Dennis and Beth are joined by Brooke for a special Christmas episode of Everyday Humanity. Brooke shares the story of how a field trip she took in 6th grade impacted her and prompted her to take action. Dennis, Beth and Brooke share their stori

Making An Impact This Thanksgiving

Nov 16th, 2022 25m 37s

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

Stepping Out in Service

Nov 9th, 2022 22m 51s

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 Ministri

I believe in you

Nov 2nd, 2022 39m 5s

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 Go

Reconnecting with the Community

Oct 26th, 2022 31m 14s

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

Dreams Can be a Reality

Oct 19th, 2022 24m 49s

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'

A Light for the Heartside Neighborhood

Oct 12th, 2022 28m 2s

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 ho

Finding Hope and Help at the Cross

Oct 5th, 2022 41m 43s

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

Radical Hospitality

Sep 28th, 2022 34m 27s

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 in

Showing Humanity In All Parts of Life

Sep 21st, 2022 30m 34s

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 G

Finding Hope and Healing After Trauma

Sep 14th, 2022 33m 40s

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

The Importance of Never Giving Up

May 18th, 2022 44m 7s

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,

Collaboration and Community Partnerships

May 11th, 2022 40m 21s

Cheryl Schuch, CEO of Family Promise of Grand Rapids, joins Dennis and Beth this week to discuss the importance of true collaboration and the organizations’ ongoing relationship in the community."Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter

Love and Humanity for Our Community

May 4th, 2022 35m 12s

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 h

Hope Begins with a Meal

Apr 27th, 2022 36m 28s

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

Doing Immeasurably More Through Community Partnerships

Apr 20th, 2022 43m 16s

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 R

Relinquishing Control and Relying on God

Apr 13th, 2022 38m 55s

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 hi

Living Out Love

Apr 6th, 2022 31m 5s

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

Seeing Humanity in Everyday Life Experiences

Mar 30th, 2022 29m 47s

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 ensu

Proximity Through Outreach

Mar 23rd, 2022 37m 44s

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 m

Saulo’s Second Chance at Life

Mar 16th, 2022 45m 19s

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)

Local Restaurant Co-Owner Bakes in the Philanthropy; Small Business Giving

Dec 8th, 2021 36m 52s

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 friend

Understanding Youth Homelessness

Dec 1st, 2021 33m 49s

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,

Mark Meijer on Showing Everyone Respect

Nov 24th, 2021 34m 50s

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

Ministry Is A Lifestyle

Nov 17th, 2021 33m 58s

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.