ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Zach Kemper
Pastor Zach Kemper ’12 has selflessly served at Mountain View Bible Church in the Post Falls,Idaho community since 2020. Yes–he became the lead pastor just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Although he entered into this ministry position during such a challenging time, Zach led with grace and honor, keeping Christ at the center of the church’s vision. Zach expresses the continued impact the school has on his life. “We have been blessed through the ministry of GraceChristian University.”
ALUMNA OF THE YEAR
Erin Kemper
Erin (Benton) Kemper ’13 earned a Bachelor’s degree in human services from Grace and cherishes the time spent at school. Not only did she meet her husband, Zach, at Grace but expresses how grateful she is “for the pouring in that people did outside of the classroom from fellow students, faculty, and staff.” Currently, Erin joyfully serves in several ministries at Mountain View Bible Church such as women’s Bible studies and children’s Sunday school, using her gifts to coordinate large projects, plan retreats, and organize events.
ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Steve McFadden
After graduating with a B.R.E. from Grace, Steve McFadden ’82 began serving Christ at West Coast Grace Youth Camp where he spent over 51 years in camp ministry, starting as a camper. From there, his roles varied from counselor to Bible speaker, to Games Director, to Camp Director, and to Camp Pastor, all while mentoring hundreds of young people. Steve is also an active leader in the Grace Gospel Fellowship, and currently serves as the minister of music at Grace Bible Church in Phoenix, AZ.
ALUMNA OF THE YEAR
Maria McFadden
After her freshman year at a university in Seattle, WA, Maria (Oschner) McFadden ’82 transferred to Grace in 1980 for the positive atmosphere that would help cultivate her faith. “It was the best decision I could ever make, and it changed the trajectory of my life forever,” Maria says. She also met her husband, Steve, at Grace, through the Grace Singers. They’ve both been active in ministry at Grace Bible Church, Phoenix, AZ for over 40 years. Maria has taught children’s Sunday school, facilitated women’s Bible studies, and directed children’s music.
ALUMNA OF THE YEAR
Pam Myhra
Pam (Matychuk) Myhra ’77 earned an A.A. from Grace, with high honors, before continuing at the University of St. Thomas to earn a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude. In the 2010s, Pam served two terms in Minnesota’s House of Representatives, chief-authored four bills that unanimously passed in the House, and received the Elected Woman of Excellence Award from the non-partisan National Foundation of Women Legislators. Pam has also been an active member in various women’s ministries, and has served as the President of the MN Federation of Republican Women. Pam is now a certified public accountant, a mother of three adult children, and she has been married to her husband, Chuck, for 41 years.
ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Brian Sherstad
Brian Sherstad ’88, ’95 earned an A.A. and a Bachelor of Theology in Pastoral Ministry from Grace and a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. Brian has served in a variety of roles at Grace since 2000, and he is now the Executive Vice President. He is an active Board member of Grace Ministries International, an elder at Celebration Bible Church and volunteers in their Awana ministry. Brian regularly serves on the Association for Biblical Higher Education Accreditation teams and has presented for the ABHE on training for new accreditation evaluators. Brian and his wife, Pam, served as missionaries in Tanzania in the 1990s, and care deeply for the students, faculty, and staff at Grace in personal and encouraging ways, exemplifying the Grace mission on campus and beyond.
ALUMNA OF THE YEAR
Pam Sherstad
Dr. Pam (Wheeler) Sherstad ’89, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and professor of Communication, holds an A.A. from Grace, a B.A. in English from Grand Valley, an M.A. in Communication from Western and Ph.D. in Communication from Regent. Pam serves on the Grace Ministries International board and enjoys volunteering in Awana at Celebration Bible Church. Pam also serves on the Right to Life of Michigan board, passionately advocating for the most vulnerable members of the human family. Brian and Pam have been married for over 30 years, have two adult sons, and are known for their long tandem bike rides. Pam says she feels blessed “to have the experience of being part of the Grace community as a student, as a parent of students, and now as a faculty member.”
