While many Bible colleges are declining or closing, Grace’s enrollment is increasing. That’s why we’re inviting you to partner with us in this capital campaign to improve facilities and technology and expand scholarships, so we can accept even more students who want to serve Christ and need the education and preparation Grace provides.
In ever-changing economic times and along with higher education trends, many Bible colleges shifted their focus to Christian liberal arts. Grace is committed to remain a Bible-focused university where all students take a core of biblical courses, whether pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree.
“Because Grace Christian University is getting more and more students, we need more teachers and better buildings. We need to keep pace with technology for effective teaching. This capital campaign is a complete necessity. Without it, we’d decline or possibly even fail to exist.”
DR. SAM VINTON JR, ’55
former Grace president, former Grace Ministries International executive director, current adjunct theology professor.
Our enrollment has outpaced our physical facilities and bandwidth and some students can’t picture themselves in our aging facilities. Some kitchen appliances date back to 1961, and repairing them is expensive. Our dorms were built in the 1960s and should be updated to meet current student expectations.
THROUGH 2020, GRACE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY WILL RAISE $4 MILLION:
Plans call for removing seven houses to build townhouse-style dormitories that will house 80 students. This housing will be contiguous to Grace Christian University’s existing campus. New student housing benefits include:
Specific benefits of the remodeled dining hall and kitchen include:
Specific benefits of improved technology include:
The amazing gospel of God’s grace reaches across every ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic barrier. The Bible promises us that heaven will be full of people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. That’s why we want to increase scholarships and academic support for more of God’s children. The first phase will allow us to fund more scholarships for pastoral and ministry students, as well as underrepresented and international students. It will create strong support systems for students who are low- income, underprepared by high school, or the first in their family to attend a university.
“My father, Pastor Kizombo Kalumbula Sr., received his high school diploma at age 36. He came to Grace as an international student, the first in his family to attend college. He received financial assistance. My older brother, Pastor Kizombo Kalumbula Jr., and I also received financial support to attend Grace. I thank God for generous donations to Grace by what the Old Testament calls tsaddiquim, Hebrew for righteous people who sacrifice for the common good.
People don’t always realize what happens when they steward their money, resources, and assets to support the mission and vision of Grace. They are not only serving a single student. They are impacting generations. While at Grace, I learned that my demography (poor, immigrant, and a once-homeless young black male) did not have to be my destiny. I repeat that message daily to my colleagues and our principals, teachers, and students.”
DR. MULONGE KALUMBULA ’00
Grand Rapids Public Schools curriculum and instruction supervisor.
“My wife (Phyl) and I are really impressed with Grace’s biblical focus and President Kemper’s leadership and direction. People there truly care about graduating godly individuals prepared to serve Christ in church and society. It’s exciting to be part of one of the fastest growing Bible universities in the country. The capital campaign will help Grace make upgrades to accommodate needs of additional students.”
BILL KROMBEEN
Dickinson Press VP of Finance (retired), Grace board of directors
Dr. Ken B. Kemper
Grace Christian University president
Dale Day
Campaign chair
Ami Walker
Campaign chair
Randy Zandbergen
Campaign chair
J.C. Huizenga
National Heritage Academies, Inc.
Jerry Hop
J & H Oil Co.
Wendell Christoff
Litehouse, Inc.
Endorsement Council
John Booy, Superintendent, The Potter’s House
Paul Buiten, Buiten and Associates, LLC
Guillermo Cisneros, Executive Director, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Jeremy Clark, J.D., Executive Director, Grace Ministries International
Dr. DeWayne A. Coxon and Lexie K. Coxon, Minister and Founder, Blossoming Rose
Mike Gilpin, Co-Owner, FASTSIGNS of Grand Rapids
John Irwin, President, Huntington Bank-West Michigan Region
Mark Kooistra, Lumbermen’s Inc.
Chief Kim Koster, Director of Public Safety, City of Wyoming
Ryan Pylman, Partner, Buiten and Associates, LLC
John Spooner, Pastor, Rush Creek Bible Church
Lew Vander Meer, Pastor, New Community Church
Rob VerHeulen, Michigan House of Representatives
Dr. Samuel Vinton, Former President, Grace Christian University, Professor
Joseph Vogan, J.D., Partner, Varnum, LLP
Steve Wendt, President, Wendt and Associates
Randy Zylstra, President/CEO, Wedgwood Christian Services
The Expanding Grace campaign is seeking $4 million in community philanthropy to help fund campus improvements and scholarship support for our students.
Please prayerfully consider how you will help us achieve this important goal!
For further information, please contact Stephen Gowdy at sgowdy@gracechristian.edu, (616) 261-8565 or Ami Walker at awalker@gracechristian.edu, (616) 264-6668.
