FCC ADULT EDUCATION SCHEDULE: SPRING 2024
February 4: Engaging Culture
Dan Landstra is the Director for Spiritual Life and Leadership and a Bible teacher at Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville, Michigan. Dan’s passion is leading students to see Christ in all areas of life, and coaching them as followers of Christ to become leaders. He will give a front row look at pressing cultural issues facing all Christians, with special emphasis on how contentious issues impact younger generations. Discussion will be directed not only to what the issues are, but how Christians of any generation can best engage the culture with a Biblical worldview.
February 11: FCC Testimonials
A powerful resource for the Christian faith is hearing stories of faith from other believers. In this session we will hear some of the fascinating stories of how the Holy Spirit helped to develop the faith of a few of our own FCC members. Come and hear what good things the Lord has done in their lives, and be inspired, encouraged, and emboldened to share your own stories of faith.
February 18: Behind Our Walls
Mark Hartman, president of Humanity for Prisoners, will show Grand Rapids filmmaker Nathan Roels’ award-winning 45-minute documentary Behind Our Walls. The film tells the powerful stories of eight prisoners residing in Michigan’s Handlon Correctional Facility and the Calvin Prison Initiative, the educational program through Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary that brought them together.
February 25: Captain Tom Walcott
US Navy (Retired) has served worldwide in numerous chaplain assignments. He will lead us through his own personal journey, and will also share with us an amazing story from WWII called the “Story of the Four Chaplains.”
March 3: Josh Bytwork from Love in Action
March 10: WMCHS exchange program with Kyle Kempster and Friends
International students some to the U.S. for different reasons, but no matter the reason, the program brings people together in community. FCC has been a part of this program for years and currently has 4 families hosting students. Through the years, students have come to Christ while attending WMC and local churches, and being hoisted by local families. Join Kyle Kempster, host families, and international students as they tell their story of sharing culture and faith.
March 17: No Adult Ed - Kyle Mulllin and the intergenerational event
March 24: No Adult Ed
March 31 Easter Sunday: No Adult Ed
April 7: Sam Guitierrez
Sam is the associate director of the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary. Sam is an excellent storyteller and is a frequent author in the Banner. Please join us as he will spin another of his interesting stories.
April 14: Young Life
Young Life’s goal is to introduce adolescents to Christ and help them grow in their faith. Jane Lemmen and Chris Theule from Young Life will tell us more about an organization that began over 70 years ago with the vision of one man who said, "It is a sin to bore a kid with the gospel!" His vision has now turned into ministry to kids in over 100 countries including high school kids, middle school kids, teen moms and their babies, kids with disabilities, college kids, and kids living on military bases.
April 21: Artful Communication
Avoiding the Verbal Villains. Have you ever tried to comfort a suffering friend but ended up saying something that didn’t seem to help? Join award-winning artist Joel Schoon-Tanis and caregiving expert Karen Mulder who team up to present an engaging and creative look at compassionate communication. Through Joel’s vibrant, whimsical artistry and Karen’s compelling stories of artful listening, you’ll learn how to avoid the “verbal villains” that can rob us of the supportive words we need to say in someone’s hour of need.
April 28: Jim Murphy
Jim is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spring Lake, is a lay missionary who speaks around the world. He will be sharing with us his personal experience in carrying a cross across the United States. Jim will touch on the significance of the cross in God's plan of salvation, and then he will give an overview of the actual 4200-mile journey, sharing some very touching stories.
May 5: Challenging Conversations: Giving and Receiving Constructive Feedback - Part 1
Have you previously, or will you, need to address a topic of disagreement or conflict with a family member, friend, or church member? Have you tried to share your faith with someone? How are you doing at giving and receiving constructive feedback? In this two-part series, FCC member Dan Wierenga will share some of the training he completed to become a chaplain, including Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Empowerment Coaching, with a focus on improving our personal conversations. We will examine “What Would Jesus Do (WWJD)?” and “How Would He Do It?”, seeking to learn how to balance grace and truth. Participants will complete DiSC and Enneagram communication style assessments to better know themselves and others. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in a way everlasting.” Psalm 139: 23, 24.
May 12: Challenging Conversations: Giving and Receiving Constructive Feedback - Part 2
A continuation with Dan Wierenga
