Pam Diephuis
Pam has been volunteering with the Cody Partnership since January 2016.
She grew up in a Christian home in the Grand Rapids area, attending Christian schools from K-12. As the oldest of six kids, and following her parents’ divorce, she found herself playing a significant “mothering” role for her five siblings. It wasn’t until after high school that she felt she actually had a childhood. That led to some poor decision making which then led to a serious motorcycle accident.
Her first encounter with Jesus was during her recovery from the accident, resulting in a re-evaluation of her life. She went on to get her LPN and RN nursing degrees. It was her work at a psychiatric hospital that exposed her love for building relationships.
Later, while attending a church with no outreach, she felt like a change was needed and found a large, outreach-oriented church where she immersed herself in the kids’ ministries. After moving to Novi, she attended Bible study at Oak Pointe. She challenged her high school-aged son to find a youth group, and he picked 707 at Oak Pointe. So the entire family started to attend Oak Pointe 13 years ago.
Prayerfully, she asked God “Where do you want me?” When Pastor Kurt started the Cody Partnership, even though frightened, she decided to “put on her boots.” Kurt led her to the book club that has subsequently led to powerful relationships with many Cody students. She has been diligent in getting kids out of the school and their homes to show them life outside their neighborhoods and expose them to the wonders of Jesus Christ. Eventually, Pam also joined Bill Gaines at Mann Elementary, helping with both the reading tutoring and the JAM (Jesus and Me) Club.
The Cody Rouge community is a different world, even though it is only 25 miles from the church’s door. Every time Pam has stepped into the unknown in faith, she has been richly blessed by God. She is convinced you will be blessed as well when you join her.