Rod VanSolkema – Week Six

Rod VanSolkema is the founding and senior pastor of Crossroads Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the founder of Ancient Path Study Tours. He is deeply committed to the local church and its mission, and is passionate about helping people encounter Scripture in its historical and cultural setting. Rod’s desire is that by studying the biblical story in community and understanding its context, people will grow in their love for the text and gain a deeper vision for discipleship.

Rod leads study trips to Israel as well as tours through Turkey, Greece, and Rome. He holds an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College (Wheaton, Illinois) and completed his seminary training at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, Illinois). He also studied in Israel, completing graduate work at Jerusalem University College.

Rod lives in Grand Rapids with his wife, Libby, and they are the proud parents of three adult children: Gabe (married to Ally), Bennett (married to Ryli), and their daughter, Cate.

Mission of the week:

Mission Eurasia

Mission Eurasia’s mission is to train, equip, and mobilize Christian leadership throughout Eurasia and Israel, who will engage in indigenous evangelism, church-planting, holistic ministries, and church growth by developing creative and strategic ministries and by facilitating partnerships between nationals and Western Christians.