Reflections from a Lifetime in Ministry
After a long, fruitful career in ministry, Wick Hubers is beginning a quieter season of life. He spent decades serving others within and outside the walls of a church building. Now it is time to follow God’s direction and work for His kingdom in fresh ways as he enters retirement. “I’m heading out on a new, different adventure,” Wick said. He looks forward to whatever the future may hold for him.
A 1977 graduate of Kuyper, Wick led a rich and varied life even before working in ministry full time. “I met my wife, Debbie, at Kuyper when we were both students in the ’70s,” he said. After graduation, Wick and Debbie farmed in Iowa for a few years before returning to West Michigan. “We were house parents at a safe house for domestic violence survivors— Hospitality House in Holland. It was run by the Christian Reformed Church at that time, although it’s no longer in operation,” he added.
In the early 1980s, the couple considered serving in overseas missions. “When our oldest child was 2 years old, Debbie and I went to Mexico for a summer,” Wick said. They participated in Summer Training Session, a program offered by RBC at the time. This 10-week-long course prepared participants to serve as missionaries. During their time in Mexico, however, the Hubers sensed God was calling them elsewhere.
“I went to Calvin Theological Seminary in 1985,” Wick recalled, “and after receiving an M.Div. began serving as pastor at a church in Cedar, Iowa.” After that, he would serve in another church in Iowa before moving to Wisconsin to work as a chaplain for the Christian Home and Rehab Center in Waupun. After being there for 13 years, he returned to Iowa to minister in one more church. During all this time, Debbie joined and encouraged Wick’s ministry by serving the family as a stay- at-home mother to their seven children.
Wick and Debbie now enjoy living in Iowa, near some of their children, and are looking forward to spending more time with them. Wick is happy to be more present with his family. They also hope to travel, especially to visit their family that lives in different locations.
Throughout his career, Wick experienced much that was fulfilling. But, the most gratifying part always involved giving himself to others. “Coming alongside people, that’s been the most rewarding for me,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed walking with people through a lot of different situations. Through a lot of joys, but also a lot of hard times, I’ve been able to see how God is always faithful.”
