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June 20 Today in OPC History

Jack and Betty Peterson

2023

 

On this day in 1952, Jack and Betty Peterson, who met each other as students singing in the choir at Wheaton College, were married. In the choir seating, the men would sit on one side of the chapel and the women would sit on the other. There was one spot where a man and woman would sit together where the rows joined. Jack and Betty ended up sitting beside each other at that spot and Jack asked Betty if she would like to go to a football game with him.

Jack grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, as a member of a Baptist church, Betty grew up in Freeport, Illinois. For his seminary education, Jack attended Westminster and graduated in 1954 with a BD and in 1955 with a ThM. He was ordained in the Presbytery of California as church planter in Chula Vista, California, in 1957. For the next forty-four years Jack pastored four different churches from California to New Jersey to North Dakota to Texas, making friends wherever he went. Betty often served as choir director, organist, and pianist at many of the churches. At youth camp and family camp in the Presbytery of the Dakotas, she would often put together a choir, rehearse them, and sing. At these youth camps, Betty would often also serve as the chief girls' counselor.

Jack gave himself to the church at the presbytery and general assembly levels, and often represented the OPC at international ecumenical councils. On one occasion in Germany, he and Chris Wisdom represented the Session of Grace OPC, San Antonio, in a membership exam for the Michael Cloy family. A worship service followed where the Cloys were received into membership of Grace Church. Betty was always so generous and patient in "sharing" Jack with so many people throughout the years knowing he was doing the work of the Lord. Betty was also active in knitting scarves for those in need, including a big box for Sudanese members at Second Parish OPC in Portland, Maine.

Jack and Betty were blessed with three children, Debbie, Sharon and David. Sharon went to be with the Lord in 2004. On November 24, 2018, Jack died and entered into the presence of his Lord in glory.

 

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