Grace Christian University

As recent graduate Gerard Oray shares about his late mother, Tawanda Williams, his eyes brighten and a sense of pride fills his words. Williams passed away due to breast cancer in 2018 after previously beating the disease a few years earlier, in 2015. She was a woman of great character, determination, and with a heart for others and her stories live on through her son, as does her service to the community. Oray is thankful for the person she was to those around her and for the mother she was to him. He now lives every day to honor her as he looks to serve young people God places in his path. Graduating from Grace Christian University with a degree in Business this spring was another step in following in his mother's footsteps. "Mom always worked with kids in her community through the schools or the local church. She worked with the local Boys and Girls Club chapter and also worked for Project Lift as she was always looking to impact the younger generation coming up." Williams set a foundation for her son by first earning a degree in Business, and using that knowledge to strengthen communities. "My goal is to continue my mom's legacy as I hope to one day operate and lead a Boys and Girls Club," Oray shared. With the Boys and Girls Club as the long-term plan, Gerard is already continuing his mom's good work by leaning into the youth in his community. The amount of young people Gerard Oray has worked with in the past few years is impressive. Whether it was coaching middle school basketball at Calvin Christian School, serving as a recess monitor at Grandville Christian Elementary or coaching at Grand River Preparatory Academy, it is obvious Oray loves the younger generation. Most recently "Coach G" was asked to assist the Grand Rapids Union Varsity Basketball team as they finished their season. Oray continues to encourage and develop young people through mentoring and investing his time, modeling success and the promise that they can follow their dreams. "Coach G" has accepted a position through the West Michigan Drive AAU basketball team, where he will be coaching 15 and 16 year olds. He is excited to have student athletes on his team from Grand Rapids Union, Ottawa Hills, Kentwood, Forest Hills Northern as well as athletes from the homeschool community. His efforts to bring these athletes together comes with intention. "I am passionate about building a special team made up of athletes from many different cultures" he shares. "Our team will be prepared for the real world through the process of winning and losing with one another." Built earlier this spring, the team has already been holding practices and Oray sees their promise. "It has been great to see them accept each other as they are willing to hold one another to high standards of conduct - on and off the court. This is going to be a special group." While he is no stranger to hardships he knows there are lessons learned that are to be shared with others. "The hard things I have gone through will help me to walk alongside my students as we do life together. My mother led by example and it is important for me to lead openly as well," he shared as he spoke of his opportunity to lean into the next generation. "My goal is always to instill confidence, create accountability, and to build respect and integrity." The future is bright for Gerard Oray, and those he is leading, as he continues to guide youth with the love and commitment learned from his mother. He lives out her goal regularly as he builds character and determination in his service to those following his lead. Our world is better because of graduates like Gerard Oray. While there are many, many community members who are thankful for his heart and efforts, it is the joy his mother most certainly feels while watching from above that Oray seeks daily.

In a year where "distance" was mentioned more often than anyone wished to hear, Grace Christian University students celebrated unity as they were able to once again serve off campus as one body. Director of Field Operations for Grace Ministries International (www.gracem.org) Don Ten Hoeve, recently joined a group of Grace Christian students as they served in Puerto Rico. The gift of serving together, off-campus, was a long-awaited blessing. The group was led by student Justin McMaster, who shares thoughts from this experience. "Our week in Puerto Rico started with a long day of travel. Day 1 consisted of eating DELICIOUS food and getting acclimated to our living situation at Camp Caribe. The next morning, we went to church at Iglesia Biblica de Juana Diaz, where Pastor Jose Juan preached about unity within the body of Christ. His message set the tone for the week, as we would eventually find out that unity is important for any team to be successful. This same day we also went cliff jumping in the rainforest. Monday we started work; first at a sheep farm on the west side of the island in the city of Sabana Grande, next at Camp Caribe. On the farm we cleaned stables, worked with the animals and clipped their hooves and built fences. Camp Caribe involved scraping paint, cleaning buildings, painting and yard work. One highlight was the quality time spent with the owner of the farm, Pastor Leonard Torres. Pastor Leonard (Leo) explained to us how our team was such a blessing to his farm, and our help came at just the right time for him. God clearly had a hand in guiding us to his farm to serve them. We went to the tropical rainforest on the east side of the island where we spent the day cliff jumping, rope swinging, and swimming in the crystal-clear water. In the capital city of San Juan we tried delicious coffee and went sightseeing. Friday we attended youth group at the church in Juana Diaz and made lasting relationships with the kids there. The week was tough both physically and emotionally for everyone. The theme of "unity" helped guide us through the week and by the end of the trip, all 13 members of our team became close like a family. The biggest takeaway from the trip was the fact that each person was pushed to the edge of comfortability, whether it was during daily devotions, working through the extreme heat, or persevering through the mental exhaustion of a week's worth of ministry and manual labor. We watched our teammates during cliff jumping off a 40-foot cliff, and this image reminded us of our walk with Christ - sometimes we hesitate to take that leap of faith. We need to be obedient and take the leap by giving our life to Him." Grace Christian University student groups have often traveled with Grace Ministry International leaders, though this became impossible due to travel restrictions and the importance of overall campus safety remaining a top priority. Uniting to serve others is foundational for these organizations, and reengaging in this way brings much excitement of things to come.

Grace Christian University exists to prepare students to serve Christ through church and society. This preparation begins with student orientation and continues even now, as students navigate their studies remotely. We give thanks for their hearts of service as they minister to many, both outside and inside of the institution. Senior Kimberly Buskirk is serving in the field of mental healthcare while simultaneously completing her degree and planning the next steps for her marriage and career. Senior Ashley Glass is serving in an assisted living facility, where she continues to balance the demands of full-time commitments to both work and her studies. Senior Adam Kregel was awarded the Pete Maravich Award by the NCCAA for being the most outstanding civic-minded, ministry-focused student athlete in the entire men's league. The Women's Volleyball team was recently recognized as an NCCAA Scholar Team for their academic achievements. Player Dana DuChemin shares her reasons behind continuing to support her teammates in a virtual environment: "I strive to have a positive attitude and impact on those around me, especially my teammates. Sports, especially volleyball, are very important to me and are something I'm passionate about, but I'm also passionate about academics and always doing my best. Doing well in school doesn't just affect me, but also my team. I try to encourage my teammates to do their best in this area as well. I love my team, and I am so blessed to have them as my teammates and best friends" Grace Christian University online students also provide critical support in this challenging time, some serving on the front-lines in heavily impacted places such as hospitals in the Detroit metro area. "As a support person working at the hospital, it is comforting knowing that I am a person standing in the gap praying for, not only for the patient but also for my team members. We are going into patient rooms refusing PPE to take care of those who are vulnerable" Sharon Turrentine, 2020 graduate. These students are ministering to the vulnerable during a challenging time and have remained committed to the University's mission of serving Christ through church and society.