First Priority of Muskegon+

First Priority of Muskegon+ Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from First Priority of Muskegon+, Nonprofit Organization, PO Box 5314, Muskegon, MI.

Last but certainly not least, we celebrate Russell Bauman, who faithfully served Montague Middle School this year and ma...
06/23/2026

Last but certainly not least, we celebrate Russell Bauman, who faithfully served Montague Middle School this year and made an incredible impact on students, leaders, and fellow coaches throughout our First Priority family.

Russell somehow found room in an already packed schedule to invest in students week after week. As a dedicated youth pastor, busy father, and husband whose family welcomed a new baby in April, he still faithfully answered the call to disciple the next generation and serve wherever God led.

Throughout the year, Russell also served as an Invite Week speaker at many of our campuses, bringing passion, authenticity, and a deep love for God’s Word to every opportunity. Whether speaking to a room full of students or encouraging a single leader, Russell has a gift for helping people see who God created them to be.

One of Russell’s greatest strengths is discipleship. He genuinely loves helping students grow in their faith and discover their God-given purpose. Time and time again, he helps young people recognize the gifts God has placed within them and challenges them to faithfully steward those gifts for God’s glory. He doesn’t just teach students what to believe—he teaches them how to follow Jesus with their whole lives.

Russell is also a constant source of encouragement. He pours into everyone he encounters, always willing to offer wisdom, support, and a reminder of God’s faithfulness. His positive influence reaches far beyond the walls of a club meeting and continues to impact students, churches, and leaders throughout our community.

God is using Russell mightily in our area, and we are grateful for the way he faithfully invests in the next generation of Christ-followers.

Russell, thank you for your servant heart, your commitment to discipleship, and your willingness to continually say “yes” to God’s call. You are a tremendous blessing to our First Priority clubs, our students, and our entire community. Thank you St. James Lutheran Church for sharing him with us!

❤️

Today we celebrate Nataly Avotins, who faithfully served as our Whitehall High School Campus Coach during the 2025-26 sc...
06/22/2026

Today we celebrate Nataly Avotins, who faithfully served as our Whitehall High School Campus Coach during the 2025-26 school year!

One of Nataly’s greatest strengths is her genuine and disarming nature. Students are drawn to her authenticity and feel safe sharing their true selves, knowing they will be met with grace, encouragement, and truth. She has a unique gift for building relationships that create opportunities for discipleship and spiritual growth.

Nataly is also a true mobilizer. This year, she helped encourage the Whitehall High School basketball team to initiate a post-game prayer circle following a rivalry matchup. Hundreds watched as students publicly demonstrated their faith, and our community stood in awe of God’s goodness on display through young people unashamed to honor Him.

Behind the scenes, Nataly faithfully captures stories of God’s faithfulness through photos and videos, helping others see the incredible work He is doing in and through students. Whether she’s mentoring student leaders, documenting testimonies, or encouraging students to take the next step in their faith journey, Nataly leads with purpose and passion.

Thank you, Nataly, for your faithful leadership, your heart for students, and your commitment to raising up the next generation of Christ-followers. Your impact reaches far beyond what you can see, and we are grateful for the countless lives you’ve influenced this year. Thank you Life Change Church for sharing her with us this year!

❤️

06/22/2026

"Being involved in First Priority since middle school has helped shape not only my faith, but also how I understand leadership. My faith has taught me that leadership is not about recognition or authority, but about service, humility, and standing up for others. As I have grown into high school, I have become more aware of the challenges students face, especially those who feel unheard or overlooked. My faith gives me a strong sense of purpose and responsibility to advocate for others with honesty, compassion, and courage, even when it is uncomfortable."

— Mikyle, Florida 💙

Today we celebrate Luke Craymer, who faithfully served as our Montague High School Campus Coach alongside Chuck Connell ...
06/21/2026

Today we celebrate Luke Craymer, who faithfully served as our Montague High School Campus Coach alongside Chuck Connell during the 2025-26 school year.

It’s hard to figure out how Luke manages to fit everything into his schedule. Between pastoring a church, driving a school bus, being a devoted husband and father, and serving his community, he still faithfully makes time to walk alongside student leaders and invest in the next generation.

What students love most about Luke is that he leads from his authentic self. His lighthearted personality, sense of humor, and genuine joy make students feel comfortable and welcomed, while his spiritual depth consistently challenges them to grow in their faith. He demonstrates that effective leadership isn’t about being someone you’re not—it’s about allowing God to use who He created you to be.

Luke rarely showed up empty-handed. Whether he was carrying a box full of Bibles, stacks of pizzas, or enough Wesco donuts to make students smile, he always found practical ways to show students they were valued and cared for. Huge shout out to him for driving in a snow storm to get Chick Fil A for our Fields of Faith event!🙌🏻But more importantly, he brought a heart committed to discipleship and helping students take their next step with Jesus.

Luke embodies the mission found in Matthew 28:19:

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

For Luke, that calling isn’t just a verse—it’s a lifestyle. He faithfully lives it out by investing in students, equipping leaders, building relationships, and pointing young people toward Christ.

Thank you, Luke, for your servant leadership, your joyful spirit, and your commitment to making disciples. We are grateful for the countless ways you have impacted students through your faithful obedience and willingness to answer God’s call. Thank you Rothbury Community Church for sharing Luke with us this year!

❤️

What began as serving as an Invite Week speaker quickly grew into something much more. This year, Jake Lewis stepped int...
06/20/2026

What began as serving as an Invite Week speaker quickly grew into something much more. This year, Jake Lewis stepped into the role of co-leader for our Whitehall 7th Grade First Priority club, and we are so grateful he answered the call.

Jake brings wisdom, encouragement, and what students affectionately know as his powerful “truth bombs” to every meeting. He has a unique gift for connecting with middle school students, challenging them to grow in their faith while creating an environment where they feel seen, valued, and inspired.

Leading a large group of energetic middle schoolers is no small task, but Jake’s steady leadership, humor, and authenticity helped keep students engaged, focused, and excited to be part of the club. His influence extends far beyond one school—he is a true mobilizer within the faith community, consistently finding ways to encourage others and advance God’s Kingdom.

Jake, thank you for sharing your gifts, talents, and heart for students with First Priority this year. Your investment in the next generation is making an eternal difference, and we are better because of your faithful service. Thank you Life Change Church for sharing him with students!

❤️

Today we celebrate Jenna Sorensen, a Campus Coach with an incredible heart for this generation! Jenna is passionate abou...
06/18/2026

Today we celebrate Jenna Sorensen, a Campus Coach with an incredible heart for this generation! Jenna is passionate about walking alongside students, encouraging them, supporting them, and pointing them toward Christ in every opportunity she has.

Her leadership has made a powerful impact across our community. Jenna served on the worship team for our First Priority Worship Night, helping unite students and leaders from six different churches in a beautiful display of unity in Christ. She also led worship for our joint First Priority and FCA Fields of Faith event, creating an atmosphere where students could openly worship and respond to God’s call.

More than anything, Jenna genuinely loves young people. Her servant-hearted spirit, willingness to step in wherever needed, and commitment to investing in students make her a tremendous blessing to First Priority.

Thank you, Jenna, for your faithful leadership, your love for students, and your dedication to seeing this generation know and follow Jesus! ❤️ Thank you Hope Bible Chapel for sharing her with us!

Some people serve when it’s convenient. Justin Stenhouwer serves wherever God calls—and then keeps saying “yes.”Justin f...
06/17/2026

Some people serve when it’s convenient. Justin Stenhouwer serves wherever God calls—and then keeps saying “yes.”

Justin faithfully answered the call to support and lead First Priority, serving first at Whitehall and then expanding his impact to North Muskegon Middle School, North Muskegon High School, and two clubs at Reeths-Puffer High School. Week after week, he has faithfully invested in students across four different clubs, demonstrating what it means to live a life of obedience and service.

Justin can’t stop, won’t stop sharing his faith and walking alongside this next generation of Jesus followers. He brings wisdom, encouragement, gentleness, and a genuine heart for discipleship to every conversation and every club meeting. Student leaders know they can count on him for support, truth, and guidance.

One of Justin’s greatest gifts is his ability to recognize Kairos moments—those God-ordained opportunities to encourage, challenge, and speak life into others. Whether he’s mentoring a student leader, connecting with a struggling student, or encouraging a fellow coach, Justin never misses a chance to point people toward Christ.

Justin also served as the Gospel presentation speaker at our joint First Priority/FCA Fields of Faith event. Through his clear and compelling presentation of the Gospel, students were challenged to respond to God’s invitation, and 41 students came forward in response. It was a powerful reminder of what can happen when someone faithfully shares the truth of Jesus.

Thank you, Justin, for understanding the mission, embracing the call, and faithfully serving week after week in FOUR clubs. Your investment in students is multiplying across our community, and your impact will be felt for years to come. Every chance you get is a chance to speak life into someone, and we are grateful for the countless lives you have impacted through your faithful service. Thank you Life Change Church for sharing him with us this year!

❤️

Today we celebrate Ryan Stuckey, our faithful Campus Coach at Hart High School and the very first First Priority Campus ...
06/16/2026

Today we celebrate Ryan Stuckey, our faithful Campus Coach at Hart High School and the very first First Priority Campus Coach in Oceana County!

Ryan has a heart for discipleship and is deeply passionate about building up students to become leaders who confidently live out their faith on campus. Although he wasn’t physically on campus during the school day, Ryan faithfully walked alongside two Hart High School clubs, equipping students to lead on their own and embrace their role as student missionaries.

One of Ryan’s greatest strengths is empowering students rather than doing the work for them. He intentionally invested in student leaders, helping them develop the confidence, skills, and faith needed to lead their peers and take ownership of their clubs.

Ryan’s commitment to students goes far beyond a weekly meeting. Who else gets up at 5:00 a.m. to help students make breakfast for their peers before school? Ryan does! His willingness to sacrifice time, energy, and sleep to serve students is a beautiful reflection of his heart for the next generation.

Week after week, Ryan faithfully showed up before school to encourage, disciple, and invest in students. Through his leadership, students learned that following Jesus isn’t just something you talk about—it’s something you live out every day.

Thank you, Ryan, for pioneering First Priority in Oceana County, for faithfully pouring into students, and for equipping young people to step into leadership. Your investment is producing fruit that will impact students and their campuses for years to come. Thank you Hart First Baptist Church for sharing Ryan with us!

❤️

Today we celebrate Ryan Olexa, who faithfully served as the Campus Coach for First Priority at Mona Shores Middle School...
06/15/2026

Today we celebrate Ryan Olexa, who faithfully served as the Campus Coach for First Priority at Mona Shores Middle School during the 2025-26 school year!

Ryan jumped into the role of Campus Coach with enthusiasm and a heart for discipleship. As a testament to both his leadership and the students’ excitement, the club quickly outgrew its classroom within the first two meetings! From the beginning, Ryan created an environment where students felt empowered to lead, and he was able to step back and watch student leaders take ownership week after week.

His patient, gentle demeanor helped students develop confidence as they learned how to lead club meetings, navigate challenges, and manage a rapidly growing group of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Ryan understands that true leadership is not about doing everything yourself—it’s about equipping others to step into their God-given potential.

One of Ryan’s greatest joys this year was watching one of the students from his youth group come out of her shell and begin leading boldly in club. Seeing students discover their voice, grow in confidence, and step into leadership is exactly what discipleship is all about, and Ryan faithfully invested in making that happen.

Ryan’s impact extends beyond one campus. His passion for student-led ministry and his commitment to developing young leaders will continue to help establish and strengthen other student-led clubs throughout our area in the years ahead.

Ryan, you truly understand the mission of discipleship. Thank you for your faithful obedience, your servant heart, and your willingness to invest in student missionaries. We are incredibly blessed by your leadership and grateful for the lasting impact you are making in the lives of students. Thank you Calvary Church - Muskegon, MI for sharing him with us!

❤️

Today we celebrate Chuck Connell, who faithfully served as our Montague High School Campus Coach alongside Luke Craymer ...
06/14/2026

Today we celebrate Chuck Connell, who faithfully served as our Montague High School Campus Coach alongside Luke Craymer during the 2025-26 school year.

Chuck is a wonderful example of what it looks like to say “yes” to God’s calling, even in a busy season of life. While helping pastor a church, investing in youth ministry, raising a family, and somehow finding time to train for marathons, Chuck still faithfully made time to pour into First Priority students every week.

His commitment extended beyond his own campus. Whenever there was a need, Chuck was willing to step in as an Invite Week speaker at other First Priority clubs, sharing the hope of the Gospel and encouraging students throughout our network.

Students know and love Chuck because he genuinely cares about them. He doesn’t just show up for club meetings—he shows up for students. Whether supporting them at events, encouraging them through challenges, or simply taking time to listen, Chuck consistently demonstrates the love of Christ through his presence and investment in their lives.

One of Chuck’s greatest gifts is his passion for teaching God’s Word. He loves helping students understand Scripture, diving deep into passages and showing them how God’s truth applies to their everyday lives. Students have often heard Chuck remind them of the promise found in Isaiah 55:11:

“My word… will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Chuck believes wholeheartedly in the power of God’s Word, and that conviction shines through every lesson, conversation, and challenge he gives to students.

Thank you, Chuck, for faithfully serving, teaching, encouraging, and investing in the next generation. Your impact reaches far beyond what you can see, and we are grateful for your obedience to God’s call.
Thank you ECC Whitehall for sharing him with us this year!

❤️

Address

PO Box 5314
Muskegon, MI
49445

Telephone

(616)9903174

Website

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