By Tom Arendshorst – A neighborhood church, Bethel Reformed, on the corner of 19th and Van Raalte, was dedicated to serving the neighborhood for seventy-five years.  In 1994 the congregation volunteered to operate the food bank of Community Action House while the non-profit was building its new home.  At the same time, the members of the church … Read More

By Wendell Karsen – Jung Pil Yoo and his family piled into my office at Western Theological Seminary. Jung Pil had applied and been accepted into the seminary’s program at the end of August. The seminary’s housing had already been allocated, and most of the public school places had been filled. Where would they live? Where … Read More

By Jeannette Brownson – Antonio and his son, Marvin, lived in our neighborhood, renting an upstairs apartment on Washington Boulevard for several years.  Then the  home was foreclosed and the landlord evicted him. About the same time, my husband and I purchased a home on Washington.  Many neighbors helped us ready the house, including Antonio, who helped us paint after he got … Read More

By Alice Brown Beery – Once upon a time a missionary from a far country came to a church to tell about people needing to hear God’s Word. In that church that day was a young man whose heart was open to serving God. An idea was born in his heart that later became a … Read More

By Joel Dye – There were many reasons why my wife and I chose to move into the central neighborhoods of Holland. One reason was that we would be in close proximity to the city’s amenities, such as the library, downtown, Moran Park, Washington Square, and the Farmer’s Market.  Another essential reason was the opportunity to live amongst people who came from different backgrounds. Over the years, … Read More

By Todd Krygsheld – We wish they would just go away.  We refer to them as “those people.” Some of “those people” stand on corners holding signs that say “Homeless, Need Help.”  What kind of help do they need?  If we’re honest, we’re probably thinking, “A swift kick in the pants to get them moving.”  At … Read More

By Justin McCoy – I just graduated from college with a degree in psychology and a heart for helping the church make an impact in local neighborhoods. So a week after my commencement ceremony, I moved to Holland to work with 3sixty, a small non-profit in the central neighborhood of Holland. I only knew a … Read More

By Captain Rock – At a church lunch, Phil Beal, who knew I was a sailor, asked me how much I thought a Sunfish sailboat might be worth.  When I told him, he said,  “Sold!” Suddenly, I had bought myself a great boat for our grandchildren to use on our small lake. The boat had belonged … Read More

By Dorothy Chamness – Holland has always had strong ties to the Netherlands but the first English-speaking church to be established in our city was the First United Methodist Church. Four churches have stood at 57 West 10th Street. The first three were consumed by fire. The third structure, built in 1902, served the congregation well … Read More

By Chuck Green – I love two stories I’ve been told about following Jesus on 15th Street. From a man who grew up in the house next to ours in the ‘40s and’50s: We were the only family on the street who didn’t go to church.  Every Sunday morning, half the block walked one way to the Reformed … Read More