about grand awakening

The Mission

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The Grand Awakening exists to inspire yearning and prayer for revival in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ in West Michigan. 

The vision

We envision the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ in West Michigan uniting in desperate and humble prayer for God to bring revival in each believer's personal life and in the Church. We see the Lord moving in response to these pleas, in His sovereign time and by His means, to revive, sanctify and empower His Church. As a result of this revival, we envision a great spiritual awakening sweeping our region, resulting in the salvation of the lost, the godly transformation of society in West Michigan, and ultimately bringing blessing to our entire nation and beyond.

strategic objectives

We will seek to accomplish our mission and vision by:
  1. Providing guidance, training, resources and encouragement to pastors, churches, and individuals whom God is stirring to pray for revival; 
  2. Facilitating concerted prayer in our region; and,
  3. Helping to network movements of prayer in our region toward the goal that we become one in love, unity and purpose.

revival defined

Revival is a sovereign work of God through His Spirit by which He brings spiritual renewal to His people, resulting in:
  • an increased awareness of his everlasting love for them
  • a fervent love for Him and an unconditional love for others
  • an invigorated faith
  • a deepened grasp of His holiness
  • a passion for His Word and for His Church
  • a convicting awareness of personal and corporate sin
  • a spirit of humility
  • a desire for repentance and growth in righteousness for His glory, and
  • a heart for the salvation of the lost and the godly transformation of society. 

​statement of faith for the grand awakening

Our leaders and partners are unified in believing:
  • The Bible to be the inerrant and fully authoritative Word of God and our sole rule of faith and conduct.
  • In one God, eternally existing in three divine Persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 
  • We are all created in the image of God, possessing great dignity, and yet, due to the Fall of our first parents, are born sinners and in a state of rebellion against God.
  • In the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, since he alone is fully divine and fully human.
  • Jesus Christ died for our sins, rose again from the grave, sent the Spirit, and will return in glory as the Lord of all
  • That our salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

oUR TEAM:

Randy Hekman, Executive Director. Randy's background is in law, serving as a prosecuting attorney and subsequently elected Juvenile Court Judge. After 15 years on the bench, Randy transitioned to non-profit administration at Michigan Family Forum, CBH Ministries, and then served as Executive Pastor of Crossroads Bible Church in Grand Rapids. His books include Justice for the Unborn , ​Truth that Sets America Free , and Sweeter by the Dozen: Making Jesus the Lord of Our Family Size.​
Marcia Hekman, Chief Assistant, prayer warrior, development director, best friend (and wife!) of Executive Director. Mother of 12 awesome children and grandmother to 37.
Numerous volunteers and friends who pray, support, and help with the many activities of The Grand Awakening

Randy and Marcia Hekman

our board:

  • Mark Blocher, Executive Director of Christian Healthcare Centers
  • Dr. Terry Slachter, Pastor of Lamont Christian Reformed Church and Executive Director of Reaching America          Ministries, author of The Next Great Awakening.
  • Karla VanOtteren, National Day of Prayer Co-coordinator for the state of Michigan.
  • Todd Ackermann, Owner and President of Accredited Wealth Management Advisor. On Board of College of Prayer
  • Dick Brill, Owner and President of H2Oasis, an irrigation company in West Michigan
  • Marcia Hekman (see above)
  • Randy Hekman (see above)