Servant Evangelism

Clad in blue T-shirts with "Serving you, serving Christ," printed on the back, volunteers from Grand Rapids First Assembly of God have been changing the look of a nearby public school district -- outside and inside -- for the past seven years.

Located in Wyoming, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids, the church of about 2,600 has funded and completed projects to meet a variety of practical needs at Wyoming Public Schools, a district with about 4,300 students. The projects have saved the district nearly $370,000 in man-hours and supplies.

Whether the church is painting walls or paying for a student's dental work, it's all part of its mission of "servant evangelism."

"If we want them to hear about the gospel of Christ, a gift to serve them can open the way," says Senior Pastor Sam Rijfkogel.

Last week, Grand Rapids First received the regional Champion for Children Award from the Michigan Association of School Administrators, given annually to those who enrich the lives of Michigan students. No church had previously received a nomination.

Thomas Reeder, Wyoming Public Schools superintendent, nominated the church and made the presentation.

"I don't know of a time we've asked for anything that they've said no," Reeder says. "And they do it without any expectation."

Grand Rapids First formed the relationship in 2008, when the recession forced the district to cut spending on upkeep of the grounds at 11 schools. 

The church asked the school for a list of projects, then paid for the needed supplies and sent volunteers to paint, clean and make repairs at nine of the 11 schools for a week. The church has continued this project every year but one, when it worked on its own facilities. The project averages 300 volunteers.

But the church's involvement with the district goes beyond a few days a year. Additional projects have included coat drives, gift drives and backpack giveaways. The church also meets various needs reported by the district's social workers as they arise.

"Before we can meet their spiritual needs, we have to meet their felt needs," Rijfkogel says. "We are just honored that the school system trusts us enough to call us with their needs and that our people are so willing and ready to meet them."

Lani Dykhouse, a servant evangelism member since the team formed in 2007, also works in the district. She especially remembers the Christmas outreach when each child in her classroom received a hand-embroidered stocking with candy and toys inside.

"I talked to some of my colleagues, and they, in tears, were like, 'You wouldn't believe it, the children were clutching these stockings and not wanting to let go,'" she says. "They just can't believe it that we would do it without expecting anything back."

Grand Rapids First also has begun outreaches with other local districts.

Ian Richardson

Ian Richardson is a 2014 graduate of Evangel University and former intern with the Pentecostal Evangel. He is originally from Afton, Iowa, where he grew up as the son of an Assemblies of God pastor.