Dr. Dave Keehn is the chair of Christian ministries at Biola University's Talbot School of Theology and a teaching pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in California. His family suffered a profound tragedy in 2022 when his 24-year-old son, Adam, died suddenly from a brain aneurysm just three weeks before his daughter was born.
Talking about this on American Family Radio, Keehn opened up about the raw, honest questions he had to bring before God.
"I remember telling my church, 'I still believe in God and His love for me and His goodness,' but I truly wrestled with His plans," he confessed. "Like, this could not be His plan. This doesn't make sense."
He understands that his faith did not shield him from that storm, but it did provide the structural foundation for him to survive it.
"When people asked how I was doing, I said, 'I'm like the man who built this house on the rock,'" Keehn said. "The windows were blown out, there was roof damage, but the foundation held."
Ultimately, Keehn wants to help people realize and remember that healing is not about getting rid of grief, but expanding their capacity to hold onto hope.
"Grief is this ball in a jar," he said. "It's not that the grief is getting smaller; it's that your life—the jar—is getting bigger. So, through the power and grace of God, you're able to move forward. Different, but move forward."
In honor of his son's legacy, the Keehn family established the Adam Keehn Foundation, which provides microgrants, curriculum kits and strategic coaching to support first- and second-year youth pastors.
Keehn currently balances his academic career with his role as a senior chaplain for the Orange County Fire Authority. He also shares his faith-based journey through grief to help others navigate deep personal loss.
"For those who are walking alongside people who are grieving, just understand what they're going through so you know what to do, what not to do, what not to say so that you can actually be helpful and not hurtful," he told "Dr. Nurse Mama" host Jessica Peck.
