Local Hope: celebrating the local Body of Christ in action
Movement West Michigan
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Does the Church really care? Join Movement West Michigan for bi-weekly conversations with local Christian leaders who are actively serving the Holland/Zeeland area through the love of Christ -- together. Real needs are met with genuine compassion when the Body of Christ is united to serve. Tune in to wrestle with evidence of true brokenness in our world, discover God's goodness at work, and celebrate with us that the Church is making a difference as we spread Christ's Hope to our local community.
Available episodes
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Mar 21, 2023
Youth Ministry Part 2: edible grace
How can a church use a kitchen to serve? Invite kids to learn how to cook! Join us for the part 2 of our conversation with Pastor Eric Barnes from Second Reformed Church and Executive Director Jed Mulder from The Bridge Youth Center to learn about their collaborative cooking classes on Friday afternoons. Youth are learning healthy cooking tips alongside trusted mentors and serving their families at home! Now that's edible grace.
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Mar 7, 2023
Youth Ministry, Part 1: safe, loved, valued.
How has youth ministry shifted in the past decade? Tune in to hear Pastor Eric Barnes from Second Reformed Church and Executive Director Jed Mulder from The Bridge Youth Center reflect on the importance of building trusted relationships with youth -- especially those who have no church home. Discipleship at The Bridge in Zeeland is centered on breaking stigmas and building a safe, loving community to show the love of Jesus Christ.
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Feb 20, 2023
Mental Health Part 2: "beyond the casserole"
How can the Church care for those who struggle with mental health? Therapist Dr. Michael Brashears, Executive Director Jill Miskelley along with Parish Nurse Pat Whittaker from Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church unpack the Be Better Holland's educational series for local churches in the second half of our conversation. Tune in to hear the challenges of forgiveness, the difference between symptoms and actual illness, and how love neighbors without mental health professional training.
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Feb 6, 2023
Mental Health, Part 1: family systems of care
And what happens between therapy appointments? Be Better Holland exists to guide family & friend support systems through the mental health needs of loved ones. Join us to hear how Executive Director Jill Miskelley, Psychologist Dr. Michael Brashears, and Parish Nurse Pat Whitaker from Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Parish partnered together to offer consultation and education to break stigmas around mental health needs.
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Jan 24, 2023
Good Neighbor Day Part 1: why care?
Oops! We missed the first half of this conversation back in November. But It's not too late to hear about National Good Neighbor Day! Pastor David VanOpstall from Christ Memorial Church and 3-sixty Executive Director Jake Norris joined us last November to share about how 4 local churches and 1 non-profit collaborated to celebrate this national holiday in the Montello Park neighborhood with a fun block party. Tune in to this first part of the series to consider what it means to be a good neighbor, how Jesus calls us to care, and the role of the Church in loving our neighbors well.
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Jan 16, 2023
National Mentoring Month Part 2: creative partnerships
Life is full. But student mentors are needed! Join us for the second half of our conversation with Kids Hope USA President Karen Pearson and Service Manager Thom Bartels from Extol, Inc to learn about a pilot program partnership with businesses that offers a creative solution. When employers partner with Kids Hope USA, Christ followers are invited to take 1 hour out of their work week to invest in a student. Tune in to hear the joys and challenges of this experiment for the Church at large.
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Jan 3, 2023
National Mentoring Month Part 1: make a difference
Why be a mentor? Join us in celebrating National Mentoring Month with our January guests: Kids Hope USA President Karen Pearson and Extol, Inc. Service Manager Thom Bartels. We'll unpack the power of consistent mentor relationships, explore a pilot business-church-school partnership, and discuss how to shine Christ's light with long term impact in mind.
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Dec 20, 2022
Good Neighbor Day Part 2: embodied witness
Christmas is all about celebrating "God with us" through the gift of Jesus. What does it look like to live out an embodied witness of this story in our neighborhoods? Pastor David VanOpstall from Christ Memorial Church and 3-sixty Executive Director Jake Norris return for this second half of our conversation about 4 local churches and 1 non-profit investing collaboratively in their Montello Park neighborhood in Holland, MI. Join us in celebrating the gift of Jesus' incarnation as we share the joys and challenges of building trust with our neighbors -- together.
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Nov 14, 2022
Refresh Part 2: partnering together
Who is serving together at Refresh: Hygiene & Hope every week? Tune in to hear about the multiple churches and local agencies that continue to invest in this local outreach opportunity with those who are experiencing homelessness in the Holland area. Rev. LuAnne Stanley Hook from First United Methodist Church and Program Director Olivia Campbell from Community Action House also discuss how to navigate stigmas and assumptions about homelessness. Listen to hear ways you could get involved and their dreams about possibilities for expansion in the future.
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Nov 1, 2022
Refresh Part 1: a chosen family
What does homelessness look like? Tune in with Rev. LuAnne Stanley Hook from First United Methodist Church and Program Director Olivia Campbell from Community Action House to learn about the "chosen family" at Refresh: Hygiene & Hope. This collaborative program offers hot meals, showers, hair cuts, laundry, clothing, and case management services to neighbors experiencing homelessness in the Holland area. Listen to this first half of our conversation to unpack how Refresh fosters a culture of dignified mutuality for all.
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Oct 19, 2022
Circles Program Part 2: growing deeper
How can your church be involved with Circles? What does it look like to grow in depth of relationship rather than width of programmatic ministry? Tune in for the second half of our conversation with Circles Director Lotefa Bartlett de Villareal and Pastor Dan Carter from Calvary on 8th Church for a dynamic conversation about the opportunities to show up in mutual ways...and see real change across our community.
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Oct 13, 2022
Kids Care Bonus Episode: "Mac n Cheese for Jesus Please"
Tune in for our first bonus episode of "Kids Care" to hear how three Holland middle school students are putting their love for Jesus into action! Charlie, Morgan, and Gibson started the Mac n Cheese Club to collect donated boxes of their favorite food to deliver to local food pantries. What started small has grown exponentially through the support of local partners such as Joy99, Community Action House, Hand 2 Hand, and Gateway Mission. Check out their website to learn more about ways to donate or even join them for their 5K race on October 22nd! https://www.macandcheeseforjesusplease.com/home
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Oct 3, 2022
Circles Program Part 1: mutual social capital
What questions should churches be asking when engaging in outreach? Tune in to hear Lotefa Bartlett de Villareal from Good Samaritan Ministries and Pastor Dan Carter from Calvary on 8th unpack the ways Circles builds transformative relationships in community. Program participants of all income levels are invited to break down "us vs. them culture" through making goals with shared accountability. In this first episode, discover how everyone benefits through mutual "social capital" when committed to showing up with honesty and grace.
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Sep 19, 2022
Neighborhood Outreach Part 2: moving in the same direction
Jump back in with Central Wesleyan Church Kids Hope USA Director Patty Jones and Providence Church Director of Children's Ministries Julie Leeson to learn about the joys and struggles of collaboration. Representing churches serving alongside the Michigan Department of Education Meet Up & Eat Up summer meal program, Julie & Patty recognize the beauty of "moving in the same direction" together. Tune in to hear ways to get involved with apartment outreach in your own neighborhood!
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Sep 6, 2022
Neighborhood Outreach Part 1: listening well
"There's no reason for us to recreate the wheel...this is a system that people trust." -- Central Wesleyan Church Kids Hope USA Director Patty Jones and Providence Church Director of Children's Ministries Julie Leeson discovered a new way to do collaborative outreach this summer. Partnering with the Michigan Department of Education Meet Up & Eat Up summer meal program and several other community agencies, these churches provided relational programming for the children and families of Harbor Village Apartments every Tuesday & Thursday. Tune in to hear how God showed up as volunteers built true community by listening well...right down the street from their church buildings.
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Aug 15, 2022
Celebrating True Freedom Part 2: courageous faith
What does it mean to be a carrier -- rather than "owner" -- of the gospel? How does it feel to be black in the Holland/Zeeland area? Where do black students turn to find mentors and role models in our community? Part 2 of our conversation with Henry Cherry from I Am Academy and Laura Baer from Third Reformed Church centers on facing hard questions with courageous faith. Listen to hear how a nonprofit and church are collaborating together to make our community a more hospitable space for all.
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Aug 3, 2022
Celebrating True Freedom Part 1: Juneteenth
Why do we celebrate Juneteenth? How is this new national holiday connected to the hope we have in Jesus Christ? What does it mean to show all students of all skin tones that they are worthy of "being seen and invested in?" Join us as we listen to Henry Cherry from I Am Academy and Laura Baer from Third Reformed Church in Holland share about their collaborative partnership across the Holland/Zeeland area. Churches are stepping up to build intentional relationships -- and neighborhoods are being changed.
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Jul 11, 2022
School Partnership - Part 2
Dig a little deeper into how school partnerships with churches, non-profits and businesses lead to both joys and challenges in this part 2 of our July series. OCSN Community School Coordinator Ashley Golin and First Reformed Church Kids Hope USA Director Nancy Helder join us again to share creative ways they incorporated community partners in the midst of COVID challenges and building transitions. Listen to hear how your church or organization could join and invest in a local school -- even when it gets hard.
Want to get involved? Email Ashley Golin (agolin@hollandpublicschools.org) to explore supporting HLA specifically or visit www.oaisd.org/ottawa-community-schools-network/contact-us/ to connect with the coordinator at a school near to you! Also, feel free to call First Reformed Church's office (616.392.8085) to learn about serving as a Kids Hope USA Mentor at HLA.
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Jun 27, 2022
School Partnerships - Part 1
How can churches support local schools in a holistic way? Tune in to learn about a unique school partnership model via a conversation with Ashley Golin, OCSN Coordinator at Holland Language Academy, and Nancy Helder, Kids Hope USA Director at First Reformed Church in Holland. This school-centric approach focuses on listening to needs before jumping to respond. And the impact is shaping school-community partnerships in significant ways. Enjoy!
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Jun 13, 2022
Hope Homes - Part 2
How does God show up when we work together? Doors of Hope Executive Director Terri Caldwell and Hope Homes Coordinator Scott Sterenberg continue the conversation with us about the power of collaboration with the Hope Homes initiative. Tune in to hear how multiple churches are stepping up to increase access to stable housing in our community and how God continues to provide in mysterious ways.
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Jun 1, 2022
Hope Homes - Part 1
This month, we are honored to hear from Doors of Hope Executive Director Terri Caldwell and Hope Homes Coordinator Scott Sterenberg about their Hope Homes initiative. Listen to this first half of the conversation to learn about the unique purpose of Hope Homes and unpack some of the barriers to flourishing in our community. We hope you are encouraged by how several churches are helping families in need of stable housing and hope for the future through Hope Homes. (That's a lot of hope!!)
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May 16, 2022
Afghan Refugee Co-sponsorship - Part 2
At least 15 families from Afghanistan have resettled in the Holland/Zeeland area since January 2022. Churches and non-profit organizations across the community have stepped up to offer transportation, housing, education, and genuine friendship support to our new neighbors. Join us as we continue our conversation from Episode 1 with co-sponsor coordinators Rev. Kent Fry from the Holland Rotary Club and David Beattie from Central Park Reformed Church. We'll dive into joys and challenges of working together collaboratively on this rewarding journey of cross-cultural sponsorship.
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May 16, 2022
Afghan Refugee Co-sponsorship - Part 1
At least 15 families from Afghanistan have resettled in the Holland/Zeeland area since January 2022. Churches and non-profit organizations across the community have stepped up to offer transportation, housing, education, and genuine friendship support to our new neighbors. Join us as we chat with co-sponsor coordinators Rev. Kent Fry from the Holland Rotary Club and David Beattie from Central Park Reformed Church to learn about their cross-cultural challenges and celebrate ways God shows up when we serve together.
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