“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” (1 Tim. 1:12 NKJV).
This year during Dakota camp meeting, attendees were blessed to witness the ordination of two pastors. Pastor Kris de Bruin and Pastor Casper du Plessis were recognized front and center, joined by their wives, as the sacred service unfolded.
Pastor Peter Simpson delivered a heartfelt message, reminding both pastors of the One they ultimately serve—and the One who alone can transform hearts. He concluded his message by washing their feet, symbolizing a new beginning in their journey as ordained ministers, the letting go of past mistakes and missteps, and a renewal through Christ’s cleansing grace as they move forward in His high calling to minister to souls.
The message was clear: ordination is not the beginning of ministry but a confirmation of what God has already been doing through them. Yet it also came with a sobering reminder—without Christ at the forefront, their ministry cannot thrive.
For many in attendance, it was their first time witnessing an ordination. The ceremony was described as moving and powerful, offering insight into the depth of a minister’s calling and the often-unseen sacrifices made by ministers and their families.
What did this service mean to those being ordained? In their own words:
Kris de Bruin:
“Honestly, the whole experience was humbling in the best kind of way. After years of ministry, it was meaningful to pause, reflect, and be surrounded by people who’ve walked different parts of the journey with me.
What stood out most was the reminder that this isn’t a finish line—it’s a recommissioning. Ministry continues to stretch me, challenge me, and keep me dependent on God’s grace.
I keep coming back to this verse from Colossians: ‘For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins’ (Col. 1:13-14, NLT). That’s the story I want to live and share with others.”
Casper du Plessis:
“My ordination was profoundly humbling. Standing before God and His people, I felt the weight of truth: He doesn’t need me, yet in His wisdom, He’s chosen to use me for my own sanctification.
That paradox—of being both unnecessary to His work and essential to my growth—has grounded my faith in grace rather than in my abilities.
In that sacred moment, every prayer, every late-night wrestling with my calling, every step of preparation crystallized into a clear confirmation: this is the path God has set before me. It wasn’t simply a ceremonial milestone, but a divine ‘Yes’ echoing in my soul, affirming I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”
The journey of ministry is deeply personal yet always rooted in something greater than the individual. As seen through the words of Pastors Kris and Casper, ordination is not about recognition—it’s about surrender, growth and trust in God’s purpose. For those who witnessed the service and those who now read their reflections, the invitation is the same: to step faithfully into whatever calling God places before them.
Jason Logan is vice president of administration and ministerial director for the Dakota Conference.
