CC Kindness 2

 

In Loving Memory : Rev. James (Jim) R. Kok (1935-2026)

 dddd

Remembering Jim Kok (1935-2026)

for anybody unsure, this is about the James R. Kok who grew up in Hills (MN), Bellflower (CA) & Holland (MI) and became a Christian Reformed Church (CRC) pastor, working most of his career at Pine Rest Christian Hospital in west Michigan, & the rest of his career mostly at the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California. (this is noted because there are/were more than one Rev. James R. Kok affiliated with the CRC over the last several decades).   (His wife's name is Linda). 

 (I am not in charge of posting the official obituary so I am posting a secondary obituary notice here on my own website blogs to provide further context & information). There has been some obituary information posted online already at the following links:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/james-kok-obituary?id=60896647

https://www.communityfuneralservice.com/obituaries/james-kok

https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/james-kok-obituary?id=60896647

On March 21, 2026, all are welcome at the burial ceremony at Artesia Cemetery in Artesia (CA) ( 11142 Artesia Blvd, Cerritos, CA 90703 beginning around 9:00 am (pst). It is a small cemetery and we do not know how many people will attend. If more than expected do attend, we hope the cemetery staff will help direct you to "overflow parking" outside the cemetery (but apparently parking in the high school parking lot across the street is discouraged)  

Later in the day, all are also welcome at a  formal memorial service at the Shepherd's Grove church (4445 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92604) later in the day beginning at 1:30pm (pst), after which there will be gathering in the community hall at the same location for refreshments & an informal time for people to reflect, socialize, & remember Jim, possibly with an open mic to share stories, as well as a photo slideshow, & memorial table etc) 

here's my version of Jim Kok's life & legacy: 

Blessed are those who mourn,

 for they shall be comforted." 

— Matthew 5:4

Remembering James R. "Jim" Kok (1935–2026)

James R. Kok, affectionately known as Jim, 

passed peacefully on February 17, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, & a lifelong dedication to Christian kindness.

 In a striking alignment with his mission, his passing occurred on February 17, 2026, which is also known as Random Acts of Kindness Day, a fitting reflection of the life he spent serving others with compassion, care, love & kindness.

Born on March 29, 1935, in Hills, Minnesota, 

Jim was the second of five children: 

Sherwood, Jim, Faith, Kay, & Gary. As an infant, he moved with his parents, Gareth & Katherine, to Bellflower, California, where his father founded Valley Christian School 

& served as pastor of a Christian Reformed Church (1st Bellflower CRC aka "1st Bell "). The household was steeped in faith, learning, & service, shaping the values that would guide Jim's life.

The family later relocated to Holland, Michigan, where Jim attended Holland Christian Junior High & High School. 

Tragedy struck during Jim's teenage years when his mother, Katherine, passed away just as Jim was in his final years of high school, leaving a profound mark on him as he struggled with "grief" early in life, which influenced the depth of compassion & understanding he would later bring to his Christian ministry.

 During this time, basketball became both a passion & a source of friendship  & community, as he played alongside his lifelong friend Tony Diekema ( future  president of Calvin College) 

at Holland Christian High, &  later Don Vroon as well (future Calvin professor & coach, RIP) (among others he remembered fondly), continuing together at Calvin College (original location) 

& winning multiple MIAA championships.

Growing up, Jim worked various jobs to make ends meet. In Bellflower, in the 1930's,  he picked & sold avocados door-to-door; & also sold the Press-Telegram from street corners, 

& even drove a tractor for alfalfa harvesting time

 (Bellflower at that time still being mostly an agricultural & dairy farming area). 

Later, still growing up,  in Holland (MI) he also worked as a  "paper boy" delivering the GR Press & Holland Sentinel. In addition he worked at various local grocery stores; & at the Holland ballpark selling popcorn & peanuts. 

As a young adult he also worked at Chris Craft, as well as another factory, while going thru college; among other things. As a child he enjoyed boating on Lake Macatawa & also the "car life" with his brother Sherwood. 

After college, Jim studied at Michigan State University (MSU) for a master's  in counseling & worked in Kalamazoo in vocational rehab for one year while also still playing basketball for various leagues with friends etc. 

After one year in Kalamazoo, Jim answered God's call to ministry starting at  Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia &

 then Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, 

eventually becoming an ordained pastor for the 

Christian Reformed Church. 

His pastoral care experience included internships at the University of Michigan & a hospital in Gowanda, New York, & he went on to become a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)  supervisor & Pine Rest Hospital & later the Crystal Cathedral, mentoring generations in spiritual care, grief support, & compassionate counseling. He also started the annual  International Care & Kindness Conference at the Crystal Cathedral.

During seminary, Jim met his beloved wife, Linda Peters, daughter of Leo Peters of Butterball Farms. 

Together they raised four children—a daughter & three sons—

across New York, Michigan, Iowa, & California, & were blessed with many grandchildren who continue to carry forward his legacy of faith & kindness.

Jim's ministry spanned decades: serving as pastor in Iowa City starting in 1965, 14 years as CPE supervisor at Pine Rest Hospital in Grand Rapids, & many years as Director of Pastoral Care at the Crystal Cathedral in California. 

He authored several books, contributed a weekly column to The Banner, and for many years led the annual International Care & Kindness Conference at the Crystal Cathedral, inspiring countless attendees to embrace Christian compassion in both words and actions.

Even in retirement, Jim continued mentoring, counseling, & supporting family, friends, & his community. 

The timing of his passing on Random Acts of Kindness Day 

poignantly mirrors the heart of his lifelong mission: 

to model & promote Christ-centered 

kindness & care for all.

Jim Kok will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, uncle, loyal friend, mentor, & servant of Christ. His life stands as a testament to faith, resilience through grief, & a steadfast commitment to loving & serving others.

Rest in peace, Jim. Your faith, care, & kindness, 

will continue to bless the lives of many.

***************************

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Verse of the Day 12/16/24

"Good will come to

 those who are Generous 

& Lend freely, 

who conduct their 

affairs with Justice.'

   -Psalm 112:5

#AmeriPrayer 🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸

Verse of the Day, 📖 12/5/24

What good will it be

 for someone to 

gain the whole world, 🌍 

 yet forfeit their soul? 

 For what can anyone 

give in exchange 

for their soul?

      -Matthew 16:26

👍🙏✝️🇺🇲"'Resurgence': Christian leaders see a 4th 'Great Awakening' as Americans flock to Jesus * "

https://www.wnd.com/2024/12/resurgence-christian-leaders-see-a-4th-great-awakening-as-americans-flock-to-jesus/ 

"

Despite overall book sales increasing by only 1% compared to 2023, Bible sales in the U.S. have reached an impressive 22% increase as of October 2024, according to the Wall Street Journal

"There have been three Great Awakenings in America, and a few smaller ones," Burleson continued. "I believe we are in the beginning of a fourth Great Awakening and it is a response to inflation (financial panic), pandemics (Covid), wars (global), and the sudden death of stability in America. There is no anchor in life better than the Anchor of Hope, and when the ship of life is tossed to and fro, faith awakens."

SOME PEOPLE HAVE ASKED FOR A LINK TO THIS. HERE IT IS

https://lettertosister.blogspot.com/

Excellent article "'The 501(c)(3) heresy is destroying the church and America * WorldNetDaily *" by George Bailey

https://www.wnd.com/2024/07/the-501c3-heresy-is-destroying-the-church-and-america/ 

"Here are the 31 words of the Johnson Amendment that were added to the 501(c)(3) IRS tax code: "…and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office."

I have a non-profit ministry and I was originally 501c3 but it lapsed or actually probably was intentionally taken away  during the Obama administration because I didn't reapply (didn't receive the notices to reapply either so I was wondering if that was  intentional)  and things like that. So I didn't continue to pursue the 501c3 and I'm happy that I didn't, now. Maybe God allowed it:  because I speak out LOUD and CLEAR about politics and political issues, and I don't worry anymore about being non-profit. 

"The Faith of a Mustard Seed? -" American Free News Network

https://afnn.us/2024/06/02/the-faith-of-a-mustard-seed/ 

Bible Mnemonics (no rights reserved, no copyright)

Bible Mnemonics
AAA: Do NOT be anxious about anything 🚫
ROGG: Radiance of God's Glory
BOM: Brothers of Mine
CAP: Called according to His purpose

ICDAT: I can do ALL things thru Christ
FOE: Fix our Eyes 👀 on Jesus✝️
FLOG: Nothing can separate us
from the Love ❤️ of God
WIG: HE has shown you
O man What is Good

HIP: HE is Patient
WESH: Who Earnestly seek Him
TAU: Transcends all understanding
TYMD: That you may declare..

BOP: NOT a spirit of Timidity but of Power 💪
BAW: Boast about Weakness
LYE:  Love your Enemies
BAND: Believe & do NOT doubt

CLIMB: I no longer live
but Christ Lives in ME
BIL: My burden is Light🕯️
CYS: Confess your sins ✝️
ASGOE: Against the spiritual Forces of evil 👿🚫

NEM: New (mercies) every morning 🌅
LYLS: Let your Light💥Shine
TRYM: Be Transformed by the
Renewing of your Mind

RAW: Reverence & Awe
FGOG: Free Gift 🎁 of God
KOA: Be Kind 🙂to one Another
GIL: God is Love ❤️ ✝️

LAGL: Live a godly Life
BOHM: Because of HIS mercies
NRLTL: Narrow road 🛣️ leads to Life
SAMN: Supply all my Needs

BAP: Blessed are the Peacemakers 🕊️✌️
SORTS: Those who Wait on the Lord shall renew their Strength 💪
OPS: Our present Suffering
GATY: Grace abound to you
SHUK: Seek HIS kingdom

TYGER: Thank you God, Eternal Reality 👍🐅
EOA: Encourage one Another
SLUM: The Spirit 🕊️ of the Lord is upon me
SIFTS: Spirit Intercedes for the Saints

WOGLA: The Word📖 of God is Living & Active
BIHD: Baptized into His Death ☠️ ☝️
FATFB: The Fullness of Assurance
that Faith ✝️ brings 

Mark your calendar 3.25.25 " to Connect '2.5 BILLION Christians' in Simultaneous Worldwide Prayer & Worship - "

https://protestia.com/2024/05/31/a-i-event-seeks-to-connect-2-5-billion-christians-in-simultaneous-worldwide-prayer-and-worship/ 

Christ Cards

"Street Evangelism” is also another way I try to reach people & plant seeds for Christ. Many years ago, I created a card that is saved on a flash drive, & which I can print -on-demand at copy shops across the USA (usually Fed Ex Office, but also Staples, & sometimes libraries, etc). Here are some of the receipts from printing those cards. Each page holds NINE tracts which I call “Christ Cards” , which I print on card stock, making them a little more durable than mere paper, & which usually are easily inserted under windshield wipers or on the driver’s side window. I recently tabulated how many copies I’ve made over the years to count the number of Christ Cards I’ve distributed. Here’s the images from those receipts to 2 which I’ve added some text for easier reading. The total Christ Cards based on the receipts I found = 8545 total, if I did the math right. My personal tracts emphasize the importance of repentance, baptism, & accepting Christ. I’ve also recently begun distributing some kindness tracts. So on top of the verified 8545 shown here, I estimate a few 1000 more from other copy shops where I didn’t save receipts (Fed Ex Office is handy because I got the receipt in my email box, making it easy to retrieve & print) for a probable grand total of 10,000 seeds ! glory to  God, not me.