View source for Redekop, Jacob J. “Jake” (1930-2010)

[[File:JakeRedekop.jpg|300px|thumbnail|Jake Redekop]]
Jacob J. "Jake" Redekop: businessman and churchman; born 29 October 1930 in [[Nieder-Chortitza (Chortitza Mennonite Settlement, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Nieder-Chortitza]], Chortitza Mennonite Settlement, Ukraine to Jacob Johann Redekop (30 April 1903, Nieder-Chortitza, Chortitza, South Russia - 10 December 1987, [[Abbotsford (British Columbia, Canada)|Abbotsford]], British Columbia, Canada) and Maria (Guenther) Redekop (12 June 1899, Nieder-Chortitza, Chortitza, South Russia - 11 December 1988, Abbotsford, British Columbia). He was the second in a family of four, with an older sister and two younger brothers (including [[Redekop, John (1932-2021)|John Redekop]]). On 4 September 1954, he married Hildegard "Hilda" Olfert, daughter of [[Olfert, Abram A. (1904-2005)|Abram Olfert]] and Margaretha (Sawatzky) Olfert. They had four sons and one daughter. Jake died on 11 September 2010 in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

As a youth, Jake and his family fled war-torn [[Russia]], hiding and fleeing armies, often without food or a place to sleep, finally finding refuge in the [[Netherlands]]. Through the help of [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee]], Jake and his family migrated to [[Canada]], arriving in 1947. Two years later, after settling in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Jake was baptized on confession of his faith at [[West Abbotsford Mennonite Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|West Abbotsford Mennonite Church]] on Pentecost Sunday, 5 June 1949. It was here that he met Hilda and they were married in September 1954.

Jake worked hard pursuing opportunities that would help him provide for his family and enable his generosity. He began his working life as a famer but Jake was a businessman at heart. Soon he became a successful entrepreneur and real estate developer.

Even so, his heart was with ministry, supporting both the local church of which he was a part and supporting the wider work of the church. Although Jake preferred to be "doing" rather than "sitting" he did serve on several church committees and chaired the board of [[Mennonite Foundation of Canada]] for one term. He was also supportive of other wider-church organizations such as Mennonite Central Committee, [[Mennonite Church British Columbia|Mennonite Church BC]], [[Mennonite Church Canada]], [[Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)|Mennonite Economic Development Associates]] and [[Fraser Valley Gleaners (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Fraser Valley Gleaners]]. Jake was also involved with the establishment of two churches in Abbotsford: [[Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Eben Ezer Mennonite Church]] in 1963 and [[Emmanuel Mennonite Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Emmanuel Mennonite Church]] in 1981.

Life’s circumstances had robbed him of the opportunity for education but he knew its value and made generous contributions to [[Mennonite Educational Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Mennonite Educational Institute]], [[Columbia Bible College (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Columbia Bible College]], [[Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Indiana, USA)|Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary]], and [[Canadian Mennonite University (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)|Canadian Mennonite University]]. He loved children and was committed to the ministry of Camp Squeah, knowing that it was a place that would nurture a child’s faith and develop future church leaders.

Jake was a man of great stature, known for his loud voice, his ever-present smile and his large heart. He devoted his life to his family, to his congregation, to the work of the church and to God. 
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[[Category:Persons]]
[[Category:Business People]]