Cultivating a Legacy: The Van Roekels’ Journey of Generosity

How many couples can say they met the first week of their lives? The two mothers sharing the maternity ward at Orange City Hospital in the ’40s could not have imagined their babies would one day be married! Yet, that’s exactly what happened years later when Arlan and Barb Van Roekel reacquainted in college, fell in love, and married in 1968.

Growing up in the farming towns of Maurice and Newkirk, Iowa, Arlan and Barb Van Roekel learned the value of working hard, saving money, participating in the faith community, and giving sacrificially.

Dedication to the life of the Reformed church blossomed in their teen years. Arlan began teaching Sunday school as a senior in high school and Barb played the organ at her church, activities they both continue to this day.

Barb and Arlan learned the value of diligent work, tithing, and personal sacrifice through their parents’ example. Arlan recalls his father faithfully contributing $2 to their church offering each week; when the fall harvest came in, he would make his annual tithe. Similarly, Barb watched her mother work hard to support her children after their father died, even making sure Barb could continue organ lessons.

With this bedrock of values, Barb and Arlan finished their schooling at Northwestern College, the University of South Dakota, and the University of Iowa. After Arlan completed two years in the army, they settled in Des Moines, Iowa, and raised their family at Meredith Drive Reformed Church.

While attending Meredith Drive, the Van Roekels cultivated their heart for giving through preaching and example. Over twenty years ago, Arlan and Barb began supporting Meredith Drive’s intern from Western Theological Seminary, and they became increasingly interested in the school’s work.

“We’ve been impressed with how Western responds to congregations’ needs in the 21st century. The variety of degree programs WTS offers now has opened theological training to people who want to serve in roles other than lead pastors.”

The Van Roekels plan to establish a scholarship at Western Theological Seminary next year. They also plan to participate in the Cultivating Our Call campaign with a legacy gift to secure the future of WTS and help future students with tuition costs.

“So many graduates from Western have impacted our lives, such as George Muyskens, Jon Garbison, Tony Vis, Jill Ver Steeg, Mike VanRees, and others,” they say with gratitude. “We are confident in the leadership of President Theonugraha and the efforts he is making to keep the seminary on the cutting edge of excellence.”

Like many of our remarkable donors, the Van Roekels choose to prayerfully and faithfully support Western’s work. Because of their support and the support of many others, we are cultivating our call to serve the church so that the world may be invited to experience abundant life in Christ.