It was like a scene out of “Star Wars.”
Kenneth Verbrugge, a 30-year U.S. Navy veteran, was appointed sergeant at arms for Synod 2012. The elder delegate from Classis Hackensack patrolled the delegates, light saber in hand.
“This is my first synod, so when the president asked me to be sergeant at arms, and I accepted, I asked him, ‘What does that mean?’”
The sergeant at arms is responsible for encouraging delegates to take their seats quickly following breaks.
“I was told that [in previous years] there was a shepherd’s crook or a staff that was given, but I could not find one,” he said. “But my wife . . . did find me the sword of the spirit,” he said, proudly pulling out his blue light saber.
Verbrugge was a strong candidate for the difficult job. He has also worked with classified intelligence information for the U.S. National Security Agency.
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About the Author
Ryan Struyk was a former Banner news correspondent for classes Grand Rapids South and Thornapple Valley.
