grandawakening

Randall Hekman
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Podcast by Randall Hekman

  1. Tripp Hurst tells how God’s wonderful mercy now compels him to share God’s grace and truth with many

    APR 14

    Tripp Hurst tells how God’s wonderful mercy now compels him to share God’s grace and truth with many

    Tripp Hurst has been married to Nhung for 25 years and they are blessed with a daughter, Lexi. Tripp is a former Radio DJ with 20 years of experience, most of that taking place in Memphis, TN where he was raised. Now that Tripp lives in West Michigan, he currently serves inside the Kent County Jail with Reach the Forgotten Ministries. He also reaches out to other incarcerated folks inside the State Prison in Muskegon. In the past, Tripp has interacted with a number of evangelistic ministries, all of which helped develop his faith and equipped him to share the Gospel with those who don’t yet know Him. He also trained with Living Waters Ministries about doing open-air preaching. And, recently, Tripp did an open-air service in Indianapolis, Indiana during the Final Four basketball series held in that area around Easter time. Finally, another one of Tripp’s interests is theater. He loves acting in plays and even serves on the Board of Directors of Master Arts Theatre here in West Michigan. In this podcast, Tripp shares how, while his parents raised him in the church, he never became a true follower of Jesus. Twenty-five years ago, Tripp married Nhung, who was a true Christian. She soon realized her husband had only been faking his faith, so she began to pray earnestly that he would soon become a true Christ-follower. It took 10 painful years of addictions and other awful issues to finally see God answer Nhung’s prayers. And not only did Tripp then come to Christ, he began to be on fire for Jesus, and that passion continues to this day! He absolutely loves sharing the Gospel with anyone who needs to hear.

    26 min
  2. Brad Formsma shares about the incredible benefits and blessings that flow from a life of giving

    MAR 30

    Brad Formsma shares about the incredible benefits and blessings that flow from a life of giving

    Brad Formsma is the founder of I Like Giving, an organization which has inspired millions of people to live generously through its Generous Business, Generous Family, and Generous Classroom initiatives. He’s also the host of The WOW Factor, a podcast for business leaders, and a popular speaker at corporate, church and community events. Brad’s most recent projects include the “Generous Students” curriculum for grades K-5 (plus a 26-week homeschool edition) and the Generous Kids Book Club, teaching children seven ways to live generously. Brad and his wife Laura live in Southern California and are the proud parents of 3 adult children. In this podcast, Brad talks about how the example of his grandfather’s generosity was so instrumental in Brad himself becoming a generous and giving man of God. Brad also shared how, through various media platforms, his ministry is now encouraging many young people to learn the life and joys of giving that will ideally start them on a lifetime of being generous to others. It truly is more blessed to give than to receive!

    32 min
  3. Peter Hoekstra shares the joy of serving God by serving America and its close neighbor Canada

    MAR 20

    Peter Hoekstra shares the joy of serving God by serving America and its close neighbor Canada

    Prior to his nomination to his current position as the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra served as Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party during the 2024 elections, where his leadership did much to deliver a Republican victory. During the first Trump Administration, Pete served as Ambassador to the Netherlands. Previous to that service, Pete was elected as a Member of Congress from 1993 to 2011, representing Michigan’s 2nd District.  In Congress among other responsibilities, Pete was Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 2004 to 2007. Pete is a graduate of Hope College in Holland, Michigan and then worked to receive an M.B.A. degree from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.  Subsequent to that, Pete was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Grand Valley State University and has also been the recipient of many other outstanding awards. Pete and his wife Diane recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and are grateful to God for their three adult children. In this podcast, Pete Hoekstra describes his heart for America as well as his gratitude for our close neighbor Canada, the nation in which he now is required, as our ambassador, to make his home. As we approach our nation’s 250th birthday, Pete shared how God’s blessing has kept America relatively prosperous and blessed in the past, and how we need constantly to renew our passion for Him and His ways to continue to receive God’s blessing. When I asked him about his relationship with his “boss” Donald Trump, Pete described some of his periodic one-on-one interactions with the President. Finally, Pete helped conclude our discussion by leading us in a sincere prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ.

    26 min
  4. Matt Goehler shares how Jesus rescued him from imminent death to a life full of joy and peace

    FEB 11

    Matt Goehler shares how Jesus rescued him from imminent death to a life full of joy and peace

    Matt Goehler was raised in Coldwater, Michigan in a household of five folks, which included his parents, an older brother, and younger sister. While his family identified as Catholic, their faith was rather superficial, feeling more like a task to check off "the list" than a relationship with our Creator. As a young adult, Matt attended Grand Valley State University, where, sadly, he adopted many habits and behaviors he knew were wrong in an attempt to find fulfillment. He sought to hide his many struggles for fear he would be labeled a "disappointment" or "failure". Graduating from GVSU in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences, he then considered himself an atheist. That all changed in the years that followed as we will discuss in this exciting podcast. By God’s grace, Matt is now a devoted follower of Jesus. He also runs a thriving business called Lake Effect Lure Company. He is married to his dear wife Kalie, and together they have three awesome children and another on the way. I’m quite sure you will be touched as you hear his amazing story. In this podcast, Matt shares how a major crisis earlier in his life left him feeling totally hopeless, to the point that he came very close to intentionally taking his own life. But just before pulling the trigger on his gun, God spoke out loud to him! And that, amazingly, resulted in him beginning to choose to move in a totally new and life-giving direction. He is so grateful for all that God has done, and continues to do, in and through him. And because he can totally identify with people who are struggling with addictions and pain, he can help them find the only real cure: a life-giving relationship with Jesus!

    28 min
  5. Travis Lambright shares how God rescued him a life of total chaos to one of deep purpose

    JAN 19

    Travis Lambright shares how God rescued him a life of total chaos to one of deep purpose

    Travis Lambright is of Irish and Italian descent. He and his older sister were raised in a succession of places, including California, Maine, and Seattle, Washington. His professional background involved both commercial fishing and sales. Currently, Travis is studying ministry leadership, since he is sensing the call of the Lord to become a pastor. His goal is to give support to individuals who are seeking a better life and who desire to receive healing from past trauma and addiction. Travis has a 25-year-old daughter. For fun, Travis enjoys good food and activities by the water. In this podcast, Travis describes how, after his mother died, his life went downhill in a major way. At age 14, his father kicked Travis permanently out of the home. Living much of his teen years either on the streets or, due to his lawbreaking, incarcerated, Travis tried in vain to numb his pain through various drugs, alcohol and unhealthy relationships. But God! Yes, God used the prayers and caring of various people to ultimately call Travis to faith in Christ and now even a call to ministry!

    43 min
  6. Dennis Fuqua shares how the prayer summits he facilitates produce lives incredibly blessed by God

    JAN 13

    Dennis Fuqua shares how the prayer summits he facilitates produce lives incredibly blessed by God

    Dennis Fuqua currently serves as the Director of the International Renewal Ministries. Originally from Gig Harbor, Washington, Dennis received his Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Divinity degrees from Multnomah University. He served as a pastor of Peninsula Christian Fellowship in Gig Harbor for 25 years. Dennis began working as the director of IRM in February 2000. His leadership activities include facilitating summits, equipping others, and developing and maintaining relationship connections with the network of people in IRM. He has written multiple articles and three books available at www.lppress.net. Dennis and his wife, Marilyn, have 4 grown children and 13 grandkids. He can be emailed at: dennis@prayersummits.net. In this podcast, Dennis talks about the incredible impact he consistently sees among those who attend a prayer summit. Genuine miracles take place as people unite and enter God’s manifest presence. And, when that happens, Dennis has seen how God then showers His love on those attending, often leading them into new paths for their lives. Dennis also regularly sees the development of new and lasting friendships among those who attend, and how often even fractured relationships between people are wonderfully restored. In all, God is greatly glorified and virtually everyone in attendance is richly blessed. Spending 2 1/2 days in a prayer summit is like investing a small amount of money in a business, but reaping a huge return.

    26 min
  7. Karl House and Mary Sterenberg invite you to a wonderful Prayer Summit April 20-22 at Maranatha!

    JAN 6

    Karl House and Mary Sterenberg invite you to a wonderful Prayer Summit April 20-22 at Maranatha!

    Mary Sterenberg is currently the Pastor of Discovery Church in the Grand Rapids area. She also is a Ministry Partner for Igniting Revival, a teacher and leader with Presbyterian-Reformed Ministries International (PRMI). In addition, for 11 years, Mary has been the Prayer Mobilizer for the Great Lakes Region of the Christian Reformed Church (CRCNA). Education wise, Mary received her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy in 1980, and worked for several years in rehabilitation, homecare therapy, and eventually started her own private practice in that arena. But after becoming involved more heavily in ministry, Mary became ordained in the Christian Reformed Church in 2012 as a Commissioned Pastor. Mary felt called to attend Calvin Theological Seminary, from where she graduated in 2016. While Mary loves serving the local church, she also has a vision and passion to unite the greater church body together. She has worked with Gathering Grand Rapids, and was the Prayer Co-Chair for the Luis Palau Association City Fest which, in 2018, drew thousands of people to Grand Rapids MI and to the Lord. Mary has been married to her high school sweetheart Bruce Sterenberg for 45 years. Together, they have three adult children and ten grandchildren. Karl House grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated with a Master of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary. Karl has planted a Christian Reformed Church near Toronto and a Vineyard Church in Tampa. He is back in Grand Rapids planting The Way MicroChurches—A new family of simple churches in Grand Rapids and beyond. Karl's passion is to pour into a new generation of disciples, leaders and MicroChurches. In the various places where Karl has lived, one of the many things he has done has been to encourage pastors in that geographical area to unite on a regular basis in prayer. Karl and his wife Anita have two adult children and one grandson. In this podcast, Mary and Karl highlight the upcoming Prayer Summit to be held at Maranatha April 20-22 and why Christ-followers should love to be part of it.

    23 min
  8. Gabe VanCoonis shares how God transformed his life and how he longs to pass the gift to others

    12/05/2025

    Gabe VanCoonis shares how God transformed his life and how he longs to pass the gift to others

    Gabe VanCoonis is 23 years old. While he was born in California, Gabe grew up in the Houghton Lake area of Northern Michigan. In 2022, he moved to Grand Rapids where he eventually came to Calvary Church that opened the door for him to begin a personal relationship with the Lord. Since coming to Christ, Gabe’s passion for Jesus has been on fire and continues to grow. His favorite things now are studying theology and sharing what he is learning with others. Gabe currently serves as the Facilities Night Shift Team Lead at Calvary Church, a role that gives him many opportunities for ministry. He regularly uses his passion and gift for teaching to pour into coworkers, high schoolers, and Community Service Volunteers. He’s involved in facilities ministry, young adults’ ministry, and leads a Saturday morning Bible study for his coworkers. Through everyday conversations and intentional discipleship, Gabe loves helping people grow in their faith and seeing the beauty of both them and himself as well walking more closely with Christ. In this podcast, Gabe tells his amazing story of how, since coming to Calvary church, he came to real faith in Christ. He also shares how Jesus’ presence in his life has produced in him an overwhelming love for our Lord and a passionate desire to share Jesus with those who don’t yet know Him. While Gabe is working in a job that could be considered a bit tedious, he loves the fact that it allows him daily to be able to encourage other people to come to faith in Jesus or, for those who already are Christians, to grow in their faith.

    25 min
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About

Podcast by Randall Hekman

Information

  • Creator
    Randall Hekman
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    141
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    grandawakening