John Groen Obituary

On 3 October 2023, Rev. John Gerrit Groen was taken from our midst at the age of 93 at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga following complications from a hip-fracture. He was a devoted husband, father, pastor and tireless evangelist in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC). John's wife of 66 years, Nel Groen passed away on 6 April 2022 and was sorely missed. John is survived by children Pauline (Kevin Lee), James (Annette Van Geest), and grandchildren Kaia, Jensen, Mitchell, Jason and Holden. His brothers and sisters are: +Clarence Groen (+Anne Canrinus), +Paul Groen (+Ma Visser), Henry Groen (+Anne Boer, +Trace Prins), Marie Groen (Steve Elgersma), Jerry Groen (Tena Spoelstra), +Joe Groen (Betty Fennema). John was brother-in-law to +Annie Slot (Gordon Kraayenbrink), +Jantine Slot (+Klaas van Hulst), Ali Slot (Piet Koedijk), +Piet Slot (+Ankie Glas), Jan Willem Slot (Nel van Wijk) and +Hanneke Slot (Reimer Bekius). He was uncle to dozens of nephews and nieces in Canada and the Netherlands. John was born in 1930 to Gerrit and Elizabeth (Van Hooidonk) Groen, a market gardening family from Broek Op Langen Dijk, North Netherlands. The third of seven children, John was confident, hard-working and from an early age had the courage of his convictions. His confidence was nurtured by his mother who, despite a busy household and an austere upbringing as an orphan, doted on "Jan" and mitigated war-time deprivations with her role-modelling strength and focus. Early leadership in youth groups and the completion of a B. Ed. in Alkmaar were followed by family emigration to Copetown, Ontario in 1950. Before his untimely death at 57 from a brain hemorrhage, John's loving and good-natured father Gerrit encouraged John to leave the just bought 100-acre farm and enroll in Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids. John never forgot this family sacrifice. His commitment to theological studies was total. He was active in the "Groen Van Prinsterer Students Club" that championed a more Reformational worldview at Calvin, and he later served on the Board of Trustees and on Synodical committees. Following graduation in 1957, he completed an M. A. in Theology on scholarship at the Free University, Amsterdam. Then, in a slice of good fortune, he married Nell Slot, his grade-school classmate, following an extended long-distance courtship. Nell was the love of John's life. Her warm personality and shared history made for a perfect combination; together thousands of house calls were performed in their ministry to the pleasure of congregants. In turn, John's work-ethic and care for others earned Nell's respect. Despite relocations and robust work-loads, John was a loving husband and father. Active meal-time discussions, horseplay in backyards half-converted into vegetable gardens, weekly hikes and swims, board-games and annual camping pilgrimages with children and grand-children, sustained into his 80's, were family touchstones. John was generous and supportive of his children Pauline and James, their spouses and his grandchildren. John served in seven CRC congregations including Wallaceburg, Ontario (1959-64); Kentville, Nova Scotia (1964-68); Owen Sound, Ontario (1968-71); Mexico City (1971-74); Aldershot/Waterdown, Ontario (1974-80); Burnaby, British Colombia (1980-90); Kingston, Ontario (1990-95). Key milestones included: early promotion of Dutch immigration to Nova Scotia and the construction of Christian schools; attending to the sick, widowed and needy; and an energetic, biblically-focused teaching style of exhortation calibrated for new Christians. Anticipating the impact of secular trends, John came to believe that Reformed theology should reflect a greater appreciation for the Holy Spirit and enthusiasm for outreach, personal prayer and inspired praise and worship. The CRC Board of Foreign Missions sponsored his deployment as a theology instructor in Mexico City; his seminary students nick-named him "senior crunch" for his towering, direct instruction, in Spanish. His years in Latin America, where the spiritual cries of people were often openly presented, was a turning point in his Ministry. The congregations John served generally flourished in membership. New churches were constructed in Waterdown CRC and in particular Burnaby CRC where church-community outreach transformed many lives. John and Nell were called on well into their 70's to serve as interim pastor-team in Wallaceburg, Ontario; Victoria, British Colombia; Faith Burlington, Ontario and New Street Burlington, Ontario before finally retiring to Holland Homes in Brampton, Ontario. Later years focused on corresponding with inmates through the Prison Fellowship Canada program until his mind began to fail him. John touched the lives of hundreds of people from all walks of life. Over the course of a well-lived life, he earned the respect and appreciation of many for his courage, leadership and humanity. When confronted with the choice between expediency or his convictions, John was prepared to pay the price. He is loved and admired by family, who take comfort in knowing that his pain is over and he is with his Savior. A viewing and visitation for John will be held at BETHEL CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH from 9:30-10:30 am on 14 October 2023. Pastor Shawn Brix, John's co-pastor and CRC Canadian Church Relations Liaison, will lead the funeral service from 10:30-11:45. A luncheon/reception will be held in from 12:00-1:30 p. m. in the Fellowship Hall. The Graveside Memorial for interment will be held at Burlington Memorial Gardens at 2:00 p. m.