grandawakening

Dr. Rex M. Rogers is the former president of Cornerstone University and, subsequent to that, of SAT-7 USA. He is the author and voice of his podcast called Discerning What Is Best with Dr Rex M Rogers. In his podcast, Rex applies unchanging biblical principles in our rapidly changing world and provides a very helpful Christian worldview of current issues and everyday life. His books include Be One...

Dr. LaTonya Jones, Ed. D leads Fishers of Men World Ministries. She is also the founder of "The Altar Call Tent Revival" that brings a message of repentance to State Fairgrounds throughout the United States. Dr. LaTonya's beliefs are rooted in the Word of God toward the end that the Father may be glorified in all that she does. Dr. LaTonya is a United States Army retiree and Combat Veteran (Operat...

Kent Evans is a follower of Jesus, married to wife April for over 30 years, and, together, they have five amazing sons (plus two even amazing daughters-in-law). They make their home in Kentucky. After two decades in the business world, Kent co-founded Manhood Journey to help dads become disciple makers. He also became the host of the “Father On Purpose” podcast with his friend Lawson Brown. He is...

Sarah Holliday is a writer and editor with a passion for biblical truth. Formerly a reporter for the Family Research Council and The Washington Stand, Sarah authored articles and news scripts, hosted the daily news brief, and appeared on various podcasts and interviews. Sarah is a graduate of Boise State University with a degree in Creative Writing & Narrative Arts. She also has a certificate in T...

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 Stat...

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” cu...

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...

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...

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 ar...

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 inclu...

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 degr...

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 stu...

Arek O'Connell is an Outreach and Young Adult Pastor at Hillside Community Church in Grand Rapids, MI, where he has served faithfully since 2013. He has been married to his wife Jamie for 14 years and they have two children (Kaia;5 -and- Leighton;4). Arek is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry at Gordon Conwell where his thesis will be focused on spiritual healing from trauma. The work tha...

David Padgett is quick to tell you that his story is not about what he has done, but what God has done in his life. At 53 years old, he has been sober since June 21, 2014, and he gives all the glory to the Lord for the transformation that followed. After many years of struggling with drugs and alcohol, he was admitted to treatment at Bradford Health Services and then spent six months at Any Length...

Henry E., better known as “Hank” Erwin, is widely known as the “storyteller of motivation!” His talent for telling stories that both entertain and result in commitment and action on the part of his listeners is legendary. Hank learned the art of storytelling from his late father, Medal of Honor Recipient Henry “Red” Erwin, who held small crowds spellbound with stories of bravery in World War II. H...

Chris Cerci was born in Brockton, Massachusetts. Tragically, at age 3, Chris lost his father due to suicide. When Chris turned 7, his surviving family moved to Florida. Years later he moved with his family to Pittsburgh, PA where he also currently resides. Seeking employment, Chris began working as a firefighter with the McKeesport Fire Department. While he performed well, he nonetheless struggled...

Whether smuggling Bibles, feeding lepers or working/living amongst a Muslim people group as a Humanitarian Pastor, Mick Veach’s commitment to share the love of God has taken him all over the world. Mick has served as a Global Partners’ Area Director for Central Asia and the Middle East, he has presented the gospel in more than 60 countries, been the Lead Pastor of a large suburban church north of...

Michael Carrier is one amazing person! From an educational perspective, after graduating from high school in Michigan, he spent a year at DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago. Then he went to Central Bible College (later named Evangel University) in Missouri, getting his bachelor’s degree in Bible. Because of his excellent grades there, he was then awarded a fellowship in Semitic Languages at New...

Bill Elliff is the founder and National Engage Pastor of The Summit Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. His passion is to see both genuine revival and methodological renewal in the church—both new wine and new wineskins. He is a frequent conference speaker, writer, and consultant to churches drawing from his 50+ years of pastoring and revival ministry. Bill is also the Pastor/Church Director for OneC...

Dean Vander Mey serves as the Executive Director of Set Free Ministries located here in West Michigan but touching lives around the world. Set Free guides individuals through the process of finding freedom from various forms of spiritual and emotional bondage. Not only does Dean oversee his dynamic staff, he also personally meets with individuals in crisis, offering them comfort and direction base...

Michael P. Farris is a litigator, educator, public advocate, and communicator, and is widely recognized for his successful work on both the national and international stage. He was founding president of both the Home School Legal Defense Association (1983) and Patrick Henry College (2000). Michael served as the President and CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom from 2017 to 2022. He is currently Gene...

Karla VanOtteren is an author, speaker, and prophetic teacher with a calling to equip and activate the body of Christ to know God’s voice, live out healthy prophetic ministry, and seek the Father’s heart for inner healing. She has authored a book “God Conversations: Prophetic Journaling that Ignites Transformation.” Karla is the National Day of Prayer Task Force Coordinator for the State of Michig...

Mark Blocher is the co-founder and CEO of Christian Healthcare Centers, Inc., a Grand Rapids, MI-based non-profit organization providing primary and specialist medical services in Michigan. His educational background includes undergraduate and advanced degrees from Cornerstone University, Western Michigan University, Dallas Theological Seminary and Kennedy-Western University. Mark has personally t...

WILLIAM J. FEDERER is a nationally known speaker, best-selling author, and president of Amerisearch, Inc., a publishing company dedicated to researching America's noble heritage. Bill's AMERICAN MINUTE radio feature is broadcasted daily across America and on the Internet. His Faith in History television airs on the TCT Network on stations across America and via DirectTV. He is the author of many b...

Pastor Arthur Guice received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1980, while attending Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL. It was during this season in his life that Arthur sensed a call to ministry. As a result, he changed his major from Business Administration to Theology. On March 23, 2003, Arthur was installed as the Senior Pastor of Spirit of Liberty Church of God, Markham, IL. A few years aft...