Our Mission
Love Sews Ministry is a Christian non-profit that works with individuals facing difficult life circumstances. Difficult circumstances can be anything from an unfavorable medial diagnosis, loss of a loved one, broken bones, depression, loneliness or anxiety. Our mission is to provide custom quilts to those in the midst of a difficult circumstance with the hope that the quilt will wrap the recipient in love, a tangible hug from Jesus.
Our key verse is 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on God because he cares for you." Our hope is that when a quilt recipient is wrapped up their quilt they are casting their anxiety on God and letting him care for them, offering peace in the midst of whatever challenges they are facing.
Love Sews ministry was established in March 2013. To date our volunteers have completed over 1,000 quilts that have been donated to individuals and families world wide. We can't wait to see what God has in store for the ministry.
Why Quilts?
Quilts are a tangible picture of life. Quilts are formed from a variety of fabrics, some mismatched, and all stitched together to form a unique piece of art. Each piece of fabric tells a different story and fits into the whole in a unique way. Similarly, life is a series of unique experiences and events all coming together to from an individuals story.
In the past, quilts were created as pieces of art and hung on the wall, not to be used. Modern quilting has taken a new direction believing that quilts should be used. The greatest compliment a quilt maker can receive is having their quilt look a little worn and loved. That means it has been used! We want each of our quilts to be used to the point where we need to make someone a new one. We hope that the recipients will wrap their quilts around them and feel a hug from Jesus.
Our Board of Directors
Meet our Board of Directors!
Shar Hekman, President
I live in Holland and have been married for 43 years. My husband and I have grown children who live in the Holland area. I learned to sew a long time ago, and learned to quilt after my daughter introduced it to me. My love of quilting continued to deepen over the years, and After retiring from working at a dental office and then chiropractic office, I am now blessed to be working at Love Sews full time. It has become my passion to bring the love of Christ to others through our ministry. To God be the glory that we can send His love to others through the quilts that we make.
Cindy Gale, Vice President
I live in Byron Center MI. And have been married for 39 years to my husband Mike. We have 3 married children, and 6 beautiful grandchildren whom I love making memories with.I am a floral designer, I also enjoy baking, making cards, gardening, traveling, and all sorts of crafting. I have sewn since I was a child, but learned to quilt from the girls at Love Sews back in 2017, and very quickly fell in love with it! What keeps me inspired to dedicate my time and heart to this ministry is the special way that we are able to reach out to people facing crisis situations--wrapping them in the love of Jesus.
Kathy Ryzenga, Secretary
I was born and raised in Holland Michigan. I am married to my husband Phil of 50 years and our son lives nearby with his wife and our 2 grandchildren. I few up in a family that sewed and was taught to sew at an early age. I have many craft interests including; knitting, cross stitch and quilting. After I retired from the HR Department at Magna/Donnelly, I started to fully explore quilting. I joined our local quilt guild in 2018, but was still looking for a place to volunteer for a few hours a week. A friend from the guild told me about Love Sews and I stopped in to check it out. I immediately felt welcomed and knew I had found what I was looking for. The wonderful caring people involved in this ministry share a passion for reaching out to people who are facing a difficult time in their lives.
Norma Bowron, Board Member
Holland, Michigan has been my home for 40 years although I grew up on the east side of the state. I have been married for 51 years, have 2 children, and 8 grandchildren. After retiring from Ottawa Country as an auditor, I returned to competitive dance roller skating after 43 years. My sewing skills were used in creating skating dresses for national competitions. However, after 3 different falls, breaking both shoulders, a wrist and having a consussion, it was time to give it up. The concussion caused depression and I joined the ladies at Love Sews to volunteer during the healing process. They patiently showed me how my sewing skills could be used at Love Sews. I love spending my time in a minsitry that blesses other with love, prayers, and a quilt wrap around them.
Becky Kempers, Board Member
My husband Denny and I have been married 45 years and live in Hamilton. We have a daughter who is married and has two daughters, and a son who is engaged to be married next year. I love doing crafts with my granddaughters and teaching them to sew. I started sewing in 5th grade 4H, and learned a lot from my mom who was an excellent seamstress. I also enjoy other crafts, making cards, and golfing. I joined Love Sews when I retired from doing cardiac ultrasound at Holland Hospital. I love being a part of showing Gods love to others with a quilt made just for them.
Peggy Klaasen, Board Member
I have been married to my husband Jack for 48 years. We have four married children and 11 grandchildren, 10 of which are boys! I love being involved in all their lives. I am also a do-it-yourselfer, having done many renovations to our house. I enjoy baking and decorating cakes for family birthdays. Sewing occupied my time in the past, and when I was introduced to Love Sews Ministry shorter after I retired two years ago, I knew that God wanted me to use my forgotten talent at Love Sews. I have been very blessed through this ministry and hope I am a blessing to others. I am reminded of 1 Peter 4:10, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of Gods grace in its various forms." God is good!