Fuller’s Kurt Fredrickson Honored as ‘Volunteer of the Year’

Associate dean and professor considered a ‘hometown hero’ in Simi Valley :: 07/17/12

Kurt Fredrickson, associate dean for Fuller’s Doctor of Ministry and Continuing Education programs and assistant professor of pastoral ministry, has been honored by the City of Simi Valley, California, as its 2012 “City Volunteer of the Year.” Dr. Fredrickson has been an active member of the community in Simi Valley—his hometown north of Los Angeles—for more than 30 years.

“Kurt Fredrickson exemplifies the values and dedication of the over 700 volunteers who annually give of their time and energy to the City,” reads an announcement of the award in the local publication City Focus. “He has consoled victims’ families and counseled law enforcement personnel for the past 16 years as a volunteer Police Department Chaplain. He has also guided and supervised the program as a Senior Chaplain in recent years. Kurt volunteers for a variety of city programs, including serving as an advocate for the homeless on the city’s Task Force on Homelessness, chairing the Task Force’s faith-based subcommittee, and serving on the Community Crime Prevention Task Force.”

The accolade follows last year’s recognition of Fredrickson by the Simi Valley Acorn as one of the community’s “Top 25 People of 2011.”

Prior to joining Fuller in 2003, Fredrickson was on the pastoral staff at Simi Covenant Church for 24 years, serving as senior pastor for 18 of those years. During that time, he recalls, “I became convicted that our congregation did not exist simply to serve the needs of those who attend, but even more to be salt and light to our community.” After he radically changed the way he did ministry, “no longer cloistered in my comfortable church world,” his congregation soon followed suit. Fredrickson has also seen pastors and rabbis of other faith communities “catch the vision” and determine to work in new ways to engage the city.