By Eliza Rohda ‘26

During the Equip Conference, Jim Coehoorn was honored as the recipient of the Minister’s Heart Award. The award, presented by Dr. Garrett Best, Chair of the Bible Department, and Dr. Anessa Westbrook, Co-Executive Director for the Kite Center for Ministry, recognizes individuals for their exceptional work in ministry. 

 

Coehoorn and his wife, Jo Ann, have been members of the Elkhorn Church of Christ since its beginning in 1980. After their marriage in 1977, Coehoorn worked as a carpenter, farmer, salesman and manager before he began his work in ministry in 1989. 

 

Coehoorn served as a Bible teacher and fill-in preacher while the church was in the process of merging with a non-institutional group. While he was taking these first steps in his ministry, Monroe Hawley and Keith Barclay began to mentor him. With their encouragement, he began preaching full-time.

Much of Coehoorn’s ministry has focused on reaching younger generations, and he’s been known to say, “Children are not only the church of the future—they are the church NOW.” 

 

This love of children’s ministry helped him to develop Elkhorn’s VBS program, an energetic community that has seen as many as 156 children in attendance. Working as a camp counselor and director for years, he has served on the Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp board of directors for decades and has spent 15 years as president of the board. He has also served on the committee for the Midwest Preachers Retreat. Coehoorn’s ministry continues to grow and evolve, as his latest project involves leading a young-adult study group.

 

“Service in the church is one of the most important ways a person can live out his or her calling. I am thankful for men like Jim Coehoorn who have dedicated their lives to serving the Lord and his people. Congratulations to Brother Coehoorn for this much deserved recognition!” President Westbrook said.