136th Commencement
“We are ambassadors of Christ,
bearing the message of reconciliation! Doesn’t it seem crazy that the
savior of the world would entrust
such a mission to the likes of us?”
Speaking to 50 graduates on
Commencement night, Dr. James
K.A. Smith of Calvin College encouraged them that God uses the foolish
of this world to confound the wise;
God uses the “are nots” to redeem
Commencement Speaker
Dr. James K.A. Smith, Associate Professor the world and to recall creation into
being what it was intended to be.
of Philosophy at Calvin College
“The love of Christ constrains
us to immerse ourselves in the mud and muck and sin of a broken world
because it was Christ’s love that propelled him to be sin for us,” Dr. Smith
said. “So what does the ministry of reconciliation look like?”
He paused, smiled and answered: “The imitation of Christ.”
Western Theological Seminary celebrated its 136th Commencement on
Monday evening, May 7, in the Dimnent Memorial Chapel on the campus of
Hope College. The seminary awarded 40 Master of Divinity (M.Div.), six Master of Theology (Th.M.), one Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), and three Graduate
Certificates in Urban Pastoral Ministry (GCUPM).
President Tim Brown ended the evening with Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are
–Š‘•‡™Š‘Š—‰‡”ƒ†–Š‹”•–ˆ‘””‹‰Š–‡‘—•‡••ǡˆ‘”–Š‡›™‹ŽŽ„‡•ƒ–‹•Ƥ‡†ǤdzŠ‡
he turned to the graduates and said, “I charge you to spike a temperature and
carry a low-grade fever wherever you go. Be hungry and thirsty until that last
great day when no one hungers or thirsts anywhere throughout the earth!”
not every day...
This year’s class got to experience
something unusual: one of their
professors graduating too.
'DZQ%RHONLQV¿UVWJUDGXDWHGIURP:HVWern Theological Seminary in 1986 with her
0DVWHURI'LYLQLW\GHJUHH6KHZDVRUGDLQHGWRWKH5&$LQDQGOHGDFKXUFK
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ZDONHGDFURVVWKHVWDJHWRWKHUHVRXQGLQJ
DSSODXVHRIKHUVWXGHQWVDQGFROOHDJXHV
May 7
2012
The Commons, June 2012
59447 WTS Commons.indd 1
1
Western Theological Seminary
5/31/12 3:39 PM
Santosh Kumar
Bardhan
Th.M.
Odisha, India
Dawn Boelkins
D.Min.
St. Joseph, MI
Lisa Bolton-Hunt
M.Div.
East Lansing, MI
Mark Britton
M.Div.
Edmond, OK
Seth Bush
M.Div.
Morrison, IL
Peggy Byland
M.Div.
Traverse City, MI
Darrell Delaney
M.Div. and GCUPM
Saginaw, MI
Beshah Workneh
Deribe
Th.M.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Derek Dokter
M.Div.
Grand Rapids, MI
Richard France-Coe
M.Div.
Denver, CO
Chala Habasila
Th.M.
Kitwe, Zambia
‡ơ‡”›‘—‰Š
M.Div.
Muskegon, MI
Keith Lightner
M.Div.
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Raymond Maleke
Th.M.
Tondano, Indonesia
Andrew Mead
M.Div.
Orange City, IA
Philip Moerdyk
M.Div.
Grand Rapids, MI
Sandra Nikkel
M.Div.
Holland, MI
Carlinda Peoples
M.Div. and GCUPM
Muskegon, MI
Glenn (Ben) Schoup V
M.Div.
Chesapeake, VA
Andrew Spidahl
M.Div.
Fergus Falls, MN
Jennifer Steil
M.Div.
Duncan, OK
Jonathan Stevens
M.Div.
Grand Rapids, MI
Jill Sweet
M.Div.
Oakdale, CA
Judith Tiemeyer
M.Div.-MSW
Holland, MI
M.Div. = Master of Divinity Th.M. - Master of Theology D.Min. = Doctor of Ministry
M.Div.-MSW = Dual Track Master of Divinity - Master of Social Work
*&830 *UDGXDWH&HUWL¿FDWHRI8UEDQ3DVWRUDO0LQLVWU\
59447 WTS Commons.indd 2
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Western Theological Seminary
5/31/12 3:39 PM
Sandra Cammenga
M.Div.-MSW
Zeeland, MI
Ronald Citlau
M.Div.
Crown Point, IN
Edward Wayne
Coleman
M.Div.
Muskegon, MI
Pamela Cook
M.Div.
Holland, MI
Gary DeKoekkoek
M.Div.
Martin, MI
Lindsey DeKruif
Th.M.
Chandler, MN
Nathan Johnson
M.Div.
Marne, MI
Andrew Kadzban
M.Div.
Jenison, MI
Kim (Song)
Young Shin
M.Div.
Seoul, Korea
Stephanie Kirkham
M.Div.
’”‹‰Ƥ‡Ž†ǡ
‡ơ”‡›”‘‘†›
M.Div.
Grand Rapids, MI
Annabell LallaRamkelawan
Th.M.
Aaron Punt
M.Div.
Sioux Center, IA
Bradley Redeker
M.Div.-MSW
Waupun, WI
Zac Poppen
M.Div.
Sioux City, IA
Benjamin Post
M.Div.
Grand Rapids, MI
Cunupia, Trinidad & Tobago
Marla Rotman
M.Div.
Zeeland, MI
Matthew Schmidt
M.Div.
Portage, MI
not pictured:
Jennifer McAlpine-Austin
M.Div.-MSW
Kalamazoo, MI
Matt Waite
M.Div.
Midland, MI
Aaron Wetzel
M.Div.
Grand Rapids, MI
The Commons, June 2012
59447 WTS Commons.indd 3
Raymond Wicks, Jr.
GCUPM
Saginaw, MI
3
Jennifer Yeske
M.Div.
Alton, IA
Rebecca New-Edson
M.Div.
Cranberry Township, PA
3KRWRVE\GH9ULHV3KRWRJUDSK\+ROODQG0,
5/31/12 3:39 PM
May 7, 2012
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Western Theological Seminary
5/31/12 3:39 PM
AlumLine
News
,QHarlan Ratmeyer ’64
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Association for Clinical Pastoral
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Carolina. Two sons with their
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Angeles, CA.
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center in Artesia, CA.
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Charles P. Johnson ’57UHWLUHG
After earning his MDiv at
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:HVWHUQRichard Bates ’69
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went on to earn a Master of
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Theology at Calvin Theological
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J. David Muyskens ’59 has
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congregations, as the Minister
Walk with God: The Practice of
of Pastoral Care for Christ
Centering PrayerDQGSacred
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his work promoting Talking
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sorrows, George Timberlake ’69
(ThM) lost his wife Pat to cancer
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The Commons, June 2012
59447 WTS Commons.indd 5
necrologist: Rev. Merwin (Mike) VanDoornik ‘60
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allegations against his late wife.
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on to Glory...
John Frederick Padgett ‘63
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Reformed Churches served:
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5
5/31/12 3:39 PM
2012
Elton J. Bruins ‘53
Elton & Elaine
Bruins
by Dr. Donald Bruggink ‘53
GH9ULHV3KRWRJUDSK\
Distinguished Alum
Elton Bruins and I became friends as
the Flushing Reformed Church in Queens,
and meanwhile transferred to Princeton
students at WTS. We, together with Gene Seminary for studies in American Chris‹͙͙͡͞Ǥˆ–‡”Ƥ˜‡›‡ƒ”•‹–Šƒ–Š‹•–‘”Heideman, were ordained to preach the
ic and prestigious church, Elton received a
–‹ƒ‹–›—†‡””Ǥ‡ơ‡”–•‘‡–•…Š‡”Ǥ
Gospel while doing post graduate work.
call to serve in the Department of Religion
1957 he received his S.T.M. from Union
After I completed my doctorate, Elton
at Hope College. During his years in New
Theological Seminary. While continuing
and Elaine extended
York, Elton also served on the
hospitality while I
Board of Trustees of New Brunssought a call from a
wick Theological Seminary.
church in the east.
In 1966 Dr. Bruins became
Later, Elton’s call to
Assistant Professor of Religion at
Hope College and mine
Hope College, being promoted
to Western Seminary
to Associate in 1970 and Profesbrought us both back to
sor in 1973. In 1981 he became
Holland, where for the
the Evert J. and Hattie E. Bleklast four decades I have
kink Professor of Religion until
enjoyed his friendship.
his retirement in 1992 as the
I am proud to be asked
Blekkink Professor of Religion
to chronicle a few of
Emeritus. Bruins also served as
Dr. Bruins’ accomplishDepartment Chair (1977-84), and
ments.
Dean for Arts and Humanities
Elton J. Bruins’ aca(1984-89), and Acting Provost
demic career at Western
(1989).
Theological Seminary
After a brief retirement, in
was preceded by a
1994 Elton founded the A. C. Van
6XPPHURIDWWKH*UHDW
7KH%UXLQVIDPLO\LQWKH)OXVKLQJ Raalte Institute, made possible
B.A., magna cum laude,
/DNHV1DYDO7UDLQLQJ6WDWLRQ
5HIRUPHG&KXUFKPLGV
from Hope College, with
by the generous support of his
faculty honors in 1950.
friend, Peter Huizenga. The
At Western, Elton received the Henry J.
Institute was the joint dream of Bruins
a full time pastorate at Elmsford, Elton
Pietenpol Award for Excellence, given to
and Huizenga for historical research and
commuted to New York University and in
the graduating senior who “demonstrates 1962 received his Ph.D. in the history of
publication focusing on the Dutch in
unusual promise for ministry.”
North America.
education.
That ministry began as an assistant
As such it has
Elton’s ministry
to the Reverend Albertus G. Bossenbroek broadened with a call to
hosted visiting
in the Reformed Church in
scholars from the
Hastings-on-Hudson (1953Netherlands and
In the summer of 1953 after graduation,
54) while starting graduate
North America
I stayed and helped Milly Schuppert
work at Union Theological
and, as the Van
clean out the basement of the library
Seminary under Dr. WilRaalte Press, has
in preparation for the demolition of
Semelink Hall and Beardslee Library
helm Pauck and Dr. Robert
published essays
(to
make
room
for
new
construction
Handy. The following year
and books in
under John R. Mulder in 1954).
ministerial duties expanded
cooperation with
Dr. Simon Blocker, the professor of
as Elton became pastor of
AADAS and the
preaching in my day, came by and
the Elmsford Reformed
Historical Series
someone took our picture together. We
Church in Elmsford, NY,
are in front of Zwemer Hall, the site on
which the current 6-story library now sits.
(OWRQ%UXLQV
59447 WTS Commons.indd 6
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5/31/12 3:39 PM
Century (with Robert P. Swierenga), Albertus and Christina:
The Van Raalte Family, Home and
Roots (with Karen G. Schakel,
Sara Fredrickson Simmons, and
Marie N. Zingle), and most recently Envisioning Hope College,
Letters written by Albertus C. Van
Raalte to Philip Phelps, Jr., 1857
to 1875 (with Karen G. Schakel).
Elton was also honored with a
festschrift, A Goodly Heritage,
Essays in Honor of
the Reverend Dr.
Elton J. Bruins at
*UDQG0DUVKDOORIWKH7XOLS7LPHSDUDGH+ROODQG0,
Eighty, edited by
Jacob E. Nyenhuis.
’—„Ž‹•Š‡†‹Š‹•Š‘‘”ǣ”ǤǤ‡ơ”‡›
It contains a much more
Tyler, who teaches new generations of
adequate description of
students in the History Department at
Elton’s accomplishments,
Hope, the Rev. Dr. Lynn Winkels Japinga
including denominational
who teaches in the Religion Departcommissions and many
ment, and the Rev.
committees at the college
Dr. Timothy L. Brown,
and in the community on
president of Western
which he served, as well as
Theological Seminary.
his role as a loyal member
The latter has said of
of Third Reformed Church
”Ǥ”—‹ǯ•‹ƪ—‡…‡
*LYLQJDWRXURI+RSH&ROOHJHIRUDQDOXPQLJURXS
of Holland.
on him as a student,
While I can list posi“With his kindness and
tions held and committees served, the
as Assistant to the Librarian for archival
gentleness he loved
:76JUDG
personal witness of life and faith upon
materials at Western Theological Semime toward the Lord becolleagues and students is undoubtnary from 1967-78 and Assistant to the
fore I was in the Lord.
‡†Ž›‘”‡‹’‘”–ƒ–ǡ„—–‘”‡†‹ƥ…—Ž–
Director of the Netherlands Museum for
My debt to him is incalculable.”
to chronicle. Nonetheless, three of
historical materials (1968-80). RemarkElton’s students appear in the festschrift
ƒ„Ž›ǡŽ–‘Šƒ•…‘ŽŽ‡…–‡†‘˜‡”͚ǡ͘͘͘ƤŽ‡•
on Albertus C.
Van Raalte, Holland’s founder.
While there is
inadequate space
Elton J. Bruins ‘53
to list Elton’s
dozens of articles,
E)DLUZDWHU:,
pamphlets, and
+RSHµ:76µ3ULQFHWRQ76µ
books edited,
8QLRQ76µ6701<8QLYµ3K'
his major publiReformed Churches served:
cations should
(OPVIRUG1<
)OXVKLQJ1<
be noted: The
Americanization
Other service to the church & community:
of a Congrega3URIHVVRU+RSH&ROOHJH
tion, including a
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second edition;
9DQ5DDOWH,QVWLWXWH+RSH&ROOHJH
Family Quarrels in
5HVHDUFK)HOORZ9DQ5DDOWH,QVW
the Dutch Re3KLOLS3KHOSV-U5HVHDUFK
formed Churches
3URIHVVRU9DQ5DDOWH,QVWLWXWH
7KH%UXLQV)DPLO\WDNHQRQWKHRFFDVLRQRI
in the Nineteenth
of the Reformed Church in America (the
creation of which was due in no small part
–‘”—‹•ǯ‹ƪ—‡…‡ȌǤ͚͚͘͘Š‡–—”‡†
over his administrative role to Dr. Jacob
Nyenhuis, became a Senior Research Fellow, and in 2004 was appointed the Philip
Phelps, Jr. Research Professor. This title
™ƒ•‡•’‡…‹ƒŽŽ›Ƥ––‹‰‹˜‹‡™‘ˆŽ–‘ǯ•
Ž‘‰•–ƒ†‹‰‡ơ‘”––‘‰‹˜‡Š‡Ž’•Š‹•†—‡
as founder of Hope College.
Elton’s interest in the preservation of
Dutch history was reinforced by his role
At a Glance
(OWRQ(ODLQH¶VWKZHGGLQJDQQLYHUVDU\
The Commons, June 2012
59447 WTS Commons.indd 7
7
5/31/12 3:39 PM
2012
Distinguished Alum
Rev. Wendell Karsen ‘63
by Rev. Chic Broersma ‘63
:HQGHOODQG5HQVNH.DUVHQ
would lead. We both graduated and were of nine books and over 130 articles, includI am honored to write this piece for
‹‰ƒ›‘Š‹ƒǤ‡Ƥ”•–˜‹•‹–‡†Š‹ƒ‹
ordained in 1963. Wendell was born and
a good friend and faithful servant of
1977, has made 18 trips there since that time
raised in Chicago. I
the Lord, Wendell Karsen.
and has led six mission education travel
was ordained in the
Wendell has had an extraorseminars there, as well as one to Indonesia
Chicago Classis and
dinary missionary career
began a new church and one to Native American ministries in
that has at times involved
the USA. He also pioneered two unique
start in suburban
personal risk, such as during
Chicago where Wen- summer youth programs in Taiwan and
the “white terror” period in
Hong Kong that continued for over 25 years
dell’s sister, Nancy,
Taiwan where the governand directed a radio and television ministry
and her husband
ment declared him persona
Tom were members in Hong Kong. He was the founding editor
non grata and barred his reof our congregation. of the Hong Kong Christian Council’s English
entry. Wendell has always
Wendell retired from
lived and preached a gospel
cross-cultural misthat is personal but never
sion work in 2000 to
private. We learned in semibecome the director
nary that every theologian
of WTS’s Master of
should be a missionary and
Theology Program
every missionary a theolo(2001-2006). In
gian. Wendell has lived out
1999, I retired from
this vision.
full-time pastoral
Our pastoral/missionary careers have many
7KH.DUVHQV9LFNVEXUJ0, ministry on Long
parallel tracks. I have fond &KLOGUHQ5DFKHO3KLOLS6WHSKHQ Island, New York to
become the partmemories of visiting Wentime coordinator of campus ministry for
dell and Joyce during a snowy winter out
$WWKH*UHDW:DOORI&KLQDRXWVLGH3HNLQJ
the Synod of the Great Lakes. Our friendat a motel near Lake Michigan that they
Quarterly News & Views, which he edited for
ship has continued strong to the present
managed and where they lived when
12 years. He has interacted with peoples,
†ƒ›Ȅ͘͝›‡ƒ”•ƒˆ–‡”™‡Ƥ”•–‡–Ǩ
–Š‡›Ƥ”•–ƒ””‹˜‡†ƒ–‹͙͚͡͞Ǥ‡
faiths, Christian churches and ecumenical
Wendell holds degrees from Wheaton
shared a common love of theology and
agencies through visits to 60 countries.
books and a desire to serve wherever God College, Fuller Theological Seminary, and
Western Theological Seminary. He
served Bethany Reformed Church
and Lakeland Reformed Church in
Michigan for seven years and then
as an RCA missionary in Taiwan
(1969-1973), Hong Kong (1974-84
& 1990-98) and Indonesia (19982000). He also served as a visiting professor of world mission at
Western Theological Seminary and
as the denomination’s Coordinator
for Mission Communication and
Secretary for Appalachia.
7UDLQLQJWKHVWDIIIRUWKH6XPPHU(QJOLVK
Wendell has produced 20 au%HLQJSUHVHQWHGZLWKDQDZDUGIRUKHOSLQJWR
3URJUDP7DLQDQ7DLZDQ
diovisual programs and is the author
DGYDQFHGHPRFUDF\DQGKXPDQULJKWV
LQ7DLZDQ7DLSHL
59447 WTS Commons.indd 8
8
Western Theological Seminary
5/31/12 3:39 PM
$GGUHVVLQJKLJKVFKRROVWXGHQWV0NRQR8JDQGD
:HQGHOO.DUVHQIRXQGLQJSDVWRUZLWK%XNLW'RD,QW¶O&KXUFK
FRQJUHJDWLRQ1XVD'XD%DOL,QGRQHVLD
Wendell married Joyce Hughes of Greenville, SC in 1960. Joyce held degrees
from Bryan College and the Wheaton Graduate School of Theology. They had four
children: Stephen (1962), Philip (1965), Rachel (1968) and Andrew (1977). Joyce
served with Wendell as an RCA missionary in Taiwan and Hong Kong from 19691984. She co-founded the Wai Ji Christian Service, a major program for mentally
and physically challenged young people in Hong Kong.
,Q%HLMLQJ&KLQD
Wendell is now fully retired but continues
to work on several books and does occasional
preaching. He and Renske have six grandchildren.
In 2010 they moved to the Penney Farms Retirement Community in north Florida. They have
joined a local church where they enjoy singing in
the choir and where Wendell serves
as an elder and chair of the mission
committee. Renske serves as a nurse
at the PRC medical center, and they
both work at the PET factory that
manufactures hand-driven carts for
people in third world countries who
have lost the use of their legs. Together they enjoy gardening, traveling, walking, cycling, photography,
music and reading. Wendell also
:LWK%LVKRS,:\DQ0DVWUDDQG-RKQ&DOYLQ6HPLQDU\ enjoys stamp collecting, birding and
VWXGHQWV'HQSDVDU%DOL,QGRQHVLD
Ƥ•Š‹‰Ǥ
In summing up his long career,
Wendell says, “Looking back, God
has given me so many opportunities
and challenges in ministry over the
years. I have simply tried to be his
seed planter and water boy. Whatever ‘increase’ has been achieved
has been due solely to his amazing
grace and power.”
:LWK0DVWHURI7KHRORJ\6WXGHQWVFODVVRI
%URDGFDVWLQJWKH*RVSHOLQWKH+RQJ.RQJ
&KULVWLDQ&RXQFLOVWXGLRV
After a 2 1/2 year battle with cancer, Joyce died in Holland, MI in 1989. My wife
and I walked with the Karsens during those trying years. After Joyce’s death, Wen†‡ŽŽƒ†‘ˆ–‡•Šƒ”‡†ƒ„”‘™„ƒ‰Ž—…Š‹ƒ’ƒ”‡ƒ”Š‹•
”ƒ†˜‹ŽŽ‡‘ƥ…‡Ǥ
Wendell married Renske Greve in 1991. She was born in the Netherlands and
immigrated to the USA with her family as a 6-year-old. She holds degrees from
Wheaton College and College of DuPage. She had careers in teaching, nursing and
business, serving as a Management Consultant for the ServiceMaster Corporation
for ten years. She also served with Wendell as an RCA missionary in Hong Kong and
Indonesia from 1991-2000.
In 2003, Wendell and Renske traveled to Taiwan as guests of the government.
There Wendell was presented with an award for assisting in the development of
democracy and human rights during the “white terror” period by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, and he met with President Chen Shui-bian.
The Commons, June 2012
59447 WTS Commons.indd 9
9
At a Glance
Wendell Karsen ‘63
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Reformed Churches served:
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5/31/12 3:39 PM
SUMMER INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS
we hope you will meet our students!
Adam Lorenz,0DUV+LOO*UDQGYLOOH0,
Alyssa Coldwell,%ULGJHSRUW&RPPXQLW\&KXUFK%ULGJHSRUW0,
Amy Blackledge+HULWDJH&5&.DODPD]RR0,
Amy Lunde-Whitler, &KXUFKRI+RSH8&&*URWRQ0$
Amy McCabe, 6RXWKSRUW3UHVE\WHULDQ&KXUFK,QGLDQDSROLV,1
Andrew Spidahl, +RSH&KXUFK+ROODQG0,
Andy Lickel, ,QWHU9DUVLW\&KULVWLDQ)HOORZVKLS8QLYHUVLW\RI:LVFRQVLQ
6WHYHQV3RLQW:,
Barb Sanders, )HOORZVKLS&5&*UDQGYLOOH0,
Ben & Megan (Sweet) Shoup, &KXUFKRIWKH3DFL¿F.LODXHD+DZDLL
Brad Nelson, &KXUFKRI+RSH2FDOD)/
Brandon & Stephanie Smith, 6W7KRPDV5HIRUPHG&KXUFK
6W7KRPDV9,
Carole & Larry Barber, &U\VWDO&DWKHGUDO2UDQJH*URYH&$
Chad Farrand, ³7DSHVWU\´*UDQG5DSLGVFKXUFKSODQWDQG
)LIWK5HIRUPHG&KXUFK*UDQG5DSLGV0,
Chad VanGinkel, )DLWK&5&6LRX[&HQWHU,$
Cody Raak, &KULVW0HPRULDO5HIRUPHG&KXUFK+ROODQG0,
Cory Van Slooten, /HEDQRQ&5&1$6LRX[&HQWHU,RZD
Curtis Dixon, 7KH&RPPXQLW\5HIRUPHG&KXUFKDW0DQKDVVHWW
Manhasett, NY
Dan & Grace Claus, )LUVW5HIRUPHG&KXUFK2DN+DUERU:$
Dan Unekis, *XDWHPDOD
Deb Rensink, )LUVW5HIRUPHG&KXUFK6LRX[&HQWHU,$
Deborah McCreary, :\FNRII5HIRUPHG&KXUFK:\FNRII1Derek Noorman, 1HZ&RPPXQLW\WK5HIRUPHG+ROODQG0,
Garrett Szantner, *UDFH&KLFDJR&KLFDJR,/
Jared Ayers, /LEHUWL&KXUFK3KLODGHOSKLD3$
Jason DeWaard, 5HDO/LIH)HOORZVKLS+ROODQG0,
Jeff & Chelsea Lampen, 7KHUHVD3UHVE\WHULDQ&KXUFK7KHUHVD1<
Jeremy Bobos, )LUVW5HIRUPHG&KXUFK&HGDU*URYH:,
Jeremy Kreuze, )LUVW3UHVE\WHULDQ&KXUFK1DSOHV)/
Jewel Willis Thomas, ,YDQKRH1HZ+RSH&KXUFK5LYHUGDOH,/
I recently read
a biography of
Branch Rickey, a
man who lived one
of the most interesting and impactful lives of the last
Jeff Munroe
century. Not only
did Branch Rickey integrate baseball as
General Manager of the old Brooklyn
Dodgers, but he also was a man of deep
”‡Ž‹‰‹‘—•…‘˜‹…–‹‘ǡƒƤ‡”…‡‹–‡ŽŽ‡…–
and wonderful devotion to his family.
Branch Rickey loved to tell the story
about his octogenarian father planting
a peach orchard shortly before he died.
“Why are you planting the trees knowing you won’t be around to enjoy the
59447 WTS Commons.indd 10
Jim Beezley, 2OLYHW(YDQJHOLFDO)UHH&KXUFK0XVNHJRQ0,
Jonathan Ytterock, )DLWK5HIRUPHG&KXUFK/LWWOHWRQ&2
Josh VanderMaaten, /LIH4XHVW+ROODQG0,
Joshua Scheid, 6RXWK%OHQGRQ5HIRUPHG&KXUFK+XGVRQYLOOH0,
Judy Nelson, <RXWK0LVVLRQV
Kat VanderVelden, :HVWZRRG&5&.DODPD]RR0,
Mark Britton, &OLQLFDO3DVWRUDO(GXFDWLRQ8QLYHUVLW\RI2NODKRPD
0HGLFDO&HQWHU2NODKRPD&LW\2.
Mark Groen, 6HFRQG5HIRUPHG&KXUFK/HQQR[6'
Mark Waterstone, &OLQLFDO3DVWRUDO(GXFDWLRQ'XNH&KLOGUHQ¶V
+RVSLWDO'XUKDP1&
Matt Cook, +DUGHUZ\N&KULVWLDQ5HIRUPHG&KXUFK+ROODQG0,
Melisa Blankenship, &LW\&KXUFK6DQ)UDQFLVFR&$
Michael Edmondson, 7KLUG5HIRUPHG&KXUFK3HOOD,$
Mike Tubergen, %HDYHUGDP5HIRUPHG&KXUFK=HHODQG0,
Nate Schipper, 7KLUG5HIRUPHG&KXUFK+ROODQG0,
Pam Cook, )DLWK&KULVWLDQ5HIRUPHG&KXUFK+ROODQG0,
Paul Towne, &DPS0DQLWRTXD)UDQNIRUW,/
Phil Harbison, &RPPXQLW\5HIRUPHG&KXUFK=HHODQG0,
Quinn Tirrel, )LUWK5HIRUPHG&KXUFK)LUWK1HEUDVND
Rob Matthews, )DLWK&RPPXQLW\&KXUFK&KLFDJR,/
Rob Preston, )LUVW8QLRQ&KXUFK&HGDUYLOOH0,
Sarah Farkas, +ROODQG+RVSLWDO&KDSODLQ+ROODQG0,
Scott DeLeeuw, 7XODUH&RPPXQLW\&KXUFK7XODUH&$
Stacey Sterkenburg, 9ULHVODQG5HIRUPHG&KXUFK+ROODQG0,
Stephen & Olga (Noordam) Schaffer, )LUVW5HIRUPHG&KXUFK+XOO,$
Steve DeVries, 1RUWK+ROODQG5HIRUPHG&KXUFK+ROODQG0,
Steve Wiltjer, 7KH%UDQFK*UDQG5DSLGV0,
Steven Harthorn, %HWKDQ\5HIRUPHG&KXUFK.DODPD]RR0,
Susan LaClear, 0DUDQDWKD)HOORZVKLS&5&)DUPLQJWRQ10
Tom Reynolds, +RSH1HWZRUN*UDQG5DSLGV0,
Traci Parker, 1HZ&RPPXQLW\WK5HIRUPHG+ROODQG0,
Vincent Harris, )RUGKDP0DQRU5HIRUPHG&KXUFK%URQ[1<
fruit?” he was asked. “I don’t care who
picks the fruit,” Branch Rickey’s father
replied. “I intend to live each day as if I
am going to live forever.”
Isn’t that a great perspective for how
we should go through life? What seeds
are you planting for future generations to
harvest?
Not long ago we received a large,
unexpected gift from a couple who had
thought that way about the future. When
we looked at their donor history, we saw
their last gift had been quite modest -only $20, given several years ago. Now,
because they had included Western Theological Seminary in their will, they were
10
able to give a gift exponentially beyond
anything they’d been able to do previously.
Planned giving like this allows people of
ƒ˜‡”ƒ‰‡‡ƒ•–‘„‡†‹ơ‡”‡…‡ƒ‡”•
who give transformational gifts.
Would you like to do something like
that? I’d love to have a conversation with
you about joining the Zwemer Society,
a group whose members have informed
us of their decision to include Western
in their estate plan. By including WTS in
your will, you can plant seeds today that
will bear fruit far beyond your imagination in future generations.
616-392-8555, ext. 111
Western Theological Seminary
5/31/12 3:39 PM
News from Western Theological Seminary
Hard to Say Goodbye
by Vern Hoffman
6U$VVRFLDWH'LUHFWRURI$GYDQFHPHQW
Some 21 years ago I left the pastorate to begin advancement work at Western Theological Seminary. At that time I
thought I’d probably work six to nine years and then retire.
Somehow that has stretched to 21 years,
ƒ†‘™ǡƒ––Š‡ƒ‰‡‘ˆ͟͠ǡǯƤƒŽŽ›Ž‡ƒ˜ing what for me has been incredibly wonderful work.
As I’m preparing to leave the seminary, however, I’m discovering that saying goodbye is hard to do. Of course,
my wife Carol and I will continue to see
many friends at seminary events like the
President’s Club, the scholarship luncheons and the Zwemer Society dinners.
Vern Hoffman
But these events are attended mostly by
people living in West Michigan. Through the years my Western Seminary friendship base has come to include people in
places like Florida, Illinois, Washington, Iowa, California, and
Canada. That’s where the rub comes. I wonder how many of
these friends I’ll be able to continue to see.
I’ve had the privilege of initiating and maintaining these
contacts, and— imagine this! — I’ve even been paid for it.
I’ve enjoyed friendships with fellow Christians who share
many common values and I’ve dared to call it work. It’s been
more friendship than work, and all of it has been pure joy.
The seminary has been thoughtful and gracious beyond
belief in announcing my leaving and honoring me at various
events during the past several months. But especially for
those of you who were not present at any of those events, I
grow melancholy and with sadness take this opportunity to
say goodbye. I wish there were a way to say farewell in person to each one of you.
Thank you for your friendship, which I cherish, and for
making my job so easy and satisfying through your support
of Western Seminary. It’s a great school, doing the wonderful work of preparing men and women for all types of
Christian ministries. I think the greatest going away present
anyone could give me is for you to continue your support.
Please say you will!
Goodbye and God bless you.
Dr. Jaco Hamman, 3URIHVVRURI3DVWRUDO&DUHDQG
&RXQVHOLQJKDVEHHQLQYLWHGE\WKHIDFXOWLHVRIWKH
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Upcoming Learning Opportunities
Oct. 28-29: Bast Preaching Festival
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Oct. 18-19: Marilynne Robinson
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‡”‘ơƒ
p.s. What’s next for me? Go to www.themicahcenter.org
The Commons, June 2012
59447 WTS Commons.indd 11
1-800-392-8554, x167
[email protected]
11
5/31/12 3:39 PM
Wes t ern Theo l o gic a l Sem ina ry
A Note from President Tim Brown
I love how this issue of The Commons “bookends”
God’s faithfulness to Western Theological Seminary—
on the one end we have the promise of
new graduates, about to be unleashed
on the world, and on the other end we
have the stories of two long-time alums
with a lifetime of service in the vineyard
of the Lord.
What a thrill it was to recently honor
both Elton Bruins and Wendell Karsen
with the “Distinguished Alumni” Award.
Could any two be more deserving?
These men have been Holy Spirit gifts
of God to the church, and I was deeply
blessed many years ago as a student
of Elton’s at Hope College and recently as I worked
alongside Wendell when he led the Master of
Theology program here between 2001 and 2006.
Words cannot begin to describe my joy in
watching 50 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! My
deep prayer is that they will be as faithful to the
work of the gospel as Elton and Wendell, and
that someday, ages and ages hence, they will
hear the Beloved saying to them, “Well done,
good and faithful servants!”
Read and pray!
June 2012, Vol. 15, No. 3 Editor and Graphic Designer: &DUOD3OXPHUW&DSRWRVWREditorial Council:'U7LPRWK\%URZQ'U*HRUJH%URZQ
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WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
101 E. 13th St., Holland, Michigan 49423
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59447 WTS Commons.indd 12
5/31/12 3:39 PM