At Redeeming Grace Church, we believe the church is not a building, it’s people serving together to glorify God. We regularly highlight volunteers and staff members who serve with RGC because they make everything we do possible!
Today we want to introduce you to the Van Raaphorst Family, which includes Tom, Rebekah (Bekah), Emma (12), Thomas (10), and Hope (6).
Here is what a staff member of the church had to say about them:
"Beloved, as I think of the Van Raaphorst family, I am excited to commend them to you. They are a family who ministers in the shadows with joy, a desire to please God, and a desire to serve our church that humbles me. I have been blessed to do a good bit of life with them. All along the way, no matter what trials they face, I see them treasure Christ. I pray the below encourages you as it has me."
~ Edward Hunt, Pastor of Community Life, Counseling, and Missions
What volunteer roles are you involved in?
Tom serves as an elder, on the Leadership Team in Grace Kids, and on the Compensation Committee. He has also helped to lead the Connect Ministry meetings and greeting new visitors into the church! We both are honored to serve in Grace Kids, host a Community Group at our home, and also conduct pre-marital counseling. Our daughter Emma has served at Vacation Bible School and is serving in the nursery for Grace Kids!
How did God lead you to be involved in those areas?
We have always had a heart to serve and love serving with the youth. It is fun to be part of the ministries that our kids are involved with in this season. Regarding pre-marital counseling, we have a heart to mentor and walk along side young couples to learn with them what God has intended for marriage.
How have you seen God at work in our church community?
The joining of Sojourn Church and Redeeming Grace Church has been such a kindness from the Lord. We have learned so much from one another and continue to grow in the Lord. What we love about the church is that we are all imperfect people who place our trust and build our faith in a perfect Lord and Savior, Jesus, who is our only hope.
Could you tell us some interesting facts about you?
Tom enjoys sports and being with family and friends. Bekah is an avid runner and invests her time in serving the kids and others. Emma is active in cheer, swim, and cross country when she isn’t engaged in art and being with friends. Thomas loves to draw and construct Legos, play football and swim. Hope is enjoying the swim team and her school friends and preparing to become President of the United States one day; watch out!
Our family loves to be together. It doesn’t matter what we are doing; we like to explore new activities as a family. We enjoy laughing, playing games, and finding activities where we can all be involved with one another. We enjoy playing card games as a family, crafting, and visiting the beach with friends. We are in a fun season where the kids are all at the same school, so we get to invest in them as they learn about God at school, home, and the church. We also love our church community and hanging out with our friends. We love our neighbors and our neighborhood as well. It is an honor to grow with other families and to learn from them.
How have you seen God at work in our church community?
The joining of Sojourn Church and Redeeming Grace Church has been such a kindness from the Lord. We have learned so much from one another and continue to grow in the Lord. What we love about the church is that we are all imperfect people who place our trust and build our faith in a perfect Lord and Savior, Jesus, who is our only hope.
Could you tell us some interesting facts about you?
Tom enjoys sports and being with family and friends. Bekah is an avid runner and invests her time in serving the kids and others. Emma is active in cheer, swim, and cross country when she isn’t engaged in art and being with friends. Thomas loves to draw and construct Legos, play football and swim. Hope is enjoying the swim team and her school friends and preparing to become President of the United States one day; watch out!
Our family loves to be together. It doesn’t matter what we are doing; we like to explore new activities as a family. We enjoy laughing, playing games, and finding activities where we can all be involved with one another. We enjoy playing card games as a family, crafting, and visiting the beach with friends. We are in a fun season where the kids are all at the same school, so we get to invest in them as they learn about God at school, home, and the church. We also love our church community and hanging out with our friends. We love our neighbors and our neighborhood as well. It is an honor to grow with other families and to learn from them.