Christian Reformed Church Executive Director Resigns

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

> CRC Executive Director Resigns

April 5, 2011 -- Rev. Jerry Dykstra has resigned
as executive director of the Christian Reformed
Church in North America, effective April 5, 2011.

Rev. Mark Vermaire, president of the CRC?s Board
of Trustees (BOT), announced the resignation on Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement issued to churches, pastors and
denominational staff, Vermaire said, ?After five
and a half years of serving the denomination,
Rev. Jerry Dykstra informed the CRC Board of
Trustees of his desire to resign as Executive
Director of the CRCNA for personal and family
reasons.  The board agreed that this was
appropriate at this time and accepted the resignation, effective April 5, 2 011.

?We are thankful for his years of service as he
led the denomination through a number of
challenges. We extend God's blessings to him as
he pursues new opportunities in God's Kingdom.

Vermaire said that until an interim executive
director is named, the Board appointed Rev. Bruce
Adema, the current director of Canadian
Ministries, to fulfill the essential functions of
the Office of the ED.  He said that the executive
committee of the BOT will name an interim
executive director as soon as possible, probably within the next few weeks.

Vermaire also said the search will begin for a
new executive director and the Board of Trustees
hopes to present a candidate to Synod 2012.

Vermaire said the resignation came after

discussion between Dykstra and the board. He
expressed the board?s respect and appreciation
for Dykstra and for the job he has done as executive director.

?We are thankful for Jerry and his gifts and we
pray for him as Jerry and his family pursue a new
direction,? said Vermaire in a prayer following a
meeting with staff in the CRCNA?s Grand Rapids
office. ?We are thankful for him and his
leadership over the last five and a half
years?and ask God to bless him in every way.?

Simultaneous meetings were held in the

denominational offices in Burlington, Ontario, and Palos Heights, Illinois.

Vermaire also prayed for Dykstra?s colleagues as
they continue their work without him and he
prayed for the CRC as it seeks a replacement for Dykstra.

Dykstra had served as executive director of the
CRCNA since 2006.  Prior to that, he served as
director of Denominational Ministries for one
year.  He has been a pastor in the CRC since
1990, serving congregations in Cascade, Michigan
and in Walnut Creek, California.

For further information, please contact Henry
Hess, Director of Communications, at
hhess@crcna.org or by phone at 905-336-2920; or
Rev. Mark Vermaire, president of the Board of
Trustees, at markvermaire@hotmail.com or by phone at 760-525-7540.

> -CRC Communications

> --
> Chris Meehan
> News & Media Manager
> Christian Reformed Church in North America
> 1-616-224-0849