Forest Hills Baptist Church

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Todd DeKryger and the DeKryger Relief Fund

February 26, 2016 19 Comments

Todd DeKryger in surgery
Todd DeKryger—faithful servant of Jesus Christ in Togo, West Africa—passed away after an intense struggle with an infection this week. He leaves behind a wife, 4 boys, and The Hospital of Hope where he was chief of staff and a surgical PA. He loved to share Jesus with everyone he interacted with and touched countless lives. He will be missed.

We have set up a fund to support the DeKryger family in this time of grief. Please continue to pray for Jennifer, William, Grant, Luke, and Drew.

Donate here »

Praise God, $50,845.06 given to date!


A beautiful note of grief and hope from Jennifer DeKryger:

The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! John 4:36

Today, Jesus called Todd home from the work he was doing planting and harvesting in Togo. In the mystery of His will, God chose this day to reward Todd with the unequaled joy of heaven. This is the promise of God that we as believers cling to through tears and pain. Todd poured out his life as an offering to God in Togo. I know that Todd would similarly encourage us who remain here for a little while longer to also be faithful in our service to our King (Philippians 2:17). Please continue praying and ask Jesus to bring comfort to William, Grant, Luke, and Drew. Ask that His Spirit would provide peace that is beyond the knowledge of this world. Keep praying that the boys grow strong in their knowledge of God’s Word so they can live out the legacy that their father has given to them. Also, pray that our Father in heaven would send more workers like Todd to the beautiful fields of Togo where the harvest is so great!

My heart is overwhelmed with unspeakable grief – for myself, our boys, our extended family, our spiritual family and the Hospital of Hope team. I cling only to the gospel and the certain hope of our salvation through Jesus Christ. I long for the men, women and children of Togo to know the Savior that Todd served so faithfully. Even in my pain, I am confident that our sacrifice – that Todd’s sacrifice – was worth it. I believe that the great commission is a cause worth dying for. And in the midst of my grief, I fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith.

The outpouring of prayers and support in recent days has been overwhelming. And I can’t begin to thank all those who have shown kindness to our family. There are many decisions to be made and I will update you again in the days to come. Please be patient as I will not be able to respond to every call, message or e-mail personally. Thanks for standing with us through this time.

In Christ alone we find our strength,
The DeKryger and Benefiel families

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

TOGOFILM from Robert Jensen on Vimeo.

 

We have set up a fund to support the DeKryger family in this time of grief.

Donate here »

Praise God, $50,845.06 given to date!




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Filed Under: News & Updates Tagged With: Death, Grief, Missionaries, Todd DeKryger

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Comments

  1. Susan Torlone says

    March 1, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    We are dear friends of Todd’s brother-in-law, Matt Benefiel. We remember hearing the stories of Todd and Jen preparing to go to Africa. We never had the privilege of knowing them personally. But…our hearts are saddened for Jen and the boys and all who knew and loved this dear man. Thank you for standing with them as their sending church. Our prayers will include them for days and weeks and months and years to come. God will use this to bring honor and glory to Jesus through the DeKryger’s sacrifice. Praise His holy name.

    Reply
    • Luke says

      March 1, 2016 at 10:22 pm

      Thank you, Susan.

      Reply
  2. Jim Emery says

    March 11, 2016 at 10:49 am

    Interested in when there will be a memorial service here.

    Reply
    • Luke says

      March 13, 2016 at 4:58 pm

      The service is scheduled for the 26th. We are still working on time and location. I will let you know when I find out more.

      Reply
    • Luke says

      March 18, 2016 at 9:09 pm

      Here are the memorial service details: http://fhbcgr.org/news-and-updates/todd-dekryger-memorial-service/

      Reply
  3. Timothy Hepworth MD says

    March 12, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    I have heard you are planning a memorial service. When is that planned for?

    Reply
    • Luke says

      March 13, 2016 at 4:59 pm

      The service is scheduled for the 26th. We are still working on time and location. I will let you know when I find out more.

      Reply
    • Luke says

      March 18, 2016 at 9:09 pm

      Here are the memorial service details: http://fhbcgr.org/news-and-updates/todd-dekryger-memorial-service/

      Reply
  4. thechristiansreport says

    April 26, 2016 at 9:01 pm

    Until today I had never heard of Forest Hills Baptist Church or the Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches. But during an internet search for an unrelated conference, the MARBC came up in the search results. I clicked the link, and Jeff’s sermon was the second one I watched. His sermon led me to look at Forest Hills’ website, and it was there that I first learned about the death of my brother in Christ, Todd DeKryger.

    My heart goes out to his wife and children, I pray that Jennifer’s prayers would be answered and that our Lord would, as I am certain he already is, bring a spirit of peace into the hearts and minds of Todd’s family.

    I pray that the Lord would continue to abundantly bless this family and that we will rejoice in heaven when we see the fullness of God’s plan in their lives.

    “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

    Larry Cook

    Reply
    • Luke says

      April 27, 2016 at 7:07 pm

      Really great of you to stop by and share those kind words, Larry! I will share your comment with Jennifer.

      Reply

Trackbacks

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Forest Hills Baptist Church is a church in Grand Rapids, MI that focuses on gospel-centered teaching, worship, spiritual growth in the context of community, and reaching the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.

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