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Following the passing away of Mrs. Helen J. DeVos, Rev. Don Poest (Interim General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America) and Dr. Steven Timmermans (Executive Director of the Christian Reformed Church in North America) issued this joint statement:

Following the passing away of Mrs. Helen J. DeVos, a generous philanthropist from Grand Rapids, Michigan with a heart for supporting a variety of ministry causes, Rev. Don Poest (Interim General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America) and Dr. Steven Timmermans (Executive Director of the Christian Reformed Church in North America) issued this joint statement:

Communities of faith, both here in West Michigan and around the world, have lost a friend and ministry partner with the passing of Mrs. Helen DeVos. At the age of 90, Mrs. DeVos had spent decades supporting and encouraging people in ministry. Both the RCA and CRCNA have benefitted from her generous spirit, her heart for children, her commitment to Christian ministry, and her willingness to support innovative types programs.

One such innovation was the encouragement that Mrs. DeVos and her husband, Mr. Rich DeVos, gave to our two denominations to work more closely together. Their support has led to a closer relationship between our denominations and variety of successful and exciting collaborations. We plan to continue to honor her legacy through our future ministry partnerships.

Today, as we mourn the loss of this sister in Christ, we extend our sincere sympathies to Mr. Rich DeVos and their entire family. You will be in our prayers.