Mercy & Hospitality Contacts
Ardo Draper
Minister & Director, Prison Ministry
adraper@calvarygr.org
Nam Kim
Minister & Director, International Ministry
nkim@calvarygr.org
Sheri Schmidt
Director of Adoption & Foster Care
sschmidt@calvarygr.org
Lana Duoibes
Facilitator, Refugee Ministry
lduoibes@calvarygr.org
Vida Wilson
Facilitator, Mercy & Missions
vwilson@calvarygr.org
Sonja Yeates
Neighbors International Coordinator
neighbors_international@calvarygr.org
Lou DeGraaf
Ministry Assistant, Mercy & Missions
ldegraaf@calvarygr.org
Ministry Focus
Hospitality and mercy are fundamental to our identity and our lifestyle as Christians. In both Matthew 25 and Luke 14, Jesus reminds us that by welcoming the stranger, or the person in need, we may well be welcoming him, and when we pay special attention to the poor and the disenfranchised, we may in fact be welcoming the most important among us. It is our calling to create sacred places at our tables, for those who are hosts and for those who are guests. When we use the word hospitality at Calvary, it means welcoming everyone and making them feel like they belong. While all our ministries practice hospitality, our First Impressions ministry has the specific focus of welcoming those who are new to the church and helping them to connect to what God is doing in this place.
When we refer to mercy, on the other hand, we are talking about a specific group of people to whom we believe the Lord has called us to pay close attention. In this season, we believe God has highlighted internationals, orphans, prisoners, and refugees as people to whom our church should be ministering and extending a special measure of mercy. Our mercy ministries include our International Ministry, Forever Hope Orphan Care, Prison and Refugee Ministry.
Events
CarePortal Response Team Training | 6:00pm-7:30pm
CarePortal is a technology platform that connects vulnerable children, families and individuals to people who want to serve. Calvary is one of the first churches in Michigan to launch CarePortal and we’re excited to see how this platform can be used in our church and community. Jen Seiler with CarePortal will be training us on how CarePortal can be used in all of our ministries at Calvary. Dinner will be provided at 5:30pm. Location: Room 251-253 Entrance K Register here
Unshackled | 6:30pm-8:00pm
Unshackled is a weekly Bible study designed for men who are transitioning out of the jail/prison system and looking to build a firm, biblical foundation to help them grow and maintain their walk with Christ. Location: Room 256 For questions or more information, contact Ardo (adraper@calvarygr.org)
Embrace Grace | 6:30pm-7:45pm
A ministry to help women with unplanned pregnancies find a place of belonging within the church. Enjoy dinner in the Gathering Place, 5:00-6:30pm. Child care is available as well as classes/activities for school age children. Location: Room 264 For questions or more information, contact Sheri (sschmidt@calvarygr.org)
Unshackled | 6:30pm-8:00pm
Unshackled is a weekly Bible study designed for men who are transitioning out of the jail/prison system and looking to build a firm, biblical foundation to help them grow and maintain their walk with Christ. Location: Room 256 For questions or more information, contact Ardo (adraper@calvarygr.org)
Adoptive Moms Book Discussion | 9:30am-11:00am
Join this coffee and book study of A Place I Didn’t Belong by Paula Freeman. Paula shares with candor and grace about what happens when life hijacks our plans and shatters our dreams. She inspires grace for the hard stuff and hope for the journey. For questions and to reserve a copy of the book, contact Sheri at ext. 5524. Location: Room 139 (Parent Room)
Embrace Grace | 6:30pm-7:45pm
A ministry to help women with unplanned pregnancies find a place of belonging within the church. Enjoy dinner in the Gathering Place, 5:00-6:30pm. Child care is available as well as classes/activities for school age children. Location: Room 264 For questions or more information, contact Sheri (sschmidt@calvarygr.org)
Unshackled | 6:30pm-8:00pm
Unshackled is a weekly Bible study designed for men who are transitioning out of the jail/prison system and looking to build a firm, biblical foundation to help them grow and maintain their walk with Christ. Location: Room 256 For questions or more information, contact Ardo (adraper@calvarygr.org)
Adoptive Moms Book Discussion | 6:30pm-7:45pm
Join this coffee and book study of A Place I Didn’t Belong by Paula Freeman. Paula shares with candor and grace about what happens when life hijacks our plans and shatters our dreams. She inspires grace for the hard stuff and hope for the journey. For questions and to reserve a copy of the book, contact Sheri at ext. 5524. Location: Room 139 (Parent Room)
Embrace Grace | 6:30pm-7:45pm
A ministry to help women with unplanned pregnancies find a place of belonging within the church. Enjoy dinner in the Gathering Place, 5:00-6:30pm. Child care is available as well as classes/activities for school age children. Location: Room 264 For questions or more information, contact Sheri (sschmidt@calvarygr.org)
Unshackled | 6:30pm-8:00pm
Unshackled is a weekly Bible study designed for men who are transitioning out of the jail/prison system and looking to build a firm, biblical foundation to help them grow and maintain their walk with Christ. Location: Room 256 For questions or more information, contact Ardo (adraper@calvarygr.org)