“Harvey Brink was able to see the image of God in everyone he met,” said a friend and former parishioner. “He would listen to people’s stories with delight, compassion, and respect. As a pastor, he was passionate about welcoming everyone and their stories into the family of God. A gifted speaker, Harvey couldn’t talk enough about God’s grace, weaving it into every sermon he preached and into every prayer he prayed. He knew Jesus as his Savior but also as his friend, and his deepest desire was for others to know Jesus in the same way.” Harvey, 78, died May 26.
A graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary, Harvey was ordained in 1969, and for the next nine years pastored Covenant Hope Christian Reformed Church in Battle Creek, Mich. He went on to serve Faith Christian Fellowship CRC, Walnut Creek, Calif.; Faith CRC, Holland, Mich.; Kelsey Creek Church, Bellevue, Wash.; and Connect Church, Pella, Iowa. From then until 2018 he served as a Specialized Transitional Minister, guiding several congregations in two-year stints through times of transition. Harvey also served as a regional pastor and on the board of World Missions (now part of Resonate Global Mission).
Harvey will be remembered for his speaking and singing voice, his creative first-person presentations of biblical characters, and his dramatic roles with the Calvin College Thespians (now the Calvin Theatre Company) and Calvin Alumni.
Harvey is survived by Maxine, his wife of 56 years; three children and their spouses; and four grandsons.
About the Author
A former nurse and chaplain, Janet Greidanus is a freelance news correspondent and long-time writer of the In Memoriam column for The Banner.
