Called to Care: How McKenna Schafer ’16 Lives Out Her Faith in Nursing
When McKenna Shafer ’16 walks into the ICU each day, she never knows what challenges await. As a nurse serving patients and families in northern Michigan at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, she regularly encounters situations that are heartbreaking, difficult, and deeply human. Yet through it all, she carries with her a foundation that was built years ago at Zeeland Christian.
Reflecting on her time at ZCS, McKenna remembers something that extended far beyond academics: a community that genuinely cared.
“There was just a sense of community where everyone wanted what was best for you and worked together to make that possible,” she says.
One teacher in particular left a lasting impact. When McKenna's father lost his job during her fifth-grade year, Mrs. Driy stepped in with kindness and care, regularly checking in and making sure she felt supported.
“She took me under her wing and made sure I was taken care of,” McKenna recalls.
She also remembers learning the Shema in Hebrew with Mrs. Huizinga, whose passion for teaching helped make faith come alive in the classroom. Another transformative experience was participating in a trip to visit our sister school, Grace Community Christian, in the Philippines.
“That trip shaped me in so many different ways,” she says. “It made me cherish life in a new way. We are so blessed, and we don’t even know how blessed we are.”
While many memories stand out, McKenna says one of the greatest gifts ZCS gave her was a strong foundation in her faith. She still remembers these three phrases from our seventh-grade faith formation focus: Who am I? Who are we? And who is He?
“I often reflect on that,” she says. “They took time to make sure we as seventh graders, who are often confused about who we are, were able to grow in our faith and learn more about God daily.”
That foundation has carried her through high school, college, and now a demanding healthcare career. As an ICU nurse, McKenna often finds herself wrestling with difficult questions and witnessing profound suffering. Yet she continually returns to the confidence that God is present in every story.
“Because ZCS gave me such a good foundation in my faith, I am able to know who I am and whose I am,” she says. “I don’t have to dwell on the sad things I see at work because I know that He is in every story and will work it for the good of His kingdom.”
Rooted in God's love and secure in her identity in Christ, she is able to care for patients with compassion and hope.
“Each case that walks through our doors is another opportunity to share God’s love to those who may not know Him,” she says. “Each shift I pray that God will guide me and have all I do be for His glory and not mine.”
She acknowledges that nursing often brings moments of uncertainty and questions, but her faith gives her confidence to keep moving forward.
“ZCS taught me that in times of struggle to turn to God instead of dwelling on it and overthinking about it,” she says.
Another enduring gift from her years at Zeeland Christian is the relationships she built.
“Anytime I see someone that I went to ZCS with, I know I can trust and rely on them.”
Today, whether she's comforting a family, caring for a critically ill patient, or simply showing up faithfully for another shift, McKenna continues to live out the lessons she learned at ZCS. Through service, compassion, and a deep trust in God's faithfulness, she is using her gifts to care for others and reflect Christ's love in some of life's most difficult moments.
As McKenna looks ahead, she remains grounded in the same truth that was nurtured during her years at ZCS: knowing who she is, whose she is, and trusting God to continue using her exactly as He designed.
"I know that God has called me to serve the sick, and I trust him that through every shift, His hand will guide me and give me his peace."