08/21/2025
Remembering Rev. Ken Bradsell
The Reformed Church in America mourns the loss of Rev. Ken Bradsell, who passed away on August 6 of a heart attack. We grieve with hope while also giving God thanks for Ken’s life and celebrating his lasting legacy.
As a denominational leader and shepherd of God’s people, Ken’s contributions were many—touching lives and hearts with God’s love, inspiring deeper discipleship, championing callings and dreams, and being a good friend.
“For many of us, Ken is part of the great cloud of witnesses who cheered us on in faith,” says Christina Tazelaar, the RCA’s chief operating officer. “Ken knew the RCA well, both its people and its systems. He loved the church, and his leadership influenced many things in the RCA—both up front and behind the scenes—and no doubt continues to shape some of our shared ministry, even a decade after his retirement.”
Ken faithfully served as pastor of the Community Reformed Church of Douglaston (Long Island, New York), Blawenburg Reformed Church (New Jersey), and the First Reformed Church of Albany (New York) before joining RCA staff. During his long tenure (1984-2015), he served as minister of education and faith development, secretary of Christian discipleship, director of congregational services, director of operations, assistant general secretary, and executive director of benefits services. He was a graduate of Hope College and earned an MDiv degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary and a sacred master of theology degree from Union Theological Seminary.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” –Matthew 25:23
