move audiences about social justice. “I
have seen changes in audiences when
he addresses them,” says Goudzwaard.
“He speaks to the hearts of people in
such a way that it changes their lives.”
One of the people Vandezande influenced was Brian Stiller, who began
leading The Evangelical Fellowship of
Canada (EFC) in 1983. Political changes
were taking place across North America along with the rise of politically focused religious conservatives. A former
national president of Youth for Christ,
Stiller says his world view at that time
was rooted in the 1950s and ’60s. “I was
in desperate need for someone to mentor me in the world of public policy and
political initiative,” he says.
Vandezande had been a long-standing member of the EFC national
council. Early on, the two clashed.
“That forged our friendship,” says
Stiller. “In time, there was little I did
without consulting him.”
Out of Vandezande’s philosophy,
Stiller caught a more inclusive vision of
God’s sovereignty. “I had operated with
a bifurcated world view of God’s will in
salvation: eternity on one side and public policy on the other,” says Stiller. “He
helped erase that line to understand that
all of life is in Jesus Christ.”
The political failure was a devastating blow but, looking back, Stiller sees
their progress. “We are light years ahead
of where we were in 1990 with the number of people of faith in public service.
The EFC continues to be on the forefront
of public policy. We were working on the
larger battle.”
Current EFC President Bruce J.
Clemenger, agrees. “Jerry’s work with
the EFC in multi-faith partnerships,
beginning with education but moving
through cases involving the definition
of spouse and marriage,
is a great legacy. Jerry’s
ability to bring together
people of different faiths
for common purpose,
along with his ability to
mobilize and bridge generations of leaders within
and without the EFC, have facilitated
our ability to engage across faiths and
to build policy-focused partnerships.”
Clemenger also values what Vandezande taught him about how to engage
others with respect. “Jerry knows the
issues very well, he’s very thoughtful
and he reads extensively. He knows the
various perspectives that are in play and
then looks for common ground.”
Real progress
is gradual;
there is no
instant change
Propose Incremental
Improvements
Another key aspect of Vandezande’s
counsel was to be positive. Be for something, not simply against change. Have
a proposal to bring to the table – and an
alternative. Remain gracious and keep
the conversation going, even if it’s only to
get another meeting. As the EFC became
more engaged politically, such advice was
invaluable.
Vandezande’s experience connected
him to journalists, politicians and party
insiders at the highest levels. He showed
Stiller the value of non-partisan networking, patiently building relationships with all leaders. He could also craft
well-written documents on the issues.
“He modelled for me how to speak
into the public square,” says
Stiller.
In 1990 they worked
together on the issue of
abortion. The EFC leaders were patient and reasonable and the Mulroney
government’s Bill C- 43 reflected their priorities. “It wasn’t perfect but it started us down the right
road, affirming life at conception,”
says Stiller. The bill was passed by the
House and went to the Senate.
Then strident, Christian pro-life
organizations rallied national support.
Insisting that the proposed law was an
unacceptable compromise, they joined
with pro-choice organizations to call
for its rejection. Despite the EFC’s best
efforts, the Senate vote was a tie and the
bill was stopped. “We shared a deep sorrow,” Stiller says. “It’s the only time I
cried about public policy.”
This was another important lesson.
Real progress is gradual; there is no instant change.
Be Well Informed
Vandezande took part in 200 episodes
of the EFC TV program Cross Currents hosted by Stiller. Vandezande was
both a frequent on-camera guest and
also a key resource. Karen Pascal, the
program producer, recalls his power
What Else Can We Learn From Jerry Vandezande?
John redekop, adjunct professor of political science at Trinity poor need your voice, the broken need your strength and the
western university in langley, B.C., and past president of lost need your help in direction, and that evil can be systemic
the EFC, says: “do not hesitate to tackle issues. if you believe and needs to be corrected at many levels.”
that you are morally right, then no issue is too daunting or too Charles Pascal, executive director of the atkinson Foundation,
controversial for a clear Christian response. don’t expect to win all says: “we need to learn his tenacity. a phrase that describes Jerry is
the struggles but don’t give up too soon. Christians are required to ‘visionary incrementalist.’ he has always had a clear vision that the
be faithful, not successful. Fight for causes, not against people.” future has to be safer and more just for all Canadians. But to move
lorna dueck, regular Globe and Mail columnist, president of to that better vision requires incrementalism. how do we get to
media voice Generation and executive producer and host of the that better future? with tenacity: baby steps and giant steps. and i
television program ListenUp, says: “Jerry was persistent, tireless, never saw anyone with more optimism about the human spirit. he
kind, diligent and wise. his message was never to forget that the has tenacity and optimism.” n –Bv
