About

Moriah Ministries Mission

The Mission of Moriah Ministries is to be anchored in love, serving students by providing the opportunity to grow in spirit and truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We practice a ministry of presence, serving students, faculty, and alumni without discrimination in a variety of life experiences. We journey beside them and encourage them all as they make lifetime decisions and develop and practice their faith on campus and in the world.

Staff

John Modderman

Executive Director/Chaplain

John joined the Moriah team in 2022. He was named the Executive Director in 2023, an addition to his role as Chaplain for the Men’s Basketball and Baseball teams. A graduate of Cornerstone University, John has served on the foreign mission field in the Dominican Republic. He is a humble servant who leads the Moriah Team with gentleness and care. He starts ministry meals with “tell me something good,” directing the students toward the goodness of God. His vision is to disciple a generation of Christ followers into transformed hearts anchored in the love of Jesus.

John and Amy

Amy Modderman

Chaplain

Amy joined the Moriah team alongside her husband, John, in 2022. Previously, Amy served as a hospital chaplain and on the foreign mission field, leading teams to the Dominican Republic. Also a graduate of Cornerstone University, Amy currently serves the Women’s Basketball and Softball teams at GVSU. Supporting and serving students gives her great joy. Her hope is that students will come to know the “great love the Father has lavished on us.”

John and Amy bring with them the heart, wisdom, and ministry focus needed to serve students well at GVSU and to lead Moriah Ministries in the years ahead.

John and Amy with Family
Tony Bonacci and Family

Tony Bonacci

Chaplain

Tony is a volunteer chaplain for Track & Field, the largest group of team athletes at GVSU. Tony’s personal history with this wide-ranging sport gives him a solid base for reaching out and understanding the needs of these students. A former Pole Vaulter and graduate of Eastern Michigan University, he is the owner of Stitch Time and is married to Sara. He can be found in the Track & Field building and at many events and practices, encouraging students with his heartfelt passion to make a difference in their lives.

Peg Pyper

Peg Pyper

Office Administrator

Peg joined Moriah in 2023 after faithfully serving Bethany Christian Services for 34 years. She brings not only efficiency through her detail-oriented abilities, but joy and dedication to the team as well. Her gifts contribute greatly to the Moriah Team.

Volunteers

Moriah volunteers have a blast serving and we are always thankful to welcome volunteer partners in the ministry. Contact us today with your volunteer area of interest!

Moriah Volunteers serve on the following teams:

  • Hospitality: This team volunteers for event set up or clean up, and/or provides food preparation.
  • Technology: Volunteers provide expertise, guidance, and support in all things technology driven.
  • Digital Media:  Volunteer photographers, videographers, and film editors capture the essence of the ministry.
  • Golf Committee: This team is responsible for the success of our largest fundraising event. We work well with planners and go-getters who help coordinate the event and procure hole sponsors and auction/prize items. Event day volunteers are also needed for beverage carts, ticket sales, silent auction, and prize set up.
  • Fundraising: Volunteers serve by working specific fundraising events throughout the year. We serve concessions at Whitecaps Concessions, work at Culver’s Night, and collect cans at Recycled Can and Bottle Drive. New for Fall 2025: We are looking for volunteers at Laker Tailgating Town.
  • Prayer/Spiritual Committee: These precious volunteers are interceding for the Board, Staff and Community of Moriah Ministries. They are faithful quiet servants who lift the needs of Moriah to the Lord in Prayer.

*Moriah Ministries’ volunteers or staff who serve coaches are determined by a volunteer application process and require a training period.

Contact
Moriah Ministries Volunteers
Moriah Ministries Volunteers

Moriah Ministries History

Moriah Ministries began when Andy “Chap” McDaniel and his wife, Valerie and their family were called to the Greater Grand Rapids Area after serving many years with Youth For Christ. Andy recognized the need to serve the athletic and student community on the campus of Grand Valley State University. Under Andy’s leadership, Moriah Ministries was founded and became a vibrant growing ministry.

Incorporated in 2007, the ministry soon began serving students and then received its 501(c)(3) public charity non-profit status in 2009. Andy served the ministry from conception to the recent transition to Moriah’s second Executive Director, John Modderman, in 2023. Andy “Chap” McDaniel went home to be with Jesus on February 21, 2024, and the community of Moriah will forever be grateful for his faithful work.

Andy McDaniel
John and Amy
In 2022, John and Amy Modderman moved back “home” to live on mission with Moriah Ministries, and John was named Executive Director in 2023. John also serves as the team chaplain for Men’s Basketball and Baseball. As a former collegiate basketball player, John understands that an athlete’s identity must be more than the sport they play. He is moving the vision for Moriah with both passion and humility. John and Amy bring with them the heart, wisdom, and ministry focus needed to serve the GVSU community well, and to lead Moriah Ministries into the future.

2024 Board of Trustees

Moriah Ministries is governed by a Board of Trustees who faithfully and prayerfully steward all aspects of Moriah Ministries.

Mark Windemuller

Chair

Paul Burmeister

Vice Chair

Scott Froehlich

Treasurer

Greg Zost

Secretary

Tom Donald

Trustee

Jim Mannes

Trustee

Roger Modderman Jr.

Trustee

Michael Waldschlager

Trustee

Newsletter

Please subscribe to our ministry newsletter to stay connected, informed, and encouraged with inspiring stories, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities. Join us today!

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Join us in this mission!

Your gift empowers us to serve GVSU students through Moriah. Funded solely by our community, your support makes a lasting impact. Moriah Ministries is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible.

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