The Advantage - Fall 2023

FALL 2023

ADVANTAGE

INSIDE

THE

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Being of One Mind. . . . . . . . 3

Leaving a Legacy . . . . . . . . . . 6

Growing with Purpose. . . . . . 4

Teacher Wishlist. . . . . . . . . . . 6

THE ADVANTAGE

THE ADVANTAGE

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EQUIP SERVE IMPACT

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOLS Dear NorthPointe Christian Families and Friends, What’s new at NPC? We have 26 new faculty who are committed to providing a Christcentered education to their students, 243 that are new to NorthPointe Christian. We have new buildings at each campus which allow us to equip more students to impact their world for Jesus Christ. We have new tennis courts and a new football/soccer stadium where our school community can gather and call NPC “home.”

PRESCHOOL/ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

While the new additions are exciting (see pages 4-5), they don’t define us. What defines us is that we are staying true to that which God has

called us: to provide a great education that is rooted in the truth of God’s Word. What a blessing it is to have 1,250 students at NPC! God has given us a greater opportunity to give students the opportunity to fall deeper in love with our Savior.

Please join with us in praying for our students, families, and faculty, that this year will be one that brings honor and glory to our God!

–Todd N. Tolsma, Head of Schools

616.363.4869 540 Russwood Street NE Grand Rapids MI 49505

Pictured on the cover: Freshman class serving at Plaster Creek Watershed during a recent Service Day

MIDDLE SCHOOL 616.719.5440 HIGH SCHOOL 616.942.0350 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 616.942.0363 3101 Leonard Street NE Grand Rapids MI 49525

www.npchristian.org

A FLURRY OF NEW RESOURCES AND INITIATIVES God’s provision has been on full display as we have welcomed many visitors to our new turf field. This gift has allowed the Mustangs to host Mustang Mania and a Boys Soccer District tournament. We look forward to welcoming all of our NPC stakeholders to see the finishing touches on the stadium, a 1,000-seat capacity grandstand, press box, audio system, and the Legacy Pathway! NPC unveiled a new digital pass policy and has provided the option of digital ticketing. GoFan will provide digital pass options to our athletic community. Spectators now also have the flexibility to purchase tickets online before the event or upon arrival.

VISIT US ONLINE: NPCMustangs.com

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THE ADVANTAGE

Visit npcmustangs.com and click on the “Tickets” link. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @npcmustangs!

–Drew Losee, Athletics Director

FOLLOW US: @NPCMustangs

NPC HAPPENINGS

TEACHING ‘THE GOOD STUFF’ Dan VanderArk came to mind as I observed praise and prayer in one of our Developmental Kindergarten classes. Dan, our Curriculum Director, has dedicated decades to the development and effective implementation of our three mandates with biblical immersion across grade levels. The students were divided into two circles. One student enthusiastically raised his hand and

“

a whispered tone of anticipation, “What? Guess what you get to do with that? You get to take 10 percent of that, ten whole dollars, and you get to give it

...biblical

immersion, authentically played out without pre-planning.

That’s the good stuff!

shared that he had been given $100. His teacher exclaimed in

to God! You can take it to church and give Him a present! The Bible talks about that.

Isn’t that cool?” The student was beaming at the thought of giving God a present.

It was beautiful!

–Karen Vanderberg, Elementary Principal

WEAVING FAITH INTO CONTENT One of the expectations we have at NorthPointe is that our teachers weave faith into the content they teach. We believe this is so important that we even test students on these connections. As we started a new school year, it was refreshing to see this in action. In 8th grade Science, Mrs. Alexander’s unit on Measurement focused on God’s measurement in our lives and how we want to be measured in Christ. Mrs. Bufton’s 6th grade math class has been working with money, value, and worth. Faith intersections are intentionally placed in the unit for clear discussion about how Christ valued each of us so much that He went to the cross and gave His life for ours. This is intentional faith and learning!

–Megan Willink, Middle School Principal

BEING OF ONE MIND The advantage of an NPC education is the integration of faith and learning.

NorthPointe students are seeing daily the stuff of life intersect with the life of faith in the classroom and beyond. It also occurs in chapel, discipleship groups, science class, the arts, athletics—really in everything we do! We don’t believe life should be segmented between the sacred and secular. Annually, we organize our spiritual development program around a theme. This year the theme is “One Mind” (II Cor. 13:11). We challenge our students to unite in a divided world under the Lordship of Christ. As an outflow of this common belief, we seek to love one another with His heart and serve as His hands and feet.

–Tom Molenkamp, High School Principal

THE ADVANTAGE

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LEGACY

GROWING WITH PURPOSE

BY HIS GRACE

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THE ADVANTAGE

WHAT’S NEW AT NORTHPOINTE CHRISTIAN? New elementary building that includes 6 classrooms

8 brand new tennis courts

7 additional classrooms in a new high school wing

New turf soccer/football field complete with bleachers and a press box Designated fine arts space for middle and high school band and orchestra Our enrollment has reached an all-time high.

r of numbe ts e d stu n

BUT SOME THINGS WILL NEVER CHANGE...

Our curriculum and culture are interwoven with Christian values at every level.

All staff are Christians, 100% committed to living their faith Providing intentional opportunities for students to grow their faith

Drone photos courtesy of Adam Gorlewski

Making disciples through: Daily Bible classes Weekly Discipleship Groups Spiritual Emphasis Week International Missions Trips Local Serving Opportunities

THE ADVANTAGE

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WISHES GRANTED

Pictured: granted wish list items camera equipment, microscopes, and baby grand piano

Thank you to our parents who gave to the Teacher Wish List. Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to request a copy of the 2023-2024 teacher wish list to your inbox.

SUPPORT NPC Make a direct impact on our students.

Contact Deb Diepenhorst, Director of Development, to learn more: diepenhorstd@npchristian.org

LEAVING A LEGACY Leaving a legacy was the theme of this year’s Grandparents Day. Tim Perry our middle school Bible teacher addressed the group and talked about how the greatest legacy we can leave is building the kingdom of God. There is no better way to build the kingdom than investment in our children. An education at NorthPointe means students are immersed in the Word. Our students just don’t go to Bible class to learn about the bible, it is integrated in every subject, all day, every day. Students learn how the Lord plays a role in each subject matter and how to carry that knowledge with them, so they may impact their world for Jesus Christ.

–Deb Diepenhorst, Director of Development

photos courtesy of Lori Melton

A HEARTFELT THANKS NPC thanks our contractors for the completion of the stadium project. What a blessing they have been to us!

Katerberg VerHage – general contractor, brick pavers & landscaping Burgess Concrete – concrete work Straight Line Fence – site fencing Bazen Electric – site electrical Cooper Lighting Solutions – field lighting

Pioneer Construction - crane services Grapids Irrigation – site irrigation Kent Welding – railing Acorn Sound Technology – stadium sound Mitten Communication Services – stadium internet

AstroTurf Great Lakes – turf field

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THE ADVANTAGE

Turfix – nailer board

NPC Partners

North Carolina Welding – bleachers and press box

Soils & Structures – structural design and testing

Architectural Systems Group – scoreboards

Nederveld – surveying and engineering High Grade Materials – site concrete

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

(4) Nate Roels ‘13 received the Best Documentary award at the Grand Rapids Film Festival for his 45-minute documentary, “Behind Our Walls,” which follows the stories of eight Handlon Correctional Facility prisoners and the Calvin Prison Initiative educational program facilitated by Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary. The film premiered on Saturday, July 29, in a sold-out show at Celebration Cinema.

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The documentary project was inspired by Nate’s work with the Calvin Prison Initiative, where he got to know the men in the program and was moved by their stories. He wanted to give them a chance to tell their stories and showcase their transformations. As a Christian program, the documentary aims to highlight Christianity in a positive light, forgiveness, and redemption, while challenging negative perceptions of prisoners.

I hope this documentary inspires others to be more forgiving, to seek reconciliation and restoration, and to see all people as image-bearers of God. Nate Roels, NPC Alumni

NPC ALUMNI RETURN TO THEIR ROOTS 1

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4

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2010’s

2020’s

(1) Chris Renzema ‘13, Christian singer/songwriter who currently lives in Nashville, released his latest album, “Manna,” in August.

(2) Luke and Danielle (Diemer) Schrock ‘22 were married in August in Grand Haven, Michigan.

(3) Madeline (Postmus) Borrello ‘14 and Adam were married in June.

They currently reside in Ravenna, Michigan.

In Memorium

(5) Holly (Kooiker) Kooiker-Valente ‘19 and Nicolas married in July at a beautiful barn reception venue.

James Brunsink, Class of 1989

Share your Update!

Email alumni@npchristian.org

NPC alumni serve in a variety roles of at their alma mater.

Bailey Wynalda Spry ‘18

Kelly VanderZiel Repke ‘15

Becca Bufton Markle ‘11

Kendra Haisma Belk ‘09

Brittany Churchill ‘00

Lisa Branon Spangler ‘94

Christine Bras Velting ‘00

Macey Berger ‘12

Dan Montgomery ‘83

Megan Braam Hall ‘06

Ellie Rudolph Herbruck ‘17

Michael Cameron ‘02

Emily Vredevelt ‘18

Renee Kersten Lee ‘91

Gwen Foote Molda ‘80

Rocky Roer ‘00

Jared Farnsworth ‘18

Ruthanne Rasmussen

John Dickensheets ‘91

Lambert ‘93

Julie Nyenhuis Childers ‘87

Todd Tolsma ‘84

Staff in italics are not pictured

THE ADVANTAGE

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GRAND RAPIDS MI