Pastor Pete Van Dyke to be honored by Chamber

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Each year the Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce recognizes individuals, groups and businesses who have made special contributions to the community. Awards are presented at the Chamber’s annual Awards and Installation Banquet, which, this year, will be held tomorrow, February 7, at the Lake Elsinore Diamond Club.

Oftentimes individuals are brought to the attention of the Chamber of Commerce who are deserving of special recognition. This year, one of those people is Pete Van Dyke, “Pastor Pete,” of Canyon Lake Community Church.

Pastor Pete will be retiring later this year after 40 years of service in the Lord’s work to the community.

Chamber President Dolores Badillo wrote, “There are song after song with messages about love, compassion and soulfulness. It would be impossible to pin just one song that typifies our own “Pastor Pete.” But if one had to be picked, it could be, “Lean on Me,” by the Bill Withers. One stanza in particular represents the man who, for nearly 40 years, has been a patriarch of sorts for the Community of Canyon Lake:

You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand.
We all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand.
We all need somebody to lean on. Lean on me, when you’re not strong.
And I’ll be your friend. I’ll help you carry on.
For it won’t be long,
‘til I’m gonna need
somebody to lean on.

When Judi Sellers wrote her commendation of Pastor Pete, she said “I personally don’t believe there is another person in this community who has given so much of himself. Pastor Pete is on call 24 hours a day. He has been a rock for so many people, whatever their spiritual beliefs. His days and nights consist of preparing sermons, conducting weddings, baptisms, house calls, hospital visitations and funerals. This godly man not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.”

She adds, “He has had many experiences in his life that have made him the man he is today. He continues to stand firm in his beliefs and, even though he has faced many of his own adversities, he loves his God, family, congregation and our community.

At Saturday’s Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce Installation and Awards Ceremony, Pastor Pete Van Dyke will be formally recognized and honored for his good work.

Others who will be recognized are Citizen of the Year, LaRue McNamara; Volunteers of the Year, Jill Batinich and Mike Shroyer; Student of the Year, Justin Silva; Organizations of the Year, Jr. Women’s Club and Fiesta Day Committee; and Businesses of the Year, Canyon Lake Med Spa and The Cup Above.