New Faces in Chaplaincy May 2019

The ministry of Chaplaincy and Care is excited to introduce two new chaplains: Abigail DeZeeuw and Paul Van Dyken. We'd love for you to 'meet them' and say hi! 

Abigail DeZeeuw

My name is Abby DeZeeuw. I grew up in McBain, MI and now live in Moline, MI with my husband (Jim), son (Levi), and two dogs. Jim is a CRC minister in Moline and Levi likes to play with his puppies and practice walking. I've been in the CRC all my life and am excited to be newly endorsed as a chaplain. I'll be working part-time as a chaplain for Spectrum Health Hospice and continuing to co-teach one Hebrew class at Western Theological Seminary. I'm grateful for the honor of being with people (and their families) as they live the final chapters of their lives, and also for the opportunity to help form future church leaders at WTS.

Paul Van Dyken

I'm a California boy at heart (born and raised in the Central Valley of California). My love of music drew me to Dordt College for a music education degree and three years of teaching in Wisconsin (incredibly cold winters and very warm hearts). Married my dear wife, fellow student at Dordt, and together we've raised a family. My second career was back in Ripon, CA working in the family business of irrigation, pumps, and appliances. I sensed a call to parish ministry in the 90's and completed my M. Div, at Fuller Theological Seminary; a year at Calvin Theological Seminary for candidacy in '98, and off to Scottsdale, AZ for my first charge. Five years later I accepted a call to Grace CRC in Burke, VA and have now served 15 years here in the East.  

Seven years ago I began to explore chaplaincy and discovered an appreciation of the ministry of chaplaincy in a hospital setting. Over the years (and four units of CPE), chaplaincy has proven to be a wonderful addition to my parish work. I continue to volunteer at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA one afternoon a week, and also serve as an on-call chaplain for after hours/weekend emergency calls. I hope as I approach retirement years (!) to continue ministry as a chaplain in a hospital setting.