Who We Are
Our Story
How From His Fullness Ministries began, who shaped it, and the saints we remember.
Timeline
“Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!” — Psalm 105:1–2
Throughout Scripture we find the importance of history. History enables us to:
- Recall what God has done. It nurtures a God-centered spirit of praise.
- Recall lessons needed. It nurtures a self-effacing spirit of humility.
- Recall successes realized. It nurtures a future-leaning spirit of encouragement.
2025 Into our Ninth Year
(Summary pending)
2024 Into our Eighth Year
An Addition to Our Support Personnel: Media Support
Another fruit of the Trumpers’ time in Kuala Lumpur was the friendship of the Lord’s people, arising from which From His Fullness gained the valuable help of sister in Christ, Ms. Emily Loh. Emily kindly helps the ministry in keeping fresh our social media presence.
Toward the end of 2024, From His Fullness published Will You Not Revive Us Again? Moving Beyond Cultural Criticism to Divine Dependence, authored by Mark Blocher, Randy Hekman, Terry Slachter (our Board Chair), and Tim Trumper (Gen. Ed., our President and a Minister-at-Large).
Ministry abroad included a second visit to Malawi, with Dr. Tim ministering in Lilongwe in the CCAP, partnering for the first time with Word and Deed North America (https://wordanddeed.org/) and Logos Ministries in a conference on Hermeneutics in Mzuzu, North Malawi, and reconnecting in Mponela with the young Reformed Church of Malawi (speaking chiefly on church leadership).
Ministry abroad also included a fourth visit to the Philippines, chiefly for a first visit to the Center for Biblical Studies, Institute and Seminary, Antipolo City, for Dr. Tim to deliver the Dan Ebert III Memorial Lectures. Additionally, he returned briefly to the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Cavite, to preach in the chapel.
Our French translator, Axel Schmidt, sent the 16th edition of The Way (Le Chemin) on the Paris Olympics to the French Ambassador in London. The English and Spanish versions of The Way reached their 25th editions.
2023 Into our Seventh Year
Our First Additional Minister-at-Large
In God’s providence, the Trumpers received a visit at St. Andrew’s from Rev. and Mrs. Ray and Monica Nottke, resident in Phuket, Thailand, but ministering in South Asia. With shared passion for ministering to leaders in their indigenous contexts, the Board agreed to Rev. Ray becoming a minister-at-large. The Board also added a second, Rev. Eduardo Martorano, translator of The Way into Spanish and minister of Iglesia La Vid (PCA), Laredo, Texas.
During the year, Dr. Tim made two return trips to the Philippines, in January to the Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Cavite, near Manilla (teaching the Doctrine of Salvation), and in August to Negros Island for the 46th anniversary celebrations of the Student Missionary Outreach. Following completion of the assignment at St. Andrew’s, Dr. Tim also preached for five weeks at Duirinish Free Church of Scotland, Isle of Skye, en route back to the U.S.
2022 Into our Sixth Year
Two Significant Developments . . .
First, From His Fullness became more intentional about publishing the ministry’s own titles, beginning with Peter Trumper’s A Bell Clangs at Wittenberg and Tim Trumper’s Adoption: A Road to Retrieval. Second, Dr. Tim was called to be the Senior Minister at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Commencing the ministry on June 1, Dr. Tim served the church by day and From His Fullness in the evenings, with Brenda Trumper, already manager of the ministry taking on a more active administrative role during the day.
2021 Into our Fifth Year
First Visit to Malaysia
From His Fullness got back “on the road” for the first time since the international COVID lockdown began in February/March 2020. At the request of historic St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Kuala Lumpur, Dr. Tim served as Interim Pastor. The ministry included an expository series of sermons on Hebrews 10:19–12:2 (“Commended through Faith”), August 8 through October 10, with the additional teaching of a course of leadership training for the church’s current and potential elders and deacons.
Our Ninth Board Meeting, May 11, 2021
Drawing near the end of our fourth year, the Board of Directors took the opportunity to reflect on the mission and vision which God has given From His Fullness Ministries. No changes were made to the work of the ministry, but the Board revised the mission and vision statements to make them more distinct:
Our mission: To equip, biblically, church leaders in their global context; to motivate, evangelistically, international congregations in their local communities; and to testify, inspirationally, to the works of God across the world.
Our vision is a global church with trained leaders and evangelistic congregations.
2020 Into our Fourth Year
June 26
A new and much improved website to mark the third official birthday of From His Fullness Ministries (July 5).
June 1
The first issue of the French edition of The Way, translated by Axel and Delwyn Schmidt of France and New Zealand, respectively, now resident in Northern Ireland.
February 15–22: The Democratic Republic of the Congo
From His Fullness’ tenth ministry trip, to Kivu Presbyterian Church, Goma, on Lake Kivu. Given recent outbreaks of Ebola, the prevalence of Malaria, and the general hardships of the Lord’s people in Congo, the week was given over to an exposition of 1 Peter (written to the Lord’s people in their sufferings) and then to biblical principles of church leadership. The killings during the week of two known to the attendees — a father of seven and a teenager, both in attempted kidnappings — underlined the need of the week of encouragement and training.
January–February 4: Costa Rica
What began, thanks to Pastor Bob VanManen, as a participation in our local church’s mission trip to San Jose, Costa Rica, turned into a most encouraging introduction to Reformed Missions in Latin America. A valuable friendship arose from it and the request to translate into Spanish Dr. Tim’s Christianese or Christ? (scheduled publication, December 2020). Translator, Daniel Lobo.
2019 Into our Third Year
November 17–December 10: East Africa
From His Fullness’ ninth ministry trip, to the Evangelical Theological College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (pictured), the city of Mwanza (the Reformed Church of Tanzania and the Africa Inland Mission), and Lilongwe, Malawi (Joy to the World Ministries).
September 30–October 14: Pakistan
From His Fullness’ eighth ministry trip and the first visit to Pakistan, including preaching for the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Sahiwal and lecturing at Lahore College of Theology.
September 10: Christianese or Christ?
From His Fullness Ministries’ latest publication, in partnership with Reaching America Ministries.
June 1
The publication of the first edition of The Way in Italian. Titled Il Cammino for its first four issues, as from June 2020 the title changed to La Via consistent with the typical translation of John 14:6. The translation was made possible by the service of Edward Olsen.
April 28–May 21: The Philippines
From His Fullness’ seventh ministry trip, first to the national workers and students conference of the Student Missionary Outreach and then to The Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Center for Advanced Studies, Cavite, near Manilla.
February 28–March 11: Liberia
From His Fullness’ sixth ministry trip, to Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, for two conferences on biblical exposition.
2018 Into our Second Year
October 22–November 5
Our fifth ministry trip, preaching at the Gracia Y Verdad Conferencia, Cochabamba, Bolivia, followed by the teaching of a course with the International Theological Education Ministries for Seminario Reformado Latinoamericano.
September 25
The fourth From His Fullness board meeting passed our ministry’s Fundraising Policy.
August 22–September 16
Our fourth ministry trip, partnering with the Middle East Reformed Fellowship, in teaching three courses of ministerial training at Lokichoggio, Kenya.
June 15
El Camino, the Spanish version of The Way, is launched, translated by Alejandra Guajardo.
May 17
From His Fullness’ outreach publication The Way is launched as a master copy to be customized by individuals, churches, and ministries for distribution. As a result of the subsequent advertising on Facebook, resulting in interest from across the world, a general copy was produced for those not Christians or without the ability or opportunity to customize the master copy. June 1, Bridge Ministries, Laredo, Texas, becomes the first church or ministry to publish a customized copy of The Way.
April 14–24
The third From His Fullness ministry trip, to Turkey, ministering to Iranian believers in one part of the country and teaching Turkish pastors systematic theology in the South.
March 18
First From His Fullness presentation, at Grant Reformed Church, Grant, Michigan.
February 12
The From His Fullness LinkedIn page set up.
February 5
The first issue of the From His Fullness newsletter was sent out to an email distribution list of 176 recipients.
January 1
Doug Brink joins the board of directors. The board oversees the financial, administrative, and strategic elements of the ministry, the eldership of Little Farms Chapel (OPC) provides spiritual support and accountability. As an elder of Little Farms Chapel, Doug Brink serves as a liaison between the board and the eldership.
2017 Our First Year
October 26 through November 10
The second From His Fullness ministry trip, involving networking at the World Reformed Fellowship Reformation 500 Conference at Wittenberg, Germany, ministry reconnaissance in southern Austria, and a visit to the annual meeting of the International Council of the Middle East Reformed Fellowship, Larnaca, Cyprus. (Photo: the church door at Wittenberg with Martin Luther’s 95 theses.)
October 24
From His Fullness is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a public charity.
September 10
Following the completion of their work at Seventh Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, the Trumpers transfer their membership to Little Farms Chapel (OPC), Coopersville, Michigan.
August 15–September 6
The first From His Fullness ministry trip, to the U.K. to preach at Stanton Lees Bible Convention and to attend the Edinburgh Dogmatics Conference (jointly sponsored by Rutherford House Evangelical Research Trust and the World Reformed Fellowship).
July 5
From His Fullness officially began on this day, the second anniversary of the passing to glory of Dr. Peter Trumper.
June 20
From His Fullness holds its first board meeting. Pastor Bob Van Manen of Little Farms Chapel (OPC) attends as an observer. A budget, maxim, mission statement, vision statement, core values, objectives, and goals are passed.
June 14
From His Fullness receives formal notification from the Michigan Licensing Bureau that the ministry has been filed.
May 28
Dr. Tim preaches his final sermon as senior minister of Seventh Reformed Church.
January through May
A Board of Trustees is chosen: Steve Lynde, Dr. Terry Slachter (chair), Rahi Soltani, Brenda Trumper (Manager and Women’s Ministry), and Dr. Tim J.R. Trumper (Founder and President). Also, partnerships were agreed with Christian Leaders Institute, Spring Lake, Michigan, Middle East Reformed Fellowship, Reaching America (for publications); Via Christus Ministries (Turkey). From His Fullness Ministries is accepted as a member organization of the World Reformed Fellowship.
January 25
A letter of proposal is sent out, seeking to ascertain the Lord’s will in regard to a three-year commitment to enable the launching of From His Fullness Ministries. By June these receive the funds and insurance needed to begin.
January 3
A letter goes to the Consistory of Seventh Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, notifying the intent to step aside at the end of May, at the completion of ten years as senior minister.
2016–2013 The Precursor Years
2016
The original vision combines with a developing burden to minister to the wider global church. A proposal is put to the leadership of Seventh Reformed Church to organize the ministry as an expansion of the work of the congregation. The leadership is not led that way. The logo for From His Fullness is created and the decision is made, in discussion with the Eldership of Seventh Reformed Church, to step aside in 2017 as senior minister to found what has become From His Fullness Ministries.
2015
July 18, Peter Trumper’s funeral and memorial bulletin includes reference to the desire to further his legacy.
July 5, Peter Trumper is called home from Holywell, Wales.
2014
From His Fullness produces and publishes its first publication. Consecutive Exposition: A Weighing of Iain H. Murray’s “Time for Caution” by Tim J.R. Trumper.
2013
From His Fullness website is launched with the desire to honor Dr. Peter Trumper during his years homebound with multiple sclerosis. No longer able to preach nor later to write, thought went into furthering his legacy.
Influences
The call of God to launch From His Fullness Ministries was discerned through the confluence of various factors.
Domestically
The influence of Dr. Peter R. G. Trumper (1934–2015) proved implicit. Not only did he resonate in his life and ministry confidence in the Living Word as revealed in the written Word (hence our mantra, “Proclaiming to the hungriest the grace and truth of the Living Word, through the written Word”), his establishment of the Vocal Protestant’s International Fellowship following his retirement from pastoral ministry with Multiple Sclerosis, demonstrated that the establishment of a ministry was possible and could have a global reach in serving the church. Although operating with a different focus, From His Fullness owns the same biblical truths, seeks to glorify God, shares the same global vision (the exaltation of Christ), and seeks to maintain the legacy of Dr. Peter Trumper’s writings.
Practically
From His Fullness arose from Dr. Tim J. R. Trumper’s itinerant exposure to the church on the different continents of the world: Europe, Africa, Asia, and (North) America. Ministering as senior minister of Seventh Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, a city of churches (2007–2017), he became increasingly burdened on account of the needs of the church in other parts of the world, especially as regards the need for solid biblical teaching.
Recalling from his student days the emphasis of the late Rev. T. Omri Jenkins (1915–2003), erstwhile Director of European Mission(ary) Fellowship, on the necessity of indigenous or native mission, and, later, from a visit to Southeast Asia (2002), the philosophy of indigenous ministry of Dr. Joseph Tong (Indonesia and the International Theological Seminary, Los Angeles, CA), Dr. Tim sought a way of serving the mission of the church while upholding the importance of indigenous ministry. Witnessing first-hand in pastoral ministry the costs and liabilities of supporting the training of individual students from overseas, a vision began to develop, leading eventually to the founding of From His Fullness Ministries. From His Fullness has now joined other ministries in offering affordable (chiefly pro bono) theological education around the world, thus enabling local church leaders to gain more ministry resources in situ. In return, we glean from overseas ministry a cultural and global awareness which, in turn, we communicate at home in the West to encourage interest in the global spread and development of the kingdom of heaven.
Theologically
As a Christian, Protestant, and Reformed ministry, From His Fullness arose from the conviction that the biblical truths summarized afresh in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Europe are to be applied today in a way appropriate to the global city of the twenty-first century. Underlying From His Fullness, then, is a constructive Calvinism which views the heritage of the Reformed faith sympathetic-critically (in that order!). We therefore neither jettison nor idolize our Reformed heritage, transmitting its biblical credentials in areas of the world where the Reformed faith has been lost or unknown. From His Fullness does so as an organizational member of the World Reformed Fellowship, and seeks to contribute to the development of the Reformed faith in our time.
In Memoriam
“In my Father’s house are many rooms . . . I go and prepare a place for you” (John 14:2 [ESV]).
1. For all the saints who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
and win with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. O blest communion, fellowship divine,
we feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
5. And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
6. The golden evening brightens in the west;
soon, soon to faithful warrior cometh rest;
sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
7. But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
8. From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
William Walsham How (1864)
We remember those who, in God’s good providence, have had a particular influence or hand in the founding and sustaining of From His Fullness Ministries:
Rev. Dr. Peter R. G. Trumper 1934–2015
His passion for the gospel of Christ and the universal exaltation of his Savior and Lord has been a major inspiration behind the global reach of From His Fullness Ministries. Our official birthday is July 5, 2017 — the second anniversary of Dr. Trumper’s passing to glory. To read more on Dr. Trumper’s life, read his obituary and listen to “That I May Know Him”.
From Dr. Trumper’s funeral, note “Biblical References in Remembrance,” a personal tribute, and the funeral bulletin. Those interested in visiting graves can find Dr. Trumper’s here.
Mr. Dale J. Visser 1936–2019
A lifelong member of Seventh Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dale and Marcia Visser’s decision to offer a most generous three-year pledge confirmed the Lord’s will in the launching of From His Fullness Ministries. For more, see this public letter of tribute. Gone from us, but not forgotten.
We also remember those friends we have met in the course of ministering globally:
Joel Tiegreen 1985–2021
We remember Joel as a passionate follower of Jesus Christ, who knew his unpayable debt to the God of all grace. He was a participant in two courses hosted by Via Christus ministries in Antalya, Turkey, while resident in the country as a Christian worker in Fethiye, Turkey. Joel succumbed to Sarcoma on April 13, 2021, aged 36, but now sees King Jesus in his glory. We remember prayerfully his widow Emily, and children Owen, Emma, Judson, Abraham and James. For Joel’s videos narrating his story and testimony to Christ, visit here.
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