Manna Meals is a ministry that provides meals to kids in need who attend various schools within Allendale.

In various capacities, Lighthouse works with Campus Ministry at Grand Valley State University. We praise God for this twenty year old partnership.

About Campus Ministry

Chris Pieters oversees the missions opportunities, activities, retreats, GVSU Young Life, and he is the technology guru for Campus Ministry.  Chris loves the energy and passion college students bring to everything they do. He says, "Students keep me fresh and always on my toes! Students hunger for worship and their desire to serve is a JOY!”  Chris and Rita live in Zeeland and have four children. Chris says, “Our lives are filled with such activity and makes for wonder-FULL days to celebrate God’s simple gifts.”

Chris serves with other staff: John DeBoer, Sarah Schripsema, Music; Jeremy DeGroot, missions coordinator; Pam Bush, small group leader; Kevin Harney, adjunct teaching pastor; and Chad DeJager, Western Seminary Intern.

Campus Ministry provides:

• Sunday worship
• Bible study
• Small groups
• Leadership development
• Monthly service projects
• Spring Break mission trips
• Pig roast kick off
• Fall retreat
• Young Life
• Praise Rallies

Every October, hundreds of college students wait hours in line to sign up to go on a mission trip.  Over 300+ college students each year will bring the love of Jesus to places like: Mexico, Jamaica, New Orleans, Boston, Denver, Las Vegas, New York, New Mexico, Texas, Tennessee, California, and Florida.

Lighthouse Involvement

Mission Trips

Each year, Lighthouse puts together snack packages for the students attending mission trips.  These packages also include a card saying that we are praying for them as they serve and that many will come to know Jesus as they “bring light to the darkness, love to the hurting and the Lord to the world". This is done in cooperation with First and Second Christian Reformed Churches of Allendale.

Geneva Ministry

Cookies, cookies and more cookies!!! How many cookies do you think 300 students can eat following Sunday morning worship at Campus Ministry? Just ask Roger and Edith Rycenga and Paul and Marcia Volkema, who serve on the Geneva Ministry Board and provide the cookies. Geneva Ministry is a collaboration between the RCA Classis of Zeeland, the CRC Classis, and various individuals.

The mission of Geneva Ministry is to help students, faculty and staff at GVSU to:

• find rest in God through Jesus Christ
• love God with mind, heart, and soul
• and love neighbors while developing and using gifts in the service of others.

A modern/postmodern secular university can challenge your faith, but it can also be a place where you experience tremendous spiritual growth. A large university can be a place where you feel lost and lonely, but it can also be a place where you make caring and supportive friends. A top university can put you under a lot of pressure, but it can also be a place where you have a lot of fun.

Our Geneva Ministry Board utilizes their gifts by making or purchasing 20 dozen cookies once a month.  Geneva Ministry recruits Lighthouse members to provide a potluck dinner twice a year to provide students with a home cooked meal and to build relationships with community families. For information on helping with one of these dinners, contact the Volkemas or the Rycengas.