Biography

me and monica

April 2008 began my Doctor of Ministry studies at Luther Seminary.  It is strange in some respects.  I am a graduate from Calvin Seminary after being groomed, although somewhat haphazardly, in the fascinating context of a dutch, Calvinist, immigrant, Canadian subculture–better known as the Christian Reformed Church.  My parents both immigrated separately from the Netherlands after WWII.  They purchased and operated a bakery together  in Cardinal, Ontario when I was 12.  My father taught me the tricks of the trade and as it turned out the skills became the means to survive the financial challenges of my Bachelor studies at Redeemer University–Hamilton, Ontario.  After graduating and moving to British Columbia to join a Christian Reformed Church planting initiative, I made a paradigmatic switch to the Christian & Missionary Alliance tradition.  Between the two church phases I had a great 3 year experience in the very active “floral” business in BC–Morning Star Nurseries.  After eight years as an Associate Pastor at Pacific Community I was granted time for further studies which led me to consider Luther Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry Program.

Why Luther?  There is a Calvin Seminary connection.  Craig Van Gelder was professor at Calvin during the years I was a student and he later took a position at Luther to shape their DMin and Phd programs.  Van Gelder has been a significant contributor to the Missional discussion and my years under his teaching had significant implications for my understanding of Church and vocational calling.  The time and the opportunity to study at Luther is a great gift in helping me to further develop in skill and capacity as a pastor in today’s world.

This website is a simple attempt to cultivate a dialogue that emerges from my studies at Luther, my work at Pacific and my reflections on the world and culture I live in.