Gerard “Jerry” John Flokstra, Jr. passed from this earth to his Heavenly Home on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at age 87. Jerry was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on January 24, 1931 to Gerard “Gary” and Martha (Ten Hoor) Flokstra. He served in the United States Marine Corps and saw active duty in the Korean War.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth (Barney) Flokstra, and their four children Gary (Glenna) Flokstra, III, Gregg (Sandy) Flokstra, Bonnie (Hammer) Beushausen, and Brittany (Sue Hill) Flokstra; twelve grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Fred (Jan) Flokstra and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Jerry is preceded in death by this parents and two siblings: Grace (Flokstra) Hagberg and John Flokstra.
After graduating high school, Jerry enlisted in the Marines during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1954. In 1955 he attended New England Bible Institute where he met Ruth M. Barney, one of his teachers, who soon became his wife. They then moved to Springfield, Missouri to attend Central Bible Institute, where he graduated with a BA in Bible in 1958.
Jerry and Ruth pastored a small Assemblies of God church in Newburyport, Massachusetts for two years. While pastoring he drove a taxi, waited tables, and got a Master of Theological Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. As one of the few Pentecostals on campus, he learned how to defend his theology. He was the Byington Fellow to Dr. Roger Nicole while there.
Jerry was ordained by the Assemblies of God on June 21, 1961 in the Southern New England District.
Jerry and Ruth then pastored the First Assembly of God in Meriden, Connecticut for four years. While there, he started ABC Theological Index, selling books mail-order. He also followed the advice of Rev. George Flower and enrolled in courses at Southern Connecticut State University towards a Library Science degree. He was elected the District Sunday School Director in the Southern New England District of the Assemblies of God and worked at Camp Charlton.
In 1966 Jerry and family moved to Springfield, Missouri to be Assistant Librarian and teach theology at Central Bible College. He became head librarian the following year and directed the library until 1984. During his tenure as the librarian, Jerry increased the library holding from 14,000 volumes to 140,000 volumes and moved the library from one end of the top floor of Evans Hall to a new two story library building. Classes were cancelled and all the students helped move and set up the library in a single day.
Over the years, Jerry’s teaching expanded to include History, Church History, Hermeneutics, Eschatology, and Pneumatology. His thirst for knowledge was ever present. He took courses at Vanderbilt University in the early 70’s and in 1988 he obtained a Doctor of Ministries degree (with distinction) from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He retired from teaching at CBC in 1996, but continued to teach overseas until 2005.
During his years at CBC, Jerry often ministered and taught around the globe. He taught Teacher Training Seminars regularly for First Assembly of God Jefferson City, pastoral seminars in Memphis, and college courses at Assembly of God Bible schools in the Philippines, Alaska, and over 10 countries in Africa (including Nigeria, Togo, and Kenya). Jerry was invited to hold special services on the Holy Spirit and preach his sermons from California to Maine, Missouri to Chibougamau, Quebec.
In 1967 Jerry and Ruth founded ABC Books and operated it until 2006. A longtime member of Central Assembly of God, he taught Sunday School classes for several years, including the King’s Men Sunday School class. Some of the members were Earnest Williams, Noel Perkin, Melvin Hodges, and Ralph Harris. His preparation for teaching was to find a provocative question to ask. He would ask the question, sit back, and enjoy the debate!
During the years at CBC, Jerry received numerous requests from missionaries for library help. He was able to help provide books and technical advice for them through Overseas Library Services under the auspices of Latin America; however funding was soon stopped. In 1994, with the direction of Dr. John York and the expertise of Ruth, Jerry started Africa Library Services Office (ALSO). It began in one room at the Decade of Harvest building, moved to a building on North Campbell, then to larger quarters on North National, and is now located in Africa’s Hope.
Jerry also left a few written records behind. Most notable was his selection and compilation of the various ways the New Testament is translated into English for The Complete Biblical Library New Testament. He provided bibliographies for further reading to the Adult Teacher for years.
Jerry enjoyed life. He worked with his hands and his mind. Reading hundreds of books on theology, history, fiction, and biography helped in his teaching and conversations. But he wasn’t above sweating when packing and shipping books even in his seventh decade. He was comfortable in an office and more comfortable in a tree stand on opening day of deer season. He out fished professional guides. He played Frisbee in a suit and played ping pong for hours in the basement of Welch Hall. His fish fries and library staff picnics were legendary.
Long before he died we lost him in so many ways: as a sparring partner in working out distinctives in doctrine, in discovering the meaning of specific Bible passages, in his remarkable storehouse of book titles, authors—the summaries of thousands of books, and in his vision for what theological libraries should look like. We lost his memories of shared events, of friend’s names, of family. We lost his joy of family gatherings, his loud and boisterous love of life, his humor and wit.
Doc Flok was a follower of Jesus Christ who obeyed the call of God to preach and teach and use talents and gifts given to him for ministry to the Church. The text of his favorite sermon to preach was, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” Hebrews 2:3
Visitation will be held on April 23rd from 12:00 to 2:00 at Central Assembly of God, 1301 Boonville Ave. Funeral Services will begin at 2:00 with burial to follow at White Chapel.
Due to Jerry’s investment and passion in theological education and Bible school libraries for so many years, Ruth decided, in lieu of flowers, to create a memorial fund that continues his desire to help Bible school libraries in the majority world though 4 The World Resource Distributors. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please go to: http://www.4wrd.org/donate/
You can designate your gift is to commemorate Jerry Flokstra by emailing info@4wrd.org