Our beloved Randy Dennis Reese passed away on August 11, 2016 in Abbotsford, BC, Canada. Randy was on a work-related trip for VantagePoint3 Ministries and died suddenly from a heart attack while jogging at Aldergrove Regional Park. Randy was born to Verna Reese Dobko and Dennis Reese on May 18, 1962 in Winnipeg, MB, Canada. The family moved to Yorkton, SK where Randy attended St. Paul's and Yorkton Regional High School, enjoyed working on the family farm, and eventually, in his stepfather's electrical shop. Randy came to understand Christ in his life in grade 11. Many faith-filled people in the Yorkton region mentored him. This time became the foundation for much of Randy's life call. Upon graduating from high school, Randy attended STI in Moose Jaw, SK to obtain his journeyman electrician's degree. His electrical apprenticeship took him to Calgary, AB where he attended Grace Baptist Church. This was another significant season of Randy being mentored by mature Christ-followers. Randy enjoyed time with friends and in the mountains of Banff and Lake Louise. While in Calgary, Randy was encouraged by Rev. Dr. Warren Hoffman to apply for a ministry team called New Day. Randy was accepted to the team as the sound man. While on New Day, two life-altering events occurred: (1) he understood a call to vocational ministry and (2) he met Susan, who became his wife on July 19, 1986. Randy and Susan were married at Trinity Baptist Church in Sioux Falls, SD. Randy attended University of Sioux Falls and obtained a Religion and Philosophy degree in 1990. He then attended Sioux Falls Seminary in which he received a Master of Divinity degree in 1993. During seminary, Randy worked with Oak Hills Baptist Church's youth ministry. After seminary, he served as director of admissions at Sioux Falls Seminary. The pursuit of a doctorate degree required a move to California in the summer of 1995 where Randy attended Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, studying under Dr. J. Robert Clinton. He received his doctorate of missiology in 2003. In the summer of 1996, Randy and Susan returned to Sioux Falls for Randy to serve as assistant professor of evangelism at Sioux Falls Seminary. In this season of life, Randy's heartbeat was for developing lay leaders in the church. He founded the ministry of VantagePoint3 in 2000 in an effort to help men and women discover more deeply who God is, who they are and what God desires to do through them. He co-authored two books Spiritual Mentoring: A Guide for Seeking and Giving Direction (InterVarsity Press, 1999) and Deep Mentoring: Guiding Others on Their Leadership Journey (InterVarsity Press, 2012). Randy was blessed to become the father of Liam in April of 2001. He took great delight in being a child of God, a husband, a father, son, brother, founder/president of VantagePoint3 and spiritual encourager to many! Randy loved coffee dates with Susan, chasing Liam, running, walking our dogs Cody, Kady and Rizzo, coffee times with family, projects around the house, coffee times with friends, riding horses, traveling and drinking coffee and reading and drinking coffee. He simply enjoyed life (and loved coffee). Continuing the legacy of Randy's life are his wife Susan, his son Liam, his mother Verna Dobko and her dear friend Ladner Polowick, his sister Cheryl Reese and her son Justin Reese, his brother Allen Dobko, his sister Cynthia and her husband Kevin Nelson, his in-laws, Duane and Verla Heeren and family, a family loved friend, Tristian Johnson and many relatives and friends in the U.S. and Canada. Randy is preceded in physical death by grandfather John Krochak, grandmother Nellie Krochak, stepfather Peter Dobko, uncle Jerry Krochak, uncle Stan Krochak and cousin Dwayne Krochak. A web link of the Celebration of Life service held at Central Church in Sioux Falls, SD can be viewed at www.vantagepoint3.org. Memorials can be directed to VantagePoint3, c/o Trinity Baptist Legacy Foundation, 1905 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 7V7.
