Dr. Everett Van Reken With the Lord

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Talking it over with Dr. and Mrs. Van Reken.

A few days ago we lost a good friend when Dr. Everett Van Reken passed away. My sadness is mixed with gladness because having reached the age of 93, Dr. Van Reken was fully prepared to meet the Lord.

I first met him when he came to hear me preach in Oak Park. Later he became one of the first members of the KBM Board of Reference. He and his dear wife Rose were married for 68 years. After graduating from the University of Chicago Medical School, he and Rose went to China as medical missionaries. They were forced to leave the field after the Communists came to power. 

He later established a flourishing medical practice in Oak Park. Beyond that he served on the boards of many different organizations and ministries. By the time I met him, he was retired but was still very active serving the Lord.

I have not forgotten, and will never forget, that back when Keep Believing was just a tiny idea in our hearts, Dr. Van Reken gave his consent to join the Keep Believing Board of Reference. He gave to us the very best thing he had—his good name—in support of a venture that was just beginning. Few men would do as he did. From the beginning until this very day his name has been listed on the Keep Believing website. We love him always for his vote of confidence in our ministry.

I said that we “lost” Dr. Van Reken but that’s not quite true. A thing isn’t lost if it you know where it is. And we know where he is. 

Heaven is a brighter place because Dr. Van Reken is there. For him all the promises of God have now come true. We thank God for his friendship and for his testimony for Christ to so many people in so many places for so many years.