Why don't they just...

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 c...

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...

This week, Beth and Dennis are joined by DeMaceo and Julius. DeMaceo, one of MTM's Tracks Case Managers, shares his journey at Mel Trotter, from starting out in security 7 years ago to now being a case manager. They discuss how he feels that God led him to MTM to truly help and support our guests. Julius, Youth Coordinator at MTM, shares that when he started at Mel Trotter Dennis asked him "what do you want to do?' and that started...

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 J...

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 ...

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 experienc...

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 C...

Dennis and Beth are joined by Nelly Santos and Stacy Beene of Heartside Ministry, a division of Mel Trotter Ministries. In this episode the four of them discuss misconceptions in the community around the people we serve and how treating each individual as a person made in God's image has completely transformed the lives of so many in the Heartside area. From friendship circles to making Heartside Ministry feel like "home" to each p...

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...

Welcome to Season 3 of Everyday Humanity. Joining us today is Paula Jauch. Paula is a trauma survivor, international speaker, 2x award-winning author, and podcaster. She has a passion to see individuals walk into freedom. After accepting Jesus as her Savior, she spent many years trying to get free from self-destructive behaviors and addiction. She. Tune in to today’s episode to hear Paula speak to what it is like when you don’t hav...

In the last episode of the season, Dennis and Beth sit down with one of their close teammates, Tim Swiney—Chief Campaign Officer of Mel Trotter. Listen in to hear how God has worked in and through Tim to bring about his own life transformation, and how that experience drives him every day to help transform the lives of our guests.

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

meltrotter.org

Produced by Matthew Gr...

This week, Mayor Rosalynn Bliss joins Beth and Dennis to discuss her heart for serving others and how her background in social work and advocacy for affordable housing led to a relationship with Mel Trotter Ministries. Mayor Bliss talks about her deep love for our community and her commitment to wanting our city to be a safe place for everyone to feel loved, have a sense of belonging and access to needed resources.  

"Everyday...

This week, Dennis and Beth are joined by Tony Johnson, Director of Dining Services at Mel Trotter. In the midst of adversity, with only $15 and a bus pass to his name, Tony found himself on a bus to Grand Rapids looking for hope. As a guest at Mel Trotter, he entered recovery and built a new life for himself. For the last 17 years Tony has been a friend, mentor and encourager to so many of our guests and staff members. His position...

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...

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.

meltrotter.org

Produced by ...

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 Sc...

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 pod...

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....