IN MEMORIAM: Dr. Henry De Vries

Dr. Henry De Vries, 59, was passionate about his Savior’s mission and deeply respected by the wider citizenry. An encourager of church leaders and a man of prayer, he died of unknown causes at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Rev. Henry De Vries: May 22, 1953 – Dec 31, 2012

De Vries was born in Friesland and came to Canada as a young boy with his parents, John and Jenny De Vries, who settled in Agassiz, British Columbia. He attended Dordt College, followed by Calvin Theological Seminary.

De Vries began ministry in the Christian Reformed Church in Rimbey, Alberta. He subsequently moved to Kamloops, where he served Sahali Fellowship CRC for the next 23 years until his widely respected ministry ended so suddenly.

De Vries was a singularly gifted leader whose ministry reached far beyond the borders of his local church. He served the local ministerial association as chairperson for many years and blessed his colleagues from a variety of churches with prayer and counsel.

Ever outgoing, he shared with people everywhere the cheer he knew himself in his Lord. Ever seeing possibilities for church expansion, his many initiatives led to a broad array of Christian services. Ever “thinking outside the box,” he inspired many imaginative forms of outreach.

His genuine godliness made his very presence an experience of encouragement. De Vries recognized the importance of kingdom leadership training. He achieved his Doctorate of Ministry degree in Leadership and Spiritual Formation at A.C.T.’s Seminary at Trinity Western University in 2010. The entire Kamloops community mourns his untimely death.

De Vries loved nature, he loved music, he loved camping, he loved to read, and he loved to be with his loved ones. He loved life.

He is survived by his wife, Fran, and their children Phillip and Rebekah De Vries, Justin and Elizabeth De Vries, Kristin and Ian Groves, Devon and Sarra De Vries, and 12 grandchildren.