Bates Place Ministry Center

The Southeast side of Grand Rapids is filled with people who have bills they can't pay and spiritual needs they can't address. Because we have a big impressive church building, these people stop by our church asking for help.

On many Saturday mornings, Bryan and Toresa Blakely conduct a  morning men's and women's group. This is an outreach ministry, but it is also open to people from our church. The men's group is called “Breakfast with the Fellas”. The women's group is called “Sister Talk”. Watch the bulletin for meeting times. As always, email bryan@firstcrc.org or call 241-2283 if you are interested or have questions about this or any other aspect of Bates Place Ministry Center .

Bryan and Toresa are also ministering in the Work Release section of Kent County Jail on most Friday evenings. To join them, call 243-2283.

Doing Justice Locally and Globally conference

The Association for a More Just Society (AJS) invites you to the Doing Justice Locally and Globally conference on Saturday, June 28 from 1:30 – 5 pm at Church of the Servant (COS) CRC, 3835 Burton SE. Presenters include Honduran, Christian justice worker Carlos Hernández, AJS president and Calvin College sociology prof. Dr. Kurt A. Ver Beek, Higher Grounds Trading Co, Safe Haven Ministries, Clearwater Local Foods Market, and AJS-supported justice workers in Honduras (via videoconference). Registration fee: $5 ahead of time / $10 at the door / free for Justice Club members. For more information and to register, please visit www.ajs-us.org/celebration or call 1 (800) 897-1135.

Sea to Sea Bike Tour - Ending the cylce of poverty.

  • Tour proceeds will support new and ongoing programs that break the cycle of poverty for individuals, families and communities around the world;
  • Tour partners include the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Christian Reformed World Missions, and Partners Worldwide. Sea to Sea is also partnering with RCA Global Mission in connection with cyclists from the Reformed Church in America.
  • Each cyclists’ fund-raising target is $10,000 (or $4,000 for one leg of the route).

Second Harvest Gleaners Food Truck

The gleaners food truck will be distributing food from the parking lot on June 30, July 23 and August 27, all at 6 PM. Setup begins at 5:00 pm. If available to help out, please sign up in the fellowship hall.

RAC 2008

RAC will take place July 14 to 17 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. We are looking for volunteers to help as group leaders, kitchen help, singers, nursery volunteers, station leaders, etc. All ages, no experience necessary!

Church Camping Weekend

Reserve the weekend starting September 19. Contact Herm to express interest in participating.