FirstCovGR Love Mercy Do Justice (LMDJ) Ministry Team!
In response to Jesus' call to love our neighbor and his example of loving and ministering to those on the fringes of society, the LMDJ Ministry Team exists to help equip the FirstCov congregation to engage authentically across racial, economic, cultural, and political differences, so that we may grow in our ability to identify and address hurts our community and beyond. We are grateful for the multitude of ways FirstCov already engages in acts of mercy in our community, and our team hopes to help everyone at FirstCov know where they can serve and be equipped to do so. Our core team is working on creating and publicizing opportunities for FirstCov attenders to LEARN about the issues of our day from a Biblical perspective, ENGAGE in acts of service in our community, and RESPOND in prayer and lament to the brokenness of our world.
LMDR Core Team Members: Alicia and Derek Dekam, Terry Almquist, Jill Beltman, Penny Gutierres, Jodi Ohman, Steve Quakenbush, Linda Stone, and Ginny Ahrens
union high school
Over the course of 20 years, FirstCovGR has actively supported a number of Union High School ministries, including:
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A wide variety of volunteer activities to encourage and support the students and faculty in meeting their educational goals and to promote healthy relationships in our community.
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Open Gym and Bible Study, is held each Wednesday, at 2:30pm during the school year in the FirstCov Gym. It is an outreach ministry led by Trix Carlson and a team of volunteers.
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If you have questions or would like to consider volunteering, please contact the church office and they will put you in touch with a member of the Union High School Ministry Team.
CAMPUS LIFE
Campus Life reaches into Union High School and invites students to enter into relationship with our leaders. Our weekly club facilitates a fun, safe event where kids can be kids and have fun and laugh. We also engage in conversations about issues students face and give them a voice to be heard and to hear what the Bible says. Finally, we share our story- how God has directed our leaders through similar situations. Last year we averaged between 30-50 students each week.
Club is primarily an opportunity to draw kids in with a safe fun environment. Our vision is to see leaders walking intimately in Christ-sharing relationship with students.
For information on getting involved, please contact Jon Blahnik at 616-634-3980 or at
Campus Life
First Cov supports the ministry of Derek and Alicia DeKam with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, serving college campuses in Michigan and equipping new ministers across the country. Michigan Lower Peninsula (MLP) is home to 80 campuses that serve 560,000 enrolled students. We are longing to see a witnessing community on every one of these campuses and are working in partnership with students, staff, faculty, and volunteers to see this happen! From our time serving at GVSU and overseeing ministries West Michigan, we have seen over 2,800 students decide to follow Jesus! We continue to expect God to move among each generation of college students as we serve staff and students in Michigan and across the U.S.! Derek is serving in MLP to connect and equip volunteers to start ministries on under-served campuses. Alicia is serving on the National Training Team, ensuring quality training for staff across the country, and she directs InterVarsity's Orientation for New Staff program.
Intervarsity
For many years, FirstCovGR has worked alongside Dégagé Ministries by building relationships and serving meals to individuals in the Heartside Neighborhood. On the 3rd Sunday every other month, we have a team from our congregation that prepares and serves dinner. We also have many individual members volunteering in several other roles at Dégagé. Contact the church office at 453-6346 if you would like to serve!
Since 1967, Dégagé has been a place where followers of Christ extend care and community to those in need. Our mission is to reflect the love of Christ to all who come through our doors by building relationships and offering programs through dignity and respect.
Serving 400-500 individuals daily, staff and volunteers continue to follow Christ’s example by walking alongside men and women as they navigate challenges such as homelessness, joblessness, mental illness, and addictions.
Some of Dégagé’s programs include:
Dining Room: Breakfast & Dinner is served each day.
Hygiene Facilities: Showers, Laundry, & bathrooms.
Referral Services: Resource office & ID Office
The Open Door: Women’s Overnight Shelter
FirstCovGR Food Pantry Partners with The Other Way Ministries
Isaiah 58. 7 says, “Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help” (New Living Translation).
The FirstCovGR Food Pantry is now collecting food items and delivering them to the Other Way, who serve many local families every week. Watch for notices on what food items are critically needed.
Monique VanderWerp is the coordinator of the food pantry working with The Other Way. Monique can be contacted at 616-791-1989.
If you would like to donate food for the pantry, drop it off at any time the church is open (Sundays and church office hours). (We cannot accept outdated food, dented cans, or open/used containers). Thank you for your support!
MomCo is open to all women who are pregnant or have a child or children birth to age 5. We will meet every 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month from 9:30 to 11:15am. The mornings will include food, COFFEE, crafts, speakers, small group time, all with other mom's in the same stage of life, while your kiddos are being cared for onsite!
If you are interested in signing up to attend the MOPS meetings, please email Bev Bennett at or go to this link --->https://www.themom.co/
Our Group code is EV4L
