My name is Zack VanderWall, I am 22 years old and live in Grand Rapids, MI. I have been born in raised here in Grand Rapids, something I very thankful for. I have two sister, both an older and a younger, Rachel and Ellie. My parents are Bret and Carol and they are amazing.. not gonna beat around the bush on that one. Both sets of my Grand Parents live in the same area tieing the family knot all that much tighter. My family has been my back bone since day, I see examples everyday of living honorably and faithfully while spending time with my family.
I graduated from East Kentwood High School in 2009 were I played football and pole-vaulted for the track and field team. My years at East Kentwood and pole-vaulting have been some of my fondest years. After graduating I moved to East Lansing and attended Lansing Community College for two years. I studied Graphic Design while doing my General Ed classes. My best bud (room-mate) and I got creatively involved in the music scene of Lansing these couple years feeding my interest in Graphic Design and music.
After Lansing Community College I transferred to Grand Valley State University for another year of schooling. I was living back at home in Grand Rapids where I started to attend Cornerstone Methodist Church and have grown very fond of it. I have gone on several mission trips through Cornerstone and all those on the team will forever have a special place in my heart.
I am an avid Detroit sports fan, especially for my Detroit Lions. I am a big fan of my Michigan Wolverines… GO BLUE! My other best bud and brother in life played soccer so I have grown fond of that sport as well… I imagine I could be playing a lot of it in months to come. Crazy to think of how much sports I am going to miss while on the Race, it will be good for me though.
Besides sports I have an even deeper love for music. My sisters and I were encouraged to learn an instrument since a young age, I chose guitar and have been playing since the first grade. I don't think I have gone a day without listening to music, and I hope I never have to. Some of my favorite artists are Jack Johnson, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and BB King. I am also a huge sucker for movies as well, my favorite being Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
After my mission trip to Kenya this past July I knew that school was not where I belonged. I had been searching and planning for ways to get back to Kenya for an extended period of time, I was thinking 6 months to a year. I knew that my heart was being called to serve and I knew that God was calling me OUT to do it. After months of no real progress in my Kenya plans the Lord reminded me of The World Race. I submitted my application in January and received my acceptance later that month. It is early February and I feel as if I am in the midst of a whirl-wind, at the same time I know I am exactly where I should be. God knows best.
*More detailed perspectives how who I am will come in other entries.
