| 2007 Leadership Development Grants Report |
In 2007 Classis disbursed $10,000 in support of three leadership
development initiatives. This report describes the results of those grants
Madison Square CRC: Antioch Leadership Development Network
Grant: $5,000
To view this report, click HERE.
Oakdale Park CRC and Madison Square CRC:
Grant: $2,430
This grant supported the participation of Oakdale Park CRC and Madison
Square CRC in the Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders. Amy Westra reports:
"We structured our leadership development program with 8 teens from our
ministries learning Biblical leadership principles established by the Grand
Rapids Initiative for Leaders (GRIL U). Our teens have studied character,
identified their spiritual gifts & learning modes, created personal mission
statements and set short term and long term goals for their personal and
professional growth. After identifying these, they chose an area of ministry to
serve within the church. All the youth have chosen to serve their peers
and/or younger teens.
"Our leaders have been investing in the life of ministries designed for them
and they are now stepping up and leadership their peers in words and
actions. They lead games, work on teams, contact their peers in the youth
ministry to offer support and prayer, plan outings and activities and lead
Bible studies for their peers. Some of the students have also had the
opportunity to teach these same principles they have learned in GRIL U to
other teen leaders within their ministries who are not GRIL U participants.
Participating Teens:
Juwan Tett
Shadonya Peters
Raven Sanders
Nicole Benglink
Jasmine Riley
Ben Brewer
Kiara Muirhead
Grace Davis
Sherman Street CRC: Mr. Stedford Sims
Grant: $1,620
This grant paid for Stedford Sims to attend the Biblical Foundations class at
Calvin Theological Seminary. Mr. Sims says, "The class was very helpful. I
can see a direct impact in my preaching because of the class I took.. I
especially appreciated the Reformed worldview discussions in the class.
There were students from several ethnicities and other countries which
made the dialogue that much richer. Pray for the professors that must teach
students from other faith backgrounds and practices. CRC does not have
the only perspective. There is a tension."
Sherman Street CRC: Mr. Bryan Blakely
Grant: $950
The grant paid for My Bryan Blakely to attend the Antioch Leadership
Development Network. Mr. Blakely describes the results of the experience:
"The Antioch LD Network has been very effective. It has really stretched me,
and exceeded my expectations by far. I am participating in the Antioch with
about 17 other leaders with whom I learn from also. We were involved in the
"Dynamic Communicators Workshop" for 3 and a half days ( Wed - Fri from
8am to 10 pm and Sat 8am to 10:30 am) . The "Dynamic Communicators
Workshop" increases a participants ability to engage in public speaking.
This workshop was definitely a huge benefit to my preaching skills.
This journey through the Antioch is teaching me the Essentials of
Excellence, and how I must be successful at leading myself before I can
lead others. In other words--not leading with the Human Nature (Self
Centered and Others Controlling), but leading with Excellence (Core
Centered and Self Controlling). I can truly say that my leadership capability
has increased. I am possibly looking at an internship for further ministry
development. The Antioch has given me further affirmation in the call on my
life (Ministry of Reconciliation)."
development initiatives. This report describes the results of those grants
Madison Square CRC: Antioch Leadership Development Network
Grant: $5,000
To view this report, click HERE.
Oakdale Park CRC and Madison Square CRC:
Grant: $2,430
This grant supported the participation of Oakdale Park CRC and Madison
Square CRC in the Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders. Amy Westra reports:
"We structured our leadership development program with 8 teens from our
ministries learning Biblical leadership principles established by the Grand
Rapids Initiative for Leaders (GRIL U). Our teens have studied character,
identified their spiritual gifts & learning modes, created personal mission
statements and set short term and long term goals for their personal and
professional growth. After identifying these, they chose an area of ministry to
serve within the church. All the youth have chosen to serve their peers
and/or younger teens.
"Our leaders have been investing in the life of ministries designed for them
and they are now stepping up and leadership their peers in words and
actions. They lead games, work on teams, contact their peers in the youth
ministry to offer support and prayer, plan outings and activities and lead
Bible studies for their peers. Some of the students have also had the
opportunity to teach these same principles they have learned in GRIL U to
other teen leaders within their ministries who are not GRIL U participants.
Participating Teens:
Juwan Tett
Shadonya Peters
Raven Sanders
Nicole Benglink
Jasmine Riley
Ben Brewer
Kiara Muirhead
Grace Davis
Sherman Street CRC: Mr. Stedford Sims
Grant: $1,620
This grant paid for Stedford Sims to attend the Biblical Foundations class at
Calvin Theological Seminary. Mr. Sims says, "The class was very helpful. I
can see a direct impact in my preaching because of the class I took.. I
especially appreciated the Reformed worldview discussions in the class.
There were students from several ethnicities and other countries which
made the dialogue that much richer. Pray for the professors that must teach
students from other faith backgrounds and practices. CRC does not have
the only perspective. There is a tension."
Sherman Street CRC: Mr. Bryan Blakely
Grant: $950
The grant paid for My Bryan Blakely to attend the Antioch Leadership
Development Network. Mr. Blakely describes the results of the experience:
"The Antioch LD Network has been very effective. It has really stretched me,
and exceeded my expectations by far. I am participating in the Antioch with
about 17 other leaders with whom I learn from also. We were involved in the
"Dynamic Communicators Workshop" for 3 and a half days ( Wed - Fri from
8am to 10 pm and Sat 8am to 10:30 am) . The "Dynamic Communicators
Workshop" increases a participants ability to engage in public speaking.
This workshop was definitely a huge benefit to my preaching skills.
This journey through the Antioch is teaching me the Essentials of
Excellence, and how I must be successful at leading myself before I can
lead others. In other words--not leading with the Human Nature (Self
Centered and Others Controlling), but leading with Excellence (Core
Centered and Self Controlling). I can truly say that my leadership capability
has increased. I am possibly looking at an internship for further ministry
development. The Antioch has given me further affirmation in the call on my
life (Ministry of Reconciliation)."
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