Carl & Jan VanVoorst

Carl and Jan VanVoorst serve in Watertown, a mid-size city in eastern South Dakota. Most residents of this area are middle-class, and there is a large population of Native Americans in the surrounding communities.

Of the 23,000 residents of Watertown, almost a third either do not attend church or are not living a life of faith. Though there are about thirty-five churches in the city, there is a great need to help residents understand the importance of connecting with the body of Christ.

After seeing the need in their community, the VanVoorsts helped establish Hope for Life Community Church. The church brings the gospel of hope into the community by hosting home group studies, offering a number of youth ministries, hosting a weekly Hope Recovery meeting at the local detention center, offering a Sunday worship experience, and volunteering in support of the community.

“We believe that this church of Christ will be carrying out Jesus’ ministry here on earth when He returns to gather His bride,” Carl writes.

Carl and Jan aspire to help folks by addressing their spiritual concerns, encouraging them through biblical life coaching, and walking with them on the road to abundant living.

The VanVoorsts have served as InFaith associates since 2010.

Carl and Jan have been married for forty-two years. They have three married children and seven grandchildren.

Carl graduated from Sioux Falls Seminary in 2003 and was ordained as a minister in the Reformed Church in America later that same year. He has served two Reformed churches in eastern South Dakota, and currently serves a Christian Reformed Church in North America in its seventh year.