Willms, Rudolf “Rudie” (1934-2020)

Rudie and Louise Willms.
Source: Author

Rudolf "Rudie" Willms: pastor and radio broadcaster; born 13 June 1934 in Hepburn, Saskatchewan, Canada. His parents were Johann Willms (23 May 1905, Tiege, Molotschna, South Russia – 15 February 1977, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada) and Helena (Isaac) Willms (23 September 1905, Tiege, Molotschna, South Russia – 4 May 1992, Abbotsford, British Columbia), who recently escaped the Russian Revolution. He was the fourth child in a family of six sons and two daughters. On 20 August 1959 Rudie married Louise Klassen (8 July 1933, Crowfoot, Alberta, Canada – 21 October 2023, Langley, British Columbia), daughter of John C. Klassen (1890-1969) and Elisabeth (Martens) Klassen (1892-1945), in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Rudie and Louise had three sons: Edward, Roger, and Barry. Rudie died on 3 December 2020 in Abbotsford, British Columbia, where he was buried.

Early in life Rudie developed a deep and personal relationship with God and at age 15 was baptised in the Matsqui Mennonite Brethren Church in BC. It was there he recognized a call to pastoral ministry which would become his driving life focus. He engaged in Biblical training at Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute in Abbotsford, Mennonite Brethren Bible College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and enjoyed three sabbaticals at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno, California.

During his first year of college in Winnipeg, Rudie determined life would be richer if he could share it with Louise, who had caught his eye as a teenager in Matsqui. She was dumbfounded by his letter of proposal but accepted it with full devotion. She would become his strongest ally and teammate amidst the next 61 years of adventure and challenge.

Vocational ministry began in 1960 when together they were appointed city missionaries in Winnipeg. Their first endeavor was to plant Logan Avenue Mennonite Brethren (MB) Church (officially recognized in 1963 and later renamed as Salem MB). In 1965 Rudie was invited to full time radio ministry with Gospel Light Hour in Winnipeg. This was an intense season of preaching and deputation work in central Canada. Their deep love for the local church however led them back to pastoral ministry when they were called to East Aldergrove MB Church in 1970. They had 14 years of fruitful ministry until 1984 when they transitioned to Culloden MB Church, where they served until 2000. At that juncture Scott Street MB Church in Ontario invited their service and they relocated to Ontario for the next 5 years.

Rudie loved the pastoral rhythms of prayer, preaching, teaching, and visitation. He took his calling seriously, striving to live an authentic life of love and holiness. He served in various size churches but found his niche as a shepherd. In particular, he was drawn to individuals on the fringes, people often discarded. His impact in their lives was seldom acknowledged as he seldom disclosed these stories, opting to honor people’s privacy. He would take phone calls or meet for coffee at all hours of the day or night with folks struggling with mental health, relational, and spiritual hardships. He sought to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Louise joined him in these connections, utilizing her gifts of hospitality and opening their home to many.

Rudie and Louise were also passionate about global mission. Rudie served on the board of Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services International (now Multiply), and was blessed to travel to numerous outposts in Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean. Usually traveling as a couple, they developed lasting friendships with numerous missionaries, serving as mentors and prayer partners.

Attuned to the high toll on ministry families, Rudie attempted to keep his family top priority, raising three rambunctious sons. As the family grew and daughters-in-law were added, Rudie and Louise gladly traveled long distances, often at great cost, to support their kids and grandchildren.

Near the end of his career, Rudie served as Senior’s Pastor at Ross Road MB Church where so much of ministry had begun. The final years found them faithfully leading worship services at Tabor Court, a senior’s home in Abbotsford. Health issues began to mount nudging Rudie to reluctantly step back. Alzheimer’s had begun to ravage his mind and body, so when COVID-19 found him early in the Pandemic, he had no strength left to fight.

On 3 December 2020 Rudie quietly slipped into the presence of his Savior. Although the COVID-19 restrictions prevented family from being with him those last days, they took comfort that Rudie was welcomed into glory with the words "well done, good and faithful servant."

Author(s)	Ed Willms
Date Published	March 2024

Cite This Article

MLA style

Willms, Ed. "Willms, Rudolf “Rudie” (1934-2020)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. March 2024. Web. 18 Dec 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Willms,_Rudolf_%E2%80%9CRudie%E2%80%9D_(1934-2020)&oldid=178572.

APA style

Willms, Ed. (March 2024). Willms, Rudolf “Rudie” (1934-2020). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 18 December 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Willms,_Rudolf_%E2%80%9CRudie%E2%80%9D_(1934-2020)&oldid=178572.

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