On Saturday, 25 Scouts and 7 Troop leaders representing Boy Scout Troop 21 from Zeeland, MI set a new record for their Spring Clean-up day at "The Other Way" by filling 5 enormous dumpsters!


The Troop spends a full weekend at "The Other Way" each Spring providing dumpsters and strong, young hands for neighbors eager to clean up their neighborhood. Two pick-up trucks and a van pulling a trailer traveled around to homes for large items while most of the Scouts stayed back in the parking lot to assist in the dismantling and piling of junk into the bins.



The day was highlighted by neighbors pitching in to supply the Troop with pizza and pop for lunch! Upon return from one house, a Scout exclaimed, "We got PAID!" referring to the 2-liters of pop the neighbor had contributed as a token of thanks.

The weekend was capped off with the whole gang worshiping at Servants Community Church on Sunday morning! We praise God for the heart of service growing in each of the Scouts.   

You're invited to Explore "The Other Way" Ministries on Sunday, May 16 from 3 - 5 pm (Don't worry - it's the week AFTER Mother's Day!)

We're planning an interactive, family-friendly event for everyone - from long time supporters to folks who have never even heard of "The Other Way". This is your chance to see first-hand what God is doing here and what He will be doing this summer.



We will highlight programs like the Youth Employment Service, Summer Leaders in Training, and the Garden of Eatin'! We hope this can be a group experience for your family, small group, or friends to get a taste of what's to come.

Please take a minute to RSVP with Jackie Koning by e-mail (jkoning@theotherway.org) or phone 616.454.4011 x 5112. You can also find out more about the event on our website or on Facebook. 

Bob Beute - New Executive Director of Westown Jubilee Housing

Bob recently retired from Hillcrest CRC where he served as the Director of Ministries. He and his wife, Joyce, have been attending Servants Community Church. He tells great stories and brings a unique set of gifts to this position. Check out this brief video of Bob!

Dave Westra - New pastor at Gold Avenue Church

Dave and his wife, Anne, recently returned from a missionary assignment in China. He brings fresh energy and ideas and we are so glad that Gold Avenue will continue to have an active ministry in and for Westown. They have two children and are expecting twins this summer!

Every Wednesday morning, for the past several years,  20 women and a handful of men from our community join people at First Evangelical Covenant Church for Community Bible Study. Prayer, studying Scripture and building meaningful relationships is the foundation of this partnership.
 
From this starting point they have begun to invest more and more in the Westown neighborhood. They have sent members to serve in our community, volunteer through Kids Hope at Sibley Elementary, and invited us to share with their Adult Sunday School about God's call to serve the poor. 

They also have a vibrant and growing Hispanic congregation that we hope to connect with more and more as our neighborhood shifts and changes. We are so grateful for their commitment to our community and for their partnership with "The Other Way".