Reformed theological literature translation and publication ministry for the Chinese people.

Passing of Rev John de Hoog

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Our previous committee member Rev John de Hoog has entered into the presence of our Lord after a prolonged battle with cancer. We thank him for his dedication in theological educations and of his love for the Chinese Christian through the translation of reformed theological literature.  

 
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Rev. John de Hoog after a prolonged battle with cancer. John was a dearly loved colleague and friend and he will be sorely missed.
 
John’s association with the RTC goes back several decades. He trained here, receiving his BD in 1991. After his studies John ministered in CRCA churches in Sydney, Canberra and Geelong, while at the same time obtaining two masters degrees (at Moore College and the Australian College of Theology). He was appointed as lecturer in Old Testament in Hebrew in 2011 and has filled this role with distinction. His students will long remember his deep love for the Word, his Christocentric focus on teaching the Old Testament and his unique ability to teach the Hebrew language, even to those who ‘don’t do languages’! As a colleague John was an incredibly hard worker who was always ready to take up new challenges with diligence, good humour and creativity.
 
While this is a desperately sad time we can rest in the fact that John entered his eternal home and that we, therefore, do not grieve as those without hope (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13). Throughout his illness John constantly expressed his trust in God and in the truths of the gospel. As he wrote in one of the last pieces he did for the RTC: “The glorious message of the gospel calms our fears, humbles our prideful hearts, directs our affections in praise and gladness to God, orients our lives to eternal verities and puts us on the path of glorifying God and enjoying him forever. That’s what everyone needs, and it unites us as God’s people no matter how disparate our circumstances.” It was truly humbling and inspiring to see John live out these truths over the final months of his life.
 
Please pray for John’s wife Sallee, his sons, their wives and his grandchildren as they mourn his passing. No doubt his death will leave a massive hole in their lives but let us pray that their sadness will be softened by many wonderful memories and the knowledge that by God’s grace he successfully finished the race set before him.

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