Howard D. Vanderwell was born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan, and spent much of his ministry in small to mid-sized towns. After serving as senior pastor for forty years at four different churches, he began a second career at Calvin Theological Seminary with the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in 2002.
At Calvin Seminary, Howard trained ministers of the next generation through teaching, resource development, mentoring, and writing. He had previously authored Preaching that Connects (1989), Now That You Are An Elder: A Study in Eldership for Today’s Church Leadership (1990), and Proven Promises (1990). He also served on several ministry-related boards, often as president, including the annual denominational Synod of the Christian Reformed Church.