Scholarships

For students who have participated in Neland Church activities but are not members, we offer one scholarship per year to a high school student and one to a student pursuing education beyond high school.

David C. Snyder Memorial Scholarship, Christian Education for Neland Neighborhood Youth

This scholarship fund honors Dave Snyder, who had a special place in his heart for youth from the community whom he mentored as a Cadet counselor, church-school teacher, Council member, and Neland Church neighbor.

Dave and wife Marlyce lived and worked in the neighborhood surrounding Neland Church, and their desire was for their community to experience equitable social, educational, and economic opportunities. The Snyders believed strongly in the importance of Christian education and wanted the children they mentored to experience Christian education, with the support of a caring church community who would encourage them along their educational journey. 

Tragically, Dave died in a car accident in 2007. To honor his memory and his commitment to sharing the gospel and working for social equity, Marlyce and their children—Rachel, Chris, Patrick, and Jeffrey—along with friends and family, established a scholarship for students who are not members of Neland Church to attend Christian school.

As of 2022, the scholarship has assisted eleven students involved in Neland’s youth programs who wanted to attend Grand Rapids Christian High School. The school, in turn, has worked thoughtfully with Neland in managing educational costs and supporting our scholarship students with tutoring and guidance as needed. This scholarship program has impacted not only scholarship recipients, but also their mentors and parents, and the GRCHS community.

For more information about this scholarship, please contact the Neland Church office.

The Cheryl Hoogstrate Scholarship

This fund honors and celebrates the life of Cheryl (Bokhoven) Hoogstrate, who actively and enthusiastically encouraged, supported, and challenged young people from Neland’s neighborhood who participated in our high school youth program.

While a counselor and later a nurse at Camp Tall Turf, Cheryl grew in her love for the children, young people, and parents from the community who treasured their week away at camp. It was also where Cheryl met her husband, Bill Hoogstrate, who, as camp director, was equally dedicated to enriching the lives of community kids and their families.

After spending an evening full of laughter with the Neland youth group, Cheryl unexpectedly died during the night on November 22, 2004.

To honor her memory and her commitment and love for these young people, her family—husband Bill Hoogstrate, daughter Katie, sons Matthew and Jacob, and her parents, Ken and Wanda Bokhoven, with the support of family, friends, and co-workers, established this scholarship fund.

Its goal is to encourage students who have participated in Neland’s youth programs to continue their education after high school and to assist them with the cost of their college education, as well as to provide a mentor to walk alongside them during their journey.

As of Fall 2022, twelve recipients have attended Grand Rapids Community College, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Central Michigan University, Western Michigan University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Calvin University, Texas Southern University, and Georgia State University.

Neland church has generously honored Cheryl’s commitment and continued her legacy of reaching out to young people from our community. We are grateful to the Neland faith family for its support.

For more information about this scholarship, please contact the Neland Church office.