The former two-sport standout and chemical engineering major has served God's kingdom in missions in Africa for 14 years, including the past six as Chief Executive Officer for the non-profit Poetice International. Her husband John is Poetice's Chief Operating Officer. The couple has three children.

VanPeursem's faithful work makes her the 2026 recipient of the H-Club's Hope for Humanity award that presented to Hope College alumni athletes who have demonstrated Christian commitment and service to others in their careers after Hope. She was honored on Monday at DeVos Fieldhouse with a reception before the annual HOPEYs awards ceremony.

"I would have never imagined in my lifetime receiving something like this," Van Peursem said during a recording for an upcoming Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast episode. "I am honored and grateful for this opportunity. To be at Hope this week has been such a gift."

The H-Club selects recipients for the Hope for Humanity" award from nominations who meet the following criteria:

• Former Hope College athlete;
• Demonstrated Christian commitment and servanthood in their career;
• Nominees for this award are eligible to be nominated for other awards;
• Current members of the Alumni Board and the Hope College Board of Trustees are not eligible.

Serving God in Africa

Van Peursem played basketball and softball at Hope. She was a member of the 2021 national runner-up women's basketball team and an All-MIAA softball catcher as a senior.

She said she didn't dream of a career in missions while she attended Hope. A Hope-sponsored trip through Engineers without Borders and fully giving her life to Christ after graduation led VanPeursem to be called to another continent, 16 hours away from West Michigan, where she spent the first two decades of her life.

Through Poetice, Abby met her husband, John. Their family now lives and serves in Chama, Zambia, trying to bring the people to Christ through community, training and expression. Poetice has hosted Hope College student-athletes and staff for the college's Sports Evangelism to Equip Disciples trips since the SEED program started, inspiring others at the college to serve God all over the world.

Two Hope alum student-athletes have joined Van Peursema at Poetice: Courteney Barnes '21, from women's basketball, as the rec park director, and Seth Almquist '23, from men's golf, as the Love Choma Project Coordinator. Former Hope softball coach Mary Vande Hoef and former soccer player Lance Pellow serve on the Poetice board with Van Peursem.

Van Peursem is the 32nd recipient of the Hope for Humanity award.