By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
I felt sad a couple of weeks ago when I learned that First Christian Reformed Church was closing its doors after 164 years of ministry to Zeeland.
While I never attended a service there, I knew a fair number of people whose lives were shaped by its ministry.
Learning of First CRC’s closing brought back memories of my own experience of a church closing. I attended Montello Park Christian Reformed Church on Holland’s west side for more than 10 years before it closed at the end of 2014.
Our family started worshipping at Montello Park on the recommendation of a friend of ours, whose daughter had been going to the church’s youth group meetings. We met Art Van Whye, the pastor of the church, and I
quickly connected with him when I found out he was an amateur (ham) radio operator.
I became involved in several different ministries at the church – for example, I helped out in worship running slides for our praise team, and occasionally I would take a turn behind the keyboard to play for our singers.
It was also at Montello Park where I, for the first time, found the value of being part of a small group Bible study. There were about a dozen of us that would meet on a Sunday night at different people’s homes.
My friend Al usually led the group – he was a quiet, reserved guy who owned a local business. He really had a passion for Scripture and seeing it come alive in people. Al was someone who I would often meet with during the week for coffee and conversation, particularly when I was going through a rough stretch in my personal life.
Al was incredibly kind to me and never judged me for what I was going through. I am thankful that he was part of my life for a few years. He went home to be with Jesus 10 years ago.
One of the things I so appreciated about the ministry of Montello Park was integrating the surrounding neighborhood into the life of the church. Pastor Art saw the changes that were taking place – demographically and culturally – and wanted the new people in the neighborhood to feel like they were welcome at church.
Toward that end, Pastor Art and a few others started up a nonprofit ministry called South Shore Youth Impact to serve the neighborhood. They held a summer program where they offered recreational as well as spiritual opportunities for young people in the neighborhood. Quite a few people who worshipped at the church volunteered to help with the program.
But as the years went on, older members of our church died, and we didn’t attract enough newer, younger members to keep going. Our finances dried up to the point where it was no longer sustainable to continue operating.
I remember the last Sunday that we were there. We had a special program that night where we did a slide presentation depicting the church’s history. I did one of the responsive readings.
And when it was over, I felt a little numb, like I couldn’t believe what was happening. There were a few tears shed that night and lots of hugs as we shared our joint grief. Because this was a death – not of a person, but of a congregation.
Afterwards, quite a few of us struggled to find new places to worship. I attended another CRC church in Holland for awhile, but then switched to another church because the woman I had started dating (and is now my wife) was going there.
The good news out of this story is that today, there is a vibrant, bilingual, evangelical congregation affiliated with the CRC that holds its services in the former Montello Park building.
I do miss many of the people I used to worship with on Sundays: Greg & Jude, Bob & Mary, Jeff & Nancy, Al & Judy, Dave & Judy, Bob & Marilyn, Jack & Mary, Dan & Diana, JP & Katy, Stephanie, Teresa, AJ, Kristyn, Oscar and countless others. They are a part of who God has used to shape who I am now.
For those who stayed to the end at First CRC – I see you and my heart hurts for you. I know many of you have already found new places to worship and for those who haven’t, my prayer is that you will find a new community to worship our Lord.
I am reminded of the verse from Isaiah 55:11: “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty (the King James Version uses ‘void’), but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (NIV)
God’s word went out from the many pastors and leaders who served First CRC for 164 years, and it produced much fruit. It did not return to Him empty, but accomplished and achieved the purpose for which He sent it.
Well done, First CRC.
Zeeland Record
I felt sad a couple of weeks ago when I learned that First Christian Reformed Church was closing its doors after 164 years of ministry to Zeeland.
While I never attended a service there, I knew a fair number of people whose lives were shaped by its ministry.
Learning of First CRC’s closing brought back memories of my own experience of a church closing. I attended Montello Park Christian Reformed Church on Holland’s west side for more than 10 years before it closed at the end of 2014.
Our family started worshipping at Montello Park on the recommendation of a friend of ours, whose daughter had been going to the church’s youth group meetings. We met Art Van Whye, the pastor of the church, and I
quickly connected with him when I found out he was an amateur (ham) radio operator.
I became involved in several different ministries at the church – for example, I helped out in worship running slides for our praise team, and occasionally I would take a turn behind the keyboard to play for our singers.
It was also at Montello Park where I, for the first time, found the value of being part of a small group Bible study. There were about a dozen of us that would meet on a Sunday night at different people’s homes.
My friend Al usually led the group – he was a quiet, reserved guy who owned a local business. He really had a passion for Scripture and seeing it come alive in people. Al was someone who I would often meet with during the week for coffee and conversation, particularly when I was going through a rough stretch in my personal life.
Al was incredibly kind to me and never judged me for what I was going through. I am thankful that he was part of my life for a few years. He went home to be with Jesus 10 years ago.
One of the things I so appreciated about the ministry of Montello Park was integrating the surrounding neighborhood into the life of the church. Pastor Art saw the changes that were taking place – demographically and culturally – and wanted the new people in the neighborhood to feel like they were welcome at church.
Toward that end, Pastor Art and a few others started up a nonprofit ministry called South Shore Youth Impact to serve the neighborhood. They held a summer program where they offered recreational as well as spiritual opportunities for young people in the neighborhood. Quite a few people who worshipped at the church volunteered to help with the program.
But as the years went on, older members of our church died, and we didn’t attract enough newer, younger members to keep going. Our finances dried up to the point where it was no longer sustainable to continue operating.
I remember the last Sunday that we were there. We had a special program that night where we did a slide presentation depicting the church’s history. I did one of the responsive readings.
And when it was over, I felt a little numb, like I couldn’t believe what was happening. There were a few tears shed that night and lots of hugs as we shared our joint grief. Because this was a death – not of a person, but of a congregation.
Afterwards, quite a few of us struggled to find new places to worship. I attended another CRC church in Holland for awhile, but then switched to another church because the woman I had started dating (and is now my wife) was going there.
The good news out of this story is that today, there is a vibrant, bilingual, evangelical congregation affiliated with the CRC that holds its services in the former Montello Park building.
I do miss many of the people I used to worship with on Sundays: Greg & Jude, Bob & Mary, Jeff & Nancy, Al & Judy, Dave & Judy, Bob & Marilyn, Jack & Mary, Dan & Diana, JP & Katy, Stephanie, Teresa, AJ, Kristyn, Oscar and countless others. They are a part of who God has used to shape who I am now.
For those who stayed to the end at First CRC – I see you and my heart hurts for you. I know many of you have already found new places to worship and for those who haven’t, my prayer is that you will find a new community to worship our Lord.
I am reminded of the verse from Isaiah 55:11: “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty (the King James Version uses ‘void’), but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (NIV)
God’s word went out from the many pastors and leaders who served First CRC for 164 years, and it produced much fruit. It did not return to Him empty, but accomplished and achieved the purpose for which He sent it.
Well done, First CRC.
