together events, and performed many other duties to enhance the

seminary’s connection to thousands of donors. She retired in June, and we are grateful for her many years of service.

11A PUBLICATION OF WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

News from WTSCongratulations to our first recipients of the new Trustee Scholarship, the highest merit-based scholarship WTS offers, covering 75% of tuition each year.

Rachel Klompmaker is a graduate of Calvin College and of Calvin Theological Seminary (Worship Arts M.A.).

She will come to Western to begin her Master of Divinity in the fall, and we welcome her gifts and experience as a musician, worship planner, ministry leader and classis delegate. She currently works in Acquisitions at Baker Publishing Group of Grand Rapids, MI.

Robert (Bob) Ike has a background in education working as an adjunct professor, teacher, and adminis-trator. For the last nine years Bob has been the superin-tendent of Palmyra-Macedon Central School District in Palmyra, NY. He and his family are members of Palmyra

Reformed Church in New York, where he also volunteers as organist. Bob will earn his M.Div. in the distance-learning program, remaining

in his role as a public school administrator. He looks forward to delving into the teachings of Christianity so he can better reach, educate, and counsel those with whom he comes into contact at his job.

Marcia Bosma, a first year M.Div. student at WTS, is one of 12 seminary students chosen by FASPE (Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics) to participate in a two-week program in Europe in June that uses the conduct of the clergy in Nazi Germany as a

launching point for an intensive course of study on ethical issues facing religious leaders today.

Marcia joins a group of 63 FASPE Fellows who represent a broad range of religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds, and who were chosen from over 700 applicants from around the world.

Marcia worked as a nurse for 13 years prior to deciding to enter the ministry. Her work providing foster care for a Muslim teenager from Pakistan led her to develop a keen interest in interfaith dialogue. She is looking forward to engaging with other FASPE seminary fellows.

The March/April issue of Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed Thought is entitled, “A Theological Community Speaks,” and all of the articles are contributed by members of Western Theological Seminary. Read it online at: perspectivesjournal.org/blog/category/issues/2016/marchapril

Associate Professor of Christian Discipleship Ben Conner has been chosen as a contributor for Princeton Theological Seminary’s “Youth Ministry and Disability Blog Series.” Each post offers a perspective to help youth workers be faithfully attentive to God’s action in the lives of young

people with disabilities. Go to: iym.ptsem.edu/disability/

In April, “A Luminous Mystery” by Dr. J. Todd Billings won an award from the Evangelical Press Association for one of the best first-person articles of 2015. In his October 2015 article in The Banner, Todd wrestles with providence in the Heidelberg Catechism in light of his cancer diagnosis.

Read it at: thebanner.org/features/2015/09/a-luminous-mystery. Todd is the Gordon H. Girod Research Professor of Reformed Theology at WTS.

2015-16 Faculty Fellow Duane Loynes is going to serve as a visiting professor in a one-year appointment starting in the fall. In addition to teaching, he will take on the direction of the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program. Kyle Small will continue in that role until June 30, 2016.

After a year-long search, Western Theological Seminary is pleased to announce that Rev. Dr. Alvin Padilla will be our new Academic Dean and

Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Padilla currently serves as Dean of the Hispanic Ministries Program and Professor of New Testament at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA.

Dr. Padilla holds a Ph.D. in New Testament and Early Christian Literature from Drew University, as well as professional memberships in the American Academy of Religion, the Society of Biblical Literature, and the Asociación para La Educación Teológica Hispana. He taught Christian Studies at Nyack College from 1992-97, and prior to that he founded and taught at the Spanish Eastern School of Theology in Swan Lake, NY.

Dr. Padilla is ordained in the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and has served as pastor of the Fort Washington Heights Presbyterian Church in New York City (a Spanish-speaking congregation) and as interim pastor at Newton Presbyterian Church in Newton, MA.

We look forward to his arrival on July 1.

Rev. Dr. Alvin PadillaNew Academic Dean

House of Studies of City Church San Francisco in the fall of 2011. As I look at these graduates, I can’t help but think that not only are they equipped to plant churches, many of them already are engaged in plant-ing churches. They are the first wave of many coming through our Newbigin partnership who will expand the church in new, innovative ways.

I take delight in all our graduates and have reached the age that it is impossible for me not to weep tears of joy and quietly say to the Lord as each one takes their diploma, “Bless and keep them, Lord, and make your face to shine upon them!”

I’m proud of them and so deeply grateful to you for taking such an interest and providing all you do for them. Thank you!

Grace and Peace,

June 2016, Vol. 19, No. 3 Editor and Graphic Designer: Carla Capotosto Writer and Photographer: Megan Rice Editorial Council: Rev. Jeff Munroe, Dr. Dawn Boelkins, Dana Daniels. The Commons is published three times a year for alumni/ae and friends of Western Theological Seminary by the Office of Advancement and Communications, 101 E. 13th St, Holland, MI 49423. 616-392-8555; fax 616-392-7717. Reproduction in whole or in part by permission only. carlap@westernsem.edu

Commencement day is simultane-ously the happiest and saddest day of the year. I take great joy in seeing each graduate move across the stage into their gospel future, and I swell with pride as I look into each graduate’s eyes and shake each hand. At the same time I’m sad because the graduates have become part of our WTS family and they are moving to a new stage of life, leaving the home that Western has become for them.

Among this year’s senior class was the first cohort of students graduating with our WTS–Newbigin Distance Learning Master of Divinity degree. The ten Newbigin graduates have been uniquely equipped to plant and lead churches in urban, highly secularized con-texts. We began this one-of-a-kind degree program with the Newbigin

A Note fromPRESIDENT TIMOTHY BROWN

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