West Michigan Christian News

westmichiganchristian.com page 15
Local Briefs
Love and Respect
Conference
There may not be any more complex
dynamics than those in the relationship
between a man and a woman - a
husband and wife. Burdened for the
thousands of marriage relationships
ending each year in divorce, Dr. Emerson
Eggerichs launched the Love and
Respect conferences in 1999. Based
on over three decades of counseling as
well as scientific and Biblical research,
Dr. Eggerichs and his wife Sarah
present Love and Respect conferences
around the country. This dynamic and
life changing message is impacting
the world via recorded media and the
internet, resulting in the healing and
restoration of countless relationships.
Whether you are dating, have a good
marriage, or need healing in one, the
Eggerichses[DM1] will bring you encouragement,
insight, and hope for a
great relationship!
The Love and Respect conference
will be held at Resurrection Life Church
in Grandville, Michigan on October 1-2,
2010. For tickets and more information
go to www.loveandrespect.com
Work on Memorial
Garden Helps Teen
Earn Eagle Scout
Award
David Aldon Crawford, 14, of Lowell, has
earned the Boy Scouts’ highest advancement
award, the Eagle Scout. He is a member
of Troop 311, a group of homeschooled
boy scouts chartered by the Home School
Building in Wyoming, Michigan. He was
recognized on June 4, 2010 at the DeVos
Family Center for Scouting.
David is one of approximately 2 percent
of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle
rank, according to Scoutmaster Darrell
Crawford. Each candidate must earn 21
merit badges and successfully complete a
community, church, or synagogue-related
service project. To earn his Eagle, David
built a new path behind a pond in Ada
Park.
David is currently the Senior Patrol Leader
of the Troop and has served as Assistant
Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Troop
Guide, and was a Camp Staff Member for
the Brownsea Leadership training camp.
He joins other outstanding American citizens
who were Eagle Scouts, including
former President Gerald Ford. David is a
member of Thornapple Covenant Church.
He is the son of Darrell and Debra Crawford
of Lowell, and hopes to go into the
aviation field applying computer technology
and software.
Kuyper College Announces New Academic Dean
Dr. Melvin Flikkema, Provost, announces
the appointment of Dr. Tamara Rosier
as Academic Dean at Kuyper College. Dr.
Rosier has been Assistant Director of the
Pew Faculty Teaching & Learning Center
at Grand Valley State University. Before
that she was a Dean at Cornerstone University.
“We’re fortunate to have such a talented
leader join us,” said Flikkema. “Her
broad experience in developing academic
and faculty programs will serve the school
very well.”
From Washington, DC’s Kennedy Center
to Singapore’s Victoria Theatre, thousands
worldwide have experienced Ballet Magnificat!
With world-class, powerful performances,
Ballet Magnificat! delivers a
unique message of hope and truth.
Created in 1986, Ballet Magnificat! has
earned an international reputation for excellence.
Under the artistic direction of
founder Kathy Thibodeaux (silver medalist
at 1982’s USA International Ballet Competition),
Ballet Magnificat! rivals any other
professional company. The company
At Kuyper, Dr. Rosier will be responsible
for faculty development, and overseeing
the Registrar’s office. “I am delighted
to have this opportunity to be at Kuyper,
a thriving institution that trains students
to make a difference,” said Dr. Rosier. She
holds a B.A. and an M.A. from GVSU, and
a Ph.D. from Western Michigan University.
Kuyper College, a ministry-focused,
Christian leadership college, offers The
Kuyper Education Experience (“The
Kee,”). Elements include: bachelor and
performs over 100 times annually around
the world. Dancers have included former
members of Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal,
Spokane Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre,
State Theatre of the Czech Republic,
Oldenburgishes Staatstheater of West Germany,
Ballet Mississippi, Eternia Dance
Theater of Sweden, Royal Winnipeg Ballet,
and the Houston Ballet Academy.
Be sure to see Ballet Magnificat!, America’s
premiere Christian ballet company,
performing on Sunday, September 19,
2010, 3 p.m. at Cornerstone Church: 1675
associate degrees in a variety of academic
and ministry majors; a continuous program
of spiritual formation; formal internships
and field education with nationallyrecognized
organizations; international
studies programs; multi-cultural, ethnic,
and multi-denominational diversity programs;
a committed faculty (ratio of 1:15);
and finally, the exceptional value which
makes Kuyper very affordable—on average,
tuition is $6,000 less than at comparable
Christian colleges.
Ballet Magnificat! Comes to Grand Rapids
Making Friends:
Joni and Friends Grand Traverse Chapter
Joni and
Friends was
established
in 1979 after
Joni Eareckson
Tada, at
17, was left a
quadriplegic
from a diving
accident.
Joni and Friends (JAF) extends the love
and message of Christ to people everywhere
who are affected by disability.
Nationally there are 21 local chapters of
JAF, and Michigan is blessed with two of
them.
Cindy VanHouten Prince grew up
disabled in Allendale in a day when she
was told she would never attend regular
school, marry, or have children. In spite
of this, she has done whatever the Lord
has led her to with more ability than
most persons not on crutches. Currently
the mother of six (with two additional
foster children) and a member of The
Physically Challenged Bow Hunters of
America, Cindy leads a very busy life.
She and husband Don are the directors
of the Grand Traverse chapter of JAF,
and she is happy to let WMCN readers
know more about this life-changing minstry.
Four of its many facets:
1) Family Retreats – Short term missionaries
are recruited to attend persons
with disabilities while their families
(who faithfully attend to them all year
around) are free to enjoy camp life for a
weekend. Special activities for all!
2) Wheels for the World – Used wheelchairs
are collected and refurbished at
prisons, then sent to other countries.
Recipients, who could otherwise never
afford a chair, are also given a Bible in
their language and are connected with a
local church.
3) Special Delivery – JAF provides
gifts for for individuals to bring to disabled
neighbors or shut-ins. The focus is
on sharing the Gospel with some neat
people who society often overlooks.
4) Through the Roof – Church groups
are taught to become disability-aware
and to reach out to the physically challenged.
Prince says that the most rewarding
part of being involved in JAF is being a
part of people’s lives. Watching the joyful
faces at retreats is extremely rewarding.
This June two 21-year-old boys, for the
first time in their lives, got onto horses
(with someone riding behind). The look
of ecstasy on these boys’ faces, over
something others might take for granted,
was unforgetable.
84th Street SE, Caledonia, MI 49316. Ballet
Magnificat! will be performing The
Scarlet Cord, which captivates audiences
with kaleidoscopic movement, lights,
and sound. This drama is loosely based
on the Biblical account of Rahab, but set
against the gray background of communist
Soviet Union. Discounted Ticket Prices!
Advance: $10 Students/$12 Adults. At
the Door: $12/$15. Purchase online: www.
heartsinstepdance.org, or call (616)-245-
9501.
She shares two things the West Michigan
community can pray about for JAF:
- that churches will see see the vision
of great opportunity among the unchurched
disabled, and be aware there is
help in reaching out to this group.
- that Christians will be aware of how
rewarding the family retreats are and
that there is great scope for more family
retreats if there were more funds. Many
families don’t sign up simply because
they can’t pay.
JAF’s website is www.joniandfriends.
org, from which you can access the
Grand Traverse chapter at the “Local Offices”
tab. Find out much more about the
national and the local ministries. You can
receive regular information from Cindy,
let her know you’re interested in volunteering,
or even anonymously sponsor a
family to a summer retreat.
Prince is also excited that her book,
Miracles From Messes: Discovering
God’s Amazing Plan for our Lives
Through Faith will be out soon. You
won’t want to miss the life story of this
amazing woman. Cindy shines for Christ
in all she does and loves to tell the story
of what God has done in her life. If you’re
interested in having her speak to a ladies’
group, phone 231-271-1300.