May 2023 Newsletter Story: John Vanderhoof

John Vanderhoof has been working as a representative for AzOSA for about two years now. He delights in reaching out to people about AzOSA and setting up times, speakers, and events to spread the facts of God’s creation.

Vanderhoof was raised in a Christian home in California, and when he was 13 he decided to give his life over to Christ during a summer camp at Hume Lake. After a long and prosperous life of gracious giving, a satisfying bird business, and enjoyable work caring for the mentally unwell, Vanderhoof officially retired about 10 years ago. However, he kept up with having small groups and other prospering positions in the church world.

Two years ago, Vanderhoof attended an AzOSA event and heard Dr. Kezele speaking that night. Afterward, Vanderhoof got to talking with Dr. Kezele and was asked if he wanted to help with other AzOSA events. A few weeks later, Vanderhoof is a full-blown representative. Over these last two years, Vanderhoof has gotten as many as 32 churches to have AzOSA speakers/events take place, and Vanderhoof has collected a wide range of places to set up presenters for the many different topics AzOSA covers.

Vanderhoof grew up in a Christian home, but AzOSA certainly helped to vocalize his interest in how much detail and evidence there is of God hidden in the plain sight of creation. He believes that fundamentally, the Bible answers everything a Christian needs to know in order to walk in a faithful, committed, reliable walk with God. Part of the reason he loves the talks on creation so much is that it further enforces the reliability of God’s existence without ever taking away or adding to Scripture.

Vanderhoof found a reassuring partner in his representative work by the name of Michael Morales. Vanderhoof loves to reach out and talk to people but can’t stand trying to figure out the electronic side of it. Morales is a wizard when it comes to electronics but prefers not to venture into the people side of the job. Vanderhoof said it was a perfect combination of one being strong in the other’s weakness.

Vanderhoof believes that God gifted him with inspiring gifts such as compassion and mercy in order to do the Lord’s work. Vanderhoof very much enjoys the 1-on-1 conversations he has with other pastors and doesn’t get tired of telling more and more people about God and what AzOSA does. He believes this is not only God’s work but that this experience greatly helps him in his own spiritual walk with God. Through this work, Vanderhoof says he is always learning something new about God’s creation, and relishes the chance to share that experience with someone else, to bring someone closer to the Lord.

One thing Vanderhoof has learned in talking about God to someone who does not know Him is that there needs to be more boldness when talking about God and patience. Although feeling frustrated may occur when someone doesn’t understand what God is all about, Vanderhoof says that frustration isn’t geared at the person not understanding, but at himself not being able to explain in a way the person understands. Despite this, Vanderhoof says that any frustration that appears when talking about the Lord is meant to be calmed by the Holy Spirit, knowing that when he is trying to talk to someone about God, God is already involved and that this fact alone should help him relax. If you don’t show someone humility and patience when talking about a kind and forgiving God, you lose that person’s interest pretty fast.

Vanderhoof says he feels truly blessed to get up every day and look forward to his job, a luxury he knows many people, unfortunately, don’t have. He’s thankful to God for having very little stress in his life at age 70 and feels honored to be a part of spreading God’s word through the outlet of AzOSA. Vanderhoof hopes that advertising for AzOSA will only grow, and get more people packed into each lecture. Because after going through all the planning, talking, and stage setting, there’s nothing Vanderhoof hates to see more than a small turnout at an AzOSA event.