 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Hello. My name is Randall Klynsma and this website is my creation. I've been
thinking about putting a website together for a couple of years. However, I haven't
got around to it until now. My guess is that it will be work in process for quite some
time. You can see from the navigation bar across on top of the page some of the
directions I hope to go.
Mission Statement: The main purpose of this website is to shine the light of God's
Word, the Holy Bible, on every aspect of life.
While each of us is far from perfect, as believers in Christ, we are obliged to let our
lights shine that others might see the hope that is in us . That is, we are obliged to
both tell others about our faith in Christ, AND demonstrate our faith by what we say
and how we live.
Since I'm a Christian pastor, I will begin with my church work. The ChurchLight tab
will take you to information about the church of which I'm a pastor, the Trinity
Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) of Bridgewater, SD. You will find information
about the church, its history, where and when we worship, and its ministries.
Closely related to this will be the WordLight tab. Here I will tell you something of
what we believe and why you should believe it too. I hope to upload a number of
tracks I have written over the years. Your input and suggestions would be gratefully
received. I' m also hoping to include links to a number of sermons that I have
recently preached.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: RANDALL KLYNSMA
MY YOUTH
I was born in the Northwest Iowa town of Hospers to my parents Norman and Dorothy
(Roghair) Klynsma in 1962. I was the fifth of seven children and was really the
youngest child of family A. I was 8 years old when the first of my two younger
brothers were born.
I jokingly say that I was raised in gas station. My parents have owned the local
Conoco Station, OK One Stop for as many years as I have been alive. Since that was
their main place of activity, I would generally be a there and from an early age was
put to “work” helping out wherever needed.
During my grade school years I spent a lot of my time in the great outdoors. Hospers
is located near the Floyd River Valley and my friends and I could often be found
along its banks. Sometimes we’d be hunting or fishing at other times swimming or
just exploring. There was always something there to hold our interest.
I have childhood memories of building forts, raising kittens and puppies and even
adopting a litter of baby raccoons. So far as I can recall I was a happy child who was
able to do whatever interested me. As I grew up I was given a few more
responsibilities. Dad would often put my older brother, Ed, and I to work, but I’m
pretty sure I had a much easier time of it than he.
All of this took place in the context of a pretty religious up-bringing. My siblings and
I grew up going to the First Christian Reformed Church of Hospers, generally twice
each Sunday. We were sent to Hospers Christian Grade School and Unity Christian
High School. We would always pray before and after meals and would often read the
Bible for devotions afterward.
EARLY ADULTHOOD
I grew up having a pretty high opinion of myself. As is often the case, my classmates
and the circumstances of life had a way of changing that. I came to see that I was an
ordinary person, just like everyone else.
It was during these years that I really struggled spiritually. I had doubts as to the
Bible's reliability, the existence of God, and the importance of moral values. I can
recall some of my classmates attending a pre-profession of faith class during high
school and my mom suggesting to me that maybe I should go. I said that I would not
make a public profession of faith until and unless I really meant it.
Well, it was during my second year at Dordt College (Sioux Center, IA) that Lord
converted me. I was invited by a couple classmates to attend their on campus Bible
Study. I did and what a difference it made. They were studying the Book of Romans.
It was the first time I had ever really read and studied a book of the Bible for myself.
We studied the verses and chapters and I remember thinking to myself, "Wow, this is
pretty serious stuff." I was amazed how clear it was. God says this and this, and tells
us to do that and that. We had better be sure to take His Word seriously and do what
it says.
There were still inconsistencies in my life, but the Lord used various individuals and
events to grow my faith and convince me to surrender my life to him. It was during
this time that I became convinced that I should make a public profession of my faith
in Christ. It was a semester of tremendous spiritual growth.
CALLED TO THE MINISTRY AND MARRIAGE
During my initial infatuation with the gospel and the Word of God, the people I
tended to hang around with were often those spiritually disposed. As I was a
Sophomore and still undecided as to which Course of Study to choose, I was
uncertain what to do. One day over lunch a friend said to me, "Maybe you should
study for the ministry." I said, "Yeah, right. Me???" For the next few weeks that
question kept going through the back of my mind. I finally went and talked to one of
the theology professors. He said discerning the Lord's call into the ministry is not
always easy to figure out. Since I was undecided in terms of majors, he suggested
that I take a few steps in the direction of the gospel ministry and see what happens.
Whether the Lord will confirm it or not. I remember getting up early one Saturday
morning and driving to my dad's place of business. He was surprised to see me, but
was even more surprised by what I had to tell him. "I think God is calling me into the
ministry."
Well, over the next couple years I continued taking "Pre-seminary" classes. I
generally entertained a few doubts, but felt fairly comfortable continuing my studies.
During the Summer between my Junior and Senior years of college, I spent the
Summer working with A Christian Ministry in National Parks in Death Valley National
Monument. It probably required more of me than I was capable at the time, but it was
a good experience and gave me added confidence to continue my studies.
Having spent a lot of time alone over the Summer, when I returned to Dordt College
that Fall I thought it would be a good idea to find a wife. To my dismay no
relationships came together. Interestingly, I remember thinking and even sharing
with a friend that maybe I should just give up my search and just focus my attention
on my studies until I was in seminary. Well just a couple days later I met the girl who
would become my bride. Her name was Julie Ten Haken and she was an Education
Major who would also be graduating the next May. I have to say, she was the
prettiest, funniest and most amazing girl I had ever met. From the first time we met
and talked there was an amazing compatibility. I remember we talked and talked and
talked. We discussed how we each felt presumptuous that we were just supposed
to be together. We met in September, were engaged in December and were married
in May. Of incidental note, Julie and my sister-in -law Sue (Otte) were both was from
Sheboygan County, WI and went to Sheboygan County Christian High School, though
not in the same grade.
While we were making wedding plans, we also had to think about seminary and
finding a teaching job for Julie. At the time I was more liberal minded and was really
hoping to attend Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI. We put out Julie's
resumes and filled out applications all across Western Michigan, and since my dad
had encouraged me to attend Mid-America Reformed Seminary (in Orange City, IA),
we also sent a few applications around NW Iowa. Well, no teachings jobs showed up
in Western Michigan, but a couple offers come for NW Iowa. Figuring this was the
providence of God, I filled out an application and was accepted at Mid-America. I
took first year courses at MARS and was pretty much that antagonist for most of the
year. Each time I would raise a question or spout some liberal ideas, the professors
would encourage me to support my ideas consistently from Scripture. It was a
difficult but beneficial year for me. I came to realized that liberalism is based more
on appearance and feelings, than the teachings of Scripture.
The following year we decided to transfer to Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mi. To
my dismay, it was not at all what I had hoped for. It didn't take long before realized
that I had made a mistake by leaving Mid-America. I stuck out the year and was
greatly aided by a few conservative friends and the faithful preaching I found at the
Christian Reformation Church and the preaching ministry of their pastor, Claude
DePrine III. I remember one of my classmates cynically saying that he would go to
chapel hoping that we would at least sing one good hymn. While at Calvin Seminary
one of the chief questions I struggled with was, "Could so many people be wrong? It
must be me."
After the academic year was over, I requested a Summer Assignment in NW Iowa and
received it. For the next three months I served in the Christian Reformed Church of
Inwood, IA. The most memorable moment came I was leading a congregational
prayer, and had just mentioned the awesome strength and mighty power of God. The
next instance there was a huge crack of lightening. It was pretty cool. When I was
finished there we moved to Ireton, IA and I returned to Mid-America to continue my
seminary training. The next Summer we were off to St. Catharines, Ontario Canada,
where I did another Summer Assignment and student preached at the Trinity
Christian Reformed Church. My time and ministry there was a great encouragement
that the Lord really was calling me into the Gospel ministry. Many of the people
there received my preaching and teaching as the word of God and encouraged me
continue developing my ministerial gifts.
LABORING IN THE CHURCHES
After graduating in May of 1989 we were asked to come preach in Edmonton, Alberta
at a newly organized congregation, the Orthodox Reformed Church. Once again we
were well received and blessed in the labors there. Though there was some desire
to have us stay, they were not financially able. So after the three months we moved
on, this time to Ripon, CA. Before we left for Edmonton, they had inquired about our
coming out to candidate for a call. I contacted them and asked if they were still
interested and we agreed that I would come and serve them as pulpit supply for six
months. We arrived in Central California in early September. After a few months of
preaching, the consistory asked if I would consider a call to become their pastor.
The rest is history.
I was examined at the Spring Meeting of Classis West of the Federation of Orthodox
Christian Reformed Churches (April 24, 1990) and then ordained into the Ministry of
the Word and Sacraments on May 11, 1990. I labored at this church until June of 1998
when it closed and joined with the United Reformed Church of Ripon, CA. From
there I was called to become the Minister of the Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian
Church of Bridgewater, SD.
Julie and I had our first baby, Gregory, two weeks before we left for Edmonton.
During our years in Ripon, we added five more children, Tony, Daniel, Carlene,
Hannah and Maggie. I'm hoping that before this website is done, I will give them a
sub-domain so they can learn how to put links, pictures or whatever else they desire
on a website.
Throughout the years of our marriage and ministry, we have had some difficult times,
but we have had some tremendous ones as well. It seems we grow the most during
trials and troubles. I guess there really is nothing new under the sun.
May the Lord be pleased to bless this website and my part in the ministry of His
church to His glory and good of his people.
Randy
Copyrighted 2005 by Randall Klynsma Most everything on this sight is here for public use. If you're going to make use of an
extended quotation or copy information that may be proprietary, please request permission from: info@familylight.com .
