Yes, I also worked at the hospital , not as a chaplain, but as a mental health worker, for a year after college (with BA in psychology) before moving on into ministry as well (M.Div. , Evangelical ministry, missionary, etc). And I did CPE too! at UCLA .
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Monday, March 2, 2026
In Loving Memory: Rev. James (Jim) R. Kok 1935-2026
Remembering Jim Kok (1935-2026)
for anybody unsure, this is about the James R. Kok who grew up in Hills (MN), Bellflower (CA) & Holland (MI) and became a Christian Reformed Church (CRC) pastor, working most of his career at Pine Rest Christian Hospital in west Michigan, & the rest of his career mostly at the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California. (this is noted because there are/were more than one Rev. James R. Kok affiliated with the CRC over the last several decades). (His wife's name is Linda).
(I am not in charge of posting the official obituary so I am posting a secondary obituary notice here on my own website blogs to provide further context & information). There has been some obituary information posted online already at the following links:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/james-kok-obituary?id=60896647
https://www.communityfuneralservice.com/obituaries/james-kok
https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/james-kok-obituary?id=60896647
On March 21, 2026, all are welcome at the burial ceremony at Artesia Cemetery in Artesia (CA) ( 11142 Artesia Blvd, Cerritos, CA 90703 beginning around 9:00 am (pst). It is a small cemetery and we do not know how many people will attend. If more than expected do attend, we hope the cemetery staff will help direct you to "overflow parking" outside the cemetery (but apparently parking in the high school parking lot across the street is discouraged)
Later in the day, all are also welcome at a formal memorial service at the Shepherd's Grove church (4445 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92604) later in the day beginning at 1:30pm (pst), after which there will be gathering in the community hall at the same location for refreshments & an informal time for people to reflect, socialize, & remember Jim, possibly with an open mic to share stories, as well as a photo slideshow, & memorial table etc)
here's my version of Jim Kok's life & legacy:
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted."
— Matthew 5:4
Remembering James R. "Jim" Kok
(1935–2026)
James R. Kok, affectionately known as Jim, passed peacefully on February 17, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, & a lifelong dedication to Christian kindness. In a striking alignment with his mission, his passing occurred on February 17, 2026, which is also known as Random Acts of Kindness Day, a fitting reflection of the life he spent serving others with compassion, care, love & kindness.
Born on March 29, 1935, in Hills, Minnesota, Jim was the second of five children: Sherwood, Jim, Faith, Kay, & Gary. As an infant, he moved with his parents,Gareth & Katherine, to Bellflower, California, where his father founded Valley Christian School & served as pastor of a Christian Reformed Church (1st Bellflower CRC aka "1st Bell "). The household was steeped in faith, learning, & service, shaping the values that would guide Jim's life.
The family later relocated to Holland, Michigan, where Jim attended Holland Christian Junior High & High School. Tragedy struck during Jim's teenage years when his mother, Katherine, passed away just as Jim was in his final years of high school, leaving a profound mark on him as he struggled with "grief" early in life, which influenced the depth of compassion & understanding he would later bring to his Christian ministry.
During this time, basketball became both a passion & a source of friendship & community, as he played alongside his lifelong friend Tony Diekema (future president of Calvin College) at Holland Christian High, & later Don Vroon as well (future Calvin professor & coach, RIP) (among others he remembered fondly), continuing together at Calvin College (original location) & winning multiple MIAA championships.
Growing up, Jim worked various jobs to make ends meet. In Bellflower, in the 1930's, he picked & sold avocados door-to-door; & also sold the Press-Telegram from street corners, & even drove a tractor for alfalfa harvesting time (Bellflower at that time still being mostly an agricultural & dairy farming area).
Later, still growing up, in Holland (MI) he also worked as a "paper boy" delivering the GR Press & Holland Sentinel. In addition he worked at various local grocery stores; & at the Holland ballpark selling popcorn & peanuts.
As a young adult he also worked at Chris Craft, as well as another factory, while going thru college; among other things. As a child he enjoyed boating on Lake Macatawa & also the "car life" with his brother Sherwood.
After college, Jim studied at Michigan State University (MSU) for a master's in counseling & worked in Kalamazoo in vocational rehab for one year while also still playing basketball for various leagues with friends etc. After one year in Kalamazoo, Jim answered God's call to ministry starting at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia & then Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, eventually becoming an ordained pastor for the Christian Reformed Church.
His pastoral care experience included internships at the University of Michigan & a hospital in Gowanda, New York, & he went on to become a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) supervisor & Pine Rest Hospital & later the Crystal Cathedral, mentoring generations in spiritual care, grief support, & compassionate counseling.
He also started the annual International Care & Kindness Conference at the Crystal Cathedral.During seminary, Jim met his beloved wife, Linda Peters, daughter of Leo Peters of Butterball Farms. Together they raised four children—a daughter & three sons across New York, Michigan, Iowa, & California, & were blessed with many grandchildren who continue to carry forward his legacy of faith & kindness.
Jim's ministry spanned decades: serving as pastor in Iowa City starting in 1965, 14 years as CPE supervisor at Pine Rest Hospital in Grand Rapids, & many years as Director of Pastoral Care at the Crystal Cathedral in California. He authored several books, contributed a weekly column to The Banner, and for many years led the annual International Care & Kindness Conference at the Crystal Cathedral, inspiring countless attendees to embrace Christian compassion in both words and actions.
Even in retirement, Jim continued mentoring, counseling, & supporting family, friends, & his community. The timing of his passing on Random Acts of Kindness Day poignantly mirrors the heart of his lifelong mission: to model & promote Christ-centered kindness & care for all.
Jim Kok will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, uncle, loyal friend, mentor, & servant of Christ. His life stands as a testament to faith, resilience through grief, & a steadfast commitment to loving & serving others.
Jim would be "tickled pink" if you commit a "Simple Act of Care & Kindness" (SACK) in his memory, for the sake of our Savior Jesus.
Rest in peace, Jim. Your faith, care, & kindness, will continue to bless the lives of many.
***************************
Subject: Invitation to Contribute a Final Farewell
(must be received by Thursday, March 5, 2026 per funeral home deadline)
(or if they are received later, maybe we can try to make special arrangements to include them)
Dear Family & Friends
As we prepare to honor and celebrate the life of our beloved father James R. Kok, we would like to invite each of you to contribute a final farewell to be placed with his casket for the March 21 burial. This can be a letter, a card, a favorite photo, or any fond sentiment you wish to express.
If your contribution can be typed or is a digital photo: Please email it to jkokccc@gmail.com.
One of us will take care of printing it.
If it is a card or other physical item: Please mail it (or deliver to):
16828 Chicago Ave
Bellflower, CA 90706
Be sure to mark the envelope "For the Casket" so it is handled appropriately.
We hope this gives everyone an opportunity to share memories, love, & gratitude, creating a lasting tribute that will accompany our beloved father (& grandfather, uncle, friend etc) in their final rest.
Thank you for taking part in this meaningful gesture. Your words, pictures, and sentiments will provide comfort & a lasting memory for all of us.
With love & remembrance,
The Kok Family
******
note: The formal term for items like notes, letters, cards, or small keepsakes placed in a casket "in loving memory" is generally funeral or burial memorabilia, but more specifically in mortuary and archival contexts they are often called casket or burial offerings. Other accepted terms include:
Casket letters – usually personal letters placed inside the casket.
Funeral keepsakes – more general term for cards, notes, or small mementos.
Memorial tributes – can include any written or symbolic items left with the deceased.
Interment items – a formal term in funeral service documents for things placed in the casket before burial.
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Friday, December 19, 2025
🇺🇸✝️"Sec of War Hegseth Restores Faith to U.S. Military Chaplaincies, Reversing O-Biden War on Religion "
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/12/secretary-war-hegseth-restores-faith-u-s-military/
"
The U.S. military chaplaincy was established in 1775 by General George Washington during the American Revolution. Washington recognized the need for religious leaders to serve military forces, citing the necessity of the blessing and protection of heaven, especially in times of public distress and danger.
For roughly 200 years, the Chaplain Corps served as the spiritual and moral backbone of American forces, ministering to service members in times of hardship and providing pastoral care for their souls."
"Be devoted to one another in love, honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10
AI GENERATED
The article reports that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently addressed what he described as a long-term weakening of the U.S. military's Chaplain Corps, asserting that its role has been diminished by what he called decades of secularism and political correctness.
According to the article, Hegseth emphasized that the Chaplain Corps was established by General George Washington in 1775 to provide spiritual support and moral grounding for service members, especially in times of distress.
The article states that Hegseth argues this spiritual role has been eroded over time, with chaplains increasingly cast as secular "morale" or "well-being" officers rather than religious ministers guiding the souls of soldiers.
In response, he has announced plans to restore the chaplains' role as spiritual leaders and moral anchors of the military, reinvigorating their focus on faith and pastoral care.
Context from Other Reporting: Independent coverage supports that Hegseth has publicly outlined reforms aimed at reviving the traditional religious mission of the Chaplain Corps, criticizing current spiritual-readiness materials and asserting that chaplains should focus on religious ministry rather than secular or therapeutic support. He has cited historical military guidance and emphasized spiritual well-being along with mental and physical health as priorities.
Key Points
Hegseth believes the Chaplain Corps has drifted from its original mission of religious ministry and moral leadership.
The article repeats the historical claim that the chaplaincy was founded by George Washington in 1775 to support troops spiritually.
He plans reforms to refocus chaplains on spiritual care and reduce what he views as secular influences or roles.
Contemporary news sources confirm that Hegseth's remarks reflect broader policy priorities emphasizing faith and traditional roles for military chaplains within the Pentagon's current leadership.
.
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Jim's Life Story video
this is based on "Jim's Stories" that he composed himself and sent out by email over a period of months and years, albeit in the fog of his elderly age he did get a few dates wrong. You can read the stories at this link .
The video ends with his son Steve & Kris meeting at a Chicago Cubs game, and they later got married at Yosemite National Park
(they live in Redlands CA).
I created this video using AI-generated images in 2025. I am a Christian evangelist, working every single day to bring the Good News- the Gospel of Jesus Christ- to the world !
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Friday, April 18, 2025
How did this unknown CRC pastor from Holland Michigan end up on the Hour of Power ?
https://youtu.be/UIPqXIFVX2w?si=b5M0O8KMs3fpFCqa
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Here's a clip of popular southern California TV personality Ed Arnold (rest-in-peace, just died in April 2025) interviewing a pastor named Jim Kok for Hour Of Power at the Crystal Cathedral (which subsequently closed as Robert Schuller's protestant (Reformed) church, but re-opened as a Catholic Church).
Who is Jim Kok? (he is/was a CRC pastor, now retired, & yes still alive at age 90 as of 4.18.25) And what was he doing at the Crystal Cathedral and on the Hour of Power ?
Well some of you may know the name from the CRC community either as a pastoral care minister for many years as the Director of Pastoral Care at Pine Rest Christian hospital, (as well as CPE supervisor) and prior to that he was a pastor at a Christian Reformed Church in Iowa City; and also did stints in CPE (clinical pastoral education) in upstate New York & Ann Arbor , among other things.
Other of you old-timers may remember the name of Jim Kok from his basketball prowess (he mentions it in this video clip) at Holland Christian High as well as Calvin College in the 50's alongside Tony Diekema & Don Vroon (RIP) , among others.
To make a long story short, after working at Pine Rest Hospital Jim Kok took the job of Director of Pastoral Care at the Crystal Cathedral. This was actually a return "home" for Jim because he grew up here, partially, as a child in Bellflower CA (about 16 miles from the Crystal Cathedral in adjacent Los Angeles County) where his father (Rev. Gareth Kok) was a CRC pastor who founded the Valley Christian Schools and was a pastor at First Bellflower CRC in the 30's & 40's.
(Later, Gareth moved the family back to Holland Michigan where he was a pastor at Maple CRC, which is why Jim attended Holland Christian High) (still later, Gareth returned to southern Cal where he eventually retired in Bellflower, now deceased).
So when Jim Kok took the Crystal Cathedral job and moved his family to Bellflower, he was a few blocks away from his retired father. Jim maintained his affiliation with the CRC- never changed to the RCA- but his primary job was at the Crystal Cathedral until his retirement several decades later.
For many years Jim hosted an annual International Kindness Conference which filled the arboretum for several days, and numerous well-known speakers talked about various medical, psychological, & spiritual issues integrated with the topic of kindness.
Jim also continued to serve as a Clinal Pastoral Education (CPE) supervisor for many years at the Crystal Cathedral until his retirement. Over the years, numerous seminary students did their CPE requirements on the 10th floor of the New Hope tower at the Crystal Cathedral.
So having become a familiar face at the Crystal Cathedral he eventually was invited to be on the Hour of Power, more than once, but this was one of the times where he talked about his book "The Miracle of Kindness"
A friend of Jim also continues to maintain a kindness blog referencing past writings and articles by Jim Kok, albeit Jim himself in 2025 is no longer active as a pastor (please pray for him as he has some health issues). This blog / website can be viewed at https://www.peoplekindness.com/blogbyjimkok (I think the website administrator should make that clear on the web, but for some reason he has not yet done so)
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
There was a man named Jim
There once was a man, his name was Jim Kok,
A pastor of wisdom, who stood like a rock.
He served in his church with heart full of grace,
At the Crystal Cathedral, he found his place.
Everywhere he'd preach with kindness and love,
Guided by faith & the Lord up above.
A kindness advocate, spreading good cheer,
Wherever he went, his message was clear.
Jim was a man with stature so tall,
A giant in spirit, beloved by all.
But not just in church did he shine with such might—
On the basketball court, he'd soar to great height.
A college star player, swift and so strong,
His love for the game had lasted lifelong.
Yet his heart was with Linda, his beautiful wife,
Together they built such a wonderful life.
With laughter & love, their days were so bright,
Sharing their joy with all in their sight.
For Jim loved to joke, to lighten the mood,
His humor, like kindness, was always so good.
He'd gather his friends & tell a tall tale,
Making them chuckle without ever fail.
In his sermons or games, or just on the street,
Jim's warmth & his kindness made all feel complete.
A pastor, a player, a man of good heart,
In everything he did, Jim set apart.
His life was a beacon, his spirit so strong,
He lived out his faith & helped others along.
With Linda beside him, his partner, his guide,
Jim Kok was a blessing, in whom we confide.
In his town, his legacy won't dim,
For we'll always remember the kindness of Jim.
Friday, August 23, 2024
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Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Very charitable, but they declined me😢✝️ "Richard & Helen DeVos Foundation sunsets after 54 years, $1.1B donated"
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
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https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/richard-and-helen-devos-foundation-sunsets-after-54-years-1-1b-donated
"Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation sunsets after 54 years, $1.1B donated"
Saturday, May 4, 2024
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.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Sunday, April 7, 2024
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.
.."
Monday, March 25, 2024
Monday, March 4, 2024
Friday, February 23, 2024
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."
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."
Monday, December 18, 2023
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
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
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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Comments
Lou Wagenveld on November 15, 2018
Petite wife Linda doesn't come in for a mention in this otherwise great article about Jim.
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.
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.
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.
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
Monday, July 10, 2023
Monday, April 10, 2023
👎 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...'
Friday, June 10, 2022
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Sunday, February 13, 2022
"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."
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
neat website re Jim Kok, Tony Diekema, Don Vroon & other Calvin & Holland Christian basketball players of the 1950's west Michigan
Jim Kok, Tony Diekema,
Don Vroon & other Calvin
& Holland Christian basketball players of the
1950's west Michigan
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Thursday, June 24, 2021
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
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Friday, February 14, 2020
"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."
Thursday, November 21, 2019
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...."
Friday, November 15, 2019
Monday, August 26, 2019
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
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