Roorda Ready to Serve Canadian Churches

“I love Jesus, and I want everybody to know about him,” said Rev. Darren Roorda, introducing himself to Synod 2014. “That’s who I am, but the way I do it it is about to change.”

Roorda, a self-described “proud Canadian,” is leaving his role as lead pastor of Community Christian Reformed Church, a congregation in Kitchener, Ontario, of about 900 people. Synod 2014 ratified his appointment by the CRC’s Board of Trustees as the new Canadian ministries director.

“I am terribly enthused about the excitement of serving more people and more churches,” Roorda told delegates. “I’m also terrified.”

Roorda said he and Steve Timmermans, who will simultaneously step into the role of executive director pending a successful interview by Synod 2014, are both fools for Christ: “It’s a temptation to say ‘Look how ready we are,’” he said, “but there’s something about being a fool for Christ.”

He is also aware of the challenges that the church faces, such as declining memberships, he said. “I’m aware of what’s going on. I want to spend my life dying, living, and working for this cause.”

Like the apostle Peter, church leaders such as himself are small rocks that build upon the large rock that is Jesus, said Roorda, addressing the delegates.: “Small rocks get stepped on a lot of times, but put together they serve a great purpose. I hope that in the tenure of my stay in this position, you and your churches feel strengthened by the work of the Canadian ministries office.”

Synod 2014 is meeting at Central College in Pella, Iowa, from June 13-19. For continuous Banner coverage, please follow The Banner on Facebook or @crcbanner on Twitter. You can find more tweeting by following hashtag #crcsynod. News stories will be posted at www.thebanner.org several times daily. For CRC Communications releases, webcast, and live blogging, please visit www.crcna.org/synod. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are by Karen Huttenga.