Scott DeVries, CRC’s Synodical Services Director, Dies

Scott DeVries, 47, director of synodical services for the Christian Reformed Church in North America, died Saturday, April 27, a few days after entering hospice care after doctors discovered cancer in March. DeVries and his family belong to Faith Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Mich. He was appointed director of synodical services in November 2022, after the retirement of past director Dee Recker.

The CRC’s general secretary, Zachary King, shared the news with CRC staff Monday, April 29. “We start this new week with difficult news,” King wrote. “Our beloved brother in Christ, Rev. Scott DeVries, who served as director of synodical services, passed away last weekend. Those of us who had the privilege of conversing with Scott during the final weeks of his life witnessed the steady courage and unswerving trust that characterized Scott throughout his illness. That courage and trust was rooted in Jesus Christ and his unshakeable promises to Scott and all his people.”

Staff plan a time of remembrance for DeVries on April 30. A memorial service will take place May 10 at Faith CRC.

Since March the synodical services team, with help from some temporary hires, absorbed some of DeVries’s duties in order to prepare for Synod 2024, the general assembly of the CRCNA meeting June 14-20 in Grand Rapids, Mich. DeVries prepared a report, his final one, for the May meeting of the Council of Delegates, which proposed the need for a temporary associate director of synodical services to serve in the interim during DeVries’ illness. That proposal is on the Council’s agenda as it meets May 1-3 in Grand Rapids.

Since March 21, DeVries’s wife, Sara DeVries, has been sharing with family, friends, and community members on CaringBridge, a website designed to connect people with loved ones during an illness or hospital stay. A post that was shared with CRCNA staff April 25 said:

(Scott)’s not able to check messages anymore and we want to focus on him rather than replying to lots of people, but if you have thoughts, verses, things you’d like us to share or read to him, the comment section here is a great way to do that. We will make sure he hears them during the time we have left.

I asked what he wanted to say to all of you:

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain – Philippians 1:24

DeVries was ordained in the CRCNA in 2008 and pastored two congregations in Michigan before serving as ministries coordinator in Classis Holland from 2016 to 2018 and then worked for the denomination, managing the Connections and coordinating the Thriving Congregations projects.

He would have turned 48 on June 9. He and his wife, Sara, have two children.