MY RESUME TO THE WHITEHOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION TO BE A ‘WHITEHOUSE FELLOW’ (according to the standards set by the application) 1.
PROFESSIONAL & EDUCATIONAL SUMMARY
*2008 CANDIDATE for PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA while continuing to work as a substitute teacher and do evangelism for Mustard Seed Ministries (my FEC # was C00432088 *1998-present: FOUNDER & CHIEF EVANGELIST, Mustard Seed Ministries *1998-present: SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) *1999 (Fall semester) CHAPLAIN INTERN, UCLA MEDICAL CENTER *1998-2002: FULL-TIMESTUDENT (while serving as a “guest teacher” (substitute) for the LAUSD I also attended FULLER THEOLOGICALSEMINARY (Pasadena, CA) for four years to complete the academic credentials for the Masters-in-Divinity (M.Div) *1996-97: 1 YEAR at CALVIN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (Grand Rapids, MI) *1996-97: Was hired as a substitute teacher for the Grand Rapids Public Schools while also attending Calvin Seminary, but was never called for any assignments. *1994-96 REGULARTEACHER, Coachella Valley Unified School District(CVUSD). I was a regular English teacher for 9th & 10th grade at Coachella Valley High School.
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*1993-94 FULL-TIMESTUDENT (Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI). I completed the education/English program for my second BA and obtained my preliminary teaching degree. *1992-93 (1stsemester at California State University, Long Beach(CSULB) Master of Social Work program (MSW). I took all the required classes for the Masters-ofSocial Work for one semester while also doing a social work internship at the emergency room at St. Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach. I left the program at the end of the semester and returned to Calvin Seminary & College (Grand Rapids, MI) *1992 (summer)VOLUNTEER, CHRISTIAN MISSION in the Philippines. Did outdoor evangelism with the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) World Missions (CRWM) team in the country of the Philippines with a group of young Christians from the USA & Canada, led by long-term American missionaries in the Philippines *1991 (spring &summer) DISASTER RELIEF VOLUNTEER, Costa Rica, Christian Reformed World Relief Commission (CRWRC). Following the earthquake in Costa Rica I volunteered to go and do disaster relief for our denomination (CRC) *1991 (summer)TEACHER/TOURIST GUIDE, Drake Bay Wilderness Camp, Drake Bay, Costa Rica. After several weeks of doing “needs assessment” and disaster relief with our disaster relief team I was about to return to the USA but then I was offered a job teaching at a remote location in the southern part of Costa Rica, accessible only by boat, near the world famous Corcovado National Park (rainforest).I tutored two elementary children for several months while also assisting the owner of the tourist camp; after which I returned to the USA and reenrolled at Calvin Seminary & subsequently the English/education program. * 1990-91 (fall semester) FULL-TIME STUDENT (Wayne State Law School, Detroit, Michigan) I was accepted into Wayne State Law School for the academic year 1990-91.I moved to Detroit from Grand Rapids (MI) in August of 1990; and I attended Wayne State Law School for several months and then I DROPPED OUT of law school around November of 1990,disenchanted. I went to California where my family moved when I was a senior in high school (1984). *1989-90 MENTALHEALTH WORKER (MHW) (Pine Rest Christian Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan).I worked with mostly adolescent patients, as well as other ages at a Christian psychiatric hospital. *1989 (spring) LAWOFFICE ASSISTANT (Mika, Meyers, Beckett, & Jones; Grand Rapids, MI)
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*1985-89 FULL TIMESTUDENT (Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI) During this period I obtained my first bachelors degree (BA) in psychology and also attended Chaminade University in Honolulu for a semester as well as National University of Spain, Denia for a semester. VANderKOK, Question #2 2. EDUCATIONALBACKGROUND *1998-2002 FULLERTHEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (Pasadena, CA) , full-time student for the Masters-in-Divinity program (M.Div). Activities ; Completed all the academic requirements for the M.Div.: 1) chaplain intern at UCLA MEDICAL CENTER; successfully completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) while attending to the various spiritual needs of hospital patients; 2) I also founded Mustard Seed Ministries and am the Chief Evangelist.3) Filming Inspirational Videos 3) traveling with Lola my Golden Retriever; 4)attending chaplain conference in Washington D.C. *1996-97 CALVIN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY(Grand Rapids, MI), full-time student for the Masters-in-Divinity program(M.Div) after which I transferred to Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA); Activities: 1) walking my Golden Retriever Lola while trying to study Greek & Hebrew *1993-94 Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI) ; full-time student education/English, teaching program; earned TEACHINGDEGREE (passed subject & general examination for the State of Michigan teaching program and was granted preliminary teaching degree); also passed California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) Activities: 1) teaching assistant at Collins Elementary School, Forest Hills School District; 2) practice teaching at Holland Christian Middle School (now South Shores Christian) 3) hiking & running with my Golden Retriever Lola *1992-93 California State University, Long Beach, (CSULB), Long Beach, CA semester in the social work program and social work intern at St. Mary’s Hospital, Long Beach, CA ; Activities: exploring Los Angeles *1991-92 Calvin Seminary (Grand Rapids, MI)(1st semester); Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI) (2nd semester) ; Activities: attending church *1990-91 Wayne State Law School (Detroit, MI) (1stsemester); Activities: exploring Detroit *1985-89 Calvin College, (Grand Rapids, MI; ) DIPLOMA: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in psychology; Activities: traveling, snow skiing, intramural basketball, attending church (1st CRC, Sherman Street CRC, Church of the Servant, et. al)
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*1985-86 Chaminade University of Honolulu (HI) (Fall semester) Activities: intramural flag football, body boarding & body surfing, Oahu; *1987-88 National University of Spain, Denia (UNED) (spring semester) Activities: exploring Spain& also England; living with a family in Spain while studying Spanish *1982-85 Grand Rapids Christian High School(GRCH) full time high school student Activities: junior varsity & varsity high school football team(All-City, honorable mention)snow skiing, deer hunting, golf, basketball (for fun), attending church (1stCRC) *1979-82 Millbrook Christian Junior High School (Grand Rapids, MI) Activities: actor in school theatrical production “King Arthur”; basketball team; racquetball, lifting weights, golf, *1974-79 Seymour Christian Elementary School (Grand Rapids, MI) Activities: paperboy for the Grand Rapids Press-delivered the newspaper 7 days a week . riding my bike; actor in Wizard of OZ; going to Lake Michigan *1971-74 Alger Public Elementary School (Grand Rapids, MI)Activities: swimming, outdoor ice-skating; Rocket Football (youth tackle football cityleague) going to Lake Michigan in the summer 3. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
VAN der KOK, Question#3
*1998-present:SUBSTITUTE TEACHER for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), 333S. Beaudry, Los Angeles, CA 90017,213-241-1000 *1998-present:FOUNDER/chief evangelist, Mustard Seed Ministries, PO Box 772, Yorba Linda, CA 92885PH #323-244-9883 *1998: Candidate for President of the United States of America, for verification contact the Federal Election Commission at , 999 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20463 (800) 424-9530 (my FEC # wasC00432088) *1999 (Fall semester) CHAPLAIN INTERN, UCLA MEDICAL CENTER, CLINICAL PASTORALEDUCATION UCLA medical center is located at: 200 UCLAMEDICAL PLAZA#214, Los Angeles, CA 90095
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*1996-97: Hired as substitute teacher for the Grand Rapids Public Schools while also attending Calvin Seminary, but was never called for any assignments. Grand Rapids Public Schools are located at: 1331 Franklin SE P.O.Box 117 Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0117; *1994-96 REGULARTEACHER, Coachella Valley Unified School District(CVUSD). I was a regular English teacher for 9th & 10th grade at Coachella Valley High School. CVUSD is located at: 87225 Church Street, Thermal, CA 92274, *1992-93 Social Work internship at the emergency room at St. Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach; St. Mary’s Hospital is located at: 1050Linden Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813 *1992 (summer)VOLUNTEER, CHRISTIAN EVANGELICAL MISSION WORKER, Philippines. The Christian Reformed Church Hdq. is located at: 2850 Kalamazoo St, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 *1991 (spring &summer) DISASTER RELIEF VOLUNTEER, CRWM, Costa Rica The Christian Reformed Church Hdq. is located at: 2850 Kalamazoo St, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 *1991 (summer)TEACHER/TOURIST GUIDE, Drake Bay Wilderness Camp . Their website is located athttp://www.drakebay.com *1989-90 MENTAL HEALTHWORKER (MHW), Pine Rest Christian Hospital. I was a counselor with a bachelors degree and worked in various other functions as a psychology major at this Christian psychiatric hospital located at 300 68th Street SE, PO Box 165 Grand Rapids, MI 49501 Ph.# 616-455-5000 *1989 (spring) LAWOFFICE ASSISTANT (Mika, Meyers, Beckett, & Jones; Grand Rapids, MI) In preparation for law school (which I never finished) I took a job as law library assistant at this law office located at 900 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 616-632-8000 *0000 Miscellaneous Other Childhood Jobs: 1)Paperboy for the Grand Rapids Press Hazen/Merrifield Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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2)Pizza Delivery for Dominoes Pizza, Grand Rapids, Michigan 3) Bagger/stocker, Boorsmas Grocery Store 4) Snow & Leaf removal, neighborhood
4. VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES *2008 I VOLUNTEERED MY TIME & PRESENCE as candidate for President of the United States of America, and promoted myself mostly online. *2006 (April)Attended a CHAPLAIN CONFERENCE at the Capitol building in Washington D.C.AT MY OWN EXPENSE sponsored by Wallbuilders, a Christian organization. We were given information by various senators & congressmen & Whitehouse aides as it relates to the mission of the church, in general and the welfare of the United States of America *2005 AMERICAN REDCROSS VOLUNTEER, following the Katrina disaster I volunteered to help evacuees at the Red Cross headquarters on Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, received various certificates of successful completion of emergency training. MISSION STATEMENT (in part): “The American Red Cross…, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.” http://scncredcross.org/mission.htm *2005 TSUNAMIDISASTER RELIEF: following the December 26, 2004 tsunami in southeast Asia I flew at my own expense to Thailand and delivered Bibles & bottles of water. It was my own small contribution to the gigantic disaster. *2004 Almost forgot that I VOLUNTEERED my time &presence as CANDIDATE for Governor of the state of California, Spring-summer, 2004; I even got my picture in the Pasadena Star News ! *1998-99 TELEPHONE COUNSELOR, Crystal Cathedral New Hope suicide prevention phone line. New Hope Mission Statement (in part) : This ministry is a center and community for spiritual growth, where positive attitudes are developed, where good people become better, where hurts are healed, where lessons are learned, where friendships are developed, where marriages are strengthened, where families are bonded, where singles are valued, where the restless find peace, where love is alive, where God is understood, where Jesus Christ is Lord. *1992 (summer) VOLUNTEER, CHRISTIANEVANGELICAL MISSION in the Philippines. Did outdoor evangelism with the Christian Reformed Church
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(CRC) World Missions (CRWM) team in the country of the Philippines with a group of young Christians from the USA & Canada, led by long-term American missionaries in the Philippines. This was paid for by contributions as well as out of my own pocket. *1991 (spring & summer) DISASTER RELIEFVOLUNTEER, Costa Rica, Christian Reformed World Relief Commission(CRWRC). Following the earthquake in Costa Rica I volunteered to go and do disaster relief for our denomination (CRC). CRC VISION STATEMENT: “The Christian Reformed Church is a diverse family of healthy congregations, assemblies and ministries expressing the good news of God’s kingdom that transforms lives and communities worldwide.” 5. PROFESSIONALACTIVITIES, VAN der KOK, Question # 5 *1998-present:Substitute Teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District(LAUSD) Los Angeles, CA District Mission Statement: “The teachers, administrators, and staff of the Los Angeles Unified School District believe in the equal growth and dignity of all students and are committed to educate all students to their maximum potential.” *1998-present:Founder/Chief Evangelist, Mustard Seed Ministries, Mission Statement: “To reach all people with the Good News of Jesus Christ, Our Savior; to make this world a better place for everybody ” *1994-96 Teacher, Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) Mission Statement: “A District that promotes education, pride and progress.” *1991 Teacher/tourist guide, Drake Bay Wilderness Camp
*1989 Mental Health Worker: Pine Rest Christian Hospital Mission Statement: Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services is called to express the healing ministry of Jesus Christ by providing behavioral health services with professional excellence, Christian integrity, and compassion.
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MOST SIGNIFICANT PROFESSIONALACHIEVEMENT
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My most significant achievement in my professional field (as a Christian evangelist & educator)is that I have been a UNIFYING force for good amongst people of all backgrounds, religions, beliefs, & values. Most of my experience as a professional teacher has been in the public schools and I have also committed myself to doing my very best for the sake of the students and have successfully brought both children & adults together for the sake of being better &doing better. Outside of education and the public sector I am proud of my efforts & accomplishments to reach people with the Good News of Jesus Christ in various ways including ONLINE as well as on the street, among other places, and continue to do so. Furthermore, I am proud of having integrated my Christian faith & public commitment in a way that allows me to maintain personal integrity while also being compassionate and caring towards people of all backgrounds & walks of life & life values.
Finally, I am proud of my efforts to REACH OTHERS outside the United States and am thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to work & travel in other countries, including Costa Rica, Philippines, & Thailand, among other places. VAN der KOK, Question#7 7. MOST SIGNIFICANTCOMMUNITY SERVICE CONTRIBUTION My most significant contribution to my community here in Los Angeles has been my service to public education as a successful substitute teacher for eleven years for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Waiting for a call at 5:30 am to go just about anywhere in Los Angeles county (within one’s chosen area) is not what too many people would choose as a “nice” lifestyle, but then if I was just seeking pleasure & ease of life I wouldn’t have even bothered going to college. I dedicated myself to trying to HELP people WAY BACK when I chose psychology as a major at Calvin College, and confirmed that later when I returned to college for a second bachelor’s degree and my teaching credential and then teaching as a “regular teacher” for a few years.
I re-confirmed my DEDICATION TO HELPING PEOPLE after teaching by returning to school to study THEOLOGY & MISSIONS at Calvin Seminary & then Fuller Seminary while also starting my own ministry, Mustard Seed Ministries and reaching out to people ONLINE as well as on the street, among other places. Los Angeles has been my BASE of OPERATIONS but my contribution has been further than just Los Angeles. It extends to the places I’ve worked & traveled outside of the USA as well as in Coachella, California and back in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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5. MEMORANDUM for the PRESIDENT,
VAN der KOK, Question#8
IMMIGRATION issues& policies cannot be ignored when living in Southern California. Being in Los Angeles & previously in the Coachella Valley and working in the public schools I have seen plenty of new immigrants mostly from Mexico and other parts of Central America. And I do not believe that building a wall or a bigger wall is the best solution to the “problem” even if it temporarily slows the tide. We are a NATION of IMMIGRANTS and owe a lot to all immigrants, both those who have come recently as well as our parents & grandparents & great grandparents, and so on !We need to make what many people consider a “problem” into a “STRENGTH.” In fact, new people in our communities, in general, should be considered GOOD !Sure, there are a few isolated issues & problems with the influx of immigrants into the community, but I think we should FOCUS on the POSITIVE and try to educate our communities about the BENEFITS of immigration. With MORE PEOPLE we can do bigger & better things and make the USA as well as the world a better place for everybody ! We need to train & educate our people how to APPRECIATE the new immigrants and how to HELP them become citizens of our great country. Most of them come here FILLED WITH HOPE and it’s a shame if we cannot help them fulfill their dream just as our ancestors, likewise, fulfilled their American dream as immigrants to the United States. Therefore, I would encourage more research & education about immigration issues as well as emphasis on promoting the POSITIVE about immigration issues, rather than dwelling on the negative. Just from a SPIRITUAL standpoint I KNOW that our country has always been considered a PLACE OF REFUGE for those who are oppressed and it should ALWAYS be that WAY ! If we abandon our identity as the LAND of the FREE and HOME of the BRAVE we abandon future prosperity. Great civilizations only continue to be great by doing great things ! Let us NEVER forget the lessons we learn from history of other (former) great civilizations. We must promote a POSITIVE APPROACH to immigration issues.
9. LIFETIMEGOALS,
VAN der KOK,Question #9
As I look back on some of the things I’ve accomplished over my lifetime I realize that a lot of what I have accomplished has NOT really been me at all. It’s been GOD giving me opportunities that I never could have imagined in advance Back in 1990 as I was sitting in a law school classroom& about ready to leave a potential career in law, LITTLE DID I KNOW that in a few months after leaving law school I would find myself in Costa Rica (1991)teaching kids and guiding tourists by
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horseback through the rainforest. And LITTLE DID I KNOW that one year after the Costa Rica experience I would be doing OUTDOOREVANGELISM in front of large crowds in the Philippines (1992). And the story goes on… the point being that the only thing I did was “RAISE MY SAIL” and GOD took care of blowing the wind ! And this has NOT always been an easy path. Coming to Los Angeles in 1998 to transfer to Fuller Seminary was NOT an easy transition. Nor has it been easy teaching in some tough Los Angeles public schools, nor in Coachella. But then as I said before, if I wanted “easy” I wouldn’t have even bothered going to college. And so here I am and the question is “WHAT ARE MY LIFETIME GOALS?” And the ANSWER is “WHATEVER GOD WANTS ME TODO.” When I pray I simply pray “THY WILL be DONE, NOT my will.”
I can speak specifically & definitely that GOD wants ME to fulfill HIS PLANS of making this world a better place for everybody and ultimately hopefully in so doing enlarging the KINGDOM of HEAVEN. And I do believe that the USA has a special mission in such regards and therefore anticipate helping to lead our great country in fulfilling God’s great plan ! 10. WHY I WANT TO BEA WHITE HOUSE FELLOW Why do I want to be a “white house fellow ?” Well, since ONLY ONE PERSON can be President of the USA at one time, and that person is NOT me at the moment, I suppose that at age 42I am still YOUNG ENOUGH to benefit from a new experience such as being a Whitehouse fellow and being close to “the action.” I can WATCH & LEARN & ASSIST while our current president and other experienced administration officials take charge &make decisions; and in the process I can become BETTER EQUIPPED to serve our nation and our world. As the White House website, itself, says: “It is essential to the healthy functioning of our system that we have in the non-governmental sector a generous supply of leaders who have an understanding -- gained first hand -- of the challenges that our national government faces.” http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/fellows/ YES, it is essential and I WANT TO BE ready to help & assist the people of our great country and our world which is greatly benefitted by having a first-hand knowledge of the operations inside the White House and around the capitol. The White House website further says:
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“In this country today, we produce a great number of skilled professionals. But too few [emphasis added] of this intellectual elite provide the society with statesmanlike leadership and guidance in public affairs”. EXACTLY ! I’m surrounded by a lot of “skilled professionals” here in Southern California, including doctors, lawyers, various medical professionals & scientists & professors, as well as teachers &school administrators of one kind or another, but TOO FEW of them are actually equipped to TRULY GUIDE at a larger level. Even at the Los Angeles Unified School District they have had a difficult time finding a person to lead the school district. By starting “at the bottom” and learning “the ropes” from the bottom up one has better potential to be a better leader in the future. This is also why I have found it helpful to serve as a substitute teacher. It is NOT a glorious position but I have learned a LOT from it and have also had a positive effect on some young peoples lives and can apply a LOT of what I learned from working as a lowly substitute teacher to life at large. Likewise, I imagine I could be a better president or leader of some sort with some low level experience at the White House at this point in my life when I am still fairly young and still mobile.
vanderKOK
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