The mission of Community Ministry is to inform, engage, and support Hope Church’s outreach, via its members and its benevolent giving. Its members are Lois Maassen (chair), Judy Bultman, Dave DeBlock, Barbara Joldersma, David Myers, Vicki Rumpsa, Anne Saliers, and Pastor Gordon Wiersma (staff support).
Benevolent Supports
Giving through the Community Ministry focuses primarily on local ecumenical and cooperative agencies that offer security and connection within our community. These include:
- Housing, hunger, and economic independence: Community Action House, Good Samaritan, Neighborhood Connections, Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity, Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates, Homecor, and Jubilee Ministries
- Health care: Holland Community Health Center, Free Health Clinic and Lakeshore Parish Nurse Program
- Domestic violence prevention: Center for Women in Transition
- Inclusion of those with disabilities: Special Education Ministries and Camp Sunshine
- After-school child support: Kids Hope mentoring program, CASA, & Escape Ministries
Volunteer Support
Community Ministry also encourages and supports social, economic, and environmental justice work undertaken by Hope Church members. These include volunteers engaged with local organizations that meet needs for food, health, housing, education, and a sustaining environment. Kids Hope and Washington School Neighbors find connection through Community Ministry. The committee itself is exploring community housing needs, including for those with disabilities.
Think Hope Auction
April 27th—mark your calendar! This is a time for Hope Church people to enjoy and get to know one another… and also to support a local need, which this year is Escape Ministries Youth Summer Employment program.
~David Myers, Community Ministry member