From the Desk of | General Manager, Tim Veurink

The words in the graphic are from Peter's brief Sermon in Jerusalem

just 7 weeks after Jesus had resurrected from the dead. 

After Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday, Jesus spends 40 days moving

around Israel. There are 12 appearances of Jesus recorded in the New

Testament to over 500 people. Peter, himself, witness' Jesus living in the

flesh at least 6 times with one very special and detailed conversation, at a

fish fry as recorded in John 21.  

After 40 days, the disciples witness Jesus ascending to heaven to sit on the

right hand of His Father.

The seventh Sunday after Jesus resurrection was Pentecost and as promised

the disciples received the Holy Spirit. 

Prompted by the Spirit, Peter is embolden to preach a brief but powerful

sermon. (Acts 2:14-41). There is so much that I love about this sermon but

the one thing I find both powerful and  hopeful is this...

The sermon was preached in Jerusalem 7 weeks after Jesus' death, and resurrection by Peter who witnesses seeing Jesus in the flesh at least 6 times after the

resurrection. The sermon being preached in Jerusalem, is the same town were

Jesus hung on the cross and was put into the tomb. However, the tomb was empty

because Jesus had risen and was not there. 

At this time Jerusalem wasn't that big; both the cross and the tomb where more than likely just a very short distance from were Peter was preaching. Anyone could walk over 

to see the empty tomb. With the bloody cross and the empty tomb...you can come

to your own conclusion on what happened on that Easter weekend. 

After Peter's sermon, 3000 people were convicted by the Holy Spirit and put

their trust in the resurrected Jesus. A few days later 2000 more people

believed and then the Christian movement spread like wildfire. 

Since that day, billions have put their trust and hope in Jesus Christ 

- the resurrected Savior of the world.  

Today, we celebrate a resurrected Savior. Today we have nothing to fear for

the Bible says for those who put their trust in Jesus Christ will be saved

and one day be resurrected from the dead just as Jesus was raised up. 

Happy Easter,

Tim Veurink

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Easter Sunday

"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." 

-Matthew 28:5-6

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Local Business Named Into Top 50 RV Dealers in North America

Grand Rapids, Michigan – Recent headlines declare the recession to be on its way out, with many eyes on the recovery of the recreation vehicle industry as a precursor of nationwide economic trends. Emphasizing the good news is the announcement of RV Business magazine’s Top 50 RV Dealers in North America, which included local dealership Veurinks’ RV Center at 7144 S. Division Avenue in Grand Rapids.

The Veurink family has been in the RV business for over 55 years. They sell a wide array of RVs from small light weight travel trailers to luxury motorhomes. Their website is www.veurinksrv.com. “Being recognized as a Top 50 RV Dealer in North America during

these challenging times is certainly an honor and a real tribute to our staffs commitment and dedication to customer service,” says Tim Veurink, president of Veurinks’ RV Center.

This is the second year for the program, and the first time including dealers in Canada. The response was overwhelming in spite of the general economic atmosphere this year. What really makes this story amazing is that even with the headwinds of 2009, we received about 40% more applicants than in 2008, said RV Business publisher Sherman Goldenberg. The competition was a lot tougher this year, which tells us that those who applied and especially those who were selected by the judges are truly exceptional. You know they have to be doing something right to not only withstand the down economy, but to exemplify best business practices at the same time.

Dealers nominated by U.S. and Canada were invited to apply for the Top 50 program. After the applications were collected, a panel of independent industry judges convened to review the applications and select the Top 50. Criteria were not based on sales, but on customer service and satisfaction, employee training and education, and sound planning and initiatives. This year, five times as many applicants had to be cut than in 2008, which made it a difficult process for the judges, according to Goldenberg.

There was a lot of discussion and debate, he said. It was really hard for the judges

to narrow it down, so those dealers who made it in should be particularly proud of this accomplishment.” The 50 finalists collectively generated approximately $1.6 billion in sales last year and have received hundreds of awards from manufacturers and their local communities.

To view the complete list of the Top 50 dealers and to learn more about members of the Leadership Alliance, visit www.RVBusiness.com. www.RVBusiness.com.

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Dealer's Perspective: Tim Veurink, Owner of Veurinks RV Center, the longest running Holiday Rambler dealership in the World

No doubt we are in very challenging times this is as tough as it has been since 79/80. As far as the RV business goes I think that was even a more difficult time. I can say that because I lived through it. During that period we lost 50% of the dealer body and even more manufactures. In fact we where still selling 1978 units in 1981. I heard how RVs would be dinosaurs Ect Ect and gas lines were so long that they blocked the entrance to our dealership and then when you did get a deal people had to pay 20% interest on their loan and we were paying the same on our flooplan. It was a tough time but the RV business came back bigger than ever and in 2006 sold over 390,000 units which was the same number we did in 1978. We also are starting to see things pick up since the Novi Show we have sold several units and most dealers I talk to around the country have had a good last 2 weeks in February. The biggest challenge we all are having right now is getting enough used Motorhome inventory since that seems to be the hot spot right now. I could write a book on why I think the RV business will bounce back but I won’t put you through that.

Tim Veurink

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