Morris Greidanus was a sound and creative preacher who lived with love, wisdom, grace, and wit. He eschewed “Reverend” as a form of address and told everyone, young and old, “call me Morris.” After being blessed with five “bonus” years following a stem cell transplant for lymphoma, Morris left his earthly life on June 14. The text from Psalm 121 for his memorial service was the same one he was going to preach from the Sunday before his death.
Born in Amsterdam, Morris immigrated with his family in 1950 to Alberta, Canada. A graduate of Calvin College and Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich., he also later obtained a Master’s of Theology from Knox College at the University of Toronto, in Ontario. After ordination in 1964, he served the Christian Reformed denomination throughout Canada and the U.S. for 54 years, beginning in Medicine Hat (Alta.) CRC. In 1968 he took a call to found a campus ministry at the University of Toronto. He went on to serve Immanuel CRC, Caledon, Ont.; Talbot Street Church, London, Ont.; First CRC, Grand Rapids, Mich., where he stayed for 17 years; the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto, where he was acting president for a year; and for the past six years at Fuller Ave. CRC, Grand Rapids, from which he retired one month ago. He was also interim pastor in Lethbridge, Alta.
Morris loved preaching and pastoral work and participating in synod, classis, and other church meetings. A highlight was his 40-year involvement in the original and updated editions of Our World Belongs to God, a contemporary testimony. He recently completed writing its history, which will soon be published. He also enjoyed reading, cycling, sailing, windsurfing, and many other outdoor activities, especially time at the family cottage at Big Star Lake, Mich. As a handyman, he worked tirelessly on many projects.
Morris will be lovingly remembered by Alice (nee Schweitzer), his wife of 58 years; their three children and spouses; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, seven siblings, and numerous in-laws. He was predeceased by great-granddaughter Phoebe.
About the Author
A former nurse and chaplain, Janet Greidanus is a freelance news correspondent and long-time writer of the In Memoriam column for The Banner.
