A compassionate, loving, and humble man, “Rodg” Buining loved the Lord with all his heart, soul and mind. He died Nov. 26 at the age of 88.
Buining grew up in Muskegon, Mich., graduated from Calvin College and Seminary, and was ordained in 1955. Over the following years he was called to serve organized churches, church planting ministries and Native American ministries. In later years, he felt called to healing ministries, striving to bring reconciliation to churches and believers who were challenged with conflicts.
He began ministry at Prairie Edge Christian Reformed Church in Portage, Mich., and went on to serve the following: Rehoboth (N.M.) CRC; Caledonia (Mich.) CRC; Bozeman (Mont.) CRC; Friendship House in San Francisco, Calif.; Faith CRC in New Brighton, Minn.; Orangewood CRC in Phoenix, Ariz.; and Bethel CRC in Grand Rapids, Mich.
After retirement in 1993 Buining continued to be a church visitor, wrote and delivered Sunday school lessons, was a radio minister, and served as a police chaplain in both Minnesota and San Francisco. At the time of his death, he was minister of pastoral care at West Valley Christian Fellowship Church in Sun City, Ariz.
Buining once said, “It has always been challenging and most satisfying when you can help people find Jesus as Savior and Lord. Most trying is when you see some walk away from the faith or take other hurtful and tragic paths. But we must keep giving them over to the Lord who can do and does do the impossible.”
Predeceased by Mary Jane, his wife of 66 years, Buining leaves behind his three children and their spouses, five grandchildren and their spouses, and 14 great-grandchildren.
About the Author
A former nurse and chaplain, Janet Greidanus is a freelance news correspondent and long-time writer of the In Memoriam column for The Banner.
