MLA John van Dongen Member for Abbotsford South

Dear Heavenly Father, John van Dongen was re-elected as MLA to serve the new riding of Abbotsford-South in the spring of 2009.

We hold MLA John VanDongen up to you today, thanking You for his passion, commitment and his continued service to Abbotsford South Constituents, and to the people of British Columbia.

We ask today that you continue to bless him with your favour in his service. Grant him an extra measure of Your wisdom and strength in his leadership, and a sense of Your friendship and Presence.

Almighty God, we commit John to you today, and over the next year.

In the name of the Lord Jesus.


Amen.




John was first elected in 1995 in a by-election to represent the riding of Abbotsford and was re-elected in 1996, 2001, and 2005.

Mr. van Dongen has served as the Solicitor General and Minister of Public Safety. He has also served as Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations and as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. He has also been a member of the Government Caucus Committee on Social Development. For the past several years, John served on the Hospital Construction Committee for the new Abbotsford Hospital and Cancer Centre.

Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. van Dongen operated a dairy farm in Abbotsford. He studied agricultural economics at the University of British Columbia.

Mr. van Dongen was involved in farm organizations and businesses for almost two decades. He was on the board of directors of the B.C. Dairy Foundation, Agrifoods International Co-operative (Dairyland) the B.C. Federation of Dairymen's Association and the Federal Farm Debt Review Board.

He was Chair of the Building and Finance Committee of St. Joseph's Church in Mission. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is the father of two sons and has one granddaughter.