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BIO-SKETCH:
- Born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan to CRC parents where I attended CRC Christian Schools on through Calvin College and Seminary. When I was about 6 years old, I told my first grade teacher that I was going to be a minister when I grew up; I have never wavered in that sense of call.
- Married to high school girl friend, Sherry Frens for 40 years (6/20). We have 4 children: Tamara, Robyn and Jerry (Evan and Johanna), Carin and Jess (Amos) and Ryan.
- I have been in the ordained ministry for 35 years serving CR home missions in church planting and young adult/campus ministry in Hawaii and Wisconsin; serving congregations in Oak Forest, Grand Rapids, and Rochester, NY; and teaching at Trinity Christian College and for CR World Missions in seminaries in Nigeria and the Philippines.
- For the CRC denomination, I have served as a regional pastor for classes Grand Rapids East and Atlantic Northeast, on the denominational committee for clergy continuing education, as a mentor for several seminarians and pastors, as President of CRWM board, as board member for CRCPubs, and numerous other classical tasks.
- As is likely apparent, I have always viewed myself as a minister, however I enjoy the diversity of Kingdom opportunities to which I have been called. Meeting other Christians from around the world has been a totally enriching experience and so too has the meeting of committed missionaries. Yet none of this would have been possible without the faithfulness of members of local congregations. I deeply love the Christian Reformed Church!
- My current ministry is divided into 2 parts:
- a. Field Leader for the Philippines in which I do consultation with the Christian Reformed Church of the Philippines to assist her in building her capacity for ministry and encourage/supervision of the 4 full-time CRWM missionaries as they engage in leadership training of pastors.
- b. Regional Leader for Europe and Asia in which I do planning and budgeting for the various country ministries as well as encourage/supervise the CRWM missionaries in Japan, China, Bangladesh, Russia, Hungary, and the Ukraine.
My tasks include: building a regional team from the present 18 missionaries, developing ministry strategy for the EurAsia region, establishing partnerships with other Christian churches and organizations, and researching new options for Kingdom Ministry.
I believe though that I am an extension of your ministry. God uses his Church with all of its resources as the transforming agency of His Kingdom. Therefore together let us seek first the kingdom of God and its advancement knowing that God will supply all we need.
THE WORK: First a brief report on what has been happening here in the Philippines:
- Finished teaching a Preaching Clinic to 6 pastors and a Theology of Ministry course to more than 20 students from the Philippines and multiple other Asian countries
- Lamented the withdrawal of one of the largest congregations from the CRCP along with her 3 remaining pastors
- Rejoiced at the accomplishments of the CRCP Synod which included a new plan for planting churches, a new training school for pastors and laity (RMA) with a new leader and board, and Warehouses of Mercy to provide for typhoon assistance
- Fellowshipped with over 200 CRCP leaders at the national Banyuhay conference that offered worship, encouragement and learning
- Participated in enabling 2 expert CRC consultants to come to empower the CRCP to develop a strategic plan to enhance their ministry capacity during the next 5 years
- Arranged for the new RMA leader to receive mentoring training in Calvin Seminary's Timothy Institute so he can teach how to be an effective pastor
- Preached in numerous CRCP services as well as the Union Church of Manila
- Facilitated the CRCP in attaining materials for Sunday Schools, Bible Studies, Small Groups, Theological instruction etc. that were damaged and free for churches abroad
- Celebrated with missionary Patti Harris, Vice President of ATS, at the graduation at various levels of more than 85 students and the excellent function of the seminary
- Joined in missionary Bob Harris' excitement in the establishment of the Center for Continuing Studies of ATS in which Bob will bring education out to pastors/parishes
- Struggled with missionary Al Machiela as to how to enable fiscal solvency of Koinonia Theological Seminary in Davao in the Southern Philippines
- Marveled at the grace of God as missionary Dwayne Thielke baptized 5 young adults from an isolated emerging CRCP congregation as they professed their faith
Now for the future. During the next 6 months, I will be traveling to Japan, China,
Cambodia, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Lithuania, Russia, Romania, Ukraine and Hungry. Frankly I am awed! Never in my life did I dream that God would call me into such a ministry! Yet I am deeply desirous to be used as an effective Kingdom Builder. I long for the Spirit to provide the wisdom and strength.
email Rev. Russ at: crwm@crimph.com
email Sherry at: sherrillkay@gmail.com
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