Reverend Jerry Vanderveen went home to be with the Lord on August 5, 2024, at 86 years of age. Jerry and his wife, Rolla, joined GMSA in 1996 as mission representatives. Their introduction in the Southern Sentinel reads:
“Born in the Netherlands just prior to World War II, Jerry Vanderveen immigrated to southern Ontario, Canada with his family in 1947. Jerry recalls those first years in Canada as ‘tough days of porridge and hard work.’
Although from a somewhat religious background, Jerry was saved in 1957 under the influence of an evangelist, making evangelism a real motivation in his life. He enrolled in Prairie Bible Institute the following year. During his years at PBI, summer evangelism and camp ministry on the west coast of Vancouver Island provided valuable practical training.
After graduation in 1963 and several years of evangelism and church planting the area of Lac La Biche, Alberta, Jerry married Arolla Taylor, a graduate from New Brunswick Bible Institute. Their subsequent ministries include: pastorates in Manitoba, Idaho, Ontario and New Brunswick; Atlantic Director of the Canadian Sunday School Mission; and three years of radio-TV evangelism and church planting in Newfoundland.”
In the years to follow, Jerry and Rolla continued to be active in pastoral and evangelistic ministry for many years along with their representation of GMSA. Jerry also served on the Canadian Board, and later, as the Canadian Director until the late 2000’s. He retired as interim pastor of Whitney Baptist church in New Brunswick at the age of 82.
Rolla preceded Jerry to Heaven in 2022. Their three daughters, Nancy, Carolyn and Susan, will appreciate your prayers for their family in these days.
