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

September 2025

God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

God blows me away every day as I watch Him work through His people to touch the hearts and lives of our neighbors in Kent County. I shouldn't be surprised (right?!) but daily I am humbled and awed and amazed! So far this year, VIS has received:

1198 requests for support from community members.
974 volunteers from Christian churches and schools have connected with opportunities to serve and share God's love.
324 community members have been touched with the hope of Jesus.
65 churches have mobilized their members to SERVE.

To God be ALL the glory throughout all generations, for ever and ever!

At the beginning of 2025, we shared that God was growing His ministry through VIS by leaps and bounds. In fact, the number of requests for support we received last year was almost TRIPLE the number from 10 years ago, and the number of service opportunities VIS connected with volunteers was up 240%! God is doing immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine!!

We covet your prayers! Will you pray with us as we seek to be good stewards of all God has already provided? Join us in trusting Him to provide all that is needed (staff, financial support, volunteers) to continue to impact lives for Christ as we invite churches in Kent County to GET CONNECTED and BE EQUIPPED to serve and build God's kingdom one life at a time. To God be the glory. Amen!

Serving Him Together,

Cori Scholtens

Sailor Serve 2025

Thank you, South Christian High School, from our VIS Friends:

"They did such a beautiful job! I could just see the Spirit shining through their smiles! The love they had for serving just shone through. I love the cards they gave me. I was so blessed by them, and I hope I was able to bless them in some way as well!"

"They did a great job! They did more than we expected and pretty much got the whole backyard done. They even took away all of the boxes that were back there from deliveries and stuff. It looks nice out there!"

New Website! Same URL!

Check it out today!

www.visgr.org

GET CONNECTED TO SERVE

VIS has a constantly changing list of opportunities to serve in our local community! Join Christ's work and SERVE as a volunteer of your church, witnessing His love! Click on the buttons below to see a current "List of Service Opportunities." If you are able to serve or want more information, please "reply" to this email or call VIS at 616-459-7500. Opportunities are added daily and deleted as they are filled.

LIST OF SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

LIST OF TRANSPORTATION OPPORTUNITIES

Seeking Volunteers in the VIS Office

(Offices located at Calvary CRC in Wyoming)

Do you love to hear stories of God's provision and care? Volunteer in the VIS office 2-4x/month calling church volunteers and/or VIS Friends after a service opportunity. Prepare to be amazed by the ways God does immeasurably more than we ask or imagine! Learn more by reaching out to Cori at cscholtens@visgr.org!

BE EQUIPPED TO SERVE

Deacon Training: Last Call!

Deacon Training (two options)

Monday, September 22 from 1-3pm
Thursday, September 25 from 6:30-8:30pm

Location: Calvary CRC at 3500 Byron Center Ave SW, Wyoming

RSVP Today: CLICK HERE

Fall Benevolence Workshop

Date: Saturday, November 8 from 9am-3pm.

Location: Kentwood Christian Church 5841 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids

If you are in a role at your church to make decisions about the stewardship of benevolence funds, this training is for you! Benevolence Training is a one-day workshop focused on: The Biblical Foundation of Benevolence; Understanding Care Receivers and Their Circumstances; and Responding with Compassion, Knowledge, and Processes that Witness Christ's Love.

RSVP Today: CLICK HERE

SUPPORT GOD'S WORK THROUGH VIS

Thank you for joining us in God's ministry through Volunteers In Service (VIS). Your prayers and financial support are especially appreciated through this time of amazing growth as we mobilize and encourage churches to connect with even more people in their neighborhood, by serving and loving as Jesus did.

Rebecca’s story is just one of the many examples of how Christ is at work through the people of God, connected through VIS.

Rebecca’s life has new meaning since Becky became her volunteer. Becky regularly spends time with Rebecca talking, listening, praying and providing transportation when needed. Rebecca has never had someone praying over her struggles like Becky does, and has never experienced answers to prayers like she does now. God is alive and real in a way Rebecca has never known.

Your donation helps VIS equip and connect churches with opportunities to provide support and love to those who are marginalized in our society by being a friend and caring for them.

Thank you for supporting the work of building Christ's kingdom and helping further God's mission through VIS.

To support God's work through VIS with a financial gift: Click Here

Serving Christ with You,

Bernita Tuinenga

Mark your calendar

Tuesday, December 2, 2025!

More info coming soon