Groundwork’s Founding Co-host Retires

Since Groundwork began in 2010, Dave Bast has faithfully dug into Scripture and shared God’s Word weekly through the radio show and podcast. For the past eleven years, his voice has comforted and encouraged listeners with biblical insights and thoughtful reflections. But in May 2021, Dave Bast will retire and make way for the voice of a new co-host. 

A Long History

Groundwork began airing in 2010 as a joint partnership between ReFrame Media (now ReFrame Ministries) and Words of Hope. Combining decades of radio experience, both organizations wanted to create a new, conversational style program that dug deeply into God’s Word and shared its continued relevance for our lives. As President and Broadcast Minister of Words of Hope, Dave brought decades of radio and preaching experience to the program and joined with Bob Heerspink, then Director of Back to God Ministries International, as the founding co-hosts of the program. 

In the fall of 2011, about a year and a half after Groundwork began, Dave’s friend and fellow Groundwork co-host, Bob Heerspink, passed away after a brief battle with cancer. In the year that followed, Dave hosted Groundwork with a rotation of guest co-hosts until Scott Hoezee joined the program as co-host full-time in 2012. Dave remained committed to unpacking the richness of God’s Word and his faithful presence provided a consistent and trustworthy voice to all who listened.  

In his eleven years with the program, Dave has recorded more than 450 Groundwork episodes, unpacking Old and New Testament scripture and addressing substantive themes like God’s mission, biblical justice, spiritual disciplines, the seven deadly sins, what it means to be the church, and so much more. Each week he blessed us with his biblical insights, thoughtful reflections, and an uncanny ability to quote writers, theologians, hymn lyrics, and Scripture by heart. 

Dave’s passion for God’s Word resonated with and encouraged many hearts and over the years listeners have commented on Dave’s knowledge, wit, and wonderful recording voice. Most often they have emailed and sent messages, like this note from Cherie, about the spiritual impact of his work: “his insights have been invaluable to me in my own walk over the years.”

Looking Ahead

After concluding his regular work with Groundwork this spring, Dave plans to travel with his wife Betty Jo and visit with his children and grandchildren, who live across the United States. And when opportunities arise, he does hope to do some occasional writing and preaching.

Dave will be deeply missed. We at Groundwork are certainly sad to see him go, but we are so grateful for everything Dave has brought to the Groundwork community. He has established a legacy of providing trustworthy and insightful study of Scripture, a legacy we’re wholeheartedly committed to continuing. Over the past year, the Groundwork team has been prayerfully searching for Dave’s successor, and we’re happy to announce that we have chosen an exceptional new co-host. We will share more information about Groundwork’s new co-host in an upcoming announcement. 

Dave’s last Groundwork episode will go live on May 7 at GroundworkOnline.com and it will air on most radio stations May 9. 

Past episodes of Groundwork are available for listening 24/7 in our Episode Library.