Lou Hoekstra: Learning to Let Go and Let God
Published: Sep 19, 2026
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Lou grew up in a Christian home where faith was simply part of everyday life. But as he built a career, launched technology companies, and eventually stepped into decades of ministry in Haiti, he repeatedly found himself in situations far beyond his ability to control.
In this conversation, Lou shares the story of leaving a secure family business to pursue an unproven vision for using computers to transform the HVAC industry, the fear and uncertainty that followed, and the unexpected ways God provided when he finally admitted, "I can't do this." He also recounts a harrowing trip to Haiti to help rescue his friend and pastor, Jean Claude, after he was kidnapped and imprisoned by corrupt police.
But Lou's story ultimately goes beyond business and adventure. After years of trying to make a difference in Haiti, he began wrestling with a deeper question: What does Scripture actually call us to do about poverty, success, and the people around us? Those experiences forced him to reconsider his Western ideas about fixing problems, measuring success, and even his own identity.
Lou reflects on faith, entrepreneurship, leadership, humility, and the temptation to believe the praise and success that come our way. His story is a reminder that faithfulness is not the same thing as controlling the outcome, and that the things we accomplish may not be what matter most in the end.
As Lou puts it, God had to remind him again and again: You can't do this. You are over your skis. Just do what I ask you to do and let the results be mine.
By the end of the conversation, Lou's definition of legacy is remarkably simple: to have been a devoted husband and a loving father and grandfather.