Former Calvin College alum Cliff Bajema (from Lynden, WA) on EWTN

Calvin College alum and minister Cliff Bajema
 on EWTN's Journey Home

Calvin College alum Cliff Bajema was on EWTN's Journey Home with Marcus Grodi on Monday June 9. Calvin is my old alma mater. Bajema earned his Th.M. from Calvin Theological Seminary, but I have never met him or heard him preach. He grew up in Lynden, WA, a small town a number of people I know call home, including good friend and Calvin College roommate Mark.

This is interesting to me because of my association with Calvin College and the intense division still felt between Calvinists and Rome.

In fact, that's what I find so fascinating about these "journeys home": the wider the pendulum swings, the more intrigued we are.

Cover of a Horatio Alger story,Ragged Dick Fame and Fortune

There is no national TV show for Lutheran, Baptist, or Methodist converts. Certainly there are isolated stories within these organizations, but not consistent waves of interest across entire denominations.

These accounts resonate like rags-to-riches Ragged Dick stories, or celebrities that dry out after years of drug and alcohol abuse, or adamant atheists like CS Lewis who become evangelists.

We recognize a genuineness in life-altering events that last a lifetime; sometimes these come through gritty determination, but more often are characterized as something outside us (a strength, a spirit, a purpose) that takes up residence inside.

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Journey Home - 2014-6-9- Cliff Bajema - Former Reformed Church of America

("a hunger for the Christ I could touch and taste")

[2014-06-09]

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