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For almost 15 years, Mark Stephenson has been the Director of Disability Concerns Ministry for the CRCNA. This past year, just on the eve of the pandemic, Mark embraced an additional role, that of interim director for Race Relations (RR) and the Office of Social Justice (OSJ). He has guided these ministries through one of the most challenging years we have walked through in some time.

As a collective justice team, we are all incredibly grateful for his leadership over the past year. In addition, we are again thankful for his long standing leadership for the Disability Concerns Ministry. Therefore, it is with a mixture of sadness and profound thanks to Mark that we are announcing the retirement of Mark Stephenson. He will be completing his time with the CRCNA around the end of 2021. It is so hard to say good bye to an individual we respect so deeply, and we have been so encouraged by his faithfulness to being an example of Christ in all areas of our work.  We are also excited to see him purposefully choose to step back from a very vibrant career in ministry to focus on spending more time with his family and seeking where God may lead him next. To know Mark is to understand his deep love of family and his unending joy of exploring God’s beautiful earth. We wish him well on his many adventures to come with family and friends and new possibilities for ministry. We pray for God’s blessing on his life.

The position for director of OSJ and RR for which Mark served as interim director since February 2020 is now posted on the CRCNA job openings page. Director of Disability Concerns position will post later this summer. We encourage our community to pray for God’s leadership and direction as the search committees discern new leadership for these ministries.  

Thank you, Mark, for your years of service at the CRCNA. You serve as an example of how Christ would want us to serve others as an embodiment of being the church.

Comments

Mark - thankful for your service and the opportunity to learn from and alongside you. While I was sad to hear that you are retiring, I am grateful that you have followed the Lord's leading in this decision as in so many others. Blessings on your journey ahead, and may continue to find your peace in Him, the author of life, the source of peace, the giver of all good things.

Mark was my Chimes editor years ago at Calvin and we attended seminary together.  Never met anyone more genuine or with greater compassion.  Thank you for your years of service, Mark.

 

 

John A. Tamming 

Wishing you all God's best, Mark!!  I've always appreciated our personal interactions when I've visited Grand Rapids and Holland, and I've always admired your leadership as I've watched you serve.  You've been -- and will continue to be! -- a blessing!  Many Thanks!  Shawn

 

Hi Mark, 

Congratulations on your retirement. I hope you will receive a blessing in this new season of life. 

I retired 6 yrs ago and now. after serving for 4 yrs at the Hammond CRC I retired for a second time. I am enjoying it!

Don Jabaay

Friends, thanks for your kind words. I plan to close out my full-time work with the CRC around the end of 2021. I'm praying that in these last few months I'll pass the baton to current and future staff in such a way that God is praised and God's people are served well. 

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