Distinguished alumni

Rev. Jonathan Opgenorth ’88 Distinguished Service to Humankind

Jon serves as president of Words of Hope, an organization dedicated to providing people around the world with daily access to God’s Word through a variety of media. A native of Oostburg, Wisconsin, he majored in religion at Northwestern and then earned his Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. For six years, he was an associate and then co-pastor of Fellowship Reformed Church in Muskegon, Michigan, before being called to serve as the senior pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City, a position he held for 17 years. Prior to joining Words of Hope as its president, Jon served on its board of trustees. He also served as a trustee for Northwestern College and on the General Synod Council of the Reformed Church in America. His wife, Ann (Lammers ’88) is a Northwestern alum, as are two of their four children.

Award year: 2024