GEMS is a place where all 1st-7th grade girls are welcome to belong and be loved. GEMS evenings are packed with songs, games, crafts, lessons, projects, prayer and some special surprises. GEMS focuses on building relationships among girls, with leaders and with Jesus. Throughout the year our goal is to build relationships that help bring the girls into a living relationship with Jesus Christ.
This year’s theme is Walk on Water: Stepping Out to Trust Our Faithful God. Barna research shows young people find it hard to trust others. We want to help girls know they can fully trust our faithful God and live life firmly anchored in Him. Throughout the year, we will discover how ordinary people trusted God and lived for Him, even amid life’s storms. Girls will be equipped to confidently face life’s storms head-on, knowing and believing God is with them.
This year’s theme verse is Deuteronomy 7:9.
Meeting Times and Dates
GEMS nights are the first and third Mondays of the month from 6:30-8:00PM, starting September 15, 2025 and running through March 16, 2026. Watch for emails and updates on the Ferrysburg GEMS Facebook page with details for various events.
Registration and Dues
This year dues are $20. Registered GEMS will receive this year's t-shirt.
When registering you will have the option to pay online. You are also welcome to pay with a check (payable to Ferrysburg GEMS) or cash when coming to GEMS.
For more information about the international ministry of GEMS, visit gemsgc.org.
Contact Lori at lori@ferrysburgchurch.com for more information.
2025-2026 GEMS Leaders
Lori Houskamp, Club Coordinator
Mrs. Houskamp is excited to share God’s love and build relationships with girls and leaders at GEMS! She has served as the Ferrysburg GEMS Club Coordinator for 25 years, and she also serves on the GEMS Global Board.
Lori enjoys hiking, running, water activities, and family time. She enjoys traveling and sharing life with her husband, Mike. She loves her daughters, sons-in-laws, and granddaughter! One of Mrs. Houskamp’s favorite verses is Psalm 34:6, “Look to him and be radiant.” When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can be filled with joy and reflect His love.
Jacqualin Maggio, First Grade Leader
Miss Jackie is very eager to be returning as a GEMS counselor! This will be her seventh year with Ferrysburg GEMS. She is excited and looking forward to building relationships, having fun, and helping young girls see themselves and their beauty through God's eyes.
Jackie and her husband, Michael, have three children: Natalia, Dominic, and Juliana. She loves being outdoors with her family - whether it is biking, walking dune trails, swimming, or a fun-filled family camping trip. Mrs. Maggio works as a GHAPS substitute teacher. Her favorite Bible verse is Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Kris Grek, Second Grade Leader
Ms. Grek is excited to be back at GEMS to make connections and build relationships with the girls and counselors.
Kris has one daughter, a son-in-law, and three grandchildren. She works for Cancer and Hematology Centers. She enjoys all sports and loves to be active. She also enjoys baking and spending time with her grandchildren. Ms. Grek's favorite Bible verse is Roman's 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may be filled with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Grace DePrekel, Second Grade Leader
Miss Grace is looking forward to leading your children this year. This will be her ninth year as a GEMS leader. Mrs. DePrekel is married to Jim, and they have five children and five grandchildren. She recently retired and enjoys babysitting her grandkids with her new free time.
Grace loves working with the kids and seeing them grow in faith. Her favorite Bible verse is 1 John 3:1, "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!” This was a former theme verse from GEMS that she continues to love.
Kathy Wanczyk, Second Grade Leader
Miss Kathy is looking forward to her first year as a GEMS co-leader for the second-grade girls with Grace DePrekel! She is originally from Spring Lake and recently moved back to be closer to family and part of this great community. Kathy and her husband Chris have been married for 37 years, and they have three grown children, two awesome grandsons and are expecting a granddaughter any day! Mrs. Wanczyk enjoys being with family, hiking, biking, doing puzzles, reading, and she also volunteers at Four Pointes as a driver.
Kathy is excited to get to know the girls and the other leaders. One of her favorite Bible verses is Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Rhonda Hill, Third Grade Leader
Miss Rhonda is thrilled to be back for her sixth year as a GEMS leader! She is looking forward to seeing what great things God has in store for this 2025-26 GEMS year.
Rhonda is married to Mark. They have two sons; one is married and the other one attends Calvin University. She enjoys being outside for walks, biking, gardening, or soaking up some sunshine in God's creation. One of her favorite Bible verses is Psalm 118:24, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Elizabeth Wierenga, Fourth Grade Leader
Miss Elizabeth is excited to be back as a GEMS leader at Ferrysburg Community Church. She is looking forward to getting to know the GEMS and helping them grow stronger in the faith and relationship with God.
Elizabeth is married to Dan, and they have two married sons and the joy of three granddaughters. Her hobbies are canning, flower gardens, crafting, and spending time at the beach. Mrs. Wierenga’s favorite verse is Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Molly Kendziera, Fourth Grade Leader
This year, we are happy to have Molly Kendziera serving as another fourth-grade leader! Molly will join us starting in November. Molly is currently attending Calvin University and Muskegon Community College for her freshman year. She plans on majoring in Kinesiology to become a PA. Molly loves to play soccer, work out, snowboard, be at the beach, paint, and hang out with her friends. Currently, Molly’s favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:37-39, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Rachel Kramer, Fifth Grade Leader
Miss Rachel is excited to be a GEMS leader again at Ferrysburg Community Church. She is looking forward to getting to know the GEMS and helping them learn about how much God loves them.
Rachel has been married to her husband John for 43 years and has three adult children and two grandsons. Her hobbies are photography, birding, hiking, and rockhounding. Her favorite Bible verse is Colossians 3:12-14, "Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another ... Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Anna Boersma, Fifth Grade Leader
Miss Anna is so excited for her second year as a GEMS leader! She cannot wait to encourage and support the girls as they walk with Jesus.
Anna lives in Spring Lake with her husband Marc and their kids, Leena and Brooks. She loves cooking, reading, being outdoors, and spending precious days with Leena and Brooks. One of her favorite Bible verses is II Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest of me.” Anna prays that the girls know they are never alone, and God’s AMAZING grace is always available to them.
Penny Kelly, Fifth Grade Leader
This is Penny’s second year serving as a GEMS leader. She attended GEMS when she was younger and remembers what a special and influential time it was for her. Penny feels so blessed that now she can give these girls the same experience she had.
Penny is currently a homeschooled senior. She attends the Careerline Tech Center and Muskegon Community College. After high school Penny will go on to Nursing school. Penny enjoys skiing, traveling, hiking, camping, hanging out with her friends, and spending time in warm weather either at a beach or pool. Currently, Penny’s favorite Bible verse is John 3:30, “He must become greater; I must become less.”
Lauren Kohley, Sixth-Seventh Grade Leader
Miss Lauren is thrilled to be back for her fourth year as a GEMS leader. She has enjoyed the connections formed with the girls and is excited to see God at work in this group! Life can be tough, especially as a young lady these days, but with God on our side and a supportive group like GEMS to encourage the girls, we can get through anything!
Lauren is married to Jordan, and they have 3 kids: Reagan, John, and Jacob. She enjoys being outside, staying active, and spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite Bible Verse is Romans 8:38-3, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Birdella Hawkins, Craft Leader
Miss Birdella is thrilled to be back as our GEMS craft counselor. She loves planning cool crafts and building relationships with the girls. She and her husband, Rick, live in Spring Lake Township with their two dogs. They have six children, including two sets of twins, and 15 grandchildren, including twin boys.
Birdella enjoys cooking, gardening, and time spent in nature with all of the amazing creations God has given us. She doesn’t have one favorite verse, but one special Bible verse is John 15:11-12, “I have told you this so that my joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
Pam Billmeier, Craft Assistant
Mrs. Billmeier is looking forward to returning to GEMS for a second year as an assistant with crafts. She has an artistic background but will focus on helping the girls grow in their understanding of who Jesus is and His deep love and care for each one of them, as she has been doing for most of her adult life as a Sunday School teacher.
Pam left her career as an Environmentalist and Chemist 42 years ago to marry Ken. They have two sons. Her granddaughter also attends Ferrysburg GEMS. How special it is to watch her granddaughter, along with all the girls, grow in their understanding of Jesus’ love for them through GEMS!
Cindy Reinhardt, Greeter
Mrs. Reinhardt is excited to be back again at GEMS. She has spent many years as a GEMS leader and Sunday school teacher over the past decades.
Cindy is retired from an almost 40 year career in insurance. Her children are grown and she has two granddaughters. She hopes to fulfill what Christ told his disciples in Mark 10:4, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Nona Boer & Mary Beth Retsema, Prayer Grandmas
This year we are excited to have prayer grandmas available on GEMS nights! If GEMS would like to meet with a grandma for a prayer or blessing, they will have this option.
