Rev. David Vander Leest (1997-2007)
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Born May 2, 1951, David Michael Vander Leest grew up on a dairy and swine farm near Sully, Iowa, the youngest of four sons of James and Artie Vander Leest. He graduated from Lynnville-Sully High School in 1969 and the University of Iowa in 1973 with a B.A. in English and Secondary Education. In August of 1973 he married Sally Ann Frame of Council Bluffs, whom he had met in Iowa City through Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship and Trinity Christian Reformed Church. David taught 8th grade English for one year in Centerville, Iowa. The Vander Leests returned to Iowa City, where Sally completed a B.S. in Chemistry and a B.S.N. in Nursing, while David served as Manager of the Fleetway Farm Store for three years.
Realizing God's call to full-time ministry, David began his studies at Western Theological Seminary in the summer of 1977. During seminary he served his internship at Faith Reformed Church and at S.D.S.U. in Brookings, SD under Rev. David Hensley. Dave and Sally got their internship off on an exciting note with the birth of their son, Steven Paul on August 15, 1979. Sally provided financial support during seminary as an RN at Holland Community Hospital Obstetrics and at Pine Rest Christian Hospital. Graduating from Seminary in May 1981, David was ordained at the First Reformed Church of Sully on June 12, 1981. He served as Pastor at Normandale Reformed Church in Pekin, Illinois for 5 1/2 years. Sally was employed as a staff nurse and Asst. Nursing Care Manager of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. In October 1986, David accepted a call to Grace Reformed Church in Waterloo, Iowa where he served for 11 years. Sally has been very active in RCWM serving as Classical President, Hearland Synod Organization Secretary and Vice President. Dave and Sally have enjoyed ministry together, particularly in the areas of Education-Children's and Youth Ministries. In June of 2008, Rev. Vander Leest accepted a call to the Reformed Church of Stout in Stout, Iowa. Back to the Ministers of Bethel list |