Providence Threads: Weaving Stories of Faith, Transformation, and Community

In this special bonus episode of Providence Threads, Gary and Karen Tinklenberg share their journey serving with World Renew—responding to disasters and bringing hope to communities in need.

Hear powerful stories of faith, perseverance, and God’s provision in the midst of challenges. From rebuilding homes to building trust, this conversation highlights what it means to serve Christ in real, tangible ways.

Where might God be calling you to serve?

#ProvidenceThreads #FaithInAction #WorldRenew

Discipling the Next Generation with Kevin Harris

In this final episode of the season, we sit down with Kevin Heeres, our new Youth Pastor at Providence Church, to talk about what it truly means to disciple the next generation.

Kevin shares his personal journey of faith—from making his faith his own as a teenager, to seasons of running from God, to rediscovering his identity in Christ through intentional discipleship.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Moving from inherited faith to personal faith• The difference between friendship and intentional discipleship• Healing from shame and embracing identity in Christ• A vision for raising up students who hear God’s voice and live on mission

This is more than youth ministry—this is about multiplication: disciples making disciples.

Whether you're a parent, a leader, or someone passionate about the next generation, this episode will both challenge and encourage you.

Listen, share, and be part of what God is doing.

In this episode of Providence Threads, host Toby Gruppen sits down with Leo Ojidoa, Providence’s worship leader, to talk about calling, discipleship, and the heart behind worship.

From a difficult childhood in Chile to discovering Jesus through brokenness, Leo shares a powerful testimony of how God used the church, mentorship, and a simple invitation to shape his life and calling.

This conversation goes beyond music. It’s about identity, purpose, and understanding that worship is not just what happens on stage—it’s a life surrendered to serving the Bride of Christ.

If you’ve ever wondered how God can use your gifts, or if you’ve felt “not ready” or “not enough,” this episode is for you.

Every believer has a calling. The question is: will you take the step?

In this episode of Providence Threads, host Toby Gruppen sits down with Leo Ojidoa, Providence’s worship leader, to talk about calling, discipleship, and the heart behind worship.

From a difficult childhood in Chile to discovering Jesus through brokenness, Leo shares a powerful testimony of how God used the church, mentorship, and a simple invitation to shape his life and calling.

This conversation goes beyond music. It’s about identity, purpose, and understanding that worship is not just what happens on stage—it’s a life surrendered to serving the Bride of Christ.

If you’ve ever wondered how God can use your gifts, or if you’ve felt “not ready” or “not enough,” this episode is for you.

Every believer has a calling. The question is: will you take the step?

In this episode of Providence Threads, host Toby Gruppen sits down with special guest Scott Guerink to talk about disciple-making, leadership development, and church multiplication.

From his early life in West Michigan to years of missionary work in Mexico, Scott shares how God shapes calling through discipleship, obedience, and everyday faithfulness. Together, they explore why multiplication is essential for the Church today—and why it begins with ordinary believers who are willing to take the next step.

This conversation will challenge you to move beyond simply attending church into actively making disciples, discovering your calling, and investing in others.

Every believer is called. Every believer is sent.
The question is: are you living it?

In this episode of Providence Threads, Pastor Toby Gruppen sits down with John Wagenveld, Director of Multiplication Network, to explore what it really means to multiply disciples, leaders, and churches.

Together, they unpack a critical reality: even in places like West Michigan—often seen as “churched”—we are far from gospel saturation. With more churches closing than opening, the call to multiplication is more urgent than ever.

This conversation challenges us to move beyond a Sunday-centered faith and into a Kingdom mindset—where every believer is called, equipped, and sent to make disciples who make disciples.

You’ll discover:

• Why church planting is essential for reaching the world

• What the global church is doing right—and what we can learn from it

• How everyday believers can live on mission

• The shift from “church-centered” to “Kingdom-centered” thinking

• Why God calls us out of comfort and into multiplication

This is not just about starting churches—it’s about living a life of purpose, mission, and participation in what God is doing in the world.

The harvest is plentiful. Are we ready?

In this episode of Providence Threads, Pastor Toby Gruppen sits down with John Wagenveld, Executive Director of Multiplication Network, to explore one of the most urgent topics for the Church today: the multiplication of disciples, leaders, and new churches.

Drawing from real-life experiences around the world, John offers a compelling perspective on the contrast between the Church in North America and the rapid growth seen in the Global South. Why, with more resources and theological training, are we seeing less multiplication? What is holding the Church back from fully living out its mission?

In this conversation, we explore:

• The shift from a consumer church to a sent church

• The impact of over-professionalizing pastoral leadership

• The gap between biblical knowledge and boldness in living out our faith

• Cultural barriers that hinder discipleship in North America

• Practical next steps to live a more intentional and visible faith

This episode is an invitation to rediscover the heart of God: making disciples who make disciples, and living a faith that goes beyond the walls of the church.

Share this episode with someone who is ready to take their next step in following Jesus.

Discipling Kids and Families

In this episode of Providence Threads, Toby Gruppen sits down with Marcy Rodríguez, Director of Children’s Ministry at Providence Church, to talk about the heart of discipling the next generation.

They discuss how faith formation begins at home, why authentic conversations with children matter, and how parents can model faith through everyday life. Marcy encourages families that they don’t have to have everything figured out—discipleship grows through honesty, relationship, and pointing kids back to Christ.

This conversation is full of practical insights for parents and anyone passionate about helping children grow in their faith.

In this episode of Providence Threads, Toby Gruppen talks with Steve Deloof about the importance of discipleship and recognizing the opportunities around us to share the gospel.

Steve shares personal stories of how he is intentionally sharing his faith and walking alongside others in discipleship, reminding us that God can use everyday relationships to transform lives.

In Episode 08 of Providence Threads, Toby Gruppen sits down again with Pastor George DeJong to explore biblical leadership through the lens of Scripture and lived experience.

Leadership is more than influence — it is the willingness to take responsibility.

Through the imagery of ancient fields, wilderness journeys, and the altar of sacrifice, Pastor George challenges us to consider:

• Are we listening to God’s voice or only our own?
• What “corners” of our lives belong entirely to Him?
• Are we helping others grow — or preventing their maturity by rescuing them?

A deep, reflective conversation on discipleship, maturity, and the shaping work of the wilderness.

Season 2 focuses on multiplying disciples, leaders, ministries, and churches — so that more people may know the good news and peace of Jesus Christ.

Listen. Reflect. Share.