Contemporary Christian Life Issues (CCLI)

Sunday mornings, 10:50–11:50am
Meeting September 14 & 21 / October 5, 12 & 19 / November 2, 9 & 16 / December 7 (9 sessions)
Chapel off the Rotunda
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The Contemporary Christian Life Issues class explores current and relevant faith and justice issues affecting our community, nation, and world. The goal of each session is to “think Christianly” about each topic so that we can live well in God’s world. Speakers are often experts in their field. No sign-up is needed; come when you can.

For more information or to be added to the Simulcast Link Weekly Email List, contact Lori or 796-3361.

CCLI Fall 2025 Speaker Schedule
updated 08/11/2025

▪ September 14: How to Eat an Elephant – Engaging the World’s Water Crisis One Bite at a Time
David VanOpstall, Executive Director of 20 Liters

We have heard the statistics: Over 700 million people lack access to clean drinking water; 2.2 billion do not have access to safely-managed drinking water services; more than 1,000 children under 5 years old die each day from diseases related to lack of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. When a problem seems insurmountable, where does one even begin? Come get an update on the world water crisis and hear how one local nonprofit has been providing solutions in partnership with the local church for over 20 years.

▪ September 21: Who Will Win the Battle Between David (Ukraine) and Goliath (Russia)?  
Dr. John A. Bernbaum, educator and writer with experience working with educational institutions in Russia and Ukraine. He currently writes commentaries on international politics on Substack and has recently co-authored a book with Philip Yancey, What Went Wrong? Russia’s Lost Opportunity and the Path to Ukraine.

What are Russia’s and Ukraine’s future prospects and how are Christians in each country involved in this conflict?  What are Putin’s motives for continuing to pursue Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and how have these priorities shaped the conduct of Russian forces? What are the goals of the Ukrainian government and have these goals shifted after more than three years of war?

▪ September 28: No class on this date

▪ October 5: How Should Our Faith, as Disciples of Jesus, Shape Our Views of America’s Role in the World?
Dr. John A. Bernbaum, educator and writer with experience working with educational institutions in Russia and Ukraine

Should the future of democracy in Europe and in America be of concern to us, considering the emerging number of autocrats increasingly active in our global world?  Does the United States have a role as a peacemaker or is isolationism the best option?  Is America’s “soft power” still an important means to build cooperative relationships with other nations?  What role can churches play in bringing healing to our broken world?

▪ October 12: Responding to God’s Call: Sharing His Love Through Education in Niger
Kara VanderKamp, Founder and CEO of the Remember Niger Coalition. Kara holds a master’s degree in International Educational Development from Columbia University and has lived and worked in West Africa for over 15 years.

Join Kara VanderKamp, Founder and CEO of the Remember Niger Coalition, as she shares how God is using this ministry to be a tangible expression of His love in one of the world’s most vulnerable countries. Learn how a new three-classroom building – funded by Christ Memorial Church – is bringing not only access to education, but also the hope and dignity that come from knowing we are seen, known, and loved by God. Kara will reflect on how the global Church is called to respond with compassion, courage, and faithful presence to the needs of our brothers and sisters around the world.

▪ October 19: How West Michigan Shows Hospitality to Immigrants
David Lee, Advancement Director and Co-Executive Director of Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates

Born in South Korea, raised in New Jersey, and long-time Michigan resident, David will illuminate some of the hospitality that West Michigan has shown to immigrants. Informed heavily by the work of Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates, this presentation includes an overview of the laws and policies that drive the U.S. immigration system.

▪ October 26: No class on this date

▪ November 2: Like a Good Neighbor
Pastor Amy Schenkel, author of the Witness curriculum which has been used all over the world to help Christians learn how to share the gospel in today’s post-Christian context. Amy served for many years in leadership roles in a global mission agency, focused on helping congregations learn how to love their neighbors and share the gospel in their communities. She is currently putting this knowledge into practice in a local church setting.

When Jesus tells us that loving your neighbor is an intricate part of being a Christ-follower, what does that actually mean for our daily living? In this session, we’ll discover how loving our neighbor is part of our holistic gospel witness to the good news of Jesus and we’ll walk away with clear, simple, next steps to being a good neighbor.

▪ November 9: How do People Stay Strong in Their Faith When Facing Persecution?
Father Kamran Younis, a Christian priest in Pakistan who also taught in a Christian seminary there. He recently
received his Master of Theology degree from Western Theological Seminary and is living with his family in Holland.

It’s a question many of us in North America have asked, and Father Kamran has lived the answer. Join us as he shares powerful, real-life stories, some his own, some from others, about what it means to follow Christ when it’s anything but easy. You’ll hear about incredible challenges, quiet courage, and the deep faith that sustains believers through it all.

▪ November 16: Working Together as God’s People to Move the Needle on Homelessness
Luanne Stanley Hook, member of the Clergy Team at First United Methodist Church of Holland, First UMC Coordinator of Refresh since its inception in February 2019; Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School

Homelessness has grown in the Holland area (and around the country) over the last several years, especially since Covid. First United Methodist Church has worked with Community Action House to serve the unhoused since 2019 through the Refresh: Hygiene and Hope program, bringing together multiple partners to address gaps in services and reduce barriers to finding housing stability. Learn what’s being done and where opportunities still exist to move the needle on homelessness in Holland.

▪ November 23: No class on this date

▪ November 30: No class on this date

▪ December 7: Living Beyond Yourself: How India Broke My Heart for the Great Commission
Todd VanEk, President and CEO of Mission India

Over three billion people in the world today have little or no access to the gospel – we refer to them as the unreached. It’s easy to look at this staggering number of unreached people and label it as a missions problem, but this issue runs much deeper. In this class, we will explore why the numbers of unreached people are growing and how we can be a part of bringing God’s grace to where it is so desperately needed. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of the Great Commission and its calling of the Church of Jesus Christ. Discover how you can make a meaningful impact and experience the joy of being a part of reaching people with the Gospel who have never heard.