Very charitable, but they declined me😢✝️ "Richard & Helen DeVos Foundation sunsets after 54 years, $1.1B donated"

 I found the letter from 2003 . Now I remember the exact details: I was asking if they would be willing to donate a copy machine for the Pastoral Care Dept on the  10th floor at the Crystal Cathedral, which, believe it or not, they did not have one at the time.  Any time the 10th floor staff  needed to make copies they had to go down or up on the elevator, etc. I had just finished 4 years at Fuller Seminary & had  started my own ministry and I was occasionally using the 10th floor as well. 

And RIch DeVos had shown appreciation for the positive thinking messages of Robert Schuller on the Hour of Power. I think he also appeared as a guest on one of the Hour of Power episodes - which I can't seem to find on the internet after a brief search-but having personally been there I remember the details. It may have actually been an evening service -, if so, it  wasn't televised for the Hour of Power. 

And I don't remember if it was prior to me sending this letter in 2003 or ex post facto. I remember one detail very clearly: Rich DeVos promised to buy Robert Schuller a new limousine because his old one, which they used to pick him up from the airport, was "bottoming out" . A limousine sounds fancy and rich of course, but I think the  original stretch limo was also donated, and it was nothing special. THe new limousine was a silver mini-Limo thanks to Devos.

 Anyways, they probably assumed that the Crystal Cathedral could afford to buy it's own copy machine for the 10th floor. And in 2003 they were probably right, even though dark clouds would start to gather in the next few years and ultimately the church would declare bankruptcy and close it's doors in 2013. I never knew it would end this way.

 I had no premonition apart from wondering at some point why the chairs in the Cathedral were getting so worn out and not being replaced? Anyways, I was there through it all, even at the court bankruptcy hearings in Santa Ana, CA. 

The Cathedral ministry actually has continued on a much smaller budget, at a few new locations (now in Irvine CA known as Shepherd's Grove) under the leadership of Bobby Schuller (Robert's grandson) and the Hour of Power can still be viewed online & on TV in some locations. 

Nonetheless, I still had my own income & savings from also working as a regular teacher and during seminary as a substitute teacher for the LAUSD and so I decided to buy the copy machine myself. I surprised the 10th floor with a gift. 

The company delivered it, but for some reason the 10th floor staff didn't accept it. They returned it. Maybe I hurt their pride. And a few weeks later they bought their own copy machine.  Whatever.

Interesting thing is we have a lot of common heritage as the DeVos family . Our family is of Dutch ancestory and Christian Reformed affiliations; as well as Grand Rapids Christian High, Holland Christian High, & Calvin College. It's a small world. Doug DeVos was a few years before me at Grand Rapids Christian High.

 Rich & Jay both attended Grand Rapids CHristian and a little bit of Calvin COllege too, I think. The DeVos family attended LaGrave CRC for many years - where my grandfather's family also attended. They had/have a cottage on Lake Michigan by Lake Macatawa as did/does my grandfather (Rest-in-Peace). 

I also worked at Pine Rest Hospital for a year after college as a Mental Health Worker mostly in the adolescent unit, which was named the Van Andel Center after Rich Devos founding partner Jay (who died in 2004; as well as his wife, Betty, Rest-in-Peace). I think the Devos Family has also made contributions to Pine Rest for the sake of Christian mental health treatment. And my father was a chaplain there for many years. 

Since 2003 I've continued to make small strides in doing Christian evangelical ministry in various ways. I've done formal mission trips, such as a summer in the Philippines with a CRC group; as well as disaster relief in Costa Rica with CRWM (world missions) after a giant earthquake caused substantial damage.

 But mostly I've done online E-vangelism (electronic evangelism: blogs, YouTube, Twitter X, etc ) as well as "street evangelism" (Gospel tracts), among many other things. All on a shoestring budget. 

My motto is "I'm not Johnny AppleSeed, but Johnny Mustard Seed" (based on Matt 17.20  which says "… Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed...Nothing will be impossible for you." I plant seeds - and hope & pray for good soil. Then I rely upon this Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 3: 6-8

Best wishes to the DeVos family as well as their staff at their Foundation.

Helen died in 2017, Rest-in-Peace

Rich died in 2018, Rest-in-Peace

-----

"Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation sunsets after 54 years, $1.1B donated"

https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/richard-and-helen-devos-foundation-sunsets-after-54-years-1-1b-donated 

Some of the people I remember working with at Pine Rest Hospital

Some of The people I remember working with at Pine Rest Hospital include: Johnny King (he played basketball at Calvin as well), Belinda Clark, Frank Sisung ( the drummer who was married to the Boorsma Girl; what a character), Bonnie somebody, Denny somebody, Brent Gates, Matt Wynn (RIP), Kim Kooiker (& Kim's male cousin, former military guy, can't remember his name. He was apparently assigned to approve or not approve if I was good enough for Kim*), Nurse Bass ( i played football with her 2 younger brothers) , Morrie Dielman (attended 1st CRC), Teri Bierling, Jeff Genzink, Randy Herrema  the psychologist . Among others.

*I met Kim at a required CPR class at the hospital. She also attended Calvin and was still attending Calvin at the time I think. I was already graduated ( The first time.) And we started dating, very slowly. And then her cousin showed up one day and wanted to talk with me and meet me at Denny's for breakfast. It was just sort of a social conversation but he apparently was assigned to make sure I was  an okay person for Kim. And apparently he approved of me because we kept dating for a while.

 However as much as I respected and liked Kim very much, I decided I was I wanted to be a missionary,  or not wanted to be,  but was called to be a missionary. 

It was the hardest thing in my life to leave Kim, &  not only Kim actually -there were other girls in my sphere of influence and potential marriage coming out of Calvin and Grand Rapids. Including Rachel. And others. 

But I finally decided if I'm going to be a missionary. Or If I am going to follow God's call, I should say, I needed to leave Michigan, and none of the girls that I dated I don't believe they were willing to be missionary wives. Even if they were serious about being Christians, or churchgoers. 

Most of them were Michigan girls, meaning they were born there and grew up there and pretty much as far as I could tell part of their identity was being a Michigander, and so the possibility of them leaving Michigan to be a  missionary wife not only somewhere else in the country but in the world was close to zero. 

: RIP ✝️ 💜 🙏 "Rev. Jan Friend (1932-2017) | The Banner

https://www.thebanner.org/news/2018/01/rev-jan-friend-1932-2017 

New "Pediatric Behavioral Health Center on Pine Rest’s Cutlerville campus should open in 2026.

"Developed through a partnership with Corewell Health's Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, the 134,840-square-foot Pediatric Behavioral Health Center on Pine Rest's Cutlerville campus should open in 2026. The two-story center will include an inpatient treatment facility for children and adolescents, psychiatric urgent care, a crisis stabilization unit, and specialty outpatient clinics to prevent mental health crises for conditions such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

.."

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/mark-eastburg-crains-newsmakers-2023/ 

Gaines Township "Regulators sign off on new, $68M Pine Rest children’s mental health center -" mlive.com

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2023/08/regulators-sign-off-on-new-68m-pine-rest-childrens-mental-health-center.html 

"CRC Chaplains Honor Pioneers of the Past " | The Banner

https://www.thebanner.org/news/2017/06/crc-chaplains-honor-pioneers-of-the-past 

CARE CONFERENCES | Care + Kindness

https://www.peoplekindness.com/care-conferences 

Jim was proud of this, Famous Calvin alum quoted by SI "Does God Care Who Wins the Super Bowl? " (oldie Goldie, sports illustrated , Jan 1998

"Come Super Bowl Sunday, says Kok, the Lord will not be out there throwing or deflecting passes. Nor opening holes in the line.
Nor kicking field goals. "The outcome is dependent on human
beings, not on God," Kok says. "He'll inspire players to do
their best, but the outcome is up to them."

https://vault.si.com/vault/1998/01/26/does-god-care-who-wins-the-super-bowl-many-packers-and-broncos-think-the-lord-will-decide-the-outcome-theologians-beg-to-differ 

Clergy Day 1977

 

Pine Rest Chapel Service 1/10/82

re "Rev. James R. Kok: Celebrating 50 Years of Ministry (November 15, 2018 )"

Note: there are other CRC pastors named James Robert Kok. This is about "Bellflower Jim". And as of September 2023,he is still alive and well with wife Linda . 

S: Celebrating 50 Years of Ministry

November 15, 2018

 

Thrive (CRCNA)

 5 comments  882 views

At the CRC Chaplains Conference this past June, chaplains stood to recognize Rev. Jim R. Kok who just retired after 50 years of chaplain ministry.

Jim's half century in ministry impacted thousands of people across the country. After his ordination in 1963, Jim spent several years serving as a hospital chaplain and then as a church pastor in Iowa City. Later, Jim came to Grand Rapids, MI to be a chaplain and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) instructor at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. In 1984, Jim answered a call to be a pastoral counselor at Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA. He served there for over 30 years.

Jim's longevity in ministry is a testament to his ability to connect with other people. He stands 6'6" but his personality is even bigger. He is jovial and friendly and shows a genuine interest in every person he meets. For him, it is never about fixing problems or saying the right things, but being there for people in their times of need.

"Friendliness," he says in his book Transform Belief into Behavior, "is sharing the love of Jesus that is flowing through us. Nothing is more meaningful than giving Jesus' love." He adds, "Friendliness, whether it is my smile, a word of thanks, a visit, or treating another fairly, builds hope and happiness in a person's heart and opens him to God's love."

Jim's gift for connecting with people comes from his inherent ability to listen, a skill he has been able to share both with patients and pastors alike. As a CPE instructor, he was particularly skilled at verbatims (now called "pastoral encounters"), in which a chaplain would, without any notes, recount word for word an entire conversation with a patient. Verbatims were extremely challenging and formative, as they forced spiritual care providers to invest themselves fully in their interactions, and to critically look at everything they themselves said and did. "Pastors know how to preach and pray," said Jim, "but they don't always know how to listen." Through his training, many gained these skills.

Jim continued to share his gift for listening, writing a "question and answer" column for The Banner and later his first book, 90% of Helping is Just Showing Up. He has since written several other books, including The Pastoral Counseling Treatment Planner, which seminarians still commonly use to diagnose problems and set goals as they develop pastoral care skills.

Jim may have retired, but his ministry, and its influence, continue to impact the world. He has trained and guided hundreds of pastors and chaplains. He has touched the lives of thousands of people in crisis or spiritual distress. He has built strong communities of believers, sharing his knowledge, love, and care with those around him. Even now, he continues to lead an adult Sunday school class of around 100 people. He may have retired from ministry, but his ministry will never leave him or the lives he has touched.

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Lou Wagenveld on November 15, 2018

Petite wife Linda doesn't come in for a mention in this otherwise great article about Jim.  

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James Dekker on November 20, 2018

Thanks to Jim for the CPE course I took at Pine Rest from September through December 1977. I was fresh out of seminary, just employed by then-CR World Missions, waiting for visas for Brazil (which never came). CPE was the first (not last) time that compassionate, passionate colleagues and mentors (Jim, Duane Visser) tore me and each other apart and put each other back together again. At first I dreaded the CPE discussions of our clinical work, pastoral and vocational implications. I'm quite sure that without that I wouldn't have stayed in ministry very long after returning from Latin America. CPE w/ Jim helped recognize significant gaps in self-awareness, how to find ways to fill those gaps and to recognize little hints of God's image/presence even in the most seriously ill of patients. That last beginning of life-long learning was certainly needed in pastoral ministry when parishioners' quirks and neuroses could flare into danger and trouble. In short in CPE I began to learn more deeply how to love both lovable and unlovable children of God--including myself in both categories. Thanks Jim Kok.

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James Dekker on November 20, 2018

Thanks to Jim for the CPE course I took at Pine Rest from September through December 1977. I was fresh out of seminary, just employed by then-CR World Missions, waiting for visas for Brazil (which never came). CPE was the first (not last) time that compassionate, passionate colleagues and mentors (Jim, Duane Visser) tore me and each other apart and put each other back together again. At first I dreaded the CPE discussions of our clinical work, pastoral and vocational implications. I'm quite sure that without that I wouldn't have stayed in ministry very long after returning from Latin America. CPE w/ Jim helped recognize significant gaps in self-awareness, how to find ways to fill those gaps and to recognize little hints of God's image/presence even in the most seriously ill of patients. That last beginning of life-long learning was certainly needed in pastoral ministry when parishioners' quirks and neuroses could flare into danger and trouble. In short in CPE I began to learn more deeply how to love both lovable and unlovable children of God--including myself in both categories. Thanks Jim Kok.

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Sarah Roelofs on November 26, 2018

In reply to Thanks to Jim for the CPE by James Dekker

James,

Thank you for sharing part of your story and how Jim's ministry and CPE equipped you in ministry. 

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Lisa Petersen on June 19, 2019

There is no way to thank Jim enough for the way he contributed to my life and ministry.

He shaped me during a very impressionable time in my life, and his words stick with me consistently. I took CPE with Jim at the Crystal Cathedral. Fourteen years later, I am now a hospital chaplain at a trauma center and in the ordination process with the Episcopal Church.

The task that Jesus has for us is simple: show care and kindness to those around you. Through this, lives are changed, people are healed and the Kingdom of God is realized. Thank you, Jim!

https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/chaplaincy/rev-james-r-kok-celebrating-50-years-ministry

• Reply

dr randy herrema is now in cascade (formerly at pine rest

https://centennialparkcounseling.com/our-staff/randall-herrema-psyd/

👎 Terrible 👎"Walter Reed Med Center (WRNMMC) terminated a Catholic PASTORAL CARE contract "

"Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) terminated a Catholic pastoral care contract with a community of Franciscan Catholic priests and friars during Holy Week, barring them from providing religious services to the faithful throughout the most sacred days of the Christian calendar...'

https://www.wnd.com/2023/04/walter-reed-issues-cease-desist-order-clergy-holy-week/

CRC Pastor Jim Kok caught a nice one !

Dr. Art Jongsma - Author & Series Editor - John Wiley and Sons | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/artjongsma 

"Does God Care Who Wins the Super Bowl? "Sports Illustrated talks to Jim Kok

"Does God Care Who Wins the Super Bowl? Many Packers and Broncos think the Lord will decide the outcome. Theologians beg to differ "- Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com

James Kok, a former college basketball player who is executive pastor of the care ministry at Robert Schuller's famed Crystal
Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., says that most player-proselytizers are earnest believers whose religious lives involve "the most simple expression of faith. They take the
Bible very literally. They think of God in an almost physical way. He's their friend, their force, their power."

They certainly need Him on the field, given the brutal nature of their game and the unnatural contours of the ball. "The physics
of the way a football bounces is just endlessly complicated, "says Wood. "It's so complicated, in fact, that it's unpredictable. God does not control that."

Come Super Bowl Sunday, says Kok, the Lord will not be out there throwing or deflecting passes. Nor opening holes in the line.
Nor kicking field goals. "The outcome is dependent on human beings, not on God," Kok says. "He'll inspire players to do their best, but the outcome is up to them. They should ask for
guidance, wisdom, courage. Hopefully, He will be giving the players what they need to deal with adversity. Ask God to use your talent to the utmost. Be the best person out there. And, no, don't pray to win."

https://vault.si.com/vault/1998/01/26/does-god-care-who-wins-the-super-bowl-many-packers-and-broncos-think-the-lord-will-decide-the-outcome-theologians-beg-to-differ 

neat website re Jim Kok, Tony Diekema, Don Vroon & other Calvin & Holland Christian basketball players of the 1950's west Michigan

neat archive website re 

Jim Kok, Tony Diekema,

 Don Vroon & other Calvin 

& Holland Christian basketball players of the 

1950's west Michigan 

https://jimkokcalvinbasketball.blogspot.com/

JIM KOK CALVIN BASKETBALL & Holland Christian BLOG

JIM KOK CALVIN BASKETBALL & Holland Christian BLOG

https://jimkokcalvinbasketball.blogspot.com/

Who am I

I  worked at Pine Rest Christian Hospital  for a while as a mental health worker in the Van Andel Center but also in other sections of the hospital and my father was also a employee here before me. 

 I had some good experiences here & a few bad ones- including losing a  patient - so mixed feelings- but  I think we helped a lot of people with the Christian emphasis on mental health.

I remember working with Brent Gates and Belinda Clarke and Frank Sisung the drummer who was married to the Boorsma girl,  and also several others who were fun to work with including Johnny King (great 70's bb 🏀 player at Calvin) .

I continue to pray4 🙏  the patients and the workers at Pine Rest some of whom are still there - who I worked with back in the 90s 👍.

Van 

2017 "First Chaplaincy Director, Hal Bode, Was 'Chaplain to the Chaplains'" | CRCNA.ORG

https://www.crcna.org/news-and-events/news/first-chaplaincy-director-hal-bode-was-chaplain-chaplains 

Are the chaplains even allowed near the ill ones ? "A Prayer for the Covid Helpers " (chaplains)| CRC Network

https://network.crcna.org/chaplaincy/prayer-helpers 

"10 guidelines for pastoral care during the coronavirus outbreak | "

https://www.christiancentury.org/blog-post/guest-post/10-guidelines-pastoral-care-during-coronavirus-outbreak 

"Ceremony honors 4 chaplains lost during World War II...After the torpedo hit the ship and it became clear that the ship was sinking, the chaplains tried to calm the men and organize an orderly evacuation. As life jackets were passed out, the supply ran out. The chaplains removed their own life jackets and gave them to others. After helping as many men as they could into lifeboats, they linked arms and, saying prayers and singing hymns, they went down with the ship."

 "Ceremony honors 4 chaplains lost during World War II...After the torpedo hit the ship and it became clear that the ship was sinking, the chaplains tried to calm the men and organize an orderly evacuation. As life jackets were passed out, the supply ran out. The chaplains removed their own life jackets and gave them to others.

After helping as many men as they could into lifeboats, they linked arms and, saying prayers and singing hymns, they went down with the ship."

https://americanmilitarynews.com/2020/02/ceremony-honors-4-chaplains-lost-during-world-war-ii/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter 

RIP HERB START "Founder of Hope Network Passes Away "| Christian Reformed Church

"People who were close to Herb told me how he had dreamed big right from the start in 1960, when he became the first director of the work-experience program that was just getting started at Pine Rest Christian Hospital in Cutlerville, Mich.

"The thing about Herb was the vision he had to help people who face social and physical and other barriers," said Bruce Vaandrager, a Christian Reformed Church minister who serves as executive director of pastoral services for Hope Network...."

https://www.crcna.org/news-and-views/founder-hope-network-passes-away

11/15/18 rev-james-r-kok-celebrating-50-years-ministry

https://network.crcna.org/chaplaincy/rev-james-r-kok-celebrating-50-years-ministry  

"Greg Laurie at SoCal Harvest: 3 common questions people ask when they're close to death "

https://www.christianpost.com/news/greg-laurie-at-socal-harvest-3-common-questions-people-ask-when-theyre-close-to-death.html

6/21/19 Driving thru Pine Rest campus where i used2 work

I WAS A CHAPLAIN THERE "UCLA Health hospitals rank No. 1 in L.A. and California, No. 6 in U.S. "

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-heath-hospitals-ranking-1-in-los-angeles

"42 Candidates Welcomed, Some Anonymously " | Christian Reformed Church

"Jul Medenblik, president of Calvin Theological Seminary Image , pointed out that this year the number of new candidates for ministry was exactly the same as the number of ministers who are retiring from ministry this year—42."

https://www.crcna.org/news-and-views/42-candidates-welcomed-some-anonymously

" 10 common pastoral care challenges " The Christian Post

https://www.christianpost.com/voice/10-common-pastoral-care-challenges.html

flashback to LEGENDARY CRC KINDNESS PASTOR (& Calvin alumnus 1950's) , PASTOR JIM KOK (still alive!) during his NATIONAL GUARD DAYS

flashback to  LEGENDARY CRC KINDNESS  PASTOR (& Calvin alumnus 1950's, & son-in-law of the late Leo 'Butterball' Peters)  , PASTOR JIM KOK (still alive!) during his NATIONAL GUARD DAYS (June 23, 1953) 

SEE PHOTO AT 

https://keepthefaithbyvanderkok.blogspot.com/2019/02/june-23-1953-pvt-paul-vander-leek-pvt.html

--

#Repent&BeBaptized !                        #acceptChrist2bSaved2day !

UNIFIED CPE ! "Helping Ministers Become Pastors " Christian Reformed Church

"the RCA/CRCNA CPE program, made possible through a grant from the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, is housed within Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids, Mich. Pine Rest has been providing quality CPE training for more than 45 years. The new RCA/CRCNA program takes the great things about existing CPE training and..."

https://www.crcna.org/news-and-views/helping-ministers-become-pastors

--

#Repent&BeBaptized !                        #acceptChrist2bSaved2day !

I USED TO WORK AT PINE REST. SO DID MY DAD "2 hurt when driver hits gas pedal, not brakes, and crashes into Pine Rest clinic" | mlive.com

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2018/12/2-hurt-when-driver-hits-gas-pedal-not-brakes-and-crashes-into-pine-rest-clinic.html?utm_campaign=grandrapidspress_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

"Rev. James R. Kok: Celebrating 50 Years of Ministry "

https://network.crcna.org/chaplaincy/rev-james-r-kok-celebrating-50-years-ministry

--

JESUS SAVES !!

Fwd: "Pine Rest urgent care center seeks to fill mental health service demand "

"Pine Rest urgent care center seeks to fill mental health service demand"

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2018/11/pine_rest_urgent_care_center_s.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=grandrapidspress_sf

--

JESUS SAVES !!

NEW CRC CHAPLAINS "New Faces in Chaplaincy September 2018 "

https://network.crcna.org/chaplaincy/new-faces-chaplaincy-september-2018

--

JESUS SAVES !!

HIS LATE PARTNER, VAN ANDEL, ALSO GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED PINE REST "Amway co-founder Richard DeVos left mark on politics, philanthropy"

https://amp.freep.com/amp/1211469002

"Memorial Day for the Military Chaplain"

https://network.crcna.org/chaplaincy/memorial-day-military-chaplain

--

JESUS SAVES !!

Worked at Pine Rest 42 years: age 89,RIP: "Willis Kooiker Obituary - Grand Rapids, MI |" Grand Rapids Press

"
Kooiker, Willis Caledonia, MI Willis "Bill" Kooiker, aged 89, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, December 17, 2017. Bill retired from Pine Rest after 42 years of service. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 until 1953. His brothers, Herman and Jacob; and brothers-in-law, Harvard Rozeboom, Don...."

http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?n=willis-kooiker&pid=187564889&fhid=10156

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

in loving memory, RIP. :, CRC's 1st CHAPLAIN DIRECTOR, HAL BODE

First Chaplaincy Director, Hal Bode, Was 'Chaplain to the Chaplains'

...Harold Bode loved chaplaincy ministry, and he devoted his time, wisdom, and knowledge of this special ministry to make chaplaincy ministry an important part of the Christian Reformed Church," said Rev. Herman Keizer, who served as chaplaincy director from 2002 to 2008...."

https://www.crcna.org/news-and-views/first-chaplaincy-director-hal-bode-was-chaplain-chaplains

--

JESUS SAVES !!

--

JESUS SAVES !!

(half of GR,GRCH,CALVIN, PRCH,& CRC was BUILT by Amway) GOOD STEWARDS "DeVos family, Stryker heir make Forbes' list of top philanthropists " MLive.com

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2017/10/devos_family_stryker_heir_make.html

JESUS HEALS!

Fwd: 1/18/11 JAMES KOK MENTIONED IN ARTICLE

"Carol Slager, director of congregational life and education at Modesto (Calif.) CRC, taught a 10-week adult Sunday school class on compassion last fall. She used The Compassionate Congregation as well as 90% of Helping Is Just Showing Up by Rev. James R. Kok (also published by Faith Alive).

"We found Rev. Kok's course to be very helpful," Slager said, "especially the chapter on whether we're 'players' or 'umpires.' It challenged us to be slower to make judgment calls and quicker to come alongside people."..."

https://thebanner.org/together/2011/01/providing-care-in-a-crisis

--

JESUS SAVES !!

--

JESUS SAVES !!

HISTORICAL FILE OF CRC CHAPLAINS

HISTORICAL FILE OF CRC CHAPLAINS

https://www.crcna.org/chaplaincy/our-chaplains/historical-file

-- 

JESUS SAVES !!

"Meet the CRC's Newly Endorsed Chaplains"

http://network.crcna.org/chaplaincy/meet-crcs-newly-endorsed-chaplains

--

JESUS SAVES !!

"CRC Synod meets in Palos Heights, Ill."

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/entertainmentlife/20170616/crc-synod-meets-in-palos-heights-ill

JESUS HEALS!

Fwd: COLORFUL NEW MTC (mulder therapy center) at PINE REST (where gym used to be) (pic by vk)

--

"... Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11

--

"... Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11

CALVIN'S JIM KOK, DON VROON 1955,1956 "All-Time All-MIAA Selections - Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

Jim went on to become a CRC pastor after CALVIN College. Their family attended 1st CRC for many years [70s-80s] . He also played basketball at Holland Christian with Tony Diekema [former CALVIN president]

"
1955
Bob Hendrickson, HO
Henry Hughes, AD
Jim Kok, C
Gary Morrison, K
Don Vroon, C
1956
John Hannett, AB
Leon Harper, AD
Jim Kok, C
Tom Newhof, C
Don Vroon, C "

http://www.miaa.org/sports/mbkb/all-time/mbkball

re jim kok, memorial day service at Christ cathedral 2016

--

" If u declare with your mouth,

"Jesus is Lord," & believe in your heart 

that God raised Him from the dead, 

u will be saved." 

Romans 10.9

Good ol' Bob Baker,RIP "Robert Baker Obituary "- Kentwood, MI | Grand Rapids Press

My dad worked with him at t Pine Rest hospital for many years and I also worked at Pine Rest when he was still there,but didn't see him very often . I don't think I ever saw him, but I knew who he was from my dad's job as a Chaplain there for many years...

http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?n=robert-baker&pid=180393290&fhid=4926

-vk-

, slide-video re MY DAD's CPE YEARS AT PINE REST HOSPITAL GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN 1970's & 80's

please pray for my dad...as of 4/23/16 he is now 81-years old...and hanging in there..a few health issues but thankfully nothing really serious, but you never know when things could change.. God bless you all. 

Encounter-CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) (1 of 2)

re "The Association of Professional Conservative Chaplains, Inc. a Christian certifying and accrediting institution"

http://www.apcchaplains.org/

CPE SUPERVISORS TOLD STUDENTS NOT TO PRAY IN JESUS' NAME AT HOSPITALS?! "Chaplains told by CPE: “Don’t Pray in Jesus’ Name” – 11/18/14"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLQml-s_Vu8

video INTRO to HOUR of POWER, & JIM KOK BIBLE READING (edited for space & time, some parts omitted)

BEGIN INTERVIEW of JIM KOK re CARE & KINDNESS, HOUR of POWER, CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL, ED ARNOLD

JIM KOK has been devoted to pastoral care for most of his career as a pastor ordained in the christian reformed church (CRC) and while working at the Crystal Cathedral, as well as Pine Rest Hospital, and earlier in his career at the University of Michigan hospital in Ann Arbor, as well as a hospital in Gowanda, New York. He also worked as a traditional pastor at a church in Iowa City, Iowa in the late 60's. His father, the late Rev. Gareth Kok, was also a CRC pastor who worked in parishes in Holland, Michigan; Hills, Minnesota; Bellflower, Calfornia; & Hanford, California, among other places. The Christian Reformed Church in North America originally consisted mostly of believers of Dutch descent. The Dutch Reformed Church came to USA and settled in what is now Manhattan Island (originally New Amsterdam) and gradually moved across America..also splitting into two primary denominations, the CRC and RCA (Reformed Church) and since has subsequently split further for various reasons and issues. The Crystal Cathedral is affiliated with the Reformed Church (I'm not sure what name they will go by after they vacate the current Crystal Cathedral premises in June of 2013...which will then become known as the Christ Cathedral). Robert H. Schuller the founder of the Crystal Cathedral is of Dutch descent and grew up in a Dutch Reformed area of Iowa. Jim Kok grew up in Bellflower (CA, near Long Beach) as well as Holland, Michigan and attended Holland Christian High School and Calvin College. Jim's dad, Gareth, founded Valley Christian schools in Bellflower-Cerritos CA while also pastor at the 1st CRC in Bellflower where he preached in Dutch & English and served the Dutch immigrants arriving straight from the Netherlands back in the 30's, most of whom found work as dairy farmers in the area at the time (subsequently most of the Dutch dairy farmers moved to Ontario, CA where many dairy farms still operate to this day).

Jim Kok's mother, Kathryn, died at an early age of a brain tumor while Rev. Gareth Kok was a pastor at the Maple CRC in Holland, Michigan. Jim struggled with grief from this loss as a young adult and subsequently found solace by doing "care ministry" devoted to issues of grief & death & dying, etc. and expanded on this to many various issues of Care & Kindness as he continued his career as a "Director of Pastoral Care" at Pine Rest Hospital & subsequently the Crystal Cathedral. He is/was a certified CPE supervisor as well (clinical pastoral education) and led many "Care & Kindness Conferences" at the Crystal Cathedral for numerous years until the church experienced difficult economic circumstances. He continues to speak at conferences re kindness, as well as writes on the topic, and continues to work at Crystal Cathedral.

video JIM KOK re CARE & KINDNESS, ON HOUR of POWER, CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL

i believe the date was october  , 2012 maybe the 14th of october.... first he reads scripture...later he is interviewed & talks about care & kindness, his book(s) etc.. JIM KOK has been devoted to pastoral care for most of his career as a pastor ordained in the christian reformed church (CRC) and while working at the Crystal Cathedral, as well as Pine Rest Hospital, and earlier in his career at the University of Michigan hospital in Ann Arbor, as well as a hospital in Gowanda, New York. He also worked as a traditional pastor at a church in Iowa City, Iowa in the late 60's. His father, the late Rev. Gareth Kok, was also a CRC pastor who worked in parishes in Holland, Michigan; Hills, Minnesota; Bellflower, Calfornia; & Hanford, California, among other places. The Christian Reformed Church in North America originally consisted mostly of believers of Dutch descent. The Dutch Reformed Church came to USA and settled in what is now Manhattan Island (originally New Amsterdam) and gradually moved across America..also splitting into two primary denominations, the CRC and RCA (Reformed Church) and since has subsequently split further for various reasons and issues. The Crystal Cathedral is affiliated with the Reformed Church (I'm not sure what name they will go by after they vacate the current Crystal Cathedral premises in June of 2013...which will then become known as the Christ Cathedral). Robert H. Schuller the founder of the Crystal Cathedral is of Dutch descent and grew up in a Dutch Reformed area of Iowa. Jim Kok grew up in Bellflower (CA, near Long Beach) as well as Holland, Michigan and attended Holland Christian High School and Calvin College. Jim's dad, Gareth, founded Valley Christian schools in Bellflower-Cerritos CA while also pastor at the 1st CRC in Bellflower where he preached in Dutch & English and served the Dutch immigrants arriving straight from the Netherlands back in the 30's, most of whom found work as dairy farmers in the area at the time (subsequently most of the Dutch dairy farmers moved to Ontario, CA where many dairy farms still operate to this day).

Jim Kok's mother, Kathryn, died at an early age of a brain tumor while Rev. Gareth Kok was a pastor at the Maple CRC in Holland, Michigan. Jim struggled with grief from this loss as a young adult and subsequently found solace by doing "care ministry" devoted to issues of grief & death & dying, etc. and expanded on this to many various issues of Care & Kindness as he continued his career as a "Director of Pastoral Care" at Pine Rest Hospital & subsequently the Crystal Cathedral. He is/was a certified CPE supervisor as well (clinical pastoral education) and led many "Care & Kindness Conferences" at the Crystal Cathedral for numerous years until the church experienced difficult economic circumstances. He continues to speak at conferences re kindness, as well as writes on the topic, and continues to work at Crystal Cathedral.

video JIM KOK on HOUR of POWER re CARE & KINDNESS (interview followed by Miss California)

JIM KOK has been devoted to pastoral care for most of his career as a pastor ordained in the christian reformed church (CRC) and while working at the Crystal Cathedral, as well as Pine Rest Hospital, and earlier in his career at the University of Michigan hospital in Ann Arbor, as well as a hospital in Gowanda, New York. He also worked as a traditional pastor at a church in Iowa City, Iowa in the late 60's. His father, the late Rev. Gareth Kok, was also a CRC pastor who worked in parishes in Holland, Michigan; Hills, Minnesota; Bellflower, Calfornia; & Hanford, California, among other places. The Christian Reformed Church in North America originally consisted mostly of believers of Dutch descent. The Dutch Reformed Church came to USA and settled in what is now Manhattan Island (originally New Amsterdam) and gradually moved across America..also splitting into two primary denominations, the CRC and RCA (Reformed Church) and since has subsequently split further for various reasons and issues. The Crystal Cathedral is affiliated with the Reformed Church (I'm not sure what name they will go by after they vacate the current Crystal Cathedral premises in June of 2013...which will then become known as the Christ Cathedral). Robert H. Schuller the founder of the Crystal Cathedral is of Dutch descent and grew up in a Dutch Reformed area of Iowa. Jim Kok grew up in Bellflower (CA, near Long Beach) as well as Holland, Michigan and attended Holland Christian High School and Calvin College. Jim's dad, Gareth, founded Valley Christian schools in Bellflower-Cerritos CA while also pastor at the 1st CRC in Bellflower where he preached in Dutch & English and served the Dutch immigrants arriving straight from the Netherlands back in the 30's, most of whom found work as dairy farmers in the area at the time (subsequently most of the Dutch dairy farmers moved to Ontario, CA where many dairy farms still operate to this day).

Jim Kok's mother, Kathryn, died at an early age of a brain tumor while Rev. Gareth Kok was a pastor at the Maple CRC in Holland, Michigan. Jim struggled with grief from this loss as a young adult and subsequently found solace by doing "care ministry" devoted to issues of grief & death & dying, etc. and expanded on this to many various issues of Care & Kindness as he continued his career as a "Director of Pastoral Care" at Pine Rest Hospital & subsequently the Crystal Cathedral. He is/was a certified CPE supervisor as well (clinical pastoral education) and led many "Care & Kindness Conferences" at the Crystal Cathedral for numerous years until the church experienced difficult economic circumstances. He continues to speak at conferences re kindness, as well as writes on the topic, and continues to work at Crystal Cathedral.

He is married to Linda Peters Kok and they have four children.

4/6/16 GREAT TO SEE MY DAD AGAIN, the FORMER CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL CARE & KINDNESS PASTOR, & CPE SUPERVISOR , now 81

so I hadn't seen my dad in quite some time even though we've stayed closely in touch by email and other communication...finally we managed to meet again, and we talked about many things mostly not shown here, but also about his health, and he's having a little bit of memory loss, but one of his doctor's said it's definitely not alzheimers, which is good. So we pray for him and his mental and physical health  (he uses a hearing  aid now, which I couldn't even see, and also has a knee problem...swelling up but for no known reason...xrays don't show anything). Dad returned to southern Cal in 1984 (where he grew up, partially,  in Bellflower around 1936 et seq, and where my late grandfather started the Valley Christian schools )  to work as a pastoral care  pastor alongside the late Robert H. Schuller for many years at the Crystal Cathedral (approximately 30) and before that as a chaplain & CPE director at Pine Rest Hospital in Grand Rapids MI, and prior to that a few years as a church pastor in Iowa City, among other things, all the while affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church (CRC). He continues to do some pastoral care activities for one of the local CRC's in southern California. He and my mom are still married and living together here in southern Cal and are still active. Both still drive cars, visit family and friends and grandkids, and seem to be doing well, in general, praise the Lord.For some of you older ones  from the Calvin College and CRC tradition, Helped by his 6'6" height & Dutch frame, Jim was one of the basketball players at Calvin in the 50's when they won the MIAA championship 4 consecutive  years along with Tony DIekema (former Calvin president), the late Don Vroon, Tom Newhoff, and several others, and Coach Barney Steen.And going farther back he was one of the Holland Christian High basketball players (again, alongside Tony Diekema) .  He sends his greetings & well-wishes to all of you. God bless

6/30/13 KINDNESS PASTOR JIM KOK's RETIREMENT ANNOUNCED @ FINAL CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL SERVICE

Jim Kok portion of the final Crystal Cathedral service
************
also see pics at http://www.scribd.com/doc/151376216/More-From-Final-Crystal-Cathedral-Service-Jim-Kok-Retirement
also see http://rip-crystal-cathedral.blogspot.com/2013/07/l.html
****
...so this is it..the day finally comes..the last-ever Crystal Cathedral service after 33 years in the big glass church (since 1980) & since Robert H. Schuller started preaching from the top of a drive-in theatre in 1955 (58 years ago) , albeit the church will continue as will the Hour of Power but at a different location..about a mile away at what is now the old St. Callistus church (Roman Catholic), while the St. Callistus congregation will begin having their mass in the arboretum on the Crystal cathedral campus but last thing I heard there will not be any catholic mass in the Crystal cathedral (Or "Christ Cathedral" as it is now called until they completely restore everything and it adheres to catholic "standards"...and that may not be until 2015 ... ; anyways, Robbie Schuller (the grandson of the founder) led the final service and apparently is now the designated "senior pastor" , and Robert A. Schuller (Robbie's dad, and the son of the founder) was also present at the final service and read the scripture and gave the final benediction. Also Jim Kok was recognized for his many years of pastoral care & kindness services, among other things...as his retirement was announced albeit he will apparently continue to volunteer his services for the church at the new location (Jim is a CRC ordained pastor who came to the Crystal Cathedral in 1984 to lead the pastoral care ministry, and he branched off into doing Care & Kindness ministry and conferences, & CPE (clinical pastoral education), among other things. The congregation gave him a standin ovation and the pastors presented a plaque of appreciation. There was also some beautiful music by various musicians...also all the different departments and various volunteers were recognized. It was VERY hot ...hottest weekend of the year so far.. record heat around "the southland"...and I wondered why they didn't open the giant doors to let some breeze in...and then Bobby announced that the doors had just broken in the last week or so...and quipped "not our problem anymore"..and there was some group baptisms (not immersion style).. and Robby gave a final homily (sermon)... and then Robert A. Schuller gave the famous benediction of his father  ... and that was THE END ! ...albeit they also had a "final ceremony" outside with the mayor of Garden Grove and other persons..which I didn't stay to attend (had to get another function)... ; meanwhile, construction on the arboreturm (not sure what they are doing) was actually in progress during the service..these are the contractors for the Roman Catholic diocese..apparently trying to get it ready for the St. Callistus congregation..

ALSO see FINAL ST. CALLISTUS service at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl3S-GZxUak

tags: crystal cathedral, schuller, hour of power, garden grove, robert schuller, st. callistus, roman catholic, catholic diocese of orange, christ cathedral

MORE CRC SEMINARIANS BECOMING CHAPLAINS: "Interest in Chaplaincy is Growing" | Article | Christian Reformed Church

"Historically, about 10 percent of seminary graduates
have chosen the chaplaincy as a career. But in the last
five years, said Klimp, that number has been rising
steadily for different reasons and is now approaching 15
percent...."

https://www.crcna.org/news-and-views/interest-chaplaincy-growing

7 SPIRITUAL (CORPOREAL) WORKS OF MERCY

"The Spiritual Works of Mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in spiritual necessities (CCC #2447), those being focused on getting a soul to Heaven. The seven Spiritual Works of Mercy are:

1. Admonish the sinner
2. Instruct the ignorant
3. Counsel the doubtful
4. Comfort the sorrowful
5. Bear wrongs patiently
6. Forgive all injuries
7. Pray for the living and the dead"
8. 
   http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/faith/spirmercy.htm
   --
   

" If u declare with your mouth,

"Jesus is Lord," & believe in your heart 

that God raised Him from the dead, 

u will be saved." 

Romans 10.9

THEY DON'T MENTION WHO STARTED IT IN 1970: "Pine Rest: Clinical pastoral education program to strengthen collaboration between CRC and RCA "

"A collaborative effort between Pine Rest
Christian Mental Health Services, the
Christian Reformed Church, the Reformed
Church in America and their seminaries
will focus on a Pine Rest education program
which has been providing clinical pastoral
education (CPE) for 45 years..."

http://m.hollandsentinel.com/entertainmentlife/20160101/pine-rest-clinical-pastoral-education-program-to-strengthen-collaboration-between-crc-and-rca

CPE: "CRC and RCA to Collaborate with Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services" | Article | Christian Reformed Church

"Pine Rest will expand the CPE program by offering
training to more individuals from RCA and CRC churches.
The CPE group interaction will build connections between
the participants that will yield denominational
collaboration as they continue in ministry..."

https://www.crcna.org/news-and-views/crc-and-rca-collaborate-pine-rest-christian-mental-health-services

"Mother and Baby Postpartum Depression Treatment Program" Pine Rest CHristian Hospital (i used to work there)

https://www.pinerest.org/mother-baby-postpartum-depression-treatment

11/5/15 CPE DAY @ FULLER SEMINARY

http://fuller.edu/events/#/?i=1

Announcement | Ordination for Chaplaincy CRC

http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=5d0a468ccba985c5b0985464e&id=5a2f68b4f8

MY FORMER CPE SUPERVISOR (beth boyd) WORKS for the SISTERS:"Pope Francis meets with Little Sisters of the Poor, nuns involved in an Obamacare lawsuit" - The Washington Post

MY FORMER CPE SUPERVISOR (beth boyd,ucla medical center) WORKS for the SISTERS:"Pope Francis meets with Little Sisters of the Poor, nuns involved in an Obamacare lawsuit" - The Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/09/23/pope-francis-meets-with-little-sisters-of-the-poor-nuns-involved-in-an-obamacare-lawsuit/

YES:"Doctors Fail to Address Patients’ Spiritual Needs "- NYTimes.com

"Yet studies have documented the importance of
religion and spirituality to many patients.
Seventy percent of dying patients want their
doctor to ask them about their religious beliefs."
[That's what hospital chaplaincy (&CPE) is all about! ]
http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2015/08/13/doctors-fail-to-address-patients-spiritual-needs/

"Slideshow: Police and the mentally ill: LAPD unit praised as model for nation"

 "Slideshow: Police and the mentally ill: LAPD unit praised as model for nation"

http://www.scpr.org/news/2015/03/09/50245/police-and-the-mentally-ill-lapd-unit-praised-as-m/

Good: Re "CHRISTIANese",& "Do U Speak Christian"; "Real Talk, For a Change" | Urban Faith

Good reminder
http://www.urbanfaith.com/2015/02/real-talk-for-a-change.html/

Some days I miss the good ol' PINE REST years (working there)

Some days I miss the good ol' PINE REST years (working there,as a mental health worker after college )....I still remember a few good times there despite the sometimes painful psychological situations for the patients..it was nice to be able to help a lot of them recover & return to society (albeit we had one successful suicide while I was there,although I was not on duty at the time)

....I also remember going to pine rest as a child when my dad was a chaplain at the hospital.He would take us to the chapel & occasionally to the office. His secretary betty Iwema was always so nice.

Re "KOK's LAW"

 Re "KOK's LAW"

http://www.careandkindness.org/Thoughts/Thoughts71.php

"Protestant Preachers Experience Mental Health Issues, New Survey Reveals" : News : Headlines & Global News

http://www.hngn.com/articles/43533/20140924/protestant-preachers-experience-mental-health-issues-new-survey-reveals.htm

Re Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor Karl VanHarn Pine Rest

" Karl VanHarn is the Director of Pastoral Services
and CPE at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services.
He is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed
Church.  He has served churches in Littleton, CO and
Jenison, MI. He has also served as a Chaplain in general
hospitals in Denver, CO and Santa Rosa, CA. He worked
with Pine Rest CPE from 1995 to 2004, while serving as a
Chaplain at Wedgwood Christian Services.  He has been
an ACPE Supervisor since 1998..."
http://www.pinerest.org/clinical-pastoral-education-supervisor

Re Clinical Pastoral Education @ Pine Rest Hospital

http://www.pinerest.org/clinical-pastoral-education

"Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) - Calvin Theological Seminary"

http://calvinseminary.edu/resources/student-handbook/clinical-pastoral-education-cpe/

"Clinical pastoral education" - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_pastoral_education

ACPE

http://www.acpe.edu/

CPE

 CPE

http://m.mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/facilities/region/gsaa/area_master/departments/spiritualcare/

"Clinical Pastoral Education Programs at UCLA"

I did an internship here,
when Beth Boyd was still there (as well as Dave). 
 http://www.uclahealth.org/body.cfm?id=111

REMEMBERING MY DAD JIM KOK's CPE DAYS AT PINE REST HOSPITAL, 1970's

GROWING UP in Grand Rapids in the 1970's up to the mid-80's my dad worked as a chaplain at Pine Rest Christian (Psychiatric) Hospital (which was founded by the Christian Reformed Church) 

click above for video 

above: (I remember Betty Ybema! 

She was SO nice & friendly to everybody. 

Hope she is still well)

  At the same time he was a CPE Supervisor . CPE stands for Clinical Pastoral Education, and you most often find seminary students & graduates enrolled in it, as they seek to grow in spiritual & psychological awareness about themselves as well as others, including often patients they are assisting .

 

 I myself did it many years later  in conjunction with UCLA Medical Center when I was a student at Fuller Seminary. Most often the supervisors and students are Christian but it is open to persons of all faith as far as I know  ( & I speak not as an expert but based on memory & experience in general) .

 And this is about the "good ol days" back in Grand Rapids when dad Jim Kok was doing his job. I recently asked him (he's too humble to do such a thing himself)  for any old pictures, memos, archive material, etc that he wished to...

 ...share so that I might preserve some of the material from his days as a chaplain at Pine Rest (& later at the Crystal Cathedral, where he also continued the CPE program) . 

Here are some of the photos 
from the CPE days at 

Pine Rest Hospital 

(with maybe a few non-CPE pics mixed in)

yes, they did receive accreditation & the program lives on to this day ! 

BELOW: SAME PHOTOS REPEATED , SMALLER SIZE for SMALLER MONITORS

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.”

Acts 20:28