In Memoriam: Rev. H. David Schuringa

David Schuringa was an enthusiastic believer in the proclamation of God’s Word as the primary means of grace. He appreciated the Christian Reformed Church and had a deep commitment to its confessions, but with 15 years as president of Crossroad Bible Institute (now Crossroads Prison Ministry), his service reached beyond the denomination. David served on various boards and spoke widely in churches, schools, and prisons to encourage God’s people to remember those in prison. He died Sept. 14, 2023, as the result of a progressive, debilitating illness. He was 70.

After graduating from high school, David worked on his dad’s chicken ranch full time until God called him to ministry. He graduated from Trinity Christian College, Westminster Seminary, and Calvin Theological Seminary. After ordination in 1982, he served Beverly CRC in Wyoming, Mich. He earned a doctorate from the Theological University Kampen in the Netherlands and then taught Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary in California. He helped to plant Wellspring Christian Fellowship in 1993 and then pastored Bethany CRC in Holland, Mich.

David’s final chapter of full-time ministry was leading Crossroad Bible Institute. He hosted Crossroad Connection, a weekly radio program and voice for restorative justice and preached many Sundays as pulpit supply. He was adjunct professor at a couple of seminaries, including Calvin, and enjoyed his opportunity to testify on Capitol Hill about prison sentencing reform.

In his later years, David and his wife, Mary, lived on Minkler Lake in Allegan, Mich., where he enjoyed fishing, sunsets, and deep conversations with his children and grandchildren. He spent his last years quietly writing and translating a Dutch theologian’s work into English, while his illness progressed. In his final year he moved into assisted living.

Predeceased by a grandson, David is survived by Mary, his wife of 51 years; four children and their spouses; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.