Affable, passionate, faithful

In the work of faith and justice, we stand on the shoulders of faithful servants from previous generations. Arie Van Eek is one of this cloud of witnesses who Creator blessed us with for 91 years.

Arie was the first Executive Secretary of the Council of Christian Reformed Churches in Canada (CCRCC). His affable and generous character was ideal for this challenging work of building a national presence and public witness with the CRC in Canada. Arie’s name shows up regularly in these stories of a community seeking to be faithful in gospel service for public good. Arie’s energy and passion was a significant part of the development of CCRCC work like the Committee for Contact with Government, the Urban Indigenous Ministry Centres, and ecumenical justice collaboration for Indigenous rights, Refugee Welcome, Human Rights and more. There are beautiful and complex stories behind each of these efforts that I don’t have space to reflect on here. Suffice it to say, Arie was deeply appreciated in ecumenical and evangelical circles of cooperation, and a key figure in the public facing work of the CRC in Canada.

Arie was respected by parliamentarians too. In 2004-05 I was invited to a meeting with Bill Blaikie, a long-time MP from Winnipeg-Transcona. We were meeting on a matter of disagreement on policy. As I walked in Blaikie said: “Mike, we are going agree to disagree here, but I’m opening the door to you because I remember the work of Arie Van Eek and his people to set up the Indian Family Centre (now Indigenous Family Centre) in North-End Winnipeg in the early 70’s. Let’s chat!” I remember being struck at the privilege of following the faithful footsteps of Arie and his generation.

Arie built on the good work at the CRC’s Indigenous Ministries in national work for Indigenous justice – this legacy continues in the CRC’s current work in this Kairos time of reconciliation. In 1987 Arie worked with the Aboriginal Rights Coalition to develop A New Covenant with Aboriginal Peoples – a bold statement of solidarity that upheld Indigenous rights in constitutional negotiations at that time. Arie’s signature appears on this important document. I remember seeing the New Covenant statement on a wall at the Burlington office in 2005-6. I brought it to national committee tables, and we agreed that it was a commitment that should shape our Indigenous justice work. Arie was enthusiastic about this work of right relationship and often asked us about it in retirement. Today there are amazing things happening in the Indigenous justice work of the CRC through Hearts Exchanged and the excellence of the Urban Indigenous Ministries. Arie’s foundational work encouraging and challenging the CRC to do this gospel work is a beautiful seed that we are nurturing as a community today.

Watching Arie’s beautiful memorial service online from a distance included wonderful references to his unique way with words, his heart and passion for justice and his gifts of organizing and encouragement. Arie was a mentor and friend to many of us who have worked in the CRC in Canada. As one blessed to serve alongside Arie, I am grateful to Creator-God for his faithful and passionate life.