Lessons in Faith from a Fragile Life w/ Bob Vander Plaats
January 24, 2023
Hosted by Chris Meek
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
God often uses the weakest among us to make the greatest impact. Bob Vander Plaats, President and CEO of The FAMiLY LEADER whose gospel-first mission is to strengthen families by coming alongside the Church and inspiring Christ-like leadership, provides insight into this very truth. Author of "Light From Lucas," Bob joins Next Steps Forward to share the poignant account of his son Lucas, who although severely disabled at birth offered inspirational lessons throughout his life and insurmountable joy. Throughout the hour, he shares the lessons in faith he learned from the fragile life of his son. His experiences in education, health care and human services, as well as politics, business and ministry, have provided a plethora of lessons for success in both life and leadership that will inspire the audience to make a difference in the lives of others and foster leadership in God's institutions: the family, the church and the government. Please join this thought-provoking conversation focused on spiritual growth and the value of every life.
Next Steps Forward
Tuesday at 10 AM Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Empowerment Channel
Personal empowerment, commitment to our own well-being and the motivation to achieve more than we ever thought possible are the ingredients of a better life. And, they’re all within our reach. Next Steps Forward with Chris Meek delves into each aspect of the three keys that add energy, excitement, direction and purpose to everything that we do.
Each week, Chris hosts leaders from the worlds of business, sports, entertainment, medicine, politics and public policy as they engage in thought-provoking discussions to help us all take the next step forward on our own journeys to our better selves and greater service to others. Next Steps Forward with Chris Meek is an informative, uplifting hour every Tuesday at 1 PM Eastern Time and 10 AM Pacific Time on the VoiceAmerica Empowerment Channel that’s certain to inspire you to take that important next step forward, too.
Chris Meek
Chris Meek believes in the American spirit of individual empowerment and service to others, especially those who have sacrificed for our freedoms. As someone who lived through the horrors of Ground Zero on 9/11, Chris had no way home but to join others as they put one foot in front of the other to make their way forward. Since that day, Chris has committed himself to empowering and motivating fellow Americans to keep taking steps forward, no matter what life throws their way.
Chris has spent the last decade serving as the co-founder and chairman of the national nonprofit SoldierStrong, which is dedicated to helping military veterans take their next steps forward. SoldierStrong carries out its mission by providing revolutionary medical technology to VA medical centers, including exoskeleton suits to help paralyzed veterans walk again and virtual reality equipment to help treat post-traumatic stress.
He also serves as an advisor on the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) task force. In this role, he shares a responsibility to raise awareness about mental health, facilitate research and define a plan to prevent suicide. In 2020, Chris launched ReachStrong, a nonprofit aimed at empowering all Americans to care for their overall well-being. Chris is also a financial services executive at S and P Global, Inc, in New York City. He and his wife, Christine, have three children.
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