Unity Christian High School5900 48th AvenueHudsonville, MI 49426Phone: 616.669.1820Fax: 616.669.5760Website: www.unitychristian.org

Development Office4542 48th AvenueHudsonville, MI 49426Phone: 616.662.4011Email: development@unitychristian.org

MAY 2019 TIDINGSUNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

FAITH, EXCELLENCE, SERVICE

In Celebration, Praise & Thanksgiving!The 2019 UC Celebration Banquet —hosted by the UC Education Foundation Board of Trustees—was held in Unity’s Multipurpose Room on Monday, April 29. And, it was truly a night of Celebration, Praise and Thanksgiving!

Our live entertainment this year featured our own talented, “home-grown” young people of UC’s Bands, Choirs and Orchestra! From the moment our guests arrived, they were greeted by Student Council members at the doors (who also provided valet parking) and music by the Chamber Strings playing in the lobby. As guests mingled before entering the gym, they had opportunity to enjoy an “art show” of UC student art displayed in the commons.

Promptly at 6:25 p.m., Board President Mr. Mike DeVries welcomed everyone and made a few brief announcements, immediately preceding the Choral Ensemble (under the direction of Mrs. Ashton Foreman and accompanied by Mrs. Mary Westmaas) who sang a beautiful and moving rendition of The Lord’s Prayer as the opening prayer. A delicious meal by Beechwood Grill and Catering of Holland was then served of salad, followed by roast beef, chicken, mashed potatoes and a vegetable blend. For something fun, guests were challenged to play “UC Trivia” as they ate, with the

answers given during dessert of cupcakes (provided by Leesa’s Cupcakes).

Following dinner, the Band (under the direction of Mr. Brian Knot) began the entertainment and variety show with the song Rock Around the Clock from the 50s and 60s. Next, cast members from the fall musical Newsies performed an energetic number/scene called, That the World will Know, (accompanied by Mr. Chuck Brower.) The Band then performed Twist and Shout, which opened the first “Lunch Scene” from 1954. The variety show, encompassing “Unity Through the Generations,” presented a range of music that was interspersed with lunch scenes from each subsequent era, showing the “then and now” of how Unity has changed through the generations. Highlights of the show also included a spectacular Drum Cadence by UC Percussionists, and two beautiful and melodic Orchestra pieces (under the direction of Mrs. Sara Jager), called Julia’s Reel and Fields of Gold, that featured strings

1 In Celebration, Praise & Thanksgiving

3 Student Life UCs Youth in Government 2019 UC Science Olympiad UC Spring Play UC Music Department

5 Heart to Heart From the Well to the Cross

7 News & Notes Veterans Day 2019 Recognition

8 Development News Celebration Banquet 2019 Highlights Scrap Metal Drive 2019 Banquet Underwriters

10 Alumni News

12 Revive News

(continued on next page)

Now, our God,we Give you ThanKsand praise Your

gLorious NameI Chronicles 29:13

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In Celebration, Praise & Thanksgiving continued

A Scene from “Lunch in the 80s” by students (l-r, front row): Karley Michmerhuizen, Micah Huisman and Justin Bruckbauer; (l-r, back

row): Jamin Gordon, Lydia Cervantes and Sara VanDenBosch.

and a unique drum called a cajon.

Unity’s Director of Spiritual Life and Leadership Mr. Dan Landstra spoke on the UC's community dedication to Christian education throughout the generations, as depicted in the skits presented by the students. Dan challenged the audience to keep Unity in their prayers and to continually support the work of Christian education. Dan spoke of today’s students who face the ever-prevalent influence of a post-Christian era, and that there has never been a time in our history when Christian education has been more critical for the strengthening of moral and faith-based principles for our students.

Unity’s Principle and CEO Mr. Jerry DeGroot concluded the evening with a reminder of why our guests were in attendance, and publicly announced that this was, indeed, a special night… Not only because of the students’ participation, but also because of our guests representing the broader, supporting Unity community.

“It is a night,” said Jerry, “of thanksgiving

as we celebrate the completion of the Building Unity Capital Campaign!! Unity is now DEBT-FREE thanks to the dedicated and consistent financial support by all who believe that Christian education at Unity is a vital and critical investment.”

We praised God who blessed and grew the dream of a new school into a reality! The night concluded in a song of benediction, sung by audience and choir members, and accompanied by the Bands and Orchestra. The verses and chorus of Lead On, O King Eternal filled the room, a testimony of praise and thanksgiving for God’s goodness to Unity—through the generations.

THANK YOU so much to Student Council members, the students who performed and/or assisted behind the scenes, the Music Directors, and all the UC staff who were involved in helping make this a memorable evening of Celebration, Praise and Thanksgiving!

Our Thanks also goes to our 67 Banquet Underwriters this year whose generosity allows Unity to provide this event at NO CHARGE to our guests. We are also grateful for our guests and those who made a one-time gift or pledge toward the Tuition Assistance Fund or the UC Education Foundation. Thanks to their generosity, the banquet raised $122,000!

We appreciate this year’s Banquet Underwriters and have listed them in this issue of the Tidings (see page 9). Please help us by thanking them personally for their generosity!!

Cast members entertain banquet guests with a scene from the UC fall musical Newsies.

Anna Huberts, Carter Grasman, Micah Huisman, Jacquelin Veldink, Brad Walters (in the back), Ellie Schrier.

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UC’s Youth in Government 2019Congratulations to Unity’s Michigan Youth in Government participants. YMCA’s Michigan Youth in Government (YIG) held their annual convention in Lansing on February 21-24. This was Unity’s 23rd year in the program and eight Unity students participated along with approximately 500 others from around the state: David Cremer, Sam Kuipers, Madeline Nuiver, Sarah Terpstra, William Terpstra, Anna Terpstra, Joel VanderZwaag and Calvin Voorhees. Raenah Lindsay from East Grand Rapids also attended, along with their advisor, UC Teacher Mr. Brent Johnson. Each student played the role of legislators in the House and Senate.

Students prepare for the weekend by researching and writing their own bills. David Cremer’s bill was passed through both the chambers and signed by the youth governor; it will now be given to Michigan’s actual legislators for review.

While in Lansing, before settling into their duties, the Unity delegation had an opportunity to have lunch and discuss current issues with Senator Roger Victory and Representative Luke Meerman. Meeting at MSU’s Kellogg Center and the Capital, using the House and Senate chambers, the students debated not only their own ideas, but also many others.

“It’s a great experience for the students,” said Mr. Johnson, “It gets them out of West Michigan and gives them a chance to meet other students, to share their own ideas and beliefs.”

Other areas students can be involved in include a Mock Judiciary Process, national issues forum and the press corp. The entire conference gave the students time to make friends with people of varying viewpoints from around the state, as well as allowed

them to be Christian witnesses to other schools.

“It was a ton of fun; I had a great time and was able to see how our state government works. I wish I had started as a freshman instead of waiting until my junior year,” said Senior Sarah Terpstra.

The weekend closed with a banquet

on Saturday night, finding out who the Youth Governor would be next year, and which bills had been passed. Overall, MYIG is a fun, interesting, and enlightening experience and provides the students with a broader worldview and a chance to learn more about politics, government, and speaking up about the things that are important to them.

Student Life

Congratulations to the Science Olympiad Team who participated in the regional competition at Grand Valley State University on Saturday, March 23. Unity’s team competed against 27 other schools from around the area.

This year there were 23 events ranging from Chemistry Lab, Astronomy, Dynamic Planet, Forensics, and Write It-Do It, to some new events such as Boomilever, Water Quality, and Code Busters. It was a great day for Unity’s Science Olympians.

UC team members this year consisted of: Jacob Um (Freshman); Jonny Boelema, Clayton Kamps,

Henry Kloosterman, Nathan Steinfort, William Terpstra and Cole VandenBosch (Sophomores); Jared DeVille, Jake Hofstee, and Samuel Kuipers (Juniors); and, Brendon Hoekstra, Ella Ruan, Ashton Senti, Eli VanDyke and Nathan VanderMeer (Seniors). Coaches were Mrs. Jen Koning and Mr. Brian Mast.

Special congratulations to: Jared DeVille and Jake Hofstee for 5th place in “Astronomy”; and Henry Kloosterman, Nathan Steinfort, Ella Ruan, and Cole VandenBosch for 6th place in “Mission Possible.”

Congratulations to all the team members for a great year!

UC Science Olympiad

YIG Team (back row): Joel VanderZwaag, Samuel Kuipers, Mr. Brent Johnson, David Cremer, William Terpstra; (front row): Calvin Voorhees, Madeline Nuiver, Anna Terpstra, Sarah Terpstra

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Student Life

UC Presents 12 Incompetent Jurors as Spring PlayOn April 25 and 26, UC students directed and performed in the play, 12 Incompetent Jurors at Pathway Church (formerly Beaverdam Reformed Church.) In this farce of 12 Angry Men, 12 Jurors attempt to determine the guilt of Mr. Donald Pleats, a man being tried for the theft of six cats. One juror (Juror #8) attempts to convince the other 11 jurors of Mr. Pleats’ innocence while the only sane juror (Juror #3) attempts to get them to see reason.

Student directors Johanna Boelema and Abby VanKampen worked with Mr. Dan Sanders. It was a great evening of entertainment, and during the intermission desserts were provided by donation.

UC Chorale Ensemble & Orchestra ~ On Monday, March 10, the UC Choral Ensemble and the UC Orchestra performed Handel’s Messiah at St. Cecilia’s Music Society’s auditorium in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The event was a beautiful Lenten performance that was enjoyed by many of the UC Community.

UC Orchestras ~ Congratulations to the Chamber Strings and Concert Orchestra who participated in the State Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday, March 16. These students received a first division rating at District Festival in early February, and then went on to participate in the State level. Every student received a first or second division rating. Congratulations to Sydney Freerksen (violin), Madeline Bronson (violin), Alaina Bronson (viola), Micah Huisman (cello), Megan Velzen (piano and violin), and Sarah Huizinga (piano).

The Chamber Strings were also part of the entertainment at this year’s Celebration Banquet. The evening was an opportunity to celebrate Unity being debt-free while enjoying the many different talents God has given students to be Beauty Creators.

UC Bands ~ Congratulations to the Unity Bands, and to Joshua Rotman and Sam Kuipers for an excellent trombone duet at the State Solo & Ensemble on Saturday, March 16.

The Symphonic Band also played at this year’s Celebration Banquet.

Spring Concerts were held by the Symphonic Band and Chamber Orchestra on May 7 at Fair Haven Ministries, and the Concert Band and Orchestra on May 16 at Unity.

Jurors (l-r): Aspen Postma, Sarah Terpstra, Madeline Bronson, Zach Van Dyke, Alaina Bronson, and Sam Kuipers.

Choral Ensemble members Zachary VanDyke, Johanna Boelema, Jessica Brander, Sara VandenBosch, Stella Gordon and Laine Carbone and Orchestra members Nolan Snoeyink and Olivia Ohlman performed Handel's Messiah at St. Cecilia Music Society auditorium in March.

Tulip ParadeWednesday, May 8, 2019

Both UC Concert and Symphonic Bands marched in the Volksparade on Wednesday, May 8 in downtown Holland, Michigan.

UC Music Department

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Heart to Heart by Unity Bible Teacher Dan Landstra

From the Well to the CrossJenna’s Journey

“What’s in your bucket?”

“Go in peace.” This was the parting blessing that Freshman Ryan Crumb concluded the student-led Good Friday service at Unity. The previous thirty minutes were filled with scripture reading, reflections on the meaning and impact of Good Friday, and voices lifted in singing honor and praises to our Savior Jesus Christ.

Now, with Ryan’s blessing, 615 students began the process of leaving chapel to begin a day of classes.

Instead of taking their normal way out of chapel, many students chose a route taking them past the front of the worship space, by the stage. Walking slowly, students filed past a large glass jar perched on top of a tall stool. The jar and its contents were left there from the Maundy Thursday chapel the previous day. Students gazed with curiosity and wonder at the mixture of red liquid and tiny shards of paper filling the jar.

“I can’t believe how red it got.” “Are all the papers still in there?” “You can’t see any of the writing at all.” “Mine is in there somewhere!”

A wide range of comments came from many students. Some students simply walked to the front in silence, stood in front of the jar for a moment, then headed off to class. One student, walking with her head down and the hood of her sweatshirt pulled up didn’t slow down or even look at the jar. Instead she walked toward me, paused briefly, and without raising her head said, “Mr. Landstra, I needed this,” then continued walking.

Gradually, the area in front of the stage began to clear out. Tony (not his real name) had not moved from his chapel seat. I noticed Tony soon after chapel concluded. He sat alone,

observing those who walked past the jar. He listened to the comments and nodded his head in agreement with some of them.

Tony was the last person to leave. He looked at me and said, “I think we had a lot of things that needed to be brought up out of the well and to the cross.” He turned to leave, pondering his own words.

I nodded in agreement with Tony and replied, “I think the jar is evidence of that, Tony.”

Tony turned his head back toward me and said, “I think the well is empty and the jar is full.” Then he left for class.

As Tony walked away, my thoughts turned to the Maundy Thursday chapel from the previous day, the jar, the water, the papers, and the conversation coming from the chapel…

“Do you really believe that, Mr. Landstra?”

“Believe what?” I replied.

“You know, the whole papers in the jar and everything’s forgiven thing. You really do believe that?”

Jenna (not her real name) walked into my classroom at the end of the school day. Being a senior, Jenna had been in Bible class with me for the past two years. I knew her story well.

At times, Jenna is passionate about faith and her belief in God. At other times, Jenna struggles with making good choices. It is a cycle which has repeated itself over and over.

Difficult issues with which so many students wrestle—lack of self-confidence, a desire to fit in, questioning who true friends are, wanting to please others—and the resulting shame and guilt from unwise decisions related to those issues make it challenging for students to grow in relationship to God. Jenna is one of those students and her question gave evidence to a high school senior in search of something to know and believe for sure.

Calling what I believed was a bluff I asked, “Jenna, are you really wondering what I believe?”

That produced a very slight smile from Jenna, so I continued. “I have a feeling there is something behind your question, because after two years I have a suspicion you know what I believe.”

Jenna shrugged and replied, “Yeah, I guess so.”

After pausing a moment I replied, “What is it you really want to talk about?”

Jenna took the large backpack hanging from her shoulder and dropped it to the floor. She walked toward my desk and immediately noticed the large jar from chapel sitting on one corner of my desk.

Jenna quickly lifted her arm and pointed at the jar. “Do you know what

6

Heart to Heart continued

I wrote on my paper, Mr. Landstra?”

“No, Jenna” I replied. “I didn’t try to read what was on any of the papers.”

Jenna sat down in a desk near mine. With her feet on the floor, she grabbed the front edge of the desk, pulling herself toward the front of the seat. Pausing for a moment, she then said, “You said in chapel ‘What’s in the well comes up in the bucket’. To be honest, that hit really close to home.”

“Help me understand what you mean, Jenna,” I said, nodding to encourage her to say more.

Jenna scrunched herself farther toward the front of the desk. She looked at the jar and continued. “I realized I have been trying to cover up my sin for too long. When you compared what we want to hide to what is at the bottom of a deep well… and then said whatever is in that well would eventually come up in our personal bucket, I felt you were describing my life. It made me think a lot about all the stuff I’m working pretty hard to bury in my own life.”

Jenna switched her gaze from the jar to me. Then, with an expressionless voice stated, “My well is full of things I don’t like, and my life is showing it.”

Jenna pushed herself away from the front edge of the seat, leaned back and locked her fingers behind her neck. Shaking her head slightly from side to side and with words barely audible she repeated the phrase from chapel, “What’s in the well comes up in the bucket.”

The slight smile was gone. Jenna took a moment, looked at me and said, “Mr. Landstra, I need that jar thing to be true.”

Hurt, guilt, shame, and regret expressed themselves in the tears forming in Jenna’s eyes. She grabbed a Kleenex from the box near her desk. As she wiped her eyes she said,

“That’s why I asked if you really believed it. I’ve heard the story of the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice hundreds of times in my life, but for some reason it hit me in a way it hasn’t before.”

I nodded my head in agreement with Jenna’s confession, then asked, “Can you put your finger on why it was different for you today?”

Jenna nodded and said, “I guess I wasn’t expecting you to invite those who wanted to come to the front of chapel and write down what was in their well on a piece of paper. It took me a bit by surprise.”

Lifting my hands toward Jenna I quickly replied, “But YOU still got up, came to the front and wrote something on that paper!”

“I know!” Jenna interjected quickly. “And that’s what is hard for me to figure out.”

“What is hard to figure out?” I asked as I leaned back in my chair.

With increasing intensity building in her voice Jenna said, “As soon as you said something about writing down whatever we needed to bring to the cross, I knew what it was I needed to put down on the paper.”

Then Jenna shook her head in a firm “no” gesture, and continued. “But there was no way I was going to actually write anything down. I felt like I would have been bringing up what was in my well for everyone to

see. And that was too big of a risk.”

“I can understand how that would be risky.” I said, then waited for a few seconds and asked, “What changed your mind?”

Jenna turned and looked around at the classroom of empty desks, imagining the students who occupy them every day.

“What hit me hard,” she said, “was how many people—teachers, students, even guests went to the front and wrote something on the paper. I would never have guessed it.”

I nodded at Jenna’s revelation. “What does that tell you, Jenna?”

Jenna’s eyes lifted as if she was looking at the thoughts rolling through her mind, paused briefly and then revealed her discovery: “I’m not the only one.”

I nodded in agreement. “Jenna, there were five hundred small pieces of paper on the tables in front of the stage this morning. After chapel was finished, I collected thirty-six blank pieces of paper. Four hundred sixty-four individual items were brought out of individual wells and laid at the cross.”

Taking a moment to let the number settle in Jenna’s mind, I said, “Jenna… you are definitely not the only one. We all have stuff in the well… Every one of us! That’s exactly why Easter is so important!”

Jenna leaned back in her seat once again as she fought off the emotion trying to escape. Then she said, “I get it. But what happened next is where I really need confidence.” Pausing, she looked up at me and said, “I want so badly to believe what happened with those papers is what God really does with my problems and my sin.”

Jenna took a deep breath to resist tears, then spoke with a trembling voice. “When you put all those papers

“…Even though your sins are like scarlet,

they will be white like snow. Though they are like crimson, they will

become like wool.”Isaiah 1:18

7

News & Notes

in the jar and the water turned instantly red…” Jenna took another deep breath. “I want to believe it so much. Again, I’ve heard it all before. But this has been a difficult year and…” Jenna put up her hands to do an air quote, “there’s a whole lot of stuff in the well and I want to be done with it.”

Raising her hands off the desk, palms up, she looked directly at me and asked, “Can you understand that Mr. Landstra?”

I leaned forward, placing my hands on my knees and said, “Jenna, that makes absolutely perfect sense to me!”

We both sat for a moment. Then, I reached behind me and grabbed the jar filled with the contents of 464 Unity wells. The water, once pure, was a deep shade of red. The papers, once whole, were disintegrating into thousands of tiny pieces—no evidence of writing was left.

“Do you see your paper in here, Jenna?” I asked Jenna—a question with an obvious answer.

“Mr. Landstra... really?” answered Jenna, with her classic “eye-roll” at the stupidity of the question.

“Ok, Jenna.” I held the jar closer to Jenna and said, “Jesus blood—what this red water represents—and His death and resurrection does to your sin what this red water did to these

papers. The only thing you needed to do was take it out of the well and bring it to the cross… confess it.”

Jenna nodded.

“I know you’ve heard this so many times, Jenna; but, listen to it once more. Jesus came to die for you, so you didn’t have to endure what He did. And now, there is nothing you can do to cause Jesus to love you, and there is nothing you can do to cause Jesus to stop loving you.”

I paused to let Jenna think, then added, “Jenna, if you accept this promise you will begin, more and more, to live into Jesus’ love for you and it will change your life.”

Jenna looked again at the jar, then back at me. She had no words left to say.

I pointed back at the jar and then to Jenna. “Look for the jar in chapel tomorrow. It will be sitting on a stool as a reminder. Everyone will be able to see it as we remember Good Friday.”

“Ok, Mr. Landstra. I’ll look for it.”

Jenna grabbed her backpack, got up and left the room.

“Jesus,” I prayed, “so many struggle with the confidence to believe. Give them eyes to see and hearts to know and believe Your promise is true.”

Late in the school day Friday, Tony passed me in the commons area at Unity. As he walked by, he yelled above the noise and with a smile, “Still got the jar with all the stuff in it?”

I chuckled and yelled back, “Yes, sir!”

While turning down a hallway Tony replied, “You should keep it! Could be more coming up in our buckets!”

I thought: “So true, Tony! So true!”

We all have a bucket in the well. Have you brought yours to the cross?

From the front row….

Dan LandstraDirector for Spiritual Life

and Leadership

(Editor’s Note: The illustration used at the Maundy Thursday Chapel was created by Mr. Dan Landstra: During chapel paper strips were provided at the stage and students and staff were invited to come forward and write down the sins they needed forgiven. Then they folded up the paper and put it into a large jar. Then water dyed with red food coloring was poured into the jar. The paper then dissolved, representing how the Blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin.)

VETERANS DAY 2019UC Community RecognitionOn Veterans Day 2019, Unity will be having a program at school to honor the veterans in our community. Watch your mail for the “Save the Date” postcard, mark your calendars and plan now to attend!

✰ SAVE THE DATE ✰

Monday, November 11, 2019

8

Development News

celebration bAnquet 2019

Highlights

Chamber Strings greeted Banquet guests as they arrived at UC’s Celebration Banquet on Monday, April 29.

Orchestra Director Mrs. Sara Jager plays the cajon, a percussion instrument that was used on the piece performed by UC Orchestra

members called Julia’s Reel.

9

On the weekend of May 3 and 4, Unity Christian held a Scrap Metal Drive to raise funds for the Education Foundations of Hudsonville Christian and UCHS. The drive was held at 5790 Balsam Dr. in Hudsonville from Noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Thank you to all who came out and donated their metal items and appliances! Also, our thanks goes to Mr. Alden Jelsema and the volunteer work crews who helped unload and sort all the scrap collected. (The amount of scrap collected is still being processed and the resulting funds raised will be published later.)

Scrap Metal Drive 2019

Upcoming Event

AcenTek

Advanced Excavating Inc.

Aukeman Development Co.

Colonial Builders – Nagelkirk Family

Colonial Clock Building

Creme Curls Bakery, Inc.

John Cremer - Five Star Real Estate

James C. DeVries - Nicewander, Berens & DeVries PLLC

DeYoung & Ulberg Developments LLC

Elders Electric

Financial Advisory Corporation

Franklin Press, Inc.

Gemmen’s Home & Hardware

Georgetown Waterproofing Inc.

Gerrits Appliance

Kelly and Judy Glass

Jack and Barbara Grasman

Grassmid Transport

Greenline Inc.

H.L. Bolkema Decorating

Honderd Concrete, Inc.

Hudsonville Auto Sales

Hudsonville Trailer Co.

Hudsonville Wheel Alignment

Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Huizenga

INONTIME, Inc.

Ken Jipping - State Farm Agency

Kaptein, Dykstra & Company, PC

Kerkstra Precast

Kessel and Bouwens Orthodontics

Koetje Builders Inc.

Koetje Heating & Cooling Inc.

Ike & Carolyn Koetje

John F. and Delia Koetje

Koleaseco, Inc.

Kremers’ Painting & Graphics Inc.

Kroll Furnace Inc.

Kuperus Trucking Inc.

Lakewood Construction

M & K Truck Centers

M & S Siding, Inc.

Macatawa Bank

MBK Corporate Promotions, LLC

Meade Zolman Family Dentistry P.C.

Jim and Nancy Meyer

Micandy Garden Greenhouses

Michigan Veal, Inc.

New York Life Insurance Company

North Coast Components, Inc.

Glenn and Leanne Overweg

Pigeon Creek Golf Course

Potluck Pick-Up Inc.

Carl & Berdie Prins

Ralph Meyers Trucking Inc.

RE/MAX Premier-Kris Keegstra

Rohr Gasoline Equipment Inc.

Rosewood Auto Service, Inc.

Royal Sheet Metal, Inc.

S&G Properties

Speed Wrench Inc.

The Drawing Board, Inc.

The Foundation Co. Inc.

Ross and Suzann VanKlompenberg

VanManen Petroleum Group

Doug and Cindy Veltema

Virtual Systems

West Michigan Community Bank

West Michigan Document Shredding

Thank you to the following Underwriters for Supporting Celebration Banquet 2019!

Contact www.unitychristianathletics.org

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Alumni News

MarriagesCassie Ruso ('09) married Cory Howatt on May 25, 2019. The couple lives on the island of Kauai, HI, where Cassie is a first mate on a sailing catamaran which tours the Na

_ Pali

Coast, and husband Cory is a youth pastor at Lihue Missionary Church.

BirthsHarper Mae Brouwer was born on September 16, 2018 to parents Kyle (’03) and Stacy Brouwer, and welcomed by siblings Colton (5) and Ella (2).

Luke Gregory Honderd was born on March 14 to Peter (’10) and Samantha (Mulder ’10) Honderd and welcomed by his big sisters Leah (3) and Grace (18 months).

Ellie Grace Jongekrijg and Liam Michael Jongekrijg (Twins!) were born to John (’06) and Katie (Geurink ’06) Jongekrijg on March 22, 2019.

Rex Benjamin Kersaan was born on January 10, 2019 to parents Ben and Megan (Elders ‘01) Kersaan, and welcomed by siblings Scarlett and Collins (6).

Rosalie Dawn Lanenga was born on January 28, 2019 to parents Jason and Stephanie (DeJonge ‘05) Lanenga, and welcomed by siblings Quinn (5) and Lucas (2).

Sylvie Rose Soodsma was born on March 21, 2019 to parents Josh (’05) and Katie Soodsma, and welcomed by siblings Levi (5-1/2), Josie (4) and Piper (2).

Evelyn Claire VanDyke was born on March 7, 2019 to parents Cam (’07) and Jenny VanDyke, and welcomed by big sisters Addison (3) and Lucy (11 months).

Becket Mark Van Maanen was born on March 24, 2019 to parents Kalen and Amber (Soodsma ’07) Van Maanen, and welcomed by siblings Parker (4) and Sydney (2).

Lyla Ruth Van Wylen was born on March 20, 2019 to parents Scott (‘09) and Aubrey (Kloosterhouse ‘09) Van Wylen, and welcomed by big sister, Hallie (2).

Please submit any Alumni birth or marriage announcements to: development@unitychristian.org, or call 616.662.4011. (PLEASE NOTE: To celebrate our newest little ones, we have a FREE “UC Blue Crew” Onesie that parents/grandparents may pick up from the Development Office at 4542 48th Avenue, Hudsonville MI. Please call or email the Development Office and we’ll put one aside for you. Thank you!

Updates:Luke Van Wienen (Class of 2017) has completed his service in Lakeside, Montana (YWAM). We give thanks to God for his service, and for all our alumni listed below.

Please remember to uphold in your prayers all of our Alumni listed below who have answered the Lord’s call to “Go, and spread the Gospel to all nations…!”

Joshua Bode (’95) – Oman, UAE (RCA pastor);

Jeff and Melissa (DeJonge ’93) Bos – Bangladesh, South Asia;

Patti (Steenwyk ’88) Brander – Mission India/Grandville MI;

Kristin Bremer (’17) – Mexico (YWAM);

Ray (’93) and Angie De Lange – Vancouver, BC, Canada;

Abby (Deters ’12) and Ronald Nowicki, Jr. – Glen Arbor, Michigan (Grand Traverse Young Life)

Barry Dykstra (’10) – Byron Center, Michigan (Youth for Christ, BCHS);

Ryan Elders (’05) – Eastern Ottawa County, Michigan (Young Life Ministry);

Caleb (’11) and Ali Ellens – Indianapolis, Indiana (Michiana Young Life);

Kyle (’01) and Heather Glashower – Coral Springs, Florida (One Hope);

Merissa Harkema (’09) – India (Sarah’s Covenant Homes);

John (’74) and Ruth (VanZalen ’74) Hoekwater – Chicago, Illinois;

Carrie Kennedy (’03) – Nicaragua (Young Life Ministry);

Dana Krol (’10) – Zambia, Africa;

Thomas (’99) and Tera Krol – Karen, Kenya;

Edgar and Jamie (Ponstein ‘05) Martinez – Minneapolis, Minnesota (YWAM);

Gary Miedema (’71) – Robertson, South Africa;

Matthew (’07) and Rachel Schmitt – Bloomington, Minnesota;

Mandy (Beute ’97) and Josh Shaarda – Obule, Uganda;

Angie (Beute ’95) and Tim Sliedrecht – Soroti, Uganda;

Scott (’81) and Mary Ann Stroven – Orlando, Florida (Student Ministry of Cru/Campus Crusade for Christ);

Brenda Vander Schuur (’78) – Guinea (Resonate Global Mission);

John (’88) and Kazumi Van Farowe – Japan;

Maria (Postema ’98) and Noah Ward – Thailand (OMF International);

Nathan (’87) and Brenda Yonker – Haiti;

Cody (’09) and Jessica (Horjus ’09) Zuiderveen – Haiti (Resonate Global Mission).

If you know of other UC Alumni serving in missions, please send their names and information about their ministries to develop-ment@unitychristian.org, or call 616.662.4011.

Alumni in Missions

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Alumni in the Military

Class of 1987: Chad Geers; Jeff Rozema

Class of 1994: Eric Alan Brew

Class of 1996: Jeremy Molendyk

Class of 1998: Allen Broene; Joon Kee Lee (Patrick Crans)

Class of 1999: Derk Nyenhuis; Ron Thenn

Class of 2000: Steve Bloem; Rick Martinus; Clayton Poortenga

Class of 2001: Seth Allen; Darin Elgersma; Drew VerHage

Class of 2002: Bryan Flietstra

Class of 2003: Adam Bosma; Jeff Dekkinga; Katy Driesenga; Justin Oosterbaan (Air Guard); Brian Tucker; Eric VanBeek

Class of 2004: Kody Fennema; Justin Hatchner

Class of 2005: Brett Jackson; Chris Kitler; Andrew Niewiek; Stephan Thenn; David Zylstra

Class of 2006: Jay Baum; Joshua Lankheet; David Van Abbema

Class of 2007: Aubrey Bosma (Navy Reserves); Brandon Dragstra; Drew Grooters; Quynn Schaaphok; Rachel Scott; Bobby Sorensen; Lauren Zandstra

Class of 2008: Michael Dekker; Kyle Emelander; Brandon Zomerlei

Class of 2009: Corbin Durek; Kent Schaaphok; Tyler Stroven; Ryan VanVels

Class of 2010: Tyler Wiersma

Class of 2011: Austin Dornbush; Jon Mohr

Class of 2013: Lucas Brower; Wyatt Johnson; Charlie Vrieland

Class of 2014: Jacob Herzog; Scott Lokker; Gavin Miedema; Joshua TerKeurst; Nathan VandenBosch

Class of 2015: Trevor Vedders

Class of 2016: Maddy Harmon

The names of the Alumni listed above have been submitted by their families for recognition of their service in the military. If you know of other Unity alumni currently serving in either of these capacities, we would like to recognize and honor them in the Tidings. Please send their information to development@unitychristian.org, or call the Development Office at 616.662.4011. Also, if you have updated information on any of the Alumni listed, please call or email the Development Office as soon as possible.

Please remember to keep all our young people listed below in your prayers—and their families as well:

SAVE THE DATE!

The Class of 1959 will celebrate their 60th Class Reunion on Saturday, August, 17, 2019 at Royal Park Place in Zeeland. For details and information, please contact Thelma Hoekman at 616.392.1612, or email thelmahoekman@comcast.net.

The Class of 1969 will celebrate their 50th Class Reunion on Friday, August, 23, 2019 at Drenthe Community Grove, 615 68th Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464. We will have the building from 4-10 p.m. Picnic style buffet with burgers, chicken, salads and chips. No alcohol permitted at this location. If you are planning to attend please send $25 (per person) to Jill Meyer at 3452 Danube Dr. SW. Wyoming, MI 49418. Your committee members are working diligently to make this a fun, delicious, and memorable experience. For more information please call or text: Gloria Aukeman (616.450.4321), Jill Meyer (616.677.1110) or Mary Vandenberg (616.914.7168). Or, email Markopubl@aol.com.

If your class is planning a reunion in 2019, please contact the Development Office at 616.662.4011 or email development@unitychristian.org to have your event publicized in the Tidings. We can also provide you with class lists for mailing/contact information.

Class Reunions in 2019

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Revive News

www.facebook.com/ ReviveResaleStore

Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 10am – 5pm; Tues, Thurs 10am – 7pm; Sat 10am – 3pm

Phone: 616.662.3375; Email: revive@unitychristian.org; Website: www.ReviveResale.org; 3675 Baldwin Street, Hudsonville, MI 49426

It may have been just revive’s ½ Birthday, but revive shoppers celebrated like it was a milestone! Revive usually marks its half-birthday on April 4 with some kind of sale or promotion, and this year the “birthday gift” to shoppers was 50% off the entire store. Our volunteers worked hard to ready the store all week by filling the shelves and racks with lots of merchandise. We scheduled extra cashiers and helpers, and even brought in Biggby coffee that morning for shoppers, as well as providing them with our “½ Birthday” half cake and birthday treat. We were ready. And so were our shoppers… People were

waiting in line that morning for the store to open!!

As we unlocked the doors at 10 a.m., we couldn’t even flip on the “open” sign before people were

streaming inside with happy smiles and kids in

tow. We lost count at over 75 people bustling in, and by 10:04

a.m. all the shopping carts and baskets were in use! Shopping carts would remain scarce for several more hours as shoppers filled them up with all kinds of treasures. Thanks to our very capable volunteers, three cash registers hummed along non-stop until our first break in the lines at 1:40 p.m. In fact, for several hours the line to check out reached to the far side of the store and doubled over halfway back. But shoppers didn’t seem

too upset by the wait as they sipped the Biggby coffee we brought around and smiled at all they had found (and all for 50% off!). One regular customer even started a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” for all to join in!

By our 7 p.m. closing time, revive had welcomed over 517 customers who spent over $10,321! That’s a lot of merchandise out the door at 50% off when the average price of clothing is $4 and other goods are often less than that! Seventy-three (73) pieces of furniture sold that day, as well as 2,546 items of clothing to make a total of 5,681 items in all. Wow! God blessed us that day, as He does every day at revive and we are truly grateful to Him for fun days like this!

Valid thru June 29, 2019.19% OFF your ENTIRE PURCHASE!

This coupon CAN be used on sale priced items.Limit one coupon per transaction. Few exclusions may apply.

Not redeemable for cash or credit.May 2019 Tidings

Blockbuster Birthday

UNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL5900 48TH AVE. HUDSONVILLE, MI 49426