Ken grew up as a “PGK”—a preacher’s grandkid. His grandfather pastored Portland Foursquare Church for nearly 30 years, and Ken made his own decision to follow Jesus at just five years old. After graduating from Bible college in California, he spent nearly a decade in full-time ministry, convinced he knew exactly what God had planned for his life… until life took an unexpected turn.
Divorce, family struggles, financial highs and lows, and years of hidden compromise challenged everything Ken thought he knew. Although he never walked away from his faith, he admits he often wrestled with surrender, trying to numb the pain instead of trusting God through it. His story is an honest reminder that even believers can lose their way without losing their faith.
God wasn’t finished with Ken. Through careers in ministry, mortgages, business development, even a season at Costco, the Lord used every chapter to shape him. Then came an unexpected calling with Convoy of Hope, where serving others helped renew his purpose and reminded him that God often works through the seasons we never would have chosen.
Today, Ken is married to his high school sweetheart, is a proud father of four adult children and grandfather of two, and has a deep passion for helping men who are trying to fight life’s battles alone. He believes the daily challenge is keeping Jesus at the center, fixing our eyes on Christ—the “Author and Perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2)—while surrounding ourselves with the right people and choosing surrender over self.
In this conversation, Ken shares untold stories about ministry, divorce, restoration, Convoy of Hope, and how God used the storms of life to call him back. If you’ve ever wondered whether God can redeem broken chapters, or what He’s calling you to do with your time, treasure, and talents, this episode will encourage you to take the next faithful step—and simply do the next kind thing.
Reach out to Ken at (503) 313-0120 or Kbelden@convoyofhope.org
To learn more about Convoy of Hope, go to:
http://convoyofhope.org/#Jesusfollower #disciple #golflover #convoyofhope #conversationswithbuddy
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The Gospel is “good news”… The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
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For more stories like this, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/@BuddyJamesPuckettIf you or someone you know want to be on the podcast, please reach out to me on Instagram @conversationswithbuddy or text me at 503-851-8031.
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About Buddy Puckett:
Buddy Puckett has been in the mortgage and finance space and mentoring men for over 25 years. A mentoring opportunity all started when he first began in the mortgage industry in 1998, when he began to mentor a younger guy who happened to be married. This person was not making great choices and it was sadly affecting his marriage. We all are 1 decision away from something really dumb, so accountability became something Buddy knew he needed as well. Buddy’s wife, Shawn, suggested he start a podcast in 2022 to share the stories of people who have struggled,
failed, overcame by realizing the life of love, joy and peace is only available through a relationship with Jesus Christ!
“Jesus said to him, ’I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me’.” John 14:6
Buddy Puckett NMLS #270057, Arizona BK#0018883, AZ LO-1032154; OR ML-176 For more licensing information, please visit
www.guildmortgage.com/licensing. The positions, strategies or opinions of the author do not necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of Guild Mortgage Company or its affiliates.
Guild Mortgage Company: Equal Housing Opportunity, NMLS #3274 (
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).