Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/97

Contributor - Trish Curry

Title - Church Leaders in the Canadian Synod - Rev. Dirk Kramer- Drayton Reformed Church

Topic - Pastor Profile

Rev. Dirk Kramer was born in The Hague, The Netherlands, but he was raised with three siblings in a Christian home in Zeeland, Michigan. He attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where he also met his wife, Linda. He went on to Western Theological Seminary. Dirk, in 1974, traveled to Dulce, New Mexico, and went on an internship at Jicarilla Apache Reformed Church. It was a Native American congregation. He graduated in 1976 from seminary and was ordained as minister on June 17.

A few months later, Dirk served Winnebego Reformed Church in Winnebego, Nebraska. Since then, he has served the Lord in Hopkins, Michigan, and in Drayton, Ontario.

As Dirk looks back to recall exactly just what made him want to serve the Lord in this vocation, he believes that it's mainly from two strong points. Through inspiration of his pastors and service in New Mexico, Dirk realized his calling for work in ministry. While he filled in for a pastor there, Dirk did his first funeral and led worship services. Through this, his calling for ministry was confirmed.

Dirk admits that he has had many fine years of preaching and that he's glad that God did call him in the ministry. He considers preaching as the bringing of a message from God through human personality. He states that it's really God's form of communication to us, other than our communication to God.

Dirk also really enjoys the work that he's doing in Drayton and the congregation there. He admires the church's connection to youth work and missions, and the way it encourages women to exercise their gifts in ministry. He has also benefited from the faithfulness of the senior members.

Although there have been many positive experiences in the past years, there has still been some trying times in his personal life. His wife, Linda, has undergone her second bone marrow transplant for multiple myeloma. She came out of the hospital on March 17 and continues to recover. They've really valued and felt God's power as He has given it in response to the prayers of so many people.

Despite his busy ministry, Dirk usually makes some moments for enjoying his pastimes. He loves camping, canoeing, Civil War History, furniture re-finishing, and collecting old books. His favorite book is Waiting For The Morning Train: An American Boyhood by Bruce Catton. Dirk also enjoys reading books from influential Christian authors: William Barclay, F.B. Meyer, George H. Morrison, Andrew Murray, J.C. Ryle, and A.W. Tozer. He also loves to read The Bible and to study the scriptures. His favorite New Testament passage is Ephesians 3: 14-19 and one of his favorite Old Testament verses is this one:

This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16

Dirk, Linda, and their three children currently reside in Drayton and state that it's really a joy serving here. 'God's really done wonderful things among us!' Dirk says with a smile, "We feel privileged to have been here when He did them."

In the words of one member of the Drayton congregation, "Well, thank you [Rev. Dirk Kramer and family] for these excellent years. God sure has done wonderful things among us!

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