In the Press

A Test of Our Character
September 2005 The Columbian
by Kelly Adams, Columbian staff writer

When Bas Vanderzalm agreed to speak at the fourth annual Mayors' and Community Leaders' Prayer Breakfast several months ago, he was "90 percent sure" he could be there.

"Something might come up, like a disaster," he said at the time.

Vanderzalm, president and CEO of Northwest Medical Teams, will speak at the Oct. 5 event, fresh from a tour of hurricane-ravaged Louisiana.

Founded in 1979, Portland-based Northwest Medical Teams is nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides health care and disaster relief all over the world.

Originally from the Netherlands, Vanderzalm will share a story about his father, who was assisted by American relief workers during World War II.

The elder Vanderzalm was forced to go underground because he refused to build weapons for the German army. While on the run, Vanderzalm said his father was given food and blankets by humanitarian organizations.

"It transformed his life," Vanderzalm said.

Hearing his father's story helped form Vanderzalm into a man who wanted a life of service.

"I want my life to count for something," he said.

Before joining Northwest Medical Teams in 1997, Vanderzalm worked with World Relief, the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals. During that time, he traveled to 45 countries to oversee relief activities administered by churches.

He plans to talk about his father as well as the effect disasters have on people's lives.

"Disasters are a defining moment for us," Vanderzalm said. "They are a test of our character."

All of the mayors in Clark County are expected to attend the Oct. 5 event, said Stewart Kent, one of the organizers. The breakfast is sponsored by the Clark County chapters of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International. The organization links Christian business people through 4,000 chapters all over the world.

Last year's breakfast in Clark County drew 350 people, Kent said. At least that many are expected this year.

Tim Durr will be the testimonial speaker. He recently returned from service in Iraq as part of the National Guard. He will talk about how his faith served him during his time in the Middle East as well as why he was nicknamed "The Radar" during his deployment.

Each year, a different mayor is chosen as the selected host. This year, it will be John Idsinga, mayor of Battle Ground.