A gentle soul who loved the church and loved God’s word, Paul Brink died Sept. 17 at age 76 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was known as a wise and compassionate pastor and a thoughtful preacher with a warm presence and a winsome way with words. He affected those around him with his encouragement and calming nature.
After convocating from Calvin College, Brink went on to graduate from Calvin Seminary and Princeton Seminary and was ordained in 1968. Driven by a desire for racial justice, he began serving at the intentionally diverse urban community at Grace Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. He then pastored Terre Haute (Ind.) CRC. The longest years of his ministry (1980-1995) were at Rochester CRC in Penfield, N.Y, where he pastored this congregation through huge changes—a fire and rebuilding in a new location—with grace, patience and wisdom. He then served Ann Arbor (Mich.) CRC followed by Harderwyk Ministries (a multi-site CRC) in Holland, Mich., retiring in 2008. While at Harderwyk, he loved hospital visitation and working with seniors.
Brink vividly sensed the wonder and power of God in nature, and he delighted in birds, trees, and the changing of seasons.
He will be missed by Karen, his wife of 54 years; his four children and eight grandchildren.
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.
