wfn.org | Veenstra Resigning as CRC's Canadian Ministries Director

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

BURLINGTON, Ont., June 9, 2004 - Bill Veenstra, the Canadian ministries
director for the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), has announced that he will
resign later this year to return to parish ministry.

"As you are aware, I have been dealing with a number of requests to return to
pastoral ministry," Veenstra said in a memo to staff on Monday. "This past
weekend was the time to finalize that process, and announce a decision.

"It was made known yesterday to the Ancaster (Ont.) CRC that I have accepted
their call to come and serve on their pastoral team."

"The road to decision was a challenging one and on behalf of Lucy and myself
I
want to thank you for your support," Veenstra wrote in his announcement to
colleagues in the CRC's Burlington office. "Now we enter into a time of
transition."

He said he had discussed his decision with Executive Director of Ministries
Peter Borgdorff and that the transition is likely to take place in late
September 2004.  In the interim, a study committee of the Board of Trustees
will be appointed to review the Canadian ministries director (CMD) position
in
light of a plan to restructure the denomination's senior leadership.

"We are grateful for the 31/2 years that Bill Veenstra served as CMD, and
also
support his decision to return to his first love by serving the Ancaster
congregation," Borgdorff said.	"While Bill's service has been of excellent
quality, we knew that he has a pastoral heart and missed being in the parish
ministry a great deal."

Veenstra has served as the CRC's Canadian ministries director since January
2001.  He and his wife, Lucy, have been members at Ancaster CRC since moving
from British Columbia where he was the pastor at Maple Ridge CRC.  He also
served in parish ministry at Ingersoll, Ont. and Clarkson, Ont. He was
ordained in 1977.

The proposed new denominational leadership structure would replace the
Executive Director of Ministries and General Secretary positions with a
single
position designated as Executive Director of the CRC, which will be
responsible for implementing decisions of the Board of Trustees and synod. 
If
Synod 2004 approves, the new structure could be in place by the third quarter
of 2005.

This restructuring coincides with an impending turnover in the two top
positions of the existing structure. Borgdorff has announced his intention to
retire in 2005, while David Engelhard is scheduled to retire in 2007. The
plan
provides for Engelhard to serve on special assignment from the time the new
Executive Director is appointed to the date of Engelhard's retirement.
-30-

For more information contact:
Peter Borgdorff, Executive Director of Ministries, 616-224-0832
William Veenstra, Canadian Ministries Director, 905-336-2920

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Tel: (905) 336-2920; Fax: (905) 336-8344; email: hessh@crcna.ca