1️⃣ This Week’s Highlights
Kroc Center 15th Anniversary Celebration
We’re continuing to celebrate 15 years of the Grand Rapids Kroc Center all month long!
15 for 15 Kroc Challenge
- Runs October 1–31
- Challenge cards available at the Welcome Desk and Fitness Desk
- Members complete activities to earn 15 points and finish the challenge
- Finishers will receive a special edition 15th Anniversary Kroc t-shirt (distribution in November)
Gratitude Cards
Throughout October, there are gratitude cards on the Kroc refrigerator for staff and members to share their love for the Kroc.
Anniversary Day Celebration – October 23
- Members can bring a friend for free
- Morning refreshments
- Evening refreshments
- Photo booth
🏈 Michigan vs. Michigan State Employee Tailgate
Get ready to show your team spirit! We’re hosting a Michigan vs. Michigan State Employee Tailgate on Thursday, October 23, from 12–1 PM out back. Join us for great food, fun, and friendly rivalry as we gear up for the big game on Saturday, October 25.
Then on Friday, October 24, all staff are encouraged to wear their Michigan or Michigan State gear to show support for their favorite team.
Everyone is welcome—even if you’re not scheduled to work that day. Come enjoy the food, fellowship, and friendly competition!
2️⃣ Program Updates
- Fall 1 programs – Week 6
- Fall 2 registration continues
- AYSO – Tuesday–Thursday & Saturday
- Kroc 101 & Customer Service – Tuesday, Admin Conference, 3:45–6 PM
3️⃣ Facility Notices 🛠️
Rentals
- Monday & Wednesday: East FC Fall Practices, 5–8 PM
- Friday: GRAB – Fireside C, 11:30 AM–1:15 PM
- Saturday: Birthday Party – Fireside A/B, 1–4 PM
- Friday–Sunday: East FC Games
- Friday, 5:30–7 PM
- Saturday, 2–7 PM
- Sunday, 12:30–4 PM
4️⃣ Staff Announcements 🎉
Green Dot Moments & Staff Shoutouts
- Shout out to Albert for his interaction with a young boy in the gym, helping explain the rules — everyone seemed to walk away happy after the conversation.
- Shout out to our members for encouraging and inviting others to the Kroc!
- Shout out to Lisa for signing on a new member and making the process smooth.
- Shout out to Lisa for hosting Kroc 101!
- Shout out to Ronda for helping the Reeds get more acquainted with the Kroc.
- Shout out to Allison for helping the Reeds with program forms.
- Shout out to Sammie for taking time to attend the Day Camp Summit.
- Shout out to Facilities for helping keep the building running smoothly!
- Shout out to everyone who is helping keep the pool running well!
- Shout out to the aquatics leads for handling some last-minute call-offs and keeping the pool amenities open.
- Shout out to Brent and Jessica for also going down to South Bend for the Day Camp Summit.
- Shout out to Joselyn and Lisa for all their work at the welcome desk.
- Shout out to Albert for covering during a family emergency.
- Shout out to all the building supervisors and everyone who helped make the outdoor rentals run smoothly.
🎂 Birthdays This Week
- October 14 – Mark S.
- October 16 – Kathleen D.
- October 16 – Damon L.
👋 Welcome New Staff
- Angelina B. – Child Watch Attendant
📌 Open Positions at the Kroc Center
- Lifeguard
- Welcome Desk Attendant
- Fitness Attendant
- Aquatics Lead
- Child Watch Attendant
- Dance Instructor
- Swim Instructor
Apply here: grkroccenter.org/learn-more/careers
5️⃣ Reminders & Resources 📌
- Benefit Enrollment Continues
- Enroll by October 31
- Changes effective January 1, 2026
- Staff Christmas Party
- Save the date! Saturday, December 6, 5–8 PM at Craig’s Cruisers
🙌 Missional Moment
Curiosity Over Certainty – Following Jesus’ Questioning Way
Jesus asked 307 questions in the Gospels and directly answered only three. His ministry was less about handing out certainty and more about drawing people into discovery. Questions disarmed, opened dialogue, and made room for transformation.
The Army has historically been bold in asking hard questions about society: Why are children hungry? Why are people trapped in addiction? Why is injustice tolerated? Today at the Kroc, our questions should challenge assumptions and spark collaboration across our departments and community.
Certainty can close doors; questions open them. The Kingdom of Jesus grows in the soil of curiosity, not rigid answers.
Practice:
- Replace one statement with a genuine, open-ended question.
- Ask someone outside your department how they see an issue you face.
- Practice Jesus’ approach: “What do you think?” before offering your own view.
Scripture: “On the way he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’” — Mark 8:27
— Pastor Mark
✝️ Note from the Pastor
2 Corinthians 12:7–10
Our Weakness, His Spirit, His Grace, His Glory
All too often in life, many, if not all of us, feel as if there is something in our daily lives that seems to stick with us. It may be a headache, it could be an affliction of some kind, maybe it is an inability to focus or not being able to stop thinking certain thoughts. This is a real struggle that many people deal with and can often leave us wondering, “Why me? Why am I dealing with this every day, and why does it never go away?”
Paul had posed this same question in 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, when he was given a thorn in his side to keep him from becoming conceited. Paul cried to the Lord three times asking the Lord to take it away and the response he received was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This response encouraged Paul to look past the problem and instead see God in the midst of it.
Much like Paul did, we too need to understand that the thorns we may have in our sides are not meant to deter us or make us frustrated—it is, in fact, quite the opposite. They are meant to make us lean into God even more. Today, if you are struggling with a thorn in your side, I encourage you to change your perspective and see it as a blessing. As the scripture says in verse 10b, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
So take courage and be strengthened in Christ today.
— Captain Jack Huffman
🙏 Prayer Requests
- Prayers for our employees dealing with sickness.
- Prayers for aging parents.
