A native of Holland, Michigan, Phil Sotok graduated from Hope College in 1992. He is founder and CEO of VentureSource, a supplier to the automotive industry. He has served on Saint Benedict Institute’s board for four years.
How did you get involved with Saint Benedict Institute (SBI)?
I joined the board after a conversation with co-founder Jared Ortiz and Brian Piecuch. I was intrigued because when I attended Hope, there was nothing remotely close to what they described. I don’t know how my formation as a Catholic would have further developed if something like SBI had existed at Hope when I was there. Hope was great, but it really didn’t form me in the ways that I wanted and needed to be formed.
Why is Saint Benedict Institute needed?
The bridge between the Christian Reformed tradition and the Catholic Tradition should be and needs to be explored more deeply. There is so much synergy and consistency between our faiths, but we tend to talk about the differences. At the end of the day, I don’t believe that’s very helpful. I think SBI has bridged that gap. By being physically located at Hope College, those important conversations can happen. Without those conversations, you become a bit insular. You end up talking to yourself about your own beliefs and surrounding yourself with people who believe the same things. There is a huge advantage and benefit to having SBI located at Hope and being able to influence the school in a positive way.
How have you been blessed by the people involved with Saint Benedict Institute?
Recently, there was a time I struggled to understand what was going on in the Catholic Church. I was able to sit down with Jared and gain his perspective, learning how he has struggled with, and thought through, various current issues. It was very reassuring. Even more so because I know that young students who may have mini crises of their own can talk with people like Jared and Fr. Nick in a very thoughtful, heartfelt, and pragmatic way. That’s so important for students who are entering adulthood and need mentors they can trust.