Paul Alan Land

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Jennie Land.

Surviving are his brother, Bob (Ruth) Land, his wife of 60 years, Judy; daughters Terri Lynn Land (Dan Hibma), Sandra (Mark) Strandberg, Mary (Roger) Lucas, and Kathryn (John) Desser; grandchildren Jessica (Tim) Courtois, Nicholas (Erin) Hibma, Jeremy Strandberg, Cayla Strandberg, Jenny Lucas, Katy Lucas, Gabriella Hope (Lincoln) Young, Jake (Lydia) Lucas, Stephen Lucas, Maria Desser, McKinley Desser, and Jeannette Desser; nephew Gary (Holli) Land, and niece Sharon (Mike) Harig. Paul was also blessed with two great-grandchildren Vivian Courtois and Ulysseus Young; and many close cousins.

Paul learned the value of hard work from his parents on the family farm, located on 28th St., which included hauling black dirt at the age of 14. As a young man Paul served his country faithfully in the U.S. Navy.

In 1957 Paul and Judy married; together they provided a loving home, while raising their four daughters. Motivated by an entrepreneurial spirit, Paul started his career developing modular home communities, with his parents Henry and Jennie, and brother Bob, later forming a partnership with Leonard Maas. As demand for residential housing grew, Paul’s vision grew with it, forming Land & Company in 1987. Paul took great delight working along with the gifted employees of Land & Co., building and providing reasonably priced housing in the West Michigan area. Paul’s generosity and “can-do” spirit was felt locally and globally, and his involvement in organizations ranged from supporting the local Chamber of Commerce to helping school children in Africa.

In 1994, Paul founded World Mission, a non-profit ministry that has provided clean water, medical supplies, disaster relief, and audio scriptures to more than twelve million people worldwide, primarily in Africa and Asia. Together with Greg Kelley, World Mission was able to produce and distribute the Treasure, a solar powered audio Bible in over 6,000 languages to 200,000 unreached people in remote areas of the world. Paul’s visionary leadership planted and started more than a half a dozen thrift centers in western Michigan, to help resource the vision of World Mission. The faithful distribution of the Treasure has been entrusted to World Mission’s National Partners, which provides the ability for millions to hear the spoken word of the Bible, in their heart language. In 1998, World Mission incorporated Helimission into their outreach, which allowed evangelists with support to plant churches in more remote areas, followed up with distribution of treasures. Paul was also a founding member of the Worldwide Christian Schools (now known as Tent Schools International), created more than thirty years ago to train teachers, and build schools across the developing world. Never too eager to talk about his accomplishments, he was supportive of family, friends and community members. Paul was always willing to invest in people, giving of himself and his resources to many in America and impacting many overseas through his work in missions.

In 1999, Paul was recognized for his local contributions when he was named Grandville’s Man of the Year. Given the opportunity, Paul enjoyed encouraging others to work hard while offering a steady stream of ideas and encouragement to them. Paul also loved politics and supporting candidates for public office. He especially enjoyed putting up signs and campaigning in support of his daughter, Terri. Paul will be deeply missed by his family, the community, and the many individuals he mentored and worked with over the years.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at First Reformed Church of Grandville, 3060 Wilson Ave., SW, Grandville, with Rev. Greg Kelley officiating. Interment will be at Grandville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet Paul’s family Tuesday from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM, at the Cook Memorial Chapel (East Building), 4235 Prairie SW, Grandville.

His family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcares.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Paul may be made to World Mission, https://worldmission.cc/donate.

To view the Keepsake Video please click on the link below.

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