Rev. Albert Strydhorst has joined the (CTS) community as the Lee Huizenga Missionary in Residence for 2012-2013.
Strydhorst has served with (CRWM) in Nigeria since 1993, soon after he graduated from CTS.
His roles included church planter among the Avadi people of northwestern Nigeria, country director for CRWM in Nigeria, and partnership coordinator between the CRC and national churches in West Africa.
One of the greatest changes heās observed over the last 20 years or so, he says, has been the growth of the church in what were once called āThird World countries.ā
āLook at where the church is growing and where missionaries are being sent from today in increasing numbersāoften under severe financial challenge and sacrifice. Itās from countries like Nigeria and Brazil,ā says Strydhorst.
This poses challenges.
āWhat is now our role as Western missions and missionaries? Itās a complex question, but at least part of the answer is to reimagine what it means to be the body of Christ in this new global context, to truly partner with others in Godās mission to the world,ā says Strydhorst.
As missionary in residence at CTS, Strydhorst will be teaching, studying, writing, and encouraging the work of the CRC in missions.
Dean of the Faculty Lyle Bierma observes, āHis most important role will be as a missions āpresenceā on the campusābeing available to and mixing with students and helping to generate interest in the work of global evangelization.ā
Strydhorst is joined at CTS by his wife, Carolyn, and daughters Kristin and Andrea. Their oldest daughter, Jessica, is a student at Redeemer University College in Ontario.