Arek O'Connell is an Outreach and Young Adult Pastor at Hillside Community Church in Grand Rapids, MI, where he has served faithfully since 2013. He has been married to his wife Jamie for 14 years and they have two children (Kaia;5 -and- Leighton;4). Arek is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry at Gordon Conwell where his thesis will be focused on spiritual healing from trauma. The work that brings Arek the most joy is teaching trauma classes in high-needs communities and being the chaplain for the East Kentwood varsity football team.

In this podcast, Arek shares about his very turbulent background where, as a child, he experienced a home full of trauma and pain, which included multiple divorces and significant animosity and even cruelty. But, by the grace of God, as a young teen, Arek was greatly helped by a loving pastor who took Arek under his wing and brought him to saving faith in Christ. His life was radically changed!

Yet, as Arek began to attend a Christian college in California, the external trauma suddenly got even worse as Arek’s father was viciously murdered. Arek shared how God clearly, miraculously, and even surprisingly empowered him to reach out to his father’s murderer in love and forgiveness, and actually lead that man to faith in Christ!

Finally, Arek shared what a joy it has been to be chaplain of East Kentwood High School’s football team. Despite EK being a public high school, his players have chosen to lovingly pray with their opponents’ teammates after each game. Truly amazing! God is certainly on the move among Gen Z young people in our nation!

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