about me

Hello! My name is Daniel A. Van Beek and I am a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a member of the Presbytery of Mackinac and serving as the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church of Escanaba, Michigan.

I recently served as Pastor at Franklin Presbyterian Church (2020-2024) in Franklin, Kentucky. I completed my Master’s of Divinity at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2020. I am involved on both the presbytery and denominational levels as a volunteer in many ways. My PDP on the Church Leadership Connection is 10798 and you can EMAIL me if you have not already.

I seek to serve my Savior Jesus Christ in unexpected ways, to bring the church outside its own walls and to remember that we are the church, as God’s people, with Jesus Christ as our head. We serve as Christ’s hands and feet, offering love to everyone, as we have been loved. Ministry is both worshiping our God and serving our community, bolding loving God and boldly loving neighbor. I am a bit of a Bible nerd, a huge fan of board games and Michigan football, and devoted to this calling to which the Holy Spirit has led me.

After a career as a writer, editor, and creative marketing professional, God called me to ministry. I have been excited to use my talents and experiences within ministry and in my professional and volunteer life. My church life prior to seminary included the honor and privilege of being ordained a ruling elder and serving six years on session, three years as a trustee (including two as president), five years on a presbytery administrative commission, and a term as a General Assembly commissioner. I have served churches in Petersburg, Alaska, and in Southern Indiana during field education in seminary, as well as a year as the student body president at LPTS.