Outreach Ministries

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The Carmichaels serve in Welkom, South Africa at The Pines. Phil is the general manager, handling lots of details for the operation of The Pines. Alana handles a lot of work behind the scenes, with organizing and distributing clothing, assigning and communicating with sponsors, and a lot more. Their Sending Church is Georgetown Bible, in Michigan.

Kevin Grifhorst
Executive Director

Kevin grew up attending summer camps, including Pine Ridge. In fact it was at Pine Ridge where he made some key spiritual commitments to serve the Lord with his life. When it became clear that God was leading Kevin into the Christian camping ministry, he pursued the Lord’s calling and was commissioned as a missionary by Grandville Baptist Church. Kevin became the Executive Director in 2002 after serving in varying Camp roles since 1987. Kevin has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in Religious Education from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary of Cornerstone University. Kevin is also involved in the West Michigan community by having served on several boards including 14 years as Chairman of the Nelson Township Planning Commission and vice chairman on the board of Keys for Kids. In addition, he has served on the Michigan cabinet of CCCA (Christian Camps and Conference Association), including two terms as President. Kevin also has taught undergrad courses at Cornerstone University. Kevin loves camp ministry, reading, sports, and his family.

Michelle Grifhorst
Director Of Business Operations

Michelle grew up in a loving home in Granger, Indiana with her parents and older sister. She went to church camp as a child and gave her life to the Lord during the summer that she turned 9 years old. In 1995, Michelle graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She went on to further her education by receiving a Master's Degree from Grand Valley State University. In 1998, Michelle joined the Pine Ridge team as the Oasis Camp Coordinator. Through a couple years of working at Pine Ridge, Michelle fell in love with the camp ministry and with her eventual husband, Kevin. Kevin and Michelle married in August of 2000. Michelle soon stepped into the role of overseeing the finances. Over the years, Michelle continues to manage the Camp's finances, teach chapels for the young children, teach Bible Club at Cedar Springs Public Schools, and oversee the Camp's two main fundraising events (the auction and the golf marathon). Kevin and Michelle have four children, Jadon, Chloe, Levi, and Ella.

Tri-M: Rwanda, Africa

Rich and Richelle have served as a pastor and wife team at Village Baptist Church in Aurora, IL., since 1988. They have participated in numerous short-term mission trips into Ukraine, China, and beginning in 2005 providing theological training in Rwanda and the DRCongo. In 2009 they were invited by TRI-M leaders to become full-time missionaries to provide theological training to pastors, their wives and ministry-minded students.

Rich currently serves as the Director of Tri-m with a team of 12 couples serving in 17-20 countries. This ministry is beneficial for students in second and third world communities who are called by God to be teachers and pastors but who are not able to attend Bible colleges/seminaries due to their lack of financial resources and their isolated locations. When the Howards are not traveling or teaching overseas they live in Aurora, IL. They have five adult children and 11 grandchildren.