MY STORY: rick Dehaan

Role
Elder

Email 
rdehaan@rbc.org

Your faith story?
I grew up in west Michigan and had parents who loved God and showed me lives that placed Him first.  So, I never remember a time when I didn't believe in God.   Although I had a realization that there was a God, I also was pretty good at sin.  I lived with a lot of guilt and I recall going to God over and over asking Him to forgive and save me.  At some point in grade school, I came to the awareness that Christ had died for me and that when I trusted Him, He forgave me and I was part of His family. 
As I grew, I always recall God drawing myself to Him.  I often strayed away to live life in my own strength, something I wrestle with continually, but the Lord would repeatedly convict me of my decisions and draw me back to Himself.  I think that's happened thousands and thousands of times, and the grace and mercy of God is what continually amazes me as He faithfully has stayed with me and helped me grow closer to Him.

My passion God has given me?
God has a heart for those who cannot help themselves and His passion is that we as His people also demonstrate justice and mercy and compassion to everyone – and in particular, those who don't have the resources and abilities to defend themselves or deal with circumstances they find themselves in.

Favorite place on earth?
England & Scotland

Greatest invention of the last 100 years?
I can think of a lot of things, but I have to travel a fair amount and while air travel is not fun or comfortable, I am always amazed at being on a 747 with the enormous weight of passengers, fuel, cargo, actually lifting off the ground and flying half way around the world for 16 hours – and making it!

Makes you cry?
People, believers in particular, living in conflict and not being able to resolve their differences.

What makes you smile?
When I see people respecting each other and living in unity.