Grace Christian University

Current student Jennie Losinger, remembered hearing a teaching from President Kemper on 'walking the walk' not just 'talking the talk', Jennie felt compelled to make a difference but was unsure how. It was time for a change. After a trip to downtown Grand Rapids, Jennie saw a need. Many of the people downtown spoke on the lack of hygiene products. After further research, she found Mel Trotter, a local ministry, also had very few supplies of hygiene products and needed more in order to fulfill the widespread need. After seeing many drives for clothes or food, she had never seen a hygiene drive. Jennie recalls that God planted the idea in her head, as she has never done a hygiene drive before, and has been amazed at the outcome. She was able to reach her goal of 500 hygiene products. Jennie says, "It's so incredibly amazing to know that something so simple as a drive can help and affect so many people. I just love helping people in any way possible." To see what other great things students are accomplishing across campus, you can visit https://gracechristian.edu/blog/category/blog/.

Ryan Rowe was raised in Gladwin, MI. At 20 years old, he moved to Grand Rapids, MI to attend Grace Christian University. Ryan is receiving his AA degree this spring but will continue to pursue his BA degree. His expected graduation date for his BA is 2022. Ryan has overcome many obstacles. It took him six years to graduate high school. His expected graduation date was 2015 but instead graduated in 2017, at 20. He graduated high school with a 0.979 GPA. Ryan's parents split at 17 and shortly after had to move out. With a rough home life, and without parental structure and support, he was the kid who put his head down on the desk and slept through almost every class. Ryan's high school physical science teacher heard about his situation and asked him to live with her and her family and go to church with them. Ryan began to study well and receive good grades, because of their care and support. Ryan moved out and decided to live alone and finish his last year of high school after living with them for a year. He was initially planning to go to community college, but once he visited Grace with friends and found out he had a shot at attending, he was hooked. "My enrollment specialist Hilary was truly amazing, caring, consistent and instrumental in getting me here", Ryan remarks. He now has a 3.31 GPA and has made the Dean's list nearly every semester. Ryan shares his gratitude "I cannot express how thankful and appreciative I am of every staff and faculty member at Grace Christian University. They are the best, because they believe in us students and see something special in each of us. They truly care and put a lot of hard intentional work, love, and grace into everything they do. If it was not for them, I do not know what I would do with my life. Thanks for believing in us!" Ryan's story shows God's providence and faithfulness in his academic turn around. Find out how you can become like Ryan. Find out more at www.gracechristian.edu.

A strong second half of play on senior night would result in an 83-56 win for the Tigers over regional rival Great Lakes Christian College in front of a packed crowd at the Aldrich Athletic Center. The win marks six straight for Grace, as they continue to find their stride as they approach the end of the regular season and have postseason in their near sight. The Tigers held a nine point lead after a three pointer to close out the half, but they would really blow things open in the third quarter, extending their lead to 21 and coasting to the finish in the fourth for the 27 point win. Grace overcame 24 committed turnovers with a rebounding margin that was heavily in their favor, out-rebounding the Crusaders as a team, 62-26. Ashley Hoek dominated the paint, as she so often does, recording 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Hoek is now only 10 blocks away from tying the All-Time blocks record at Grace, and she is only a sophomore! Two other Tigers recorded double-figures, as Megan George pitched in 14 points and 10 boards and Bre Harris added 12 and 10. George also had a team-high 5 assists. On senior night, every senior would find the scoring column, with Megan Scholtens scoring 12, Miranda Carlson scoring 9, Brandy Weaver with 3, and Chloe DeVries with 2. The Tigers are now 14-14 overall and 6-0 in the NCCAA DII, where they are currently ranked #4 in the nation. This weekend they will close out their regular season and attempt to remain unblemished in the NCCAA with a game against #5 Campbellsville-Harrodsburg on the road in Kentucky on Saturday at 11:00 am.

The NCCAA II #2 Grace Christian University Tigers closed out their home schedule Tuesday night with a bang, defeating the #1 Great Lakes Christian College Crusaders in front of an electric Aldrich Athletic Center crowd that was at capacity. After a very evenly played first half, the Tigers held a two point lead headed into the break. The Crusaders stormed out in the second half on a 9-0 run to quickly take the lead, but the Tigers answered with a 19-4 run to take the lead right back and they would hold on to it for the rest of the game. Great Lakes would trim it down to as many as three points, but a huge and-1 conversion from Hank Schemmel would ignite a spark in the Aldrich Athletic Center crowd and Grace's bench that seniors Austin Jackson and Adam Kregel would carry on the rest of the way. Jackson was nothing short of dominate in the paint for the remaining minutes of the game, and Kregel knocked down three of his seven three-point shots on the night during a final run that would blow the lead open to as many as 15 points and result in a 96-84 win for the Tigers. Fittingly on senior night, four seniors would lead the way for the Tigers in the box score. Jackson finished the game with a career-high 32 points on 14-16 shooting and 11 rebounds, recording his fifth straight double-double. Kregel matched a career-high with 27 points on 7-11 shooting from beyond the arc. Brandon Winchester-Jones scored 15 and dished out a team-high 9 assists. Keoante Blackamore scored 10 points to round out the Tigers in double-figures. Grace moves to 15-11 on the season and 8-1 in NCCAA DII play. They will close out their regular season with a road trip to Kentucky, with games on Thursday against Boyce College, Friday against Campbellsville-Somerset, and Saturday against Campbellsville-Harrodsburg.

An efficient night on the offensive end propelled the Tigers to victory on the road against a solid Campbellsville University-Harrodsburg team on Friday night, as they shot 37-54 (68.5%) from the floor throughout the night. They would stick to their dominate the paint with the size advantage, only needing to shoot 7 three-point shots - their previous lowest three-point attempt game being 15 in 2019-20. Senior Austin Jackson had quality totals in every category on the stat sheet, with 25 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks, and 0 turnovers. Point guard Brandon Winchester-Jones added 24 points on 8-11 shooting. Kierson Watts and Adam Kregel added 14 and 13 points, respectively. "We were a little sluggish and turn the ball over way too much tonight but this team always seems to find a way to win," said Grace Head Coach Gary Bailey. "We know that we are going to get everyone's best shot so we have to continue to be ready to play. I felt like we executed the game plan really well but we just need to clean up some unforced errors." "I am always so proud of this group. Great sportsmanship on the floor, and high character guys off the court," added Coach Bailey. The NCCAA DII #2 Tigers now have a huge match-up to prepare for next Tuesday, as they welcome in NCCAA DII #1 Great Lakes Christian College to town. This will be the final home game for Grace this season, and the seniors will be recognized on Senior Night prior to tip-off. Be sure to get to the game early if you are attending, because the gym will likely fill up during the women's game at 5:00 pm.

As students begin to experience life on their own after high school and away from their parents it can be challenging to find a place of belonging and true acceptance. Grace Christian University is a unique campus because of the intentionality of staff and faculty to connect with students where they are and as such a unique close-knit community quickly forms. When talking with current and former students, constant reiteration and recognition is the obvious reality of the many authentic and quality relationships that grow and flourish on our campus. Grace is a great place for young adults to get their feet wet in the adult world while still having the assurance that there is constant support waiting for them on campus. I have been incredibly blessed to be able to participate in numerous short-term study abroad trips including spending two weeks in both Ireland and Israel. Both of these trips I took for class credit and was able to continue working towards my degree while experiencing the unique history and culture of these places with a team of students and staff. After visiting Belize on our Spring Break trip in 2019 I knew immediately that I was meant to return to the country for a longer period of time but was unsure of what it meant to be away from my familiar setting of the Grace campus and the stability and normality my regular daily schedule offered. Making the decision to study abroad for a semester was easy for me because my heart already belonged in long term ministry and I love the thrill of the unknown experiences that come with travel. Living in a foreign country for four months brought a unique set of challenges that I had never faced before. There was an obvious and immediate culture shock between the Western worldview that I inherited and the more simplistic nature and outlook of Belize. I learned the difference between the necessities of life and the comforts of the modern world. As Americans, we often take some things for granted without putting any additional thought or consideration into them simply because we've never had to make some of the choices that Belizeans think about on a daily basis. I spent time reevaluating my life's priorities as I talked through my future plans and dreams with people I shared experiential similarities with, but who offered unique perspectives on our role as members of the Church and our Christian faith in general. Doing life together with the greater body of Christ opened my eyes to the reality of God's sovereignty and how he uses people from different walks of life to love and serve the world. My perspective of ministry changed from activities taking place in a church facility or done intentionality by believers; to seeing life as our ministry and the power that community, relationships, and accountability has to change lives and build the kingdom of God. Being in Belize allowed me the opportunity to exercise the skills I learned in the classroom as well as expand on the concepts of faith, love, and service while working with real people in real-time through real relationships. My semester abroad was a time of incredible challenge and growth that was centered on discovering my identity as a child of God and my purpose as His servant, all while loving and being loved on by newfound family and friends.

Kim Buskirk, a senior All-American cross country runner and national qualifier for the track and field team, has returned from her extensive two week leadership training in Washington D.C. with the American Red Cross' internship program. Kim was chosen as one of the select few out of a couple hundred student-athlete applicants from both the NAIA and NCCAA. Throughout the week Kim experienced a lot of what Washington D.C. has to offer, even shadowing some daily work being done in the nation's capitol building. When asked what her favorite part of her two weeks was though, Kim was quick to point to some of the great leaders she heard from. "The coolest/best part about the experience was being able to learn from top leaders across the board, including Gail McGovern who is the CEO/President of American Red Cross," said Kim. Kim displayed how excited she was to implement the leadership skills she has learned on campus and on the cross country and track and field teams this upcoming year. "I plan to really step up and be a leader, not just by example, but by being an outward leader for the teams. I hope to be a positive energizing leader who focuses on respect, serving others, and being dependable/approachable for my teams." Grace Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach Gerry Verwey reiterated that Kim will be called upon to take her leadership role to the next level as a junior in 2018. "Kim has always been a leader by example for our cross country and track teams. Her experience this summer in D.C. has really empowered her to become a more verbal leader, fully invested in what our mission is. I believe we will see her leadership spread beyond our teams to across the whole campus, as well." One of the main initiatives for student leaders in the American Red Cross program is to plan and implement at least two blood drives on their campus throughout the year. The work has already started for Kim, as she is already planning the first drive at Grace for students, staff, and the surrounding community this upcoming fall.

Ten students and two faculty members spent a week of cultural immersion over Winter Break overseas as part of Grace Christian University's Study Abroad Program. The trip exposed individuals to the cultural and faith history of Ireland, noting the significant Catholic and Protestant conflict and its relevance to Christianity today. Students regularly reported the value in serving and worked for a local church in helping work on the building and grounds. "The Dublin Experience truly changed my worldview! Not only do you see some glorious sights such as the Cliffs of Moher and Giant's Causeway, but you also learn about how Irish history affected their culture and religion. Just being there for 10 days and meeting some new Irish friends makes me want to continue to learn about the country even on this side of the Atlantic!" -Estelle Sooy Students left with a deeper appreciation of the historical conflict over faith and politics and were able to make meaningful relationships with Irish believers who shared their testimonies and perspectives on faith and culture. Grace Christian University's one week of cultural immersion allows students to take three credits of classes that will count towards their degree, while given the opportunity to be fully immersed in a broad range of cultural and professional activities.

More than 100 On-Campus students were named to Fall 2019 Honors Lists at Grace Christian University. The following local students earned honors: To qualify for the Dean's List, students must earn a GPA of 3.50-3.99 and complete a minimum of 12 graded credits within a single semester (full time). To qualify for the President's List, students must earn a GPA of 4.0 and complete a minimum of 12 graded credits within a single semester (full time).

Thursday afternoon's match-up would be as good as advertised between the Grace Tigers (NCCAA #9) and Bob Jones Bruins (NCCAA #10), with the Bruins controlling the first half and the Tigers dominating the second half. Bob Jones carried all the momentum into the locker room at the end of the first half, closing things out with a basket on their last possession to take a 10 point lead. However, the Tigers came out of the gates in the second half playing some inspired basketball, outscoring the Bruins 21-9 in the third quarter to capture the lead. The fourth quarter was played very closely until a late basket by Ashley Hoek and a clutch three-point shot from Miranda Carlson would give the Tigers some breathing room, concluding the game with a 62-53 victory. Ashley Hoek led the Tigers in three different categories, scoring 17 points, pulling down 12 rebounds, and blocking 6 shots. Megan George added 15 points and 5 rebounds. Allazae Lloyd distributed the ball well throughout the game, recording a team-high 8 assists from the point guard spot. After the win, Grace is now 7-13 on the year but 2-0 in the NCCAA DII thus far.

The NCCAA DII #3 Grace Christian University Tigers kicked off the competition portion of their Florida trip this past Thursday with a showdown with the #5 team in the nation, the Bob Jones University Bruins.

Lydia Peters, of Wyoming, a Human Services major victoriously passes rigorous Taekwondo testing to obtain her third-degree black belt. Peters love for Taekwondo began with her dad in Fall 2012 who had encouraged her to try just one class. "I ended up falling in love with the sport," said Peters. Dr. Scott Shaw and other instructors from the class were encouraging and made her feel comfortable, even though she was the youngest of the class. "The meaning/philosophy behind the 3rd-degree black belt is peace of mind and tranquility," according to Peters. She's dedicated years of hard work to achieve this goal. When asked what it means to her, Peters said, "I think it represents breaking through mental barriers that I didn't think I could and learning to believe in myself." Peters gives all the glory to God who has brought her through this all. "During my final testing, still working through my shoulder injury, I developed bronchitis, and had to test while sick. I was so scared and excited for that day. Through it all, I've been empowered by God, supported by my family and friends, and have seen strength and confidence develop within myself," said Peters. Grace Christian University offers an Introduction to Taekwondo class taught by Dr. Scott Shaw.

Students are gaining beneficial experience and linking course work to their future careers by participating in Grace Christian University's internship program. This year, the Grace Christian University Internship program, included 42 internships who are being hosted by 40 employers and include opportunities in human services, psychology, business, ministry.

Recent Grace Christian University graduate, Eric Boyd, accepts a position as Director of Student Ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Hastings. "I can say it's my dream ministry job," Boyd states. "This lines up perfectly with my youth ministry major at Grace. I will be focusing on high school seniors and 40 and under age groups. It's literally my dream to pour into and share Jesus with this group." Eric says he realized when he was 23 that God had more planned for his life than just working as a ski lift operator. Eric says he knew since he was in high school that he had a passion for youth ministry but that he made the choice to follow his own path for a little while. Once he finally started to follow what God had planned for him, he was led to Grace. Boyd displays a true passion to serve Christ, obeying His calling to serve Him in ministry. Boyd's movement into ministry truly reflects Grace Christian University's mission statement of graduating Godly individuals prepared to serve Christ in church and society. Connecting with Grace's Career Services, Boyd was able to take advantage of the connections and resources, progressing him to this new position of Director of Student Ministry. Boyd graduated this Fall semester with a B.A. in Biblical Sciences with a concentration in Youth Ministry. He begins his new career with First Presbyterian Church on January 14. The Career Services department at Grace Christian University assists students and alumni with career exploration and readiness, polishing resumes, and practicing for important interviews. The goal is to help students find professional opportunities that align with their interests and skills within a diverse workplace with an 86% employment rate for graduates.

In the midst of state budget cuts, Grace Christian University Student Body President, Robert Kilgo, urges lawmakers to bring back the Michigan Tuition Grant even though as an out of state student, he is not eligible for the grant. The Michigan Tuition Grant program is available to undergraduate Michigan residents with financial need who plan to attend or are attending independent, degree-granting Michigan postsecondary institutions. Awards pay up to $2,400 per year. It is estimated that nearly 17,000 students across the state benefit from this grant every year. People across the state waited with bated breath when the Michigan Tuition Grant was removed affecting several public and private university students across the state who rely on the grant to help pay for college. Kilgo understood the gravity of the loss of the funding to his fellow classmates and decided to take action by writing a personal letter to his state representative. What ensued speaks to the character of state representative, Tommy Brann, who called Robert directly and shared his desire to see the grant reinstated. From that point on, Robert and representative Brann formed a unique friendship that included several calls from Brann updating Robert on the progress of the legislation, and a personal invite for Robert to spend a day with Brann at the capital and on the House of Representatives floor. On Tuesday, Dec 3 Brann called Robert immediately after the bill had passed and the grant reinstated, letting him know personally that the governor planned to sign the bill. "Robert met with me on the veto of the tuition grants and the stress it was putting on students," said MI State Representative Tommy Brann. "Robert did not give up and it is a positive lesson in participating. Good job Robert and Grace Christian University." Kilgo stated that the experience has "made me appreciate the leaders around me and the friendship I was able to develop with State Representative Brann." Kilgo is currently a Senior at Grace Christian University pursuing his Bachelor's degree in Human Services with a concentration in Criminal Justice. He aspires to go into politics and pursue his Masters in Organizational Leadership at Grace.

The National Christian College Athletic Association announced the DII All-Americans on November 27, consisting of three Grace Christian University Tigers on the 1st and 2nd teams.

Grace Christian University School of Music, Worship, and Technology (MWT) students will perform a free Christmas concert for the community on December 6 at 7 pm. The event will showcase a variety of student performances at Rush Creek Bible Church in Byron Center. Whether student's passion is to lead worship at a local church, travel as a musician, or run live sound, Grace's MWT program will transform students of diverse abilities into creative, multi-faceted artists who excel in producing music, worship, and media for the glory of God.

Four students and two faculty members are spending Thanksgiving week away from Grace Christian University as part of the Study Abroad Program.