Preaching was Archie Bazuin’s passion, and one that began in seminary. It is said he preached in 100 churches as a seminary student due to a shortage of pastors in the churches at that time. After graduation he went on to faithfully shepherd his congregations and encourage them in their walk with the Lord. In each community Archie served, he was a popular speaker and spoke at many conferences throughout the denomination. He also has been described as a pastor to fellow pastors and an encouraging friend to missionaries. Archie, 97, died Jan. 12.
Archie experienced God’s call to ministry at age 17. A graduate of Calvin College (now University) and Seminary, he was ordained in 1950 and served Kanawha (Iowa) Christian Reformed Church; First CRC in Fulton, Ill.; Jewel CRC in Denver, Colo.; and Munster (Ind.) Church, where he stayed for 27 years. For 25 of those years, Archie hosted a radio show called, “Munster Christian Reformed Church’s Evening Service.” That period was considered a high point in the church’s history due to the hundreds of people reached through the radio program. Archie served nine times as a delegate to synod and was a regional pastor for 15 years for Classis Illiana.
After retiring from Munster Church in 1992, Archie served as interim pastor for a couple of CRC congregations and was chaplain at Village Woods Retirement Community in Crete, Ill., for 22 years, until he retired for a second time at the age of 88. Archie was a recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award from Calvin Theological Seminary.
Archie is survived by Ellie, his wife for 75 blessed years; three children and their spouses; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by an infant son and infant grandson.
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.
