April 2026

Empowering Christians to join Christ's work in their community for the purpose of building God's kingdom.

The Resurrection of Christ Brings HOPE!

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him." Romans 15:13a

The resurrection of Christ brings hope to believers! It proves that death does not have the final word! It gives hope to those who confess Jesus as Lord and Savior by inviting them into life beyond this life - an eternal life with Jesus! We take comfort knowing that Christ will come again and He will reign forever!

For 40 years volunteers from churches have loved and served people in our community, bringing hope by way of companionship, providing rides, making small home repairs, raking a yard, and more. Hope came through volunteers who listened, prayed with, and showed love to a person they may never have met.

For over a decade volunteers have been serving Sandy so she could stay in her home. When the volunteers completed their work, they wrapped theirs arms around Sandy and prayed for her. You could feel God's presence right there in her driveway.

Volunteers from Christian churches have been serving as living witnesses of God's love through VIS for the past 40 years! These small acts of kindness day-after-day, year-after year are GROWING the kingdom of God in West Michigan and offering the HOPE found in Jesus!!

As we celebrate our risen Savior this Easter season, we would like to graciously invite you to partner with us in the work of Christ through Volunteers In Service by giving a financial gift at this time. Your gift supports love and service to people like Sandy.

Serving Christ Together,

Bernita Tuinenga

Director of Development and Partnerships

GIVE HOPE

40 Years...Memories from the Founding Director

Lori (Wiersma) Pierucki was the first Executive Director of VIS. She served from April 1986 - February 2008 (pictured at right, circa 1997). For 22 years, she watched God work as programs grew through partnerships with deacons and church volunteers. Lori recently shared some of her memories...

"Praise be to God for leading and blessing VIS for the past 40 years! I had the honor to lead VIS as the first Executive Director. The board and I hired Ruth Hoekwater for the Connecting Program and then Pat Buist, Nancy Bolt, Kate Miller, and Connie VanDyke. CRC Home Missions and VIS started the annual Leadership Training Event (LTE) that had as many as 300 deacons, elders, and pastors attending to equip them for servant ministry. Later we hired Cindy Wolffis as the Car Ministry Coordinator and then Carolyn Cooper. For 5 years, we partnered with a program called Project Zero Mentoring with other faith based programs and the State of Michigan. This allowed us to hire Mary Reenders Zuidema and Sara Boonstra. We also began working with volunteer contractors to build three Mission Houses in Byron Center. A few years later, we developed the Equipping Church Network (ECN) and first hired Pastor Andre Daley and then Dr. Wayne Squires and Jim Scheper to offer monthly pastor leadership lunches and also consult and train churches interested in community development and partnership. Soon after, we hired Bernita Tuinenga as another Connecting Coordinator (and a few years later she became the Executive Director.) May God continue to bless VIS for years to come!"

Thank you, Lori, for sharing these memories! We are beyond grateful for your courage and passion as you followed God's lead during the first two+ decades of God's ministry through Volunteers In Service.

Will you share your VIS story? Help us collect 40 years of VIS memories and stories of God's faithfulness! CLICK HERE

Opportunities to Serve

Get connected today to an opportunity to shower a neighbor with God's love! Reply to this email or call VIS at 616-459-7500 for more information. Click on one of the brown buttons below for a full list of opportunities to serve.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS!

Spring Yard Clean-Up: Many of our VIS Friends (clients) need assistance with spring yard projects. Can you serve..

Bernadette in Kentwood
Merle in NE Grand Rapids
Nancy in Rockford
Adolph, Cora, LaChelle, Sonia, Jane or Burnette in SE GR
Sandy or Carol in SW GR
Cindy or Deb in Wyoming

Click on a brown button below for a full list of opportunities to serve.

Opportunities to Serve

Transportation Opportunities

Partnering in Kingdom Work

Thank you to the following churches...who have invited Volunteers In Service to visit during Worship on a Sunday or a Deacon Meeting to say "thank you" and share what God is doing through our ministry:

East Leonard CRC - March 3 (Deacon Mtg)
Church of the Servant - March 26 (Deacon Mtg)
Blythefield CRC - March 29 (Sunday AM Worship)
Church of the Servant - April 12 (Sunday AM Worship)
First Byron CRC - April 12 (Sunday PM Worship)
Lee Street Church - April 20 (Deacon Mtg)
Rockford Reformed - April 26 (Sunday AM Worship)
Sparta Center Church - May 31 (Sunday AM Worship)
River Rock Church - June 7 (Sunday AM Worship)
Calvary CRC Wyoming - June 14 (Sunday AM Worship)

We'd love the opportunity to share with YOUR church what God is doing as VIS connects churches that love Jesus with opportunities to serve their neighbors. Email Cori today to schedule a date: cscholtens@visgr.org

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