Faith That Holds In The Dark

Faith That Holds In The Dark

We share Michael Perkins’ family story of walking through 11 years of breast cancer, brain metastasis, and the grief of losing his wife Denise, while choosing steady trust in Jesus the whole way. We also talk about how God...

Faith That Holds In The Dark

We share Michael Perkins’ family story of walking through 11 years of breast cancer, brain metastasis, and the grief of losing his wife Denise, while choosing steady trust in Jesus the whole way. We also talk about how God uses hard seasons to shape purpose, and how faith can move into the marketplace through work, business, and mentorship.

• What “suffer well” looks like when the outcome is unknown
• Brain metastasis, long-term treatment, and learning to rely on God daily
• Hospice, final moments, and the peace their family experiences in the room
• Perspective, loneliness, and waiting on the Lord after loss
• Why Christian entrepreneurs need teams, coaches, prayer, and community
• Physical therapy as a relationship-based career and a natural space for ministry
• Seeing work as worship, excellence as witness, and purpose as obedience
• Contagious Hope podcast and how legacy grows through planted seeds

Dr. Andy Goodwin

Dr. Andy Goodwin has dedicated his career to excellence in Christian education. He has served on various community and education-related boards and has held roles such as teacher, coach, Department Chair, Student Travel Coordinator, Academic Dean, Principal, and CEO. In each position, he has focused on building cultures of professionalism, sustainability, innovation, and growth, which have led to high staff and faculty retention and effectiveness.

Andy has led teams in strategic planning for shaping organizational culture, immersive teaching methods, innovative programs, staff development and retention, sustainable financial models, and crisis management. He has also managed multiple accreditation cycles, most recently earning a rare Exemplary Accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International. He believes that a healthy and successful organization must have a clear and shared identity that is defined, understood, embraced, and lived by every program and team member. This approach to organizational culture has resulted in his team at Covenant Christian High School (Indianapolis) being recognized as a “Indy Star Top Workplace” and a "Best Christian Workplace” at the Flourishing Level.

Andy has received numerous honors, including the Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship, the Battey National Educator Award, and Teacher of the Year from the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association. He holds advanced degrees in Spanish, pedagogy, business, and educational leadership, as well as certifications in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and Christian education.

Andy is the author of Walking Slowly: Being a Present Husband and Father in a High-Demand World. The book helps dads and husbands in high-demand professional roles discover everyday ways to be mentally, emotionally, and physically present with their families. Each chapter offers personal anecdotes to illustrate broad applications of thinking more intentionally about how we spend our time. Chapters conclude with reflection questions to help readers consider their own journeys of walking slowly through life. Andy hopes that readers find everyday types of ways for their loved ones to receive the best of them and to know that their best self is for their families first.

Andy is also the host of the Transforming Lives Podcast, which celebrates stories of transformation through excellent, Christ-centered education.

Faith That Holds In The Dark

We share Michael Perkins’ family story of walking through 11 years of breast cancer, brain metastasis, and the grief of losing his wife Denise, while choosing steady trust in Jesus the whole way. We also talk about how God...

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