Jabez Ministries
A ministry by and with persons with disabilities
Date: January -February 2026
Re:Ministry Update
Hello ministry Partners!
The ministry on the campus of GRCC, as last semester, has been amazing!
We’ve been interrupted with a few snow days but the students have been responding to with the same enthusiasm, the same desire for answers as they have been since we started renting the space on campus. Even some faculty increasingly have expressed interest.
Times are tough and confusing. The students are questioning. Sometimes out of anger sometimes fear or confusion, but more times than not, out of curiosity. I’m reminded of this text:
Matthew 27:51-54 ESV
And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. [52] The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, [53] and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. [54] When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
These times are not the same kind of dramatic events as in the Crucifixion certainly , but the awe I see in the faces of the students when they learn of the reality and love of Christ though our words and actions at the table are no less meaningful.
Students with the various processing difficulties are always thanking us for being there and providing sensory tools and pastoral care.
The veil between God and Humanity has opened and they’re invited into his presence while spinning their fidgets and popping their poppers.
Furthermore, this school year an increasing number of students have testified to being interested in learning more about Scripture. Pray that we get the money we need for more printed materials, ie: manga Bible stories, journal Bibles and whole Bibles.
It’s a joy for us to be on campus to do this work. While the contacts are plentiful, the money is not. Please prayerfully consider some extra giving for this.
Many of you have already been incredibly giving, but the need is so great, I’m forced to make another appeal for funding as we’re trying to provide Bibles and Bible study materials the students are asking for.
Thank you for your generous giving and continuing prayer support.
Blessings and Thanks!
In His Name and in His Service,
Rev. Peter J. Gordon
Pastor and Executive Director
Team Jabez:
Julie Russell Shaphan Russell Sarah Stanford. Zhane Henry
Hailey Cone Paul Russell Jacob Bornert
Board Of Directors:
Rev. John Russell (Chair)
John Kuiper (Emeritus)
Jack Sluiter Brian VanDoeselaar Rev. Mike Lowery
Sarah Stanford Alberta L. Gordon
Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.
1 Chronicles 4:10
Ph: 616-452-7499
Cell: 616.328.2175
Email: JabezministriesGR@gmail.com
Please send correspondence to:
844 Merrifield SE
Grand Rapids, Mi 49507
Please send donations to:
Jabez Ministries
1641 Willowbrook Dr.
Jenison, MI 49428
