Advancing Our Ministry Providence Life Services is pleased to welcome Rick VanDyken as Executive Vice President of Ministry Advancement. Rick’s relationship with Providence spans several seasons. He first became connected to Providence through service on the Board of Directors, where he served for three years. He later joined the organization in an advancement role while Scott Studebaker was serving at Park Place of Elmhurst.
After his time at Providence, Rick accepted a position as Vice President of Development at Providence Christian College in California. When he learned of Scott’s upcoming retirement, Rick reached out to Providence about returning to his previous role. We are grateful to welcome him back to continue advancing the mission he has long supported. Rick brings more than 20 years of experience in mission advancement at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights. Earlier in his career, he spent eight years at Rehoboth Christian School among the Navajo people in New Mexico and six years in Jos, Nigeria, with Christian Reformed World Missions. He has also served on the boards of Southwest Chicago Christian School, Roseland Christian School, and Christian Reformed World Missions.
Rick earned a B.S. in Business Management from Trinity Christian College and an M.A. in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He and his wife, Sue, attend New Life Christian Reformed Church and have four married adult children and eight grandchildren, with a ninth on the way. Returning to Providence feels very different to Rick this time around. “When I first joined Providence, it was during COVID,” he shared. “Now returning, it feels like a much more hopeful and optimistic season for this ministry.” Rick is especially encouraged by the direction of Providence Life Services under new CEO Bill DeYoung and looks forward to seeing how this season of leadership will shape the organization’s future. He is excited about the opportunity to work with
the entire organization in ministry advancement and to support the mission across all communities and service lines. While Rick is grateful for this new chapter, he will miss Scott Studebaker, whom he describes as a strong advocate for Christ-like care for the senior living industry. At the same time, Rick is thankful for the foundation Scott helped build and the relationships he nurtured over many years.
opportunity to build on that support by reaching out to new friends who share in this mission.” Rick is particularly encouraged by the important role Providence chaplains play in connecting with residents, families, and the broader community Please join us in welcoming Rick back to Providence Life Services. Encourage him in his work and keep him in your prayers as he begins this
“I’m excited to be back and to see where the Lord leads us.”
As he steps into this role, Rick hopes to explore new trends in the senior living and nonprofit industries while continuing to build on Providence’s strong base of donor support. “We’ve been blessed with consistent and faithful supporters,” he shared. “Now, there is an
new season of service. His efforts, along with the entire Ministry Advancement Team, help ensure that Providence Life Services can continue to engage our ministry partners in support of the compassionate excellent care we seek to provide our residents.
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