Jim Kok, who served in chaplaincy ministry for 50 years, was the first supervisor of clinical pastoral education in the Christian Reformed Church. “He stands 6′6″ but his personality is even bigger,” said a 2018 article written in the CRCNA’s The Network. “Jim was a giant of a man in both stature and kindness,” a fellow chaplain recently reflected. Jim, 90, died Feb. 17.
When he was 13, Jim’s family moved from Bellflower, Calif., to Holland, Mich. He didn't feel called to the ministry until after he graduated from Calvin College (now University) and Michigan State University, where he obtained a master’s degree in counseling.
While at Calvin Seminary Jim worked part-time at Pine Rest Psychiatric Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich. After graduation and ordination in 1963, he pastored Trinity CRC, Iowa City, Iowa, for four years and then returned to Pine Rest, where for 15 years he supervised many students in clinical pastoral education. In 1984 Jim received a call from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., to be director of care ministry at the Reformed Church in America congregation and also to continue his work in CPE. He served there for 29 years, retiring in 2013. In retirement he continued visiting, led an adult Sunday school class, and did some volunteer work with the VA hospital in Long Beach, Calif.
Jim played basketball all four years he was an undergrad at Calvin. A prolific writer, he wrote seven books as well as a column for The Banner for many years. His book, 90% of Helping is Just Showing Up, inspired the founding of “The Conference on Care and Kindness” attended annually for decades by people from all over North America.
In 2009 Jim received Calvin Theological Seminary's Distinguished Alumni Award.
He is survived by Linda, his wife of 63 years; four children and their spouses; and nine grandchildren.
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.