Introducing Vanderbloemen and Our Consultant, Brian Dunks
The foundation for Vanderbloemen began long before the firm began helping churches find key leaders. For 15 years, William Vanderbloemen was active in local church ministry, the bulk of which was spent as a Senior Pastor of churches ranging from 350 to over 5,000 people. That active church leadership, combined with William's work experience in a Fortune 200 company doing talent integration and retention, laid the groundwork for Vanderbloemen.
Through extensive experience in both ministry and business, God placed a desire in William to build a search firm that could help churches find key leaders. In 2008, William sought out and received top-notch training in executive search practices, learning from an expert in the field who has served over two decades in retained executive search, including time at Russell Reynolds.
In 2010, God birthed a firm that has since gone further and wider in executive search work than William or anyone on the team ever foresaw. The firm has over 30 full-time staff members and boasts the only executive search firm built solely for the church with full-time staff, real corporate training, and active church leadership experience. Vanderbloemen has worked in nearly every state in the United States and has a blossoming international practice, including work in India, Canada, Australia, Uganda, and Bermuda.
The firm works with churches of every size, ranging from 70 to over 70,000 in weekly attendance. Vanderbloemen has successfully executed searches in over 75 different denominations or types of churches, ranging broadly in ethnicity, theological bent, and philosophy of ministry.
Providing guidance to churches looking for a new Senior or Lead Pastor has become an area of particular expertise for the firm. Succession planning and helping churches transition after a long-time pastorate is a special passion for William, and the firm has become known for its work in this area. William’s book, Next: Pastoral Succession That Works, was published by Baker Books in September of 2014, and quickly sold out of its first printing. After multiple printings of the book, Vanderbloemen saw a need in the church for a deeper step into succession planning through succession consultation. To that end, the firm established a succession consultation practice that has helped many ministries talk and plan through a successful succession.
Taken from SUCCESSION CONSULTATION REPORT By Brian Dunks, July 2023
In 2010, God birthed a firm that has since gone further and wider in executive search work than William or anyone on the team ever foresaw. The firm has over 30 full-time staff members and boasts the only executive search firm built solely for the church with full-time staff, real corporate training, and active church leadership experience. Vanderbloemen has worked in nearly every state in the United States and has a blossoming international practice, including work in India, Canada, Australia, Uganda, and Bermuda.
The firm works with churches of every size, ranging from 70 to over 70,000 in weekly attendance. Vanderbloemen has successfully executed searches in over 75 different denominations or types of churches, ranging broadly in ethnicity, theological bent, and philosophy of ministry.
Providing guidance to churches looking for a new Senior or Lead Pastor has become an area of particular expertise for the firm. Succession planning and helping churches transition after a long-time pastorate is a special passion for William, and the firm has become known for its work in this area. William’s book, Next: Pastoral Succession That Works, was published by Baker Books in September of 2014, and quickly sold out of its first printing. After multiple printings of the book, Vanderbloemen saw a need in the church for a deeper step into succession planning through succession consultation. To that end, the firm established a succession consultation practice that has helped many ministries talk and plan through a successful succession.
Taken from SUCCESSION CONSULTATION REPORT By Brian Dunks, July 2023
Executive Consultant, Brian Dunks
Brian brings over 22 years of pastoral ministry experience to the Executive Search Team at Vanderbloemen. He has served in every size church and setting in Texas, most recently as Senior Pastor of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. Under his leadership, guiding spiritual formation, creative transformation, and organizational development, each church experienced significant growth and vitality.
Brian has also worked in the for-profit world and has proven himself as a catalyst in business development and sales management. Following Columbus, Brian worked at Mid-States Services as Director of Sales over the Eastern Division demonstrating a positive record of increased sales and expansion across a 22 state area. Brian has also co-owned his own promotional company and worked in the Nashville real estate market.
Brian holds degrees from Baylor University in Waco, Texas and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. His unique synthesis of education, experience, and ability give him the right perspective to help churches, ministries, and other organizations connect with the right people. One of his greatest joys is walking through succession planning with pastors and leadership.
As a member of the Executive Search Consultant Team at Vanderbloemen, Brian works directly with our clients, guiding them through the extensive search process to find the right staff for their church. Brian’s focus is discovering the DNA of our clients and matching them with candidates who possess the skills and gifts they need.
Brian and his wife Jennifer live in the greater Houston area. They are empty nesters and have five grown children spread out across the United States in California, Arizona, and Texas. Jennifer recently retired from Southwest Airlines after 18 years in customer service. Their flying benefits allow them to visit their children and grandchildren as much as possible. Together they enjoy hiking and biking, travel and adventure, good food and movies, and spending time with friends and family.
Brian has also worked in the for-profit world and has proven himself as a catalyst in business development and sales management. Following Columbus, Brian worked at Mid-States Services as Director of Sales over the Eastern Division demonstrating a positive record of increased sales and expansion across a 22 state area. Brian has also co-owned his own promotional company and worked in the Nashville real estate market.
Brian holds degrees from Baylor University in Waco, Texas and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. His unique synthesis of education, experience, and ability give him the right perspective to help churches, ministries, and other organizations connect with the right people. One of his greatest joys is walking through succession planning with pastors and leadership.
As a member of the Executive Search Consultant Team at Vanderbloemen, Brian works directly with our clients, guiding them through the extensive search process to find the right staff for their church. Brian’s focus is discovering the DNA of our clients and matching them with candidates who possess the skills and gifts they need.
Brian and his wife Jennifer live in the greater Houston area. They are empty nesters and have five grown children spread out across the United States in California, Arizona, and Texas. Jennifer recently retired from Southwest Airlines after 18 years in customer service. Their flying benefits allow them to visit their children and grandchildren as much as possible. Together they enjoy hiking and biking, travel and adventure, good food and movies, and spending time with friends and family.
