The following article by Glenda Mathes appeared on page 15 of the August 24, 2011, issue of Christian Renewal. 

After two and half years of waiting on the Lord, faith became sight for the Doon United Reformed Church congregation in Doon, IA, when they witnessed Rev. Simon Lievaart ordained on June 29, 2011.

About 125-150 people attended the ordination service, led by Rev. Todd De Rooy (Redeemer URC in Orange City, IA), who preached from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 on “Gospel Ministry with Gentleness.” He expanded on the theme “Paul defends the gospel ministry against false notions of ministry” by showing from verses 5-6 that gospel ministry is not seeking earthly gain, and from verses 7-8 that gospel ministry is serving with heavenly gentleness.

Rev. Larry Johnson, Doon URC’s former pastor and current pastor of the Covenant URC church plant in Prinsburg, MN, gave the charge to the minister from 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. Rev. Bradd Nymeyer, pastor of Sioux Center URC in Sioux Center, IA, gave the charge to the congregation from 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

The newly ordained Rev. Simon Lievaart pronounced the benediction before the audience gathered for a time of fellowship.

Because a long delay in the immigration process caused many anxious and discouraging moments, it was appropriate that the ordination bulletin reminded the congregation from Psalm 40:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”

“The ordination was a wonderful event of thanksgiving after the long wait,” says Mr. Clyde Lems, Doon URC elder. “We were reminded that even though God called Rev. Lievaart to Doon, the powers of the world seemed to work against it. But after presenting the need for prayer at the fall classis meeting in Pella, things quickly began falling into place and the prayers were answered in God’s perfect timing.”

“It was at times trying,” writes Rev. Lievaart. “We were reminded often that there is peace when we bring our burdens and concerns to the Lord.”

“We were comforted when we reminded ourselves that no one is truly home,” he continues. “We are all pilgrims passing through, waiting and praying for the day we can find rest and be home with the Lord.”

Simon and his wife, Jodi, were married in January of 2006 and graduated from Redeemer University College in Hamilton, ON, in April of that same year. They have two children: Joash, born in 2007, and Sophia, born in 2010.

A 2009 graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, Simon accepted the call to Doon in July of 2010, and sustained his ordination exam in September of 2010.