User:Captain Phoebus/AVDP
Abe Van Der Puy | |
|---|---|
| File:Abe Van Der Puy.jpg | |
| Born | October 11, 1919 |
| Died | April 3, 2003 (aged 83) |
| Nationality |  American |
| Education | Wheaton College Calvin Theological Seminary |
| Title | President of HCJB (1962-81) |
| Spouse(s) | Dolores Hicks (ca. 1943-1965) Marj Saint (1966-2003) |
| Children | Lois Spragg Mark Van Der Puy Joel Van Der Puy Kathy Drown (step daughter) Steve Saint (step son) Phil Saint (step son) |
| Signature | |
| File:Abe Van Der Puy sig.JPG | |
Dr. Abraham Cornelius Van Der Puy (October 11, 1919 – April 3, 2003) was an American missionary broadcaster and author. He served over 57 years with HCJB World Radio and was also the president of the organization.
Biography[edit]
Abe Van Der Puy was born to Dutch parents in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on October 11, 1919. He attended Wheaton College where he recieved a bachelor's degree in 1941. He also attended Calvin Theological Seminary and recieved his D.D. from Wheaton in 1965.
In 1945, he and his wife Delores travelled to Quito, Ecuador to work at HCJB World Radio.
In 1975, he took part in the North American Overview Committee of the New King James Version of the Bible.
Van Der Puy had three children with his wife. He also had three step children from his second wife, Marj Saint. At the time of his death, he had 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
In 1945 Dr. Van Der Puy arrived in Quito, Ecuador, to serve with HCJB World Radio. During his early years in Ecuador, Dr. Van Der Puy operated the "gospel sound truck." This was pioneer evangelism with meetings in the markets during the day and public squares at night, almost always in area previously unreached with the gospel.
Dr. Van Der Puy's first wife, Dolores Hicks, died of cancer in 1965 after 22 years of marriage. In 1966 he married Marj Saint, the widow of Mission Aviation Fellowship pilot Nate Saint who was martyred along with four companions by Ecuador's Waorani (Auca) Indians in 1956.
Among his many roles, Dr. Van Der Puy served as manager of Radio Station HCJB, Ecuador field director, Hospital Vozandes-Quito administrator, president -- a position he held for nearly 20 years (early 1962-late 1981) -- and honorary board chairman (starting in 1982). Most recently he was named "lifetime board member."
Dr. Van Der Puy also played a key role in building up HCJB World Radio's North American ministries. The World Radio Network (WRN), for example, grew from a single station in 1978 to its present level with 23 FM outlets, most along the U.S.-Mexican border. The stations make gospel broadcasts available to 12 million people on both sides of the border. He played a key role in forming the network and served as WRN's president from 1983 to 1997 after which he became president emeritus.
Dr. Van Der Puy was also the "Voice of Missions" for Back to the Bible's ministry for 12 years (1979-1991). In addition, he served as president of National Religious Broadcasters for four years (1975-1979) and was on the NRB board of directors.
Dr. Van Der Puy authored a number of books published by Back to the Bible including Like a Mighty Army (commentary on Acts 1-7), The High Calling of God, Let the Earth Rejoice (global outreach in the Psalms) and From Eden to Eternity. He also wrote numerous articles for the magazine, Confident Living.
Although the Van Der Puys retired in 1990, they continued a rigorous schedule of speaking in Bible/missions conferences and held various administrative posts.
Dr. Van Der Puy expresses his life's investment in missions this way, "My greatest joy in gospel work is to share the Word of God and the salvation message. I never tire of digging into the Scriptures. I take great joy in the privilege of being a missionary. If I had to choose life's work again, I'd make the same choices."
In addition to his wife, Dr. Van Der Puy is survived by six married children: Lois Spragg (a former HCJB World Radio missionary), Mark Van Der Puy, Joel Van Der Puy, Kathy Saint Drown, Phil Saint and Steve Saint, president of Indigenous People's Technology and Education Center (I-TEC). They have 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to either the WRN (P.O. 3765, McAllen, TX 78502) or I-TEC (10575 SW 47th Circle, Dunellon, FL 34432) where Dr. Van Der Puy served on the board of directors. (HCJB World Radio)