Grace Christian University seeks to develop passionate servants of Jesus Christ by personally educating students in an educational program which emphasizes the integration of biblical truth, ministry experience, and character transformation.
Our mission is Graduating Godly Individuals Prepared to Serve Christ in Church and Society
(see more)Grace Christian University seeks to develop passionate servants of Jesus Christ by personally educating students in an educational program which emphasizes the integration of biblical truth, ministry experience, and character transformation.
Our mission is Graduating Godly Individuals Prepared to Serve Christ in Church and Society
Grace Christian University Alumnus Serves Country and Community
"Brave" is a common characteristic found among Grace Christian students; whether it is serving the mission field, staying strong in their faith when challenged, or simply moving to campus without the comfort of familiar faces. For Chris Smith, C/O 2021, this is no exception. In 2004 Smith attended a Christian camp where a coach helped to change his life. This experience deepened his faith and after the encounter, he felt called to serve at this same camp as a counselor. Once again, a life-changing experience brought him closer to Christ and solidified his desire to enter youth ministry. "I met a kid at camp who really didn't want to be there. By the time it ended he cried because he didn't want to leave. Pouring into him and allowing him to share his story made a big impact", Smith shared. Between high school and college, uncertain of the specific path to take, Smith joined the United States Navy where he was stationed in San Diego. After a deployment to the UAE area and four years serving our country, he decided to return to Michigan and see where God would call him next. Connecting with a friend while volunteering planted the seed in Smith to relocate to the Grand Rapids area from his original hometown, and it was here that he became familiar with Grace Christian University. "I visited Grace and applied for the Youth Ministry program. Once accepted, I moved to campus where I began forming connections at the start of Orientation." Aside from serving others there was another passion he hoped to pursue while living on campus, and in the summer of 2017, he worked hard to make this path possible. "I worked out hard that summer, and as fall began I earned a place on the Grace Tigers basketball team. I served other sports as well, like soccer and volleyball, in different capacities such as scorekeeping and transporting equipment. My senior year I was captain of the basketball team." His learning did not stop once crossing the stage with his bachelor's degree. Smith entered the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program before completing his undergraduate studies and is currently completing his final course. He has accepted a Director position with the FCA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and in his role will be engaging in outreach events and connected with coaches from other FCA institutions. He recently returned from Kansas for his training in this role and was welcomed back with two more exciting offers. He has been hired as the Head Coach for the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay-Port High School Boys' Varsity Soccer Team and will be coaching their Girls' Junior Varsity Basketball Team. Smith is eager to embrace these leadership roles where he will most certainly impact many lives. Though his path to college was uncertain, his commitment to Christ was not. He bravely followed his call to serve both country and community and is departing Grace Christian with undergraduate and graduate degrees, and two careers in place.
Alumni -
2021 Sep 2
Grace Christian Graduate Returns Home to Support Community
Recent graduate Emily Rodriguez is experiencing a moment when life comes full circle. As a child growing up in Indiana, she was blessed to attend a school that provided additional support for students of diverse backgrounds. Instruction in English when coming from a predominantly Spanish speaking home can come with unique challenges, and this was the circumstance for Emily. Aides in the classroom helped her overcome these difficulties and achieve success. The important role these educators played in the life of Rodriguez served as a strong foundation and is fueling a passion to do the same for others. After high school, Rodriguez sought to study Music at a Christian college. This interest brought her to the campus of Grace Christian University where she spent two years in the Music, Worship, and Technology program. Midway through her studies, she felt led to missions and outreach and transitioned to Global Communication, the program in which she earned her degree. Rodriguez took advantage of various student opportunities, in addition to her academic studies, and was a well-known and respected figure. Her role as a Resident Advisor to female students showed her strength as a leader, and in her final year she accepted a position as a Community Life Intern to serve her community in a larger capacity. Loving others is something she does well, and with a gentle heart and bold spirit, she is entering a different type of classroom this fall. After completing her degree, she entertained a few choices for relocation. Her heart called her back home and an internet search led to an employment application at her childhood school. Within hours she was invited to interview and shortly thereafter learned her mission field would be her hometown. The offer to come back to where her education began as a child was a surprise, though she knows it is exactly what God designed for her at this stage of life. "I want these kids to feel empowered and to increase their knowledge. Regardless of the language they speak or how they are viewed by others, they are capable. I am one of the few who got to go to college, who had a chance to study anything higher than a high school diploma" Rodriguez shared. She hopes these children see in her the possibility of reaching for goals beyond what they have ever seen. As a first-generation college student, her perseverance and success is important because it allows her to help support her mom who sacrificed so much for her. "She overcame so much for me to have the opportunities I do, and now I want to be able to be there for her." Grace Christian University is excited to announce a new Online Bilingual Associate of Arts in Social Science degree that is currently enrolling students.
Alumni -
2021 Aug 20