By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
WKTV Community Media has a proud history with the recently retired Rev. Mark J. Bergsma — he’s been a volunteer high school sports announcer for years. But his being one of “the voices” in local sports scene falls pretty far down on his impressive resume of career accomplishments.
Rev. Bergsma served as pastor at Kentwood’s Unity Reformed Church for more than 40 years before he retired in May — and even by church leader standards, 40 years at at the same church is special. But he makes clear that the Unity Reformed community was just as special and that he was been rewarded in so many ways for his longevity.
Rev. Bergsma — Mark, as everybody knows him at WKTV — sat down outside the station recently to talk about his years at Unity and other parts of his past, present and future.
“I really believe that God led me to that church when I was in my mid-20s, graduating from seminary,” Rev. Bergsma said. “I had already spent 14 months there as an intern. I went back to school not intending to return. But the church called me back, asked me to come as their full-time pastor. In the process, they showed great patience with me, as a young man. And it was a tremendously supportive family atmosphere there, and that never changed over the years.”
However impressive was his work at Unity, much of his work and his story takes place outside the walls of his beloved church.
Mark’s years as a pastor also had him serving as overnight Chaplin at local hospitals and with the Kentwood police and fire departments, as well as worship leader at Holland Home Raybrook senior community — experiences which, he says, came with trials and rewards, but he knew it was his calling to also be out of the church and into the community.
Yet another aspect of Mark’s career is his work on the tennis courts at Kelloggsville High School. Yes, he became involved to coach his daughters, but he went on to proudly coach successful teams and mentor great young ladies. And his future plans include supporting the school district’s young tennis talent.
And his work at WKTV? Before and now after his retirement, WKTV’s high school sports coverage team is better thanks to Mark’s work. But how he got started at WKTV? That’s a funny story (see the video).
Finally, what’s next for Mark, at a pulpit, on a tennis court and with his family? Mark will certainly not be slowing down … OK, maybe there’s a little more fishing in his plans.
