PILGRIM Journey

Lansing Christian has been in existence for more than 60 years. The school started with one campus on South Pennsylvania Avenue, then moved to two campuses during the years of 1979 - 2000. In the year 2000 we moved into our existing building which currently houses over 550 PreK-12 students.

When the decision was made to move to a single campus in 2000, I remember the anxiety some people felt about having students ages 3-18 in the same building. How would that work? It has worked well, and we are realizing more and more the advantage of this unique opportunity.

In a recent meeting with the High School Student Council, students shared their vision for developing relationships throughout the school. Why? Relationships are important. The opportunity for older students to build mentoring relationships with younger students, while also helping to serve classroom learning needs throughout the school, is valuable for all students.

We are learning that shared mission and goals in the areas of curriculum, athletics, fine arts, worship and service help provide our elementary, middle, and high school students with a comprehensive and excellent Christian education with direction and purpose.

Whether you are a current parent, grandparent or alumni of LCS, I invite you to read more about how we are taking advantage of the opportunity to educate minds and hearts, and nurture the faith of our elementary, middle, and high school students at our PreK-12 campus at 3405 Belle Chase Way in Lansing.

The Lansing Christian School Board of Trustees

Gillian Granger, ‘88, Chair Rod Moore, Secretary

Brad Banasik Stephanie Buchalski

Dave Greydanus Laura Moody

Scott Wagoner Rina Woodland, ‘85

Lori Wortz

One SCHOOL One MISSION One PURPOSE By Wendy Hofman, Head of School

LCS PreK-12 grade students gather in the commons with Sheila Dykstra, Elementary Principal, and Wendy Hofman, Head of School.

Fall 2013

Photo by Maricar Macilincag

Wendy Hofman Head of School

Wendy taught vocal music for 17 years before joining the administrative staff as middle and high school principal over 5 years ago. She brings this experience and a deep commitment to Christian Education to her role as Head of School.

Why are you passionate about LCS? I believe in the mission of the school. I am honored to work with people that are passionate about what they do, care deeply about students, and daily live out their faith. I want LCS to provide excellence in Christian education for the years to come! I am also passionate about helping the Greater Lansing Community understand the mission of LCS and the long-term value of a Christ–centered education.

What is the focus of your role as Head of School? My focus is to bring our entire community – teachers, staff, parents, and students – around the mission of our school and the value of Christian education. Excellence in teaching and leading students is at the core of what it means to be a great school.

Wendy and her husband, Tom, are both products of Christian education. They have three sons who are LCS alumni.

Favorite verse: Psalm 103 This passage is an affirmation of my faith and continues to inspire and strengthen me, particularly when spoken out loud together with others in Christian community.

VISION FOR LANSING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

To be the first school option for Christian families in the Greater Lansing community. To provide excellent learning experiences and extra-curricular opportunities for students to grow in their God-given gifts and abilities. To have LCS be a place where the very best Christian teachers and leaders want to be!

2- PILGRIM Journey

Vision for the Future

Sheila Dykstra Elementary Principal

Sheila came to LCS as the Elementary Learning Center teacher after graduating from Grand Valley University, assuming she would relocate with her husband after a few years. Twenty-one years later, she serves as the Elementary Principal.

What do you love about working at LCS? God is present in everything -- from the curriculum to the interactions between staff members. Lansing Chris-tian is a close community of believers with one mission.

How does your role influence the mission of the school? I work to ensure that our teachers understand, develop curriculum, and teach to the mission of our school. I desire that every child at Lansing Christian

achieve academic success to the full extent of their God-given abilities. In addition, I desire that every child will have the seeds of faith planted and faithfully nurtured, so that their faith in our Savior will grow and bear fruit.

Sheila and her husband, Mike, have two children attending LCS and a 2012 LCS alumnae.

Favorite Verse: Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Vision for the Future

Patti Jacobson Admissions Director

Patti joined the LCS staff as Admissions Director in 2011. She oversees the school’s marketing, recruitment and retention efforts.

What excited you about working at Lansing Christian? I love to work with families who are investigating educational options for their children. Partnering with parents is one of our core values at LCS and it is a joy for me to come alongside parents and provide the support, prayer and information they need as they move through the admissions process.

What do you value most about LCS? As the mother of four boys who we enrolled at LCS after homeschooling, I understand the importance of finding a

school where your child can thrive and grow intellectually, but also in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

What is your vision for Lansing Christian School? It is my desire that families feel connected and experience peace and joy as they join the LCS community.

Favorite Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your path.

Mary Dunsmore, CPA Director of Business & Finance Mary joined the LCS staff in 2008, bringing 20 years of pub-lic accounting and business experience. She oversees school operations, which includes finances, food service, infor-mation technology, human resources and facilities.

What excites you about working at LCS? I love the purpose of LCS. To be able to teach our children that Christ is a part of daily life and knowing that when mak-ing decisions, whether big or small, Christ is a part of that.

What is your vision for LCS? I desire LCS to be fiscally strong, while being as affordable as possible to offer families the opportunity of Christian Educa-tion. I also want to help others understand the relevance

and importance of Christian PreK-12 education.

Mary and her husband of 25 years, Tim, have three students at LCS.

Favorite verse: I love the entire book of James. It is challenging, convicting, and practical. If I had to pick one verse that I hold to, as I look ahead, it would be James 1:5, If you need wisdom, ask God.

Staff photos by Linda Hornberger

Zach Van Duinen Athletic Director

“We view the gym and athletic field as

our mission field, a place where

athletes can let their light shine while they

compete. We prepare for our opponent,

practice hard, and play with passion.”

Zach has a PE degree from Cornerstone Univer-sity and a Masters degree in Sports Management. Zach brings coaching experience in varsity basketball, volleyball and track, and has directed numerous sports camps. Zach’s goals include increasing participation in high school sports, strengthening the middle school sports program, and coordinating elementary sports opportunities. Zach, and his wife, Noelle, have two young children. Mark 8:36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

3- PILGRIM Journey

4- PILGRIM Journey

Classroom Learning

It is a Big World! By Sheila Dykstra, Elementary Principal At the elementary level, iPads and computers are utilized by students to expand their learning opportunities and allow them to engage in learning at a deeper level. Second grade students experienced this when they used Google Earth on the iPads to identify rural, urban, and suburban communities. The students were able to zoom in on their own community and identify what type of community they lived in. Using Google Earth enabled them to study the world outside their classroom and gain a deeper understanding of how various types of communities develop around each other. Learning opportunities like this allow our students to use the knowledge they gain in the classroom to enhance their understanding of the world in meaningful ways.

iPads – The New Pencil By Amanda Reese, Middle School Coordinator and Math Teacher

Middle school students have been using iPads as a learning tool over the last few years. Now each student will be assigned their own iPad equipped with cases, Bluetooth keyboards, and pre-loaded with educational apps. iPads will be used both at school and at home beginning the first of the year. Our sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are excited for all-

day access to organizational tools like Google Apps for Education – including Google Drive, Gmail and Google Calendar – and creative tools like iMovie and Garage Band. They cannot wait to move to paperless assignments and feedback using Google Drive, blogs and email. Daily workflow in the middle school classes will be more efficient, giving teachers and students more time to collaborate, communicate, think critically and create.

The iPad is the new pencil — the tool may look different, but the expectations for teachers and students remain the same at Lansing Christian School.

Classroom Learning

Technology is a tool that is changing the way students access

and work with information, and the

way students communicate,

collaborate, and engage in learning. To prepare our students

for this changing world, we have become more

purposeful in how we utilize technology in

the teaching and learning process at every level of the

school.

Photo by Tom Gennara 

Photo by Tom Gennara 

Classroom Learning

Online Learning Lab Expands Opportunities By Andrew Kleyn, High School English Teacher

This year, LCS students have a new opportunity to take elective courses through Michigan Virtual University. This opportunity allows students to engage in self-directed learning and the use of technology in online coursework. This pilot program is designed to allow students to explore their interests, experience enrichment in certain areas and engage in an online learning experience.

This semester, 19 LCS high school students are taking 10 different elective classes through Michigan Virtual University.

Tim Blamer Director of Student Life

Tim has served in a variety of roles for the past 14 years. This year, in addition to providing academic scheduling and advising, he teaches Bible and oversees high school chapel and spiritual for-mation activities.

What excites you about LCS? It’s the people. I get to come to LCS every day and work with excellent peo-ple in a wonderful community. We have dedicated teachers who are committed to LCS and our mission. We help young people grow in their faith through their education, and to find their purpose in life to serve God.

What is your vision for LCS? That LCS would be a place where stu-dents are growing in their faith and un-derstanding of the world while forming a Christian worldview that will be the foundation for their lives and deci-sions. That LCS students are prepared to be successful in college and their career, seeing their lives and their choices in the context of advancing God’s kingdom.

Tim loves to travel and spend time with his family, including five nieces and nephews. He loves to explore the world and experience new places. He will be leading our 2014 Israel tour.

Favorite Verse: Joshua 1:7-9

I get to take a class that I wouldn’t normally have an opportunity to take and to explore different things. I am taking American Film

Studies. I love movies and I get to learn a lot about their impact on American culture and the role they played.

Garrett Strpko, Sophomore

National Honor Society Induction

26 students were inducted into the National Honor Society on October 28, bringing the total members to 62.

NHS Advisor Andrew Kleyn reminded students we are told to walk humbly: “NHS students are leaders. The price of leadership is sacrifice—the willing-ness to yield one’s personal interests for the interest of others. To put others before ourselves we must first humble ourselves and walk in that humility.”

5- PILGRIM Journey

Photo by Tom Gennara 

Nurturing Faith

6- PILGRIM Journey

Enthusiastic Elementary Worship By Sheila Dykstra, Elementary Principal

Join us on a Monday morning for our Praise and Worship time or on Friday for our Chapel and you will hear, “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” We begin our time of worship in this way to remind us that our God is mighty and worthy of our praise and worship. Worship is how we choose to begin and end our week. Like

classroom lessons, our worship times further the goal of glorifying God. Through shared worship, we desire our students to sing enthusiastically, pray sincerely, actively engage in the message and to experience a heart change.

Engaging in worship is what we are created to do. Singing praises, praying, and actively engaging in each

message allows God to work in our students’ hearts, which then bears fruit in their words and actions. It is our sincere desire to teach our students about God. We want them to wonder at His strength, power, and compassion. Our Praise & Worship and Chapel times are perfect opportunities to instill this sense of wonder in our students.

Middle School Students Learn to Lead By Charissa Karr, Middle School Bible Teacher

Middle school students experience a corporate time of worship to start their school days two times each week. On Tuesdays, a special speaker, often a local youth pastor, presents truths from God’s Word for them to apply to their life.

On Fridays, students have the opportunity to use their creative skills and their passion for God’s Word by planning, preparing, practicing and presenting lessons to their peers in the chapel setting. Each week a different Bible class is responsible for the chapel experience. As teachers, we work diligently to move toward as much student leadership as possible during this process. Bible teachers act as “guides on the sides” as students take responsibility to equip themselves and their classmates for the challenge of explaining God’s Word in a poignant and relevant way to their peers.

It is inspiring to watch the creativity, depth, and energy the students invest in this responsibility. Their clarity of thought, attention to detail, desire to captivate attention, variety of ideas and collaboration are inspiring.

Worshipping God together in

Christian community – with

our music and prayer, through reading God’s

word, and through the offering of our gifts and talents –

is central to forming students’ hearts and minds

to love God.

7- PILGRIM Journey

Worshipping and Growing Together in the High School By Jeff Stoel, High School Bible Teacher

For Christians, and for LCS high school students, worshipping God together in community is an essential part of practicing our faith. When we worship God together, we seek to encourage one another through the teaching of the Word in the singing of songs so that thankfulness may result (Col. 3:16).

At LCS, this community worship takes place in several forms; the primary form coming on Tuesday and Friday mornings when we gather together for Chapel. Chapel is a heart-focused time that exists to engage students and staff in life-shaping messages, songs, prayer and reflection that encourages a passion for Jesus and a desire to live out our faith.

Tuesday chapels regularly feature a speaker from the Lansing Christian community who seeks to encourage the students and staff through either a focus on scripture or a faith-shaping experience from their own life. During Friday chapels, students lead praise and worship by singing and playing instruments, or by sharing words from scripture and speaking about their own Christian walk.

Other ways students get involved in community worship include volunteering for the spiritual life team and participating in small group Bible studies. The spiritual life team seeks to develop and direct the spiritual life of the high school by designing and developing chapels and small group discussions which happen in our homeroom groups. Bible study groups are student-driven discussions that meet once or twice a week over lunch.

Through all of these opportunities we seek to raise up student leaders who are “an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity,” (1 Tim. 4:1 2) and who in turn encourage their peers to be active in their faith and love for Jesus Christ.

Chapel is a heart-focused time that engages students and staff in life-shaping messages, songs, prayer

and reflection that encourages a passion for Jesus

and a desire to live out our faith.

Partnering with Churches The Annual Pastors’ breakfast brought pastors from around the community together for a time of encouragement and confirmation of our partnership.

Coming alongside Christian families in their efforts to raise young Christian men and women is our shared purpose. When our children to experience home, church and school all “moving in the same direction,” it helps provide con-sistency in the way they see themselves as image bearers of God, created for a divine purpose in His world.

We are passionate about Christian education and the opportunity it gives us to partner with families and with the 109 churches where LCS families worship.

Nurturing Faith

Photo by Tracy Ballein 

8 - PILGRIM Journey

Middle and High School Retreat

Fall Retreats — An Annual LCS Tradition by Wendy Hofman and Tim Blamer

Middle School Retreat in Holland Working in mixed grade-level Family Groups for team-building activities gave students the opportunity to problem solve, use one another’s ideas and strengths, and to encourage one another and work together. It was fun to see students cheer each other on at the climbing wall and zip-line and to see some older students try to achieve more than they attempted the year before.

During evening chapels LCS parent and South Church Middle School Youth Pastor Joel Wayner, along with LCS teacher Garrett Anderson, shared practical application of this year’s spiritual theme, “Called to Serve.” Loving God and loving people is at the heart of what it means to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” at school. Evening campfires, cabin devotions, and praying together gave students the opportunity to share on a more intimate level with one another, their teachers and the parent chaperones.

High School Scott Hayes, from Oasis East Lansing, spoke about God’s overwhelming love for us, finding our identity in Christ, living as passionate disciples of Christ, and serving others as Jesus served. In response to his teaching, students have formed Bible studies at school focused on identity in Christ and are working to build community through chapels.

Retreat was a wonderful, growing experience, and one we hope to continue to build on throughout the year.

Retreat is a time when we set aside

three days at Camp Geneva on the Lake Michigan lakeshore to focus

on building relationships with one another and on growing in our relationship with

God in the context of Christian community.

Pursuing Victory and Honoring God

CONGRATULATIONS LCS BOYS SOCCER TEAM

Lansing Christian history was made this November when our Boys Varsity Soccer team won the Division 4 State Title, the first LCS boys state championship in any sport! This had been the goal of the team from the start of the season and they all diligently worked together to make this dream come true. They had an amazing undefeated season with a record of 22-0-1, beating some very talented local Division 2 schools. Additionally, Coach Vande Kopple was awarded the Lansing State Journal Coach of the Year and the MHSAA Private School Coach of the Year. Our team will be honored in December at the State Capitol for this remarkable accomplishment. Congratulations!

Varsity Volleyball Coach Marty Valley enjoyed the leadership of his senior players who helped the team advance to the Regional Finals

in November where they lost in a close match. Senior Kelsey Cox was recently named Lansing State Journal Athlete of the Week.

9 - PILGRIM Journey

Our Boys Tennis team, which co-ops with Leslie, made tremendous progress this year and ended with its best finish in Boys Tennis history, finishing 3rd at the Regional level. Congratulations to Coach Winters who was named Regional Coach of the Year.

The Coed Cross-Country team doubled in numbers this season and was fortunate enough to have a world-class Olympian Coach and author work with them. Owen An-derson along with Coach Helder brought a wealth of ex-perience and was a great inspiration to the athletes. Our Varsity boys took 3rdplace in the Springport Invitational and won the first Boys Cross Country trophy in 24 years! The Girls Varsity Cross Country team was award-ed “Team Academic All-State” for having the highest GPA of 42 schools competing in the Class D State Meet.

LCS Community Life

DID YOU KNOW? The annual fund helps to bridge the gap between the cost of an LCS education and the tuition each family pays.

Your gift to the annual fund is spent within the fiscal year it is given -- so each student will benefit from the gift you give today! Make your year-end gift in the enclosed envelope or on the LCS website: lansingchristianschool.org

10- PILGRIM Journey

5K Walk/Run and Fall Fest The 5K and Kids Fun Run brought both serious runners and leisure walkers out to this 3rd annual event. Fall Fest included hay rides, petting zoo, face painting,

carnival games, bounce houses and more. The de-but of the Family Auction, which included teacher experiences and student-made artwork, was a great addition. Experiences such as McDonalds, Impres-sion 5, and Announcer for an LCS basketball game were popular auction items! Thank you to the more than 300 people who attended, volunteered and

sponsored the event. More than $10,000 was raised for tuition grants and scholar-ships. Mark your cal-endar for next year’s Fall Fest/5K on Satur-day, October 11!

Annual LCS Athletics Golf Outing Fundraiser LCS families, students and alumni gathered at College Fields Golf Club, LCS’s home golf course, to support athlet-ics at Lansing Christian School.

The participants, sponsors and volunteers raised approxi-mately $11,000 to support LCS athletics. Proceeds from the day's activities go towards ad-vancing the athletic department’s on-going field improvements, uniforms and athletic equipment.

We look forward to seeing you at the outing next year on September 13, 2014.

Thursday, March 20 Eagle Eye Banquet Center

East Lansing

Join us for the 2014 Black & Gold Celebration, LCS’s annual fundraising event to raise money for tuition grants and scholarships.

Volunteer! Donate! Sponsor! Attend!

Bid!

For details, see lansingchristianfoundation.org/

BlackGold

Photo by Tom Gennara 

Photo by Tom Gennara Photo by Maricar Macilincag

Alumni News

11- PILGRIM Journey

Pilgrims Journeyed Home By Cathy Bytwerk, ‘69, Alumni Coordinator

This summer some well-seasoned LCS Pilgrims from the class of 1978 commemorated their 35th reunion. They have journeyed down paths that were fulfilling, surprising and sometimes heartbreaking. They came together to remind themselves that in 1978 they were joined to-gether by one school, one purpose and one focus. They were and are pilgrims who have set their hope in God (Psalm 78:7). They knew they were being educated for heavenly citizen-ship, and they gathered together at their daily home, Lansing Christian School, for 13 years. (See “Alumni” under “Life at LCS” at lansingchristianschool.org, for reunion photos.)

"LCS … was not a place; it was a way of life, and it has made me who I am. We who grew up at Lansing Christian can never forget that we are pilgrims,

no matter where we live, and diplomats of the heavenly kingdom.” Margo (Peters) Sinkevitch ‘78

Elissa McAlvey ‘07 Coaching basketball during summer camps brought Lissie back to LCS after graduating from Wheaton College with a degree in educa-tion. She teaches fifth grade and coaches Mid-dle School basketball.

Why LCS? I love to teach because I

want to help improve the next generation in all as-pects of life. I am very excited to work alongside a wonderful, supportive staff that is dedicated to providing cutting-edge education to our students. What are you passionate about? Justice and equality among people groups and see-ing people and communities reach their potential. My favorite verse: It changes! Right now it is Prov-erbs 27:19 "As water reflects the face, so ones life reflects the heart."

HOLD THE DATE!HOMECOMING 2014

Friday, February 14

Boys & Girls Varsity basketball games

Homecoming Court

Distinguished Alumni Awards

Alumni Choir Reunion singing the National Anthem

Spirit Week displays

Watch the LCS website for more information.

JOIN US!

Christmas Concert 7:00pm, December 19 South Church Lansing Take part in the annual tradition! Join LCS choirs and bands for an evening of Christmas music.

LCS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP Alumni and alumni parents who remain connected to LCS through their contributions of time, talent or finances are eligible for association membership. Membership applications are considered by the LCS Board of Education twice a year. Contact Sheri Shank for an application sshank@ lansingchristianschool.org

LCS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD Nomination deadline: DECEMBER 20, 2013

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes loyalty to LCS through contributed time, talent or donations; a high standard of personal integrity and character; community involvement and professional achievement. See the alumni page under Life at LCS on the LCS website: lansingchristianschool.org

LCS ISRAEL 2014 June 16-27

For more information, including reservation deadlines, visit lcsisrael.weebly.com

or contact Tim Blamer, 517.882.5779 or tblamer@lansingchristianschool.org

NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO 410 LANSING , MI

3405 Belle Chase Way, Lansing, MI 48911

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

GROWING MINDS. NURTURING FAITH. PREPARING LIVES.

JOIN US FOR A CAMPUS TOUR Email admissions@lansingchristianschool.org or call 517.882.5779 ext. #107

JOIN US! K-3 Grade Christmas Concert

6:30pm, Thursday, December 12, 2013 4-12 Grade Christmas Concert

7:00pm, Thursday, December 19, 2013 South Church, Lansing

Prospective Families Kindergarten Information Night 7:00pm, Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Elementary Fine Arts Night 6:00pm, Thursday, January 23, 2014

Prospective Families Information Night 7:00pm, Tuesday, February 4, 2014

LCS Homecoming 2014 5:00pm, Friday, February 14, 2014

Black & Gold Celebration Thursday, March 20, 2014 Eagle Eye Golf Course, East Lansing

For more details, visit lansingchristianschool.org Follow us on Twitter @LCSPilgrims and FACEBOOK

Alumni Athletes shared what they learned as a Pilgrim at the Annual LCS Golf Outing

Elizabeth Perkins, ‘13 LCS athletics encouraged me to do my very best. I was exercising the talents God gave me. Sports were another out-let for me where I could glorify God. That is another amazing thing about LCS, with every victory we were Lansing Christian, giving God the honor.

Peter Bunn, ‘07 From a spiritual perspective I am ex-tremely grateful that I played basket-ball at Lansing Christian. Athletics at

LCS seems to be a wide, wide avenue for God’s grace to overflow into our

school and our community.