It has been nearly one month since George Vanderweit disappeared from the area of Runyon and Dequindre and the community has rallied to help the family find clues to Vanderweit's whereabouts.
Vanderweit, a former pastor at Christian Reformed Church who served churches in Wayland, Cleveland, Troy, Grand Rapids and a Korean church in Rochester, went missing on July 5 near Runyon and Dequindre, was believed to be on a lime green bicycle and was wearing a T-shirt with the word "Bargains" emblazoned on the front.
A Facebook page dedicated to finding Vanderweit has grown to about 700 community members, and Vanderweit's family has expressed appreciation for the public's help.
"Our family continues to be amazed by the love and concern that we have been shown by family, friends, the police, and those who we don't even know," Alan Kaminski, Vanderweit's son, posted on Facebook.
Kaminski encourages those assisting with search efforts to contact Rochester Police to find the areas that have already been searched. He said police had used GPS mapping devices while conducting a 4-5-square-mile search starting from where a search dog picked up on Vanderweit's scent.
An open Facebook group with 123 members has shown an outpouring of support and prayers to Vanderweit's family.
The Christian Reformed Church also has provided updates on Vanderweit's disappearance.
Vanderweit is a well-known former pastor in the CRC and a prolific writer for The Banner, the church’s monthly publication, according to the church, which has called for prayers and words of support for Vanderweit's family.
Anyone with information about Vanderweit’s whereabouts is asked to email SSchettenhelm@rochestermi.org and call the Rochester Police Department at (248) 651-9621.
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