Nearly 160 members of the Grace Christian University community gathered Tuesday night at the West Michigan Whitecaps. The annual event was a powerful reminder of what it means to support students who are called to make an eternal impact.
A Great Night at the Ballpark
The evening began the way many great gatherings do: around food. As guests arrived at LMCU Ballpark, they were welcomed to the indoor Pepsi Deck, where the smell of grilled burgers and hot dogs filled the air. With burgers, hot dogs, chips, and cookies on the menu, it felt just like a summer ballgame should. Stories were shared, and people shared memories of their time at Grace and caught up on this latest life events with lifelong friends.
A Welcome From The President
Before the first pitch, President Kemper welcomed everyone to the event. He offered a sincere thank-you to everyone who made the evening possible and then shared a perspective that stayed with people throughout the night. He compared each act of generosity to a swing of a baseball bat. “Not every swing results in a home run,” he said, “but each one gets us closer to that moment when a student crosses home plate, fully equipped, grounded in faith, and ready to serve Christ for the rest of their lives.”
Grace’s Impact
One of those students, Kyrsten Nolen, took the microphone and shared what her time at Grace has meant to her. Her words reminded everyone that the university isn’t just teaching courses; it’s walking alongside students as they grow in their identity, character, and purpose. Following Kyrsten, the Hendrick’s, a couple who have been faithfully giving to Grace for decades stood up to share why they continue to invest in the university. They spoke about their passion for Grace’s mission and how giving today helps prepare future church leaders, counselors, teachers, missionaries, and professionals who will carry Christ into every corner of the world. They spoke with joy. Giving to Grace, they said, is one of the best investments they’ve ever made.
First Pitch
As the game began, Grace student Royce Freiburger stood on the pitcher’s mound. With confidence, he threw the first pitch of the night.
Cheers followed, and the crowd settled in. The players took their places and the first inning got underway.
Whitecaps Dominate
As the night continued, the Whitecaps gave the crowd plenty to cheer for. They extended their winning streak to nine games with a 9-2 win over the Lake County Captains Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark. Detroit Tigers prospects Kevin McGonigle and Josue Briceño led the charge with back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning. Briceño went 4-for-4, just a triple short of the cycle, while McGonigle added three RBI and is now batting .488 through 11 games.
The Whitecaps jumped to an early 4-0 lead with Briceño’s RBI double. Starter Joe Miller held the Captains to one run over five innings. After the sixth-inning homers, Lake County answered with a solo shot in the seventh, but West Michigan added two more runs to seal the win.
Miller improved to 3-1. The Whitecaps now sit at 37-15 and lead the league in home runs. Their playoff magic number is down to seven.
Later in the game As the sun dipped lower and a breeze picked up, guests moved from the indoor dining area to the upper outdoor deck to watch the game with a great view of the entire field.
Mascot Appearance
Partway through the evening, Grace’s mascot, Tig, made a surprise appearance, bringing high fives, laughs, and plenty of photo ops. Later, the West Michigan Whitecaps’ own Frankie the Pig joined the fun, entertaining guests with his signature dance moves and antics. Both mascot moments added a memorable touch to an already special night.
Giving That Goes a Long Way
By the end of the night, over $26,000 had been raised to support Grace Christian University’s mission. That number reflects more than just dollars. It reflects commitment in the next generation of students who will go out to serve as a courageous ambassadors for Christ. The mission is ongoing, and you can still be a part of it. If you missed the game this year but would still like to contribute to the mission of Grace Christian University, you can give here:
👉 Donate Now
Whether your gift funds a scholarship, supports a student mission trip, or provides critical resources for learning and discipleship, it will have a lasting impact.
More Than Just a Game
When people come together with a shared heart and vision, God multiplies what we bring. And just like that swing of the bat President Kemper talked about, together, we move the mission forward.
Thank you to everyone who came.
Thank you to everyone who gave.
And thank you to everyone who continues to believe in what God is doing at Grace Christian University.
