James Van Der Beek Shared a Powerful Message About God Before Cancer Took His Life at 48

Dawson's Creek Star James Van Der Beek Declared 'I Am Worthy of God's Love' Weeks Before Dying of Cancer at 48

Actor James Van Der Beek, beloved for his role as Dawson Leery on the hit television series "Dawson's Creek," passed away on February 11 at the age of 48 after a battle with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. In the final months of his life, Van Der Beek shared a powerful evangelistic message about God's love and human worth that has since gone viral across the world.

Van Der Beek first began experiencing symptoms in 2023 and publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis in November 2024. On March 8, 2025, his 48th birthday, he posted an Instagram video titled "What cancer taught me," reflecting on what he described as "the hardest year of my life."

In the video, Van Der Beek described how his illness stripped away every external marker of identity he once relied upon.

All of those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped from me.

Separated from his family and unable to work, the actor said he reached his lowest point. But in that darkness, he experienced a spiritual breakthrough.

I meditated and the answer came through: I am worthy of God's love, simply because I exist. And if I'm worthy of God's love, shouldn't I also be worthy of my own? And the same is true for you.

Van Der Beek also spoke candidly about how cancer transformed his relationship with God. He explained the profound shift in his faith:

Before cancer, God was something I tried to fit into my life as much as possible. After cancer, I feel like a connection to God, whatever that is, is kind of the whole point of this exercise on this planet.

He acknowledged the mystery of faith, saying: "I certainly don't claim to know what God is... my efforts are a constant unfolding mystery." He also offered an inclusive note: "If it's a trigger that feels too religious, you can simply take 'I am worthy of love.'"

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children. A GoFundMe campaign established for the family has raised over $2.6 million. Former "Dawson's Creek" castmates reunited in 2025 for a pilot reading benefiting the F Cancer nonprofit in his honor.

James Van Der Beek's Final Message About God's Love Goes Viral After Actor's Cancer Death

His wife Kimberly confirmed his passing in a statement posted to his Instagram account: "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace." The family did not confirm whether cancer was the direct cause of death, though Van Der Beek had been open about his diagnosis since late 2024.

Following the news, "Dancing with the Stars" judge Derek Hough reshared Van Der Beek's message about God's love, helping it reach millions more viewers across social media. The video has since been viewed millions of times and shared by Christian leaders and news outlets worldwide.

The Crusader's Opinion

In a world that celebrates everything except the name of Jesus, James Van Der Beek did something Hollywood almost never does. He pointed people to God. Not in some vague, watered down "universe" nonsense, but to the living God who loved him enough to meet him in his lowest moment. Cancer stripped this man of everything the world told him mattered, and what remained was the only thing that ever truly did: his worth in the eyes of God. That is the Gospel in its rawest form. May his words echo louder in death than any script he ever read on camera.

Take Action

• Watch James Van Der Beek's full Instagram video "What cancer taught me" and share it with someone who needs to hear about God's love today.
• Support the Van Der Beek family's GoFundMe campaign to help his widow Kimberly and their six children during this devastating time.
• Get screened for colorectal cancer. Van Der Beek was only 46 when diagnosed. The American Cancer Society now recommends screening starting at age 45. Talk to your doctor.
• Support Christian witness in media by donating to organizations that champion faith in the public square, such as www.TheShepherdsShield.org.
• Pray for the Van Der Beek family, especially his six children, and share his testimony with your church community this Sunday.