Dan Woodwyk doesn’t let opportunities to serve pass him by.
Woodwyk, 36, is an assistant deacon for Borculo Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland, Mich. Woodwyk also has Down Syndrome.
He had been ushering for about 10 years but made it known that he wanted to be a deacon.
Rev. Bill Renkema, pastor of the congregation, suggested the idea of an assistant deacon position to the council, and the council agreed. Woodwyk’s position is renewable each year.
Woodwyk did not hesitate when council asked if he’d be interested in the position. “Yes, I want to do it,” he said, and added, “I proud.”
Brenda Woodwyk, Dan’s mother, said her son substitutes for a deacon to take the offering a few times each month.
“People don’t think twice about it,” Renkema said. “He’s such a normal part of the church.”
