Friendship Ministries Director Dies

Update: The Grand Rapids Press offers a news story about her death and the obituary.  Mark Stephenson has also posted a tribute on The Network.

Nella Uitvlugt, the executive director of Friendship Ministries, died suddenly on the evening of March 20.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 25, at Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church, 1800 Plymouth Ave SE, Grand Rapids, Mich.

A memorial page  has been set up for people to post a tribute or message of encouragement to her family.

She had been executive director for the last 15 years or so for the 30-year-old ministry ministry that works with 75 denominations in 28 countries around the world to include people with intellectual disabilities.

Friendship Ministries, founded by the Christian Reformed Church and now a separate ministry, provides educational materials for churches that want to help people with intellectual disabilities to be brought more fully into the lives their congregations. Materials for the ministry can be purchased from Faith Alive Christian Resources.

Nella had spoken often about including people with intellectual disabilities to groups and churches across North America including many CRCs.

She had a degree in special education from Calvin College, led a Friendship program in her church, was past president of the Religion and Spirituality Division of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, served on the leadership team of the National Council of Churches in Christ Committee on Disabilities, and was on the Advisory Committee of the CRC’s Disability Concerns ministry.

“Nella was a trusted advisor for me and for the ministry of ministry of Disability Concerns,” explained Mark Stephenson, Director of CRC Disability Concerns. “She had so much wisdom, and advocated tirelessly for people who have disabilities through her work at Friendship, her speaking engagements, and her many contacts throughout the world.”

A 2011 story in the  Grand Rapids Press  provides a full profile of Nella's life.

In the story, Nella said that key part of the ministry is the Friendship Group, which typically meets on a weekday or Saturday. There, members learn songs, Bible stories and learn the way church works so they’re comfortable when they attend on Sundays.

She was born in Ontario, Canada.