Big year for Project Grace 

https://youtu.be/cdnYeyl_3-w

Pastor Samuel Greer started Project Grace in December of 2000 at Western Michigan Christian as a way for students and staff to give to those in need along the lakeshore. Seventeen years later he is now the Principal at WMC and reflecting on year 17 of Project Grace, “Every year I get an opportunity to see God’s hand at work in the lives of students and staff at Western Michigan Christian High School and Middle School. One of the greatest expressions of God’s presence at our school is Project Grace. Each year we have seen God’s faithfulness in that he has enabled us to reach families in his name.” WMC students have raised over $100,000 over 17 years to provide food, clothing and gifts to families in need.

This year students raised $13,300 during the 2 week fundraising event.

Every year I get an opportunity to see God’s hand at work in the lives of students and staff at Western Michigan Christian High School and Middle School.

A focus for giving

This year’s focus was on the attitude of giving as a servant to others. Students received a devotional each day that directed them to give from a Biblical perspective. That included giving with an attitude of grace and a heart full of love for others reflecting Christ’s love for us. Scott Liggett, Assistant to the Principal and a Social Studies teacher at WMC coordinated the student efforts and was pleased with the way the project came together, “I am always amazed at the way our community of students, staff and families come together to reflect God’s love for us and give to others. That is what Christmas is about.” The students were instructed to earn money by doing projects at home, school, church and in the community in order to raise funds to purchase food, clothing and gifts for local families in need. WMC worked with local churches and organizations to get in touch with families that can use a bit of help. This year, because of the large total amount of money raised, WMC delivered to 20 families in the area. Individual classes competed in a daily competition with daily winners earning prizes such as an ice cream sundae bar, lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings, and donuts. Students earned money by working for friends and family as well as doing some special projects like selling donuts. This year’s winning class, Robin Tyink’s AP Language, class raised more than $4,000. 

I am always amazed at the way our community of students, staff and families come together to reflect God’s love for us and give to others. That is what Christmas is about.

Shopping and Wrapping

Students shopped for items, brought them back to school and wrapped the gifts. Summer Lile, who graduated from WMC in 2012, is now a WMC science teacher and Project Grace is meaningful to her in a new and different way, “As a student I was never able to shop for gifts or wrap them because I was always part of our Christmas Collage at the Frauenthal. As a teacher I have been able to work with students to raise money and then take the lists that families give us and shop with my students for the items the families want. We then go back to school and wrap the gifts together. It is now one of my favorite days of the school year.”

As a student I was never able to shop for gifts or wrap them because I was always part of our Christmas Collage at the Frauenthal. As a teacher I have been able to work with students to raise money and then take the lists that families give us and shop with my students for the items the families want. We then go back to school and wrap the gifts together. It is now one of my favorite days of the school year.

Delivering to Families

Food, clothing and gifts were delivered Wednesday morning by the winning classes. Anna had a chance to deliver, “Bringing presents to families that wouldn’t have gotten them otherwise is the best possible way we could spread Christ’s love this Christmas. It is very important to understand that we were not these people’s Christmas savior. That was not the point.We were just trying to represent Christ who saved us. Seeing the families and little children (and adorable dogs) who we were able to lift up in prayer was definitely the reason we did this.” Project Grace is always a highlight for Pastor Greer, “It has been a blessing to see our students work to benefit others and  to see God work through our students and have them see first hand the power of giving to others. This project aligns with our mission to educate with excellence, integrate faith with knowledge, equip students to work and serve Christ in their communities.”

Bringing presents to families that wouldn’t have gotten them otherwise is the best possible way we could spread Christ’s love this Christmas. It is very important to understand that we were not these people’s Christmas savior. That was not the point.We were just trying to represent Christ who saved us. Seeing the families and little children (and adorable dogs) who we were able to lift up in prayer was definitely the reason we did this.

 

Western Michigan Christian (WMC) High School and Middle School (7-12th) is located at 455 East Ellis Rd. Muskegon, including 355 students from 5 countries, 30 cities, and 75 churches. WMC is a member of West Michigan Christian Schools(WMCS), a collaborative system of five schools throughout the Lakeshore region, including Fremont Christian (PK-8), Grand Haven Christian (PK-8), Muskegon Christian (PK-6) and New Era Christian (PK-8). The WMCS system works under a “Better Together” philosophy, offering a top-quality PK-12 Christian Education experience and a full scope of academic and extracurricular programs. Please >> click here to contact WMCS.