Louis Tamminga has been described as a spirited preacher, compassionate caregiver, efficient administrator, and visionary denominational leader. “What a gift to the church and to humanity,” a colleague said in tribute. “His abiding personality trait,” said one of his children, “was an outward and fully authentic focus on people as human individuals: their well-being, flaws, concerns, joys, fears, life-stories. He was through and through a pastor.” Louis, 94, died Nov. 11.
Born in Friesland, the Netherlands, the youngest of 10 children, Louis grew up under German occupation during World War II and was raised by his single mother after his father died when he was 2 years old. These circumstances informed Louis’ faith and grounded his love for family, friends, and the Christian community.
After high school and working in a bank for two years, Louis immigrated to Canada in 1951, then moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., to attend Calvin College (now University) and Seminary. After ordination in 1957, Louis simultaneously served two churches in British Columbia: Smithers Christian Reformed Church and Telkwa CRC. He went on to pastor Maranatha CRC, Edmonton, Alta.; Bethel CRC, Sioux Center, Iowa, and Willowdale (Ont.) CRC. In 1980, he returned to Grand Rapids to begin a three-year appointment as communications secretary with Christian Reformed World Missions (now part of Resonate Global Mission) followed by 12 years as the first director of Pastor-Church Relations (a service now provided through Thrive). In this role he pioneered relational approaches to pastoral and congregational well-being in times of crisis.
A year after his retirement in 1995, Louis accepted an invitation to serve as a half-time volunteer pastor to CRC missionaries around the world. He corresponded and met with missionaries in North America on home service and, with his wife, hosted missionary retreats in many places around the world.
Louis devoted time to Faith Alive, the publication arm of the CRC, serving as a manuscript evaluator and member and one-time president of Faith Alive’s board. “Louis was an able, wise, loving leader who always led with his heart,” said Bob deMoor, former editor-in-chief of Faith Alive and The Banner. Louis wrote several books and was a regular contributor to CRC periodicals, including The Banner, for which he wrote the In Memoriam column for many years.
Louis was predeceased by two sons and by Jean, his wife of 67 years, and is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.