March 7 Today in OPC History

Happy birthday to the Rev. Francis VanDelden, pastor of New Hope Presbyterian in Frederick, Maryland. Born in Hamilton, Ontario (Canada), Francis attended McMaster University in Hamilton, where he majored in Classics. Following his graduation, Francis ran a fish & chip restaurant for five years during which time the Lord was working in his heart regarding a call to full-time gospel ministry. He entered Westminster Seminary California where he graduated with a M.Div. in 2005. That same year he married Laura Jansenvandoorn, whom he had grown up with in Hamilton and attended the same church youth group. Francis and Laura have been blessed with five children, twins Samantha and Emma (2007), Jessie-Lynn (2010), Levi (2012), and Micah (2014). In 2011, Francis accepted the call to New Hope Church where he continues to labor faithfully.

Picture: The VanDelden family in 2013.