Everyday Humanity

Happy Turkey Drop Day! This week on the podcast, Beth and Dennis share a conversation with friends Ken and Nate from Feeding America West Michigan and Sean from United Church Outreach Ministry. They discuss their ongoing partnership to collect and distribute turkeys to families that need them this holiday season. They also talk about how one turkey goes beyond just one meal and the impact it can make in the lives of others in our community.

Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan.

Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski, Courtney O'Malia, and Allison Eisher

This week Dennis and Beth are joined by Dawn VanHorn, the Volunteer and Internship Coordinator at Mel Trotter Ministries. Dawn shares her story of how one life event changed her career path and how God ultimately led her to Mel Trotter Ministries. Dawn discusses that we can't do what we do without our hundreds of volunteers especially for the Thanksgiving community meal. They also talk about how God continues to use her in her role as she helps student volunteers understand the realities of homelessness.

Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan.

Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski, Courtney O'Malia, and Allison Eischer

This week, Beth and Dennis are joined by Jeff Abbot, Director of Missions at Ada Bible Church. Hear Jeff speak about Ada Bible's role in the community to help be the hands and feet of Jesus and to be proximate to those in need. Beth, Dennis and Jeff also talk about the importance of lifelong experiential learning and sharing with upcoming generations to continue to serve and love people well…a/k/a “demonstrating the compassion of Jesus.”

Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan.

Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI

This week, Beth and Dennis are joined by Shelby, the Triage Coordinator at Mel Trotter Ministries. Shelby shares experiences from her previous roles over the past 8 years as well as some from her current role. She says, "For our guests, it isn't as simple as going to Mel Trotter and everything fixes itself from there. It's not just about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, it is about the people that come alongside you to help make it happen. Sometimes you can do everything right and systems still feel as though they are stacked against you.”

For many of our guests it seems as though they are living in a state of " I can't" or "I can only”—but people like Shelby on staff at MTM help create an environment where they dream alongside guests and then help make them a reality.

Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan.

Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI

This week, Beth and Dennis are joined by Jon, co-owner of the Lantern Coffee Bar & Lounge in the Heartside District. Jon shares his experience working in close proximity to people experiencing homelessness in the Heartside area and discusses how he and his staff show empathy to each person who enters their doors, regardless of who they are. The Lantern is known to be a warm, welcoming beacon of hope and light to those experiencing homelessness. Our guests know that when they're in need, Jon and his staff are there to offer a smile, a friendly conversation and a place to warm up. "The Lantern is meant to be in this part of town...the Heartside needs us and we need the Heartside too."

Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan.

Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

This week Dennis and Beth are joined by Adam and Christy Lipscomb, co-founding pastors of City Life Church. For years, they have been instrumental in leading individuals to Christ by showing everyday humanity and love to each person who enters their doors. Their congregation worships alongside one another regardless of their backgrounds or previous life experiences. Through their relationship with Mel Trotter Ministries, Adam and Christy have provided help, hope and a “home” at City Life Church to those experiencing homelessness.

Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan.

Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

Dennis and Beth are joined by Mel Trotter Board Member and Superintendent of Cedar Springs Public Schools, Scott Smith. In this episode Scott discusses finding his faith, guiding his students with love and empathy, and reminding everyone that God has a plan for them, regardless of their current circumstance. 

"God's got a perfect plan for all of us, whether we know it or not, and it's our job to not get in the way."

Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan.

Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

Beth and Dennis are joined by guest host, Jeff Dashner, Sr. VP of Operations at Mel Trotter Ministries. The three of them sit down with Tom, Vice President, and Ryan, Sr. Project Manager, of Rockford Construction to discuss the important role Rockford Construction and many other local organizations play in the success of our capital campaign. Through these partnerships, our organizations are able to provide dignity and worth to our neighbors experiencing homelessness in the Grand Rapids community.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Beth and Dennis are joined this week by Steve Kelly, WOOD Radio Morning Show host and new Mel Trotter board member. Like many of our guests, Steve struggled childhood trauma, a mental breakdown and a life-threatening disease. Steve discusses his struggles with PTSD, alcoholism and how a liver disease saved his life and brought him closer to God.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

This week, Beth is joined by Scott Jonkhoff and David Bult of Next Step of West Michigan. Next Step is a ministry focused on employing and housing those seeking a fresh start while equipping them for their next step in life. After an encounter with a man experiencing homelessness, Scott felt called to help others by being proximate and showing love and hope to those we serve. “When you live out love, healing takes place,” shares Scott. Now over 20 years later, Next Step offers a workforce development program where Mel Trotter guests can gain job skills training which lead to employment opportunities.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Dennis and Adrienne are joined today by Michigan State Representative, Tommy Brann. In addition to being a State Representative, Brann is a restaurant owner, author, song writer and has a passion and desire for serving others. He fights to ensure those experiencing homelessness are well served through his support of emergency shelter programs and is an advocate for everyone fighting to end homelessness.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Beth and Dennis are joined by Adrienne Goodstal, Chief Engagement and Advocacy Officer at Mel Trotter Ministries. Adrienne’s passion is outreach and being proximate with those experiencing homelessness. Our team goes out into the community to meet people who for one reason or another haven’t made it to our doors. We know building trust takes patience, transformation takes time, but it does happen and Adrienne has seen it firsthand. “To be able to go out and love on and build relationship in someone’s camp, there is nothing like it.”

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Beth and Dennis are joined by guest host, Selina Parks, Guest Intake Services Manager at Mel Trotter Ministries. The three sit down with Saulo Montalvo, Guest Intake Services Manager at Heartside Ministry (a division of Mel Trotter Ministries) as he shares his story of receiving a life sentence in prison and being given a second chance at life. Saulo, like many of those we serve, knows what it is like to be treated as though you are “less than.” He is using this fresh start to help those experiencing homelessness find hope and life transformation and to embrace God’s plan for their future.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

On this final episode of Season One Beth, Dennis and Regina sit down with Chris Andrus, co-owner of The Mitten Brewing Co. After ten years attempting to make a name for himself as a musician, Chris started The Mitten Brewing Co. with his friends and from day one has been giving to and investing in his community.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Beth and Regina sit down with Matthew Grzybowski, Production Manager at Mel Trotter Ministries. Stepping out from behind the scenes and sitting at the microphone Matthew shares his experience of being homeless as a youth, the help he received, and the lessons he learned.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Regina, Beth and Dennis interview President of Life EMS, Mark Meijer. Mark shares about the values that were instilled in him growing up, how he started Life EMS and how he knew he was on the right path.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Regina, Beth and Dennis interview Seth McLaughlin, Director of Development at Mel Trotter Ministries. Seth grew up in Kentwood, Michigan, went to Calvin University, and entered into missions with his wife and family when they moved to Honduras. In this episode, they talk about how ministry is a lifestyle and how to empower the people God has put in our lives to serve.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Regina, Beth and Dennis interview Tonja Moyer, Vice Chair of Mel Trotter Ministries’ Board of Directors and Director of Performance Improvement at Metro Health–University of Michigan Health West. They chat about following Jesus, finding a space for women in leadership and leading from a place of humility.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Regina and Dennis interview Syd Harvey, Chief Operations Officer at Mel Trotter Ministries. For much of his career, Syd has worked in the social sector specifically surrounding diversity, equity& inclusion, which remains a large part of his role at MTM. Fun fact: he enjoys using metaphors involving salads, music, and pie. In this episode, Syd discusses what it means for him to be an agent of healing and change. Don’t miss the end when Syd and Regina share powerful and emotional stories of young men they’ve worked with recently.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

This week Regina, Beth and Dennis continue their conversation with Delwin Eiland, worship pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church. Hear about Delwin’s family growing up and his personal experience being an African American man. Enjoy listening to two acoustic performances throughout the episode!

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Meet the three co-hosts of Everyday Humanity: Regina Dix, Beth Fisher and Dennis Van Kampen as they share what brought them to work at Mel Trotter Ministries and learn more about each other. These folks are passionate about family, caring for others and motorcycles? We pray you’ll be encouraged and see others in the way God created them to be, looking beyond behaviors and appearances. New episode coming next Wednesday!

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.