Student Spotlight

 

Social Work Major
Class of 2012
Potterville, Michigan

“Because my dad was a pastor and my parents were in ministry, I cannot remember a time when I was not a Christian,” said Amy LaDuke, a Kuyper College senior. “Yet, while there was never a doubt in my mind that God existed, I believed in God because my parents told me to and because I was afraid of going to hell if I didn’t.” However, during the summer before eighth grade, Amy remembers going to a camp and truly understanding for the first time that Christ loved her. “With all of my sin and failures, I was still perfect in His eyes,” she said. “That moment was life defining for me. It completely took my breath away.” Amy added that her life has not been perfect since that day. “However, I can honestly say that He has been with me throughout every step of my life. Though I have failed Him, He has never failed me. And it is in Him that I place my life because I know without a shadow of a doubt that He is the only firm foundation on which to place my faith, hope and love.” 

The third oldest of six siblings, Amy smiles as she talks about her close family and growing up playing games and enjoying great vacations. “We would play anything from hockey to football to board games together,” she said. “And vacations were always so much fun because we would go every summer to a cabin in Northern Michigan, always sticking to tradition—buy fudge, watch the original ‘Star Wars’ and have banana splits. They are great memories from my childhood.”

After high school Amy began to look for a college, searching the Internet for hours trying to find a Bible-based school where she could still get a social work degree. “I had already registered at a Christian college in Virginia,” she said. “However, I did not feel at peace about it. Finally, surfing the Web late at night I came upon Kuyper and realized they had everything I was looking for. I knew from the peace in my heart that it was totally a God-thing—finding a college where my walk with the Lord would be encouraged and developed while receiving a challenging academic education.” She said that Kuyper has given her everything she was looking for as well as an environment where she’s not lost in the crowd. “At Kuyper I am seen, appreciated and encouraged as an individual to be the best that I can be at whatever I do,” said Amy. She added that the staff and faculty took time to know her as a person. “The faculty pushed me to do my best in my academics and also challenged me to take what I am learning and apply it to my life. Also, whenever I’ve had difficulty in class, the professors have always made the time to do their best to help. I have never seen a staff member tell a student who has come to their office with a problem to come back at a different time.” Amy added that Kuyper also gave her the opportunity to do her internship in Romania: “During my time there I learned lifelong lessons that will direct my entire life. Because of my financial situation, I never thought it would be possible to do an overseas internship, but Kuyper made it possible.”

Amy said that Kuyper has had a deep impact on her life. “I know that I am a different person now than when I first began attending—the school has helped me to develop as a person and refine my worldview,” she said. “This view encourages me to see Christ’s redeeming work in all aspects of life.”

According to her, she is planning on working for a year in a social work setting to gain experience and then go on for a master’s degree in social work. “…And possibly, study for my law degree after that, in order to effectively work in the area of human trafficking. I am grateful to see how far the Lord has brought me and excited to see where He wants to take me and my education to positively impact the community around me.”