A ministry by and with persons with disabilities
Hello Ministry Partners!
Please keep this in prayer. I’m overly cautious on campus these days because of a “Cease and Desist” email that I was made aware of in 2022. This was aimed to stop an initiative by three of the Christian student groups to start a chaplaincy at GRCC that was begun in 2017. The staff that was supportive left during the pandemic. Administration changes followed and the initiative was abandoned.
Interestingly, I never received the initial email because the email address was wrong.
One of the Deans and many staff know of this ministry’s reputation on campus and are supportive.
There’s little evidence of campus ministries or Christian ministry related student groups at GRCC anymore. Even InterVarsity, which has had a presence at GRCC for several decades, is there only by invitation of interested students and is not officially recognized. Most student groups, religious or otherwise, have gone off campus and/or online.
The reality is, in terms of a Christian presence on campus, it’s the students who are interested and want pastors there. Along with several students with disabilities who are trying to cope and remain faithful, I’m also discipling two students who are interested in ministry and have been ministering collaboratively alongside a group that wants groups like InterVarsity to restart.
My sense is that there’s no actual resistance on the part of the college, mostly just apathy. My relationship remain positive and strong.
The “Cease and Desist” email did allow for renting space to introduce the ministry and its activities as a service from the local community. I’m doing so at $1300.00 per semester. Plus we make neurodiversity related “fidget toys” available which also cost the ministry as well, prior we received funds as a recognized student group which has since ceased, and are very well received and appreciated by the students with disabilities.
The ”fidget Toys” are a huge draw and any financial help in paying for those is greatly appreciated .
The important thing is students need and want us there. God wants us there. So we are there but for the grace of God.
The Jabez Ministries FellowshipTable is scheduled Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm. God puts 30-40 interested students there each time.
There’s occasional meetings with InterVarsity and invitations by other interested students on Mondays and Wednesdays, usually over coffee or lunch.
There’s off campus opportunities as well. On Wednesday evenings, there’s the invitation to meet for prayer at Byron Center Baptist Church for prayer at 7pm and an ice cream fellowship at Culver’s in Wyoming immediately afterwards.
Please keep this all in prayer as the Lord keeps this ministry joyfully busy.
Thanks again for all your support both spiritually and financially.
Blessings!
Pete
In His Name and in His Service,
Rev. Peter J. Gordon
Pastor and Executive Director Jabez Ministries
Team Jabez:
Julie Russell Shaphan Russell Sarah Stanford
Hailey Cone Paul Russell Jacob Bornert
Zhane Henry
Board Of Directors:
John Kuiper Jack Sluiter Brian VanDoeselaar
Sarah Stanford Rev. John Russell Alberta L. Gordon
Rev. Mike Lowery
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 (land line)
Cell: 616.328.2175 (text only please)
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
