"Truth at Work" Making a Difference in Michigan

Truth @ Work holds "One Person Can Make a Difference" Leadership Conference for Christian leaders and entrepreneurs at Engedi Church.

Mildred White

10/11/20257 min read

Truth at Work, a community of Christian leaders and entrepreneurs, is now in its eighth year serving West Michigan and has been led by Chapter President Eric Fogg since 2018. This year’s conference, themed “One Person Can Make a Difference,” was held on October 2 at Engedi Church in Holland.

I first learned about Truth at Work when Eric sent out an email about the upcoming conference. I was curious to learn more. As someone who is just starting a side business and often feels uncertain about the next steps, this opportunity felt heaven-sent—I knew I had to attend. So, I registered right away.

Here are my key takeaways from five leaders who shared the joys, pains, and successes of their journeys as community and business leaders.

Trent Walker, Lead Pastor of Community Reformed Church, spoke about enduring more than twenty surgeries resulting from multiple accidents, including car crashes. His initial reaction was to ask the Lord, “Why?” He found encouragement in 1 Peter 4:12-13:

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

This passage reminded me of a similar verse in James 1:2:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Trent highlighted that God’s purpose is not necessarily to guarantee our comfort, but rather to teach us obedience through each hardship. He reminded us that we can bring our requests and petitions before God, expressing ourselves openly and honestly—God is never intimidated by our anger, disappointment, or pain. The Lord understands our suffering, and even our pain has purpose.

Travis Williams has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC) Network for the past 25 years. ODC is a non-profit organization with the mission of advancing outdoor education and nature conservation in West Michigan. Their vision is to build a better community by connecting people, land and nature. Please click ODC Network to know more about how their team is working every day to fulfill their mission and vision.

Travis shared the history of the ODC Network, describing how the organization grew from just one employee to more than 200. He played a crucial role in building the organization from the ground up. It is remarkable how at the age of twenty-four, he was tasked to begin this non-profit organization with a piece of land containing only a single structure. Through numerous challenges, his unwavering faith and perseverance enabled the ODC Network to expand into 12 distinct business divisions which include Discovery Preschools: Little Hawks, Seedlings, Dragonflies, Woodlands, and Gentex; Hatchlings, ODC Education Network, DeGraaf Nature Center, Kalamazoo River Greenway, Project Clarity and ODC Conservation Services.

To Travis, challenges are opportunities to grow. The goal isn't perfection, but progress.
ODC Network seeks to:

Solve problems.
Fill gaps.
Give community an unfair competitive advantage.
Get things done!

His advice is to keep moving forward and live where your feet are, and show up!

Virgil Gulker is the founder of Kids Hope USA and Love INC.

He has developed faith-driven systems for churches to support at-risk children and families. His efforts have launched ministries such as:

Love INC, active in countries like Kenya, where churches from over 50 denominations collaborate to positively impact communities.
KIDS HOPE USA, which equips churches in the US and Australia to mentor thousands of vulnerable children.

Virgil pointed out that leaders can be desperately lonely. They need the Lord’s power to keep going and His wisdom to make a real difference in the world. He said, “Do not neglect to embrace our weaknesses. We are powerless.” He advised that we should surrender our organization and work to God and allow Him to reveal His plan to us.

His thoughts on how to make a difference:

Ask for help and support.
Humility. Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…” Virgil further notes that it’s not about us. It is about Christ’s work that will make a difference in a person’s life.
Strive to build a relationship. There is an epidemic of loneliness and people need loving relationships – that is where we step in.

In building relationships, here is Virgil’s practical approach:

Say their name.
Be present.
Be faithful.
Believe in them so they can believe in themselves.

Joe Dyer serves as President of DISHER, a nationally acclaimed firm specializing in engineering, manufacturing, talent acquisition, and consulting, based in Zeeland, Michigan.

Joe discussed the concept of steward leadership and living with purpose. He defines steward leadership as "humbly leading others, wisely protecting and growing another's assets with a larger purpose in mind, and being accountable to an owner." In the realm of business leadership, he emphasized the importance of discovering your unique "sweet spot"—that intersection where your passions align with what the world needs, what people are willing to pay for, and the skills you excel at.

Here’s my take on what he shared about being a steward leader:

It is important to recognize ourselves as stewards rather than owners. We don’t possess resources and talents; instead, we’re entrusted to manage them responsibly. There’s a clear distinction between ownership, the owner, and accountability—God is the true owner of everything we have, and we are accountable for how we use these gifts.

A steward leader is committed to protecting and growing the resources and assets entrusted to them. Joe identified six types of resources, which he refers to as the six capitals: financial, physical, intellectual, relational, cultural, and influential. He shared several practical strategies for investing in and expanding these capitals.

Ultimately, the purpose is not to keep our successes to ourselves. There’s a higher calling—to give back for the good of our community. This can be achieved by supporting community events, providing grants, making donations, or offering resources to initiatives that strengthen our communities.

Patti VanDort is the CEO of Holland Hospital where she started as a staff nurse in 1987. She rose from the ranks and joined the executive team in 2001 as the VP for Nursing and Chief Nurse Officer, then in 2018 as SVP of Hospital Operations.

Patti urged Christian leaders to be salt and light wherever the Lord has called them to serve. She encouraged everyone to step out in faith in response to God’s calling as He opens doors of opportunity.

Patti emphasized that the essence of effective leadership lies in mastering the art of influencing others. She advocated for leaders to strive to positively impact those around them, rather than simply seeking to impress. Achieving this requires authenticity and the ability to inspire individuals to believe both in themselves and in the organization’s vision.

Patti used her influence to help foster a strong, supportive culture at Holland Hospital. During the event, a video was shown featuring several employees who have dedicated decades of service to the hospital, which was genuinely inspiring. One retired employee, who now volunteers there, shared that he cannot walk away from the friendships and sense of community he has built over the years. That connection, he said, is what motivates him to return each day.

Patti further stated that their organizational culture has been fundamental to the company’s ongoing success. However, she acknowledged that transforming the culture into what it is today was no easy feat—it took decades of dedication to build a highly engaged workforce grounded in clear vision, accountability, and a commitment to performance excellence. Once a culture of support, connection, and strong relationships was established, the team was able to reach new heights and witnessed remarkable growth. As Patti aptly stated, “Culture eats strategy for lunch.”

Under Patti’s leadership, Holland Hospital has earned recognition as a market leader in Robotic Surgery and has been commended for its Total Joint Replacement Program. Additionally, the hospital achieved Magnet Designation, a prestigious honor for excellence in nursing practice.

A Day Filled with Inspiration and Connection

Meeting local business leaders at this event was truly inspiring. Their dedication to giving back plays a vital role in sustaining the economic health and overall vitality of our community.

Eric and his team did a phenomenal job organizing and managing the event—they couldn’t have chosen better speakers for the theme. Each leader shared stories of perseverance through challenging times, offering valuable lessons and motivation for all in attendance.

The atmosphere throughout the day was uplifting and full of positive energy. The event concluded with a networking lunch, providing a great opportunity to connect with new acquaintances and reconnect with familiar faces.

I am looking forward to attending next year’s conference!

If you want to know more about the conference speakers, you may click here.

If interested in connecting with Truth at Work and know more about their mission and vision, here’s the link: Truth at Work.