Andrew Ryskamp delivered a farewell speech to Synod 2015 as he retires from a 41-year career with World Renew, the last 17 spent as director of World Renew-U.S.
Ryskamp said his work with World Renew was the beginning of a spiritual growth journey. “It became part of my heart to do anything I could to lessen the suffering of others,” he told delegates.
Since he joined the organization in 1974, Ryskamp has served as an agronomist in Bangladesh, field director in the Philippines and Sierra Leone, director of diaconal ministries-U.S., and finally as director of World Renew-U.S.
Ryskamp spoke of doors he sees God opening. “God has opened doors not only for me but for World Renew. God is also opening doors for the Christian Reformed Church as a denomination. The heart that everyone has for serving the church has touched me deeply” he said. World Renew has grown significantly since Ryskamp joined the organization.
“I’ve come to love many of you and the relationships we’ve formed,” he concluded. “I praise God for giving us the courage to walk through the doors he’s opened for us.”
Carol Bremer-Bennett will follow Ryskamp as World Renew Director-U.S.
Synod 2015 is meeting at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, from June 12-18. For continuous Banner coverage, please follow The Banner Magazine on Facebook or @crcbanner on Twitter. You can find more tweeting by following hashtag #crcsynod. News stories will be posted at thebanner.org several times daily. For CRC Communications releases, webcast, and live blogging, please visit crcna.org. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are by Karen Huttenga.
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Julie Jansen Synod intern for The Banner
