Guest post by Rev. Maarten Kuivenhoven,
Heritage Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids
Pastoral Milestone
On March 29, 2018 Dr. Joel Beeke will have served the Lord in gospel ministry for 40 years. This is a tremendous milestone for our dear brother and an occasion for humble thanksgiving to the Lord. In reflecting on those 40 years which extend beyond my own lifetime, those years have been filled with astounding grace. The Lord has blessed our brother with faithfulness, endurance and blessing upon the ministry entrusted to him. The Lord has used him to transform countless lives through faithfully and fervently preaching the gospel. Doors have been opened all around the world for our brother to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ and impact fellow ministers of the gospel. He has prompted many to greater love for Christ and to reflect the holiness of Christ. A thematic summary of these 40 years comes to mind – Spirit-worked passion – for Christ and His Church, for conversions and growth in holiness of God’s people, for men to grow in spiritual leadership of the home, for the growth of families in the Word through family worship, for souls to grow in assurance of faith clinging to Christ alone, for unearthing the rich heritage of Puritanism, for educating and developing ministers of the gospel at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, for vision and drive that will define the future generation of the Church. May the years that remain for our brother continue to richly bear fruit for Christ’s glory so that he can finish well and say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (1 Tim. 4:7-8). Soli Deo gloria!
