There are people who support ministry from a distance and then there are people who show up.

Jeff and Zuzu Grounds are the kind of people who show up.

For the last two years, they have poured themselves into the lives of girls at Sunrise Children’s Services, particularly through the Glen Dale girls’ program in Elizabethtown. Their investment hasn’t been flashy or transactional. It’s been relational. Faithful. The kind of presence that tells a child, “You matter, and you are worth my time.”

Zuzu, who is from Japan, is a chef and has shared her culture with the girls in beautiful and intentional ways by bringing traditional Japanese dresses (kimono), preparing Japanese cuisine, and creating moments of cultural curiosity that many of these girls had never experienced before. These weren’t just activities, but investments into their personal growth.

Together, Jeff and Zuzu plan monthly activities, share testimonies, host devotions, and spend countless hours simply being present. Through Jeff’s leadership with United Servants for Jesus, based out of Severns Valley Baptist Church, they’ve helped lead events like the “Hope Rising” banquet, installed a pickleball court at Glen Dale, and continually bring laughter and structure into the girls’ world.

One recent Sunday captured the heart of their ministry in a way that words almost fail to describe.

There was a young girl named Allison*, who had been in the Glen Dale program for quite some time. Jeff and Zuzu had developed a genuine bond with her. When they learned that she was graduating from the program and that Sunday would be her final day, they didn’t want it to pass like any other day.

With special permission from Sunrise and her state caseworker, Jeff and Zuzu asked if they could spend that Sunday with her, taking her to church, out to lunch, and to see a movie.

When they arrived to pick her up, Allison greeted them with big hugs. It was a surprise for her, and at first, she wasn’t quite sure what was happening. When they asked if she would like to attend church with them, her answer was immediate and enthusiastic: “YES!” She proudly showed them the sweater she had received at the Sunrise Christmas party (hosted by USFJ) and smiled as she talked about the plans for the day.

At church, something beautiful unfolded.

Allison greeted volunteers she recognized with smiles and hugs. She comfortably and confidently held conversations with them and even introduced herself to people she was meeting for the first time, offering special handshakes, including one to the lead pastor. Fortunately, Matt Beasley, the lead pastor learned the handshake just in time to deliver his message. One church member, who had previously met Allison at Sunrise, gifted her a coat, which made her feel incredibly special.

During the worship service, Allison was attentive and well-behaved, fully engaged in the moment.

After church, she chose Dairy Queen for lunch and enjoyed the Blizzard she had been craving. She invited the May family to join them, and the group shared laughter and fun conversations around the table.

Later, at the movie theater, Allison demonstrated generosity in the smallest of ways dividing her large popcorn into smaller bags so everyone could share. She thanked people. She smiled. She even said, “God bless you,” to several people she encountered, including strangers.

What struck Jeff and Zuzu most wasn’t just her joy, it was her kindness, her confidence, and her care for others.

Before returning her to Sunrise, they prayed with Allison, asking God to guide her steps and bless her future. It wasn’t a grand moment. It was quiet, but full of hope.

This was not an ordinary day. It was a reminder that when adults choose to be fully present without agenda, without hurry, without condition, presence itself becomes a gift. 

Through the consistency of Sunrise Children’s Services and the partnership of Jeff and Zuzu Grounds, we are reminded that ministry doesn’t always look like a stage or a spotlight. Sometimes it looks like a special handshake and a bag of popcorn divided so others can have some too.

*Name has been changed to protect the identity of the individual.

Article written by Jake Pelfrey, Sunrise Vice President for Marketing and Advancement.