His 2-Year-Old Son Disappeared—Then a Dog's Bark Changed Everything | Randy Simpkins

A 2-year-old boy vanishes just before a family vacation. Eight hours later, his father Randy Simpkins hears the words he had been praying for: "We found the boy." Years later, another unexpected moment would lead Randy to help save a stranger's life through living kidney donation. In this heartwarming episode of Everyday Miracles, Julie Hedenborg welcomes pastor, author, living kidney donor, and End the Wait Foundation founder Randy Simpkins. Randy shares how the disappearance of his son Joe transformed his priorities and inspired the film The Way Home, starring Dean Cain. In his next miracle share he recounts overhearing a desperate prayer for a kidney donor after his Appalachian Trail plans changed - and discovering he was a match for Russell, a man he'd never met. The odds of this happening according to the transplant group were nearly impossible. They declared it a miracle. Hear how one act of generosity became a growing movement, and why Randy believes prayer, service, and God's timing can change lives. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – A Son Disappears: The Story Begins 01:40 – Meet Randy Simpkins 02:06 – Faith, Family, and Work Taking Over 04:42 – Joe Vanishes Before a Family Vacation 06:55 – A Father's Desperate Prayer 07:52 – An Unexpected Search Party Hero 09:38 – The Bark That Led to Joe 10:45 – "We Found the Boy!" 11:24 – How The Way Home Became a Film 16:17 – Randy's Calling to Ministry 20:45 – The Appalachian Trail Plan Changes 23:08 – Overhearing a Prayer for a Kidney Donor 26:44 – The Unexpected Kidney Match 27:50 – Russell Learns the News 30:02 – How One Donation Inspired More 32:51 – The Idea Behind End the Wait 35:30 – A Growing Kidney Donation Movement 38:19 – How to Learn More or Get Involved 42:00 – How Russell Is Doing Today 43:05 – End the Wait Film and Book 45:48 – Randy's Closing Prayer 🙏 ABOUT RANDY SIMPKINS Randy grew up in Roopville, Georgia, and attended Carroll County schools. He studied voice at Truett McConnell College and earned a BS in Political Science from the University of West Georgia. He is working toward a Master of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary. During the first Gulf War, he served as a nuclear reactor operator in the U.S. Navy. Randy owns LCS and Associates, a utility contracting company, and is a former Carroll County commissioner. Together with his wife, Christal, he co-authored Our Way Home about their spiritual journey and the disappearance of their son Joe in March 2000, which was portrayed in The Way Home. Called into ministry in 2016, he serves as Senior Pastor at Old Camp Church. He is active in Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis ministries and served as a 2022 Appalachian Trail chaplain. 📖 RANDY'S BOOK / FILM / FOUNDATION End the Wait (book): https://a.co/d/0eadNE1b End the Wait film teaser: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w8ptsexcSKIUicXEa16d0nOljkWNfELj/view?usp=drivesdk End the Wait Foundation: https://endthewait.net/ To contact Randy directly: [email protected] CONNECT WITH END THE WAIT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endthewaitmovie YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EndTheWaitMovie X: https://x.com/endthewaitmovie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61559744652464/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-the-wait-foundation/ ❤️ EVERYDAY MIRACLES PODCAST Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@everydaymiraclespodcast1395 Website / Apply to share your story: http://everydaymiraclespodcast.com/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-miracles-podcast/id1447430033 Everyday Miracles book: https://a.co/d/45cgbP8 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydaymiraclespodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everydaymiraclespodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@everydaymiraclespodcast Email Julie: [email protected] DISCLAIMER The purpose of Everyday Miracles Podcast is to share the love of Jesus. The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This episode shares personal experiences and is not medical advice. Kidney donation and transplant decisions should be made in consultation with qualified transplant healthcare professionals. #EverydayMiracles #RandySimpkins #ChristianTestimony #KidneyDonation #EndTheWait