Ron Vanden Brink of Kelowna, B.C., has been appointed the new director of Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC), effective August 1. He succeeds Hans Kater, who retired after leading the organization for 15 years.
Vanden Brink has been a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church for more than 20 years, most recently at The Well CRC in Kelowna.
“My previous experiences have caused me to think outside of the box, work with a team developing a vision, administrate, and above all to discern God’s leading in his work,” he said. “It is an important time in the church body as local churches are feeling called to their local communities with a focus on justice and mercy.”
Vanden Brink said being a deacon is more than just administration. “Diaconal ministry is important to the life and health of the church,” he said. “Serving, being the hands and feet of Jesus, is worship. The work of equipping deacons, giving them the tools they need so they can be all they need to be, with the purpose to transform communities, excites me!”
Vanden Brink is already making plans to attend various Days of Encouragement around Canada, listening to deacons in order to hear and know better how to equip them in the future.
About the Author
Patricia Vanderploeg is a freelance writer.
