Jake Heerema, whose passion was being Jesus to everyone he met, was an ordinary man through whom the Lord did extraordinary things. “He was kind and would go out of his way to connect with people that most of us would overlook,” said his daughter. “Jake was a wonderful, caring brother in Christ,” said one pastor colleague. “I was always struck by his gentle spirit and warm demeanor, and that never changed over the years of knowing him.” Jake, 87, died Oct. 11.
After graduation from Calvin College (now University) and Seminary and ordination in 1968, Jake pastored New Hope Community Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., before going to Seoul, South Korea, as chaplain with the Board of Home Missions (now part of Resonate Global Mission). After six years serving as Minister of Education at Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., he became Dean of Men at Reformed Bible College (now Kuyper College) in Grand Rapids. He went on to pastor Covenant CRC in Grand Ledge, Mich., serve as chaplain at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health in Cutlerville, Mich., and then pastor Bethany CRC in Holland, Mich.
From 1994-2002, Jake directed the CRC’s Chaplaincy Ministries. “He was a caring and compassionate pastor to chaplains and their families. He took time to visit them where they ministered. He championed chaplaincy in a quiet yet resolute manner within the denomination,” said a colleague from that time. Following that, Jake returned to serve for 13 years at Bethany CRC as pastor of visitation. He then was pastor of visitation at Calvin CRC in Grand Rapids, until his retirement three years later.
Jake loved to play tennis, to travel, and to tell jokes.
Predeceased by Marian, his beloved wife of 64 years, Jake is survived by his son and daughter, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.