Setting the Scene

Over 1,000 millionaires reside in the greater region of the Grand Rapids area. The city has been named one of the best cities for raising kids in the United States. At least 2,800 nonprofits are in the area.

Grand Rapids, United States. (Photo by Keenan Barber on Unsplash)

Between the philanthropy and public services, it’s hard to believe that 43.7 percent of children under the age of 18 live below the federal poverty level in the city. The unemployment rate for young adults aged 16-24 was at 23.35 percent in 2016. However, these statistics are not a blanket statement. Instead, they vary based on racial demographics. For example, in 2014, Grand Rapids was ranked as the second worst city in the U.S. for African-Americans to live.

(All statistics are from the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation found here.)

Grand Rapids is a city of oxymorons. The disparity of wealth and poverty is shocking, especially given the fact that there are hundreds of churches and hundreds of nonprofits in the area.

Bethany’s Work With GRCCT

That’s why Bethany Christian Services partners with a collaborative called The Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation. GRCCT has a vision to transform the city into a place where all people can thrive.

“There’s actually five organizations. One is, like I said, Bethany. The other is a social enterprise, Rising Grinds Café. Another is Building Bridges Professional Services, a church-based community development operation called The Grand Rapids Nehemiah Project, as well as the local chapter of the NAACP,” Director and Founder of GRCCT Justin Beene explains.

(Image courtesy of Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation via Facebook)

The center has a unique focus on young adults aged 14-24. Beene says this means GRCCT’s work expands “from GED completion, mentoring, case management, working with youth in foster care and housing, all the way to advocacy.”

Bethany’s work with GRCCT focuses on the development of young adults. This includes life skills support such as help with career exploration, resume building, job searches, finding internships and paid employment opportunities, and even interview training.

Another aspect of Bethany’s work includes education. Bethany helps young adults with college planning, the admission process, GED courses, student housing, and high school completion/credit recovery.

Bethany also provides youth development and life skills classes, leadership and mentoring opportunities, and community development services at a free or reduced cost. Learn more about Bethany’s work with GRCCT here. 

Opportunity for the Local Church

Last year the GRCCT served about 320 young adults. This year it is expecting to serve about 400 young adults. Beene says through GRCCT’s work there has been a decrease in trauma symptomology in the young adults served, and over 100 people have been placed in jobs. And the Church is invited to help.

“I think this is a real opportunity, for sure, for the Church to engage. I think, again locally, it would be great to see that statistics changed because folks in the Church have stepped up and decided to do something different. To make some sacrifices and to really work to change the system so that those who have been oppressed and marginalized really can have more opportunity to participate in, what I say, both the social and spiritual renewal of a city,” Beene says.

Get Involved

Through its Ignite: The Movement campaign, GRCCT is currently raising $3.65 million to purchase and renovate a space to support its operations, for the community to congregate, and to create jobs while also creating a venue for revenue in the community.

Will you consider giving to this project? To give or get involved, click here.

(Photo by Nina Strehl via Unsplash)

“We welcome folks coming to [take] a tour. We say one way you can support us is just hire our landscaping company or go visit our coffee shop, and by making those purchases or using our catering service, you’re actually helping create jobs for folks who otherwise might not otherwise be able to find employment,” Beene says.

“Church groups have come here and actually done a short Sunday service and then actually got to work on our building. There are lots of ways that folks can engage.”

Pray for the GRCCT, the impact it is having in this community, and for God’s love to be made known through the process. Also pray the Church in this area would step up to the challenge of selfless, self-sacrificing love and get involved with community transformation.

Learn more about the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation here.

Header photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash.

“I think every city is hard and easy in its own way. For West Michigan, I think people are open to God, to talking about God, to talking about the Church. But our heart is to get beyond that. Our heart is really to remind people of the intimate relationship they can have with Jesus Christ, with the God of the universe,” Wendy Palau with the Luis Palau Association says.

“West Michigan might have this unique, Christianized culture, but West Michigan is made up of millions of people who are trying to figure out, trying to understand who is God—what is my relationship with Him? And we are simply calling them to walk with Him, to be in true honest relationship with Him.”

CityFest’s Foundations in Personal Evangelism

Palau spoke at the CityFest women’s luncheon in Grand Rapids, MI. The women’s luncheon was one of many events to make up CityFest West Michigan. These various events provide opportunities for people from all backgrounds and personalities to interact with CityFest and hear the Gospel message.

Wendy Palau speaks at the City Fest Women’s Luncheon in Grand Rapids, MI on September 5, 2018. (Header photo and photo courtesy of Mission Network News)

However, these events work because of local church involvement. For example, local Christian women had the opportunity to be a table host at the women’s luncheon. Hosts could then invite nine women to take a seat at their table during the event. These women could be friends, family, or that girl you always run into at the gym.

CityFest partnered with 435 churches in West Michigan. Palau acknowledges the local Christian community’s joint efforts to bring CityFest to West Michigan are not sustainable. CityFest is structured mostly around personal evangelism instead of mass evangelism for this reason.

“All we do is in, through, and for the local church. Because the local church[es] are the disciplers. The women’s Bible study groups, they’re the disciplers,” Palau shares.

“The table hosts today who have invited nine women to sit are their table, they’re the ones who are going to get the response cards. They are going to receive an email saying this person responded, now you follow up, invite them. The women who respond will also be referred to a local church in their area.”

Be Prayerful, Be Active

Palau explains how discipleship is a necessity for the Christian walk. It is also vital for evangelism. CityFest acts as a catalyst to jump-start the opportunities for discipleship. The event isn’t the end game, though.

Please pray for the people who began their relationship with Christ during CityFest West Michigan. Ask God to strengthen and lead West Michigan Christians in personal evangelism and discipleship. Pray local Christians would reach out into their communities and build relationships for discipleship daily.

To learn more about CityFest West Michigan, click here.

Check out the Luis Palau organization here.

Barbara Palacios speaks at the City Fest Women’s Luncheon in Grand Rapids, MI on September 5, 2018. (Header and photo courtesy of Mission Network News)

“I think for each one of us that tries to…deliver the message, [it] is always a hard thing because…sometimes people…have been through so many difficult times or crisis in their life,” Palacios explains.

“Sometimes when you try to explain to them the message of God, probably they don’t want to hear [it]. And the first response, they want to close their heart and say, ‘No, I don’t want to hear anything’.”

However, despite challenges in sharing the Gospel, Palacios says if people know evangelism is their purpose in life, things get a little easier. What can be complicated is finding places where people will listen to or can hear God’s Word.

For Palacios, the place where people listened to her became the global stage during her journey to become Miss Universe. Growing up, Palacios had an unhappy family, but she also had a relationship with Christ. This shared family experience helped offer her connection points to share the Gospel with teenagers.

Opportunity for Ministry

In the 32 years since winning the Miss Universe title, Palacios has used her platform for ministry. She started the Barbara Palacios Network. Sometimes, people will come to her events because they are curious who the 1986 Miss Universe is today. At events like Luis Palau, instead of just seeing the Miss Universe of 1986, people also get the Gospel message.

Mary Sterenberg prays at the City Fest Women’s Luncheon in Grand Rapids, MI on September 5, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Mission Network News)

During CityFest West Michigan, 39,000 people came to the weekend festivities. Of that number, 1,833 people made decisions to follow Christ. However, what about the people who didn’t attend?

“So many people are in their homes, in their own lives, having suffering…Or they just lost members of their family or they just been with different tragedies. I think this is the moment that if we pray for them, they will come. We don’t know how, but they will be in the right place to listen to these [Gospel-centered] words.”

Ask God to open hearts and bring opportunities for people to come into a relationship with Him. Pray that God would heal West Michigan for the glory of His name.

Learn more about Palacios and her Barbara Palacios Network here!

The fun will resume on Sunday in the same location beginning at 4 pm EST with activities for the family followed by another evening of music from City Choir, Mandisa, Mac Powell, and Toby Mac as well as a message by Luis Palau.

To find more information on CityFest, click here!

People spill into Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI for CityFest West Michigan on Saturday 8, 2018.

Food trucks line the sidewalks during CityFest West Michigan in Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

People claim their seats on the lawn of Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI in front of the main stage during CityFest West Michigan on Saturday 8, 2018.

Families take time to visit the CityFest Kids area at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Kids enjoy games at CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Kids enjoy games during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Veggie Tale characters welcome kids in the CityFest Kids area of CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Children watch as Veggie Tale characters welcome them to CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Children and adults watch as Veggie Tale characters welcome them to CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Children and adults watch as magician P. J. Weber uses magic acts to share the Gospel message during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Magician P. J. Weber performs a magic trick with the help of a volunteer during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Magician P. J. Weber performs a magic trick with the help of a volunteer during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Visitors line up for elephant ears, among other street food, during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

White vendor tents line the pedestrian bridge during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Radio Ondas De Vida waits as visitors make their way between tents during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Compassion International looks for interested visitors during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Compassion International team who help people find their story in a child’s life during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Compassion International pamphlets for children who are waiting someone to become apart of their story displayed during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

People check out various tents on the pedestrian bridge during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Visitors take a look inside Moody Radio’s vendor tent during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

A group stops to talk in front of vendor tents during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

People walk across the pedestrian bridge lined with white vendor tents during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

A kid stops for a photo at the Lamentation Wall during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Lamentation Wall at CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018. The One West Michigan Racial Justice and Equity Team’s Lamentation Wall engages people with a conversation and contemplation about the roles of individuals and community members when it comes to racial justice and equity. The wall mimics the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, where people stuff slips of paper into the wall.

Slips of paper are provided at the Lamentation Wall for people to write a response to one of the pre-suggested questions. People can then place these slips of paper into a tight space in the wall during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Responses on the Lamentation wall at CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The cross on the Lamentation Wall with notes slipped into it’s crevices at CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Crowd members wait for the music festivities to begin on the main stage at CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

CityFest workers snap a photo during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The crowd grows bigger as people wait for the music festivities to begin on the main stage during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Host José Zayas introduces the Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss to the stage. Ms. Bliss then introduced Luis Palau and Andrew Palau during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Andrew Palau addresses the crowd from the main stage during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Luis Palau prays for the city of Grand Rapids during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The crowd prays with Luis Palau during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Host José Zayas throws free T-shirts into the crowd during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

Danny Gokey gives a quick backstage interview while the crowd waits for The Afters to take the stage during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters take the stage during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

A man snaps a photo of The Afters taking the stage during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters’ lead singer Joshua Havens sings to the crowd during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters performing during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters performing during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters’ bass player Dan Ostebo performs during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters performing during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The crowd swings their arms from side to side during The Afters performance during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters performing during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters’ lead singer Joshua Havens during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters performing during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The Afters performing during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.

The crowd in front of the main stage where the music performances and message for the evening were held during CityFest West Michigan at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday 8, 2018.