Amplify Peace Podcast

Big problems often paralyze us.  We can't change everything but we can help to change the life of one person.  Mary McGuire is the Executive Director of Mentoring Tucson's Kids and talks about the impact a mentor had on her life and how mentoring youth coming from at risk backgrounds can have such a dramatic effect on the trajectory of one life.  And we discuss why anyone would chos...

There are usually parts of town we all tend to avoid. For me, one of the roughest parts that I avoided was South Los Angeles. But thankfully, God loves the hard places. He raises up servants to go and be light where light is needed most. I want to find those stories and front line churches who go where most avoid. Pastor Peter Watts of The Rock Church joins me for a special episode launching a new...

We talk quite a bit about wounds on this show.  But what about when the wounds don't go away?  Brian Bell is the Regional Director for Joni and Friends, a global ministry dedicated to serving those with disabilities.  Joni's story came out of her own physical disability that left her paralyzed.  Brian's story came from his long service in the military and soldiers with PTSD.&nb...

Big ideas usually start as small seeds.  We often need to do something with that seed first before we know what the big idea will be.  Dan Shufelt is the CEO of Arizona Helping Hands, supplying important needs to children in the foster care system across Arizona. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Corley's world was turned upside down when he was given the opportunity to go to where his agency was shipping medical equipment which included Afghanistan.  Now Jason is the Director of Operations helping churches around the world bring transformation to their communities by obeying the words of Jesus.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The statistics are staggering and point to nothing less than a crisis facing our nation's boys.  Pastor and Author Tim Wright shares some incredible insight into how our culture and even our churches have failed boys but more importantly, what we can do to change.  Great discussion.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our current world where everything becomes political, and politics uses religion to appeal to voters, it is harder but more important than ever to return to the words and heart of Jesus and how we love our neighbor.  Adam Estle from the National Immigration Forum joins me in studio along with Leisa McDonald and Andy Myers for a lively conversation about a charged topic.  And your host...

In a world that shouts for our attention, Linda Morris has quietly been a leader in building bridges of cooperation with her wisdom and life lived by faith.  In my opinion, she is one of the most important leaders in our city.  Linda serves with Harvest Foundation in helping local churches serve the most vulnerable.  Great conversation with a dear friend. See omnystudio.com/listener...

We often think of the political arena as a place of great division.  But the government is much more than politics.  We sit down and talk with the dynamic Maria Fuentes, Director of the Arizona Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family and learn how they are bringing together agencies, businesses, non-profits and the faith community to solve big problems together.  See omnystudio...

Let's not sugarcoat this.  When Doug and Leslie Reprogle started Agape Adoption Agency, they knew of the great need for more foster and adoptive families.  But they are also very honest that the journey to do something so significant can also been incredibly difficult.  Great conversation with another one of Arizona's "power couples" and once again I am humbled by my inability to di...

Does what you buy matter?  Does how the clothes are made matter?  Is the cheapest shirt being the best steward?  Great conversation with Jen Parlin from GOEX clothing.  She brings great insight into the Fair Trade ethic and why we should consider the consequences of what we buy.  And your host is once again humbled by his lousy success rate with Fake News. See omnystudio.c...

With the kids moved out and finished with a successful corporate career, God flipped the lives of Steve and Teri Vogel to open their hearts for children here in Phoenix falling through the cracks.  This dynamic couple founder Thrive Arizona to help bring much needed help to failing families and now are making a huge difference in the lives of children.  And find out which spouse has been...

When we say "Here I am Lord, send me,"  if we are honest we are hoping to be sent to Hawaii.  We often think of postcard Hawaii but Brad and Esther McDaniel share the real Hawaii that also has deep human suffering and children in need of help.  Brad and Esther lead Harvest Family Life Hawaii and have been ambassadors of caring for orphans and helping families stay together. See omny...

Great conversation with my friend Wendi Park from the frozen North.  By frozen I mean hot coffee disappears in midair.  And by North I don't mean Flagstaff, I mean Canada!  Wendi is the Founder/Director of Forever Families of Canada.  Her heart was broken for the children churning through the child welfare system in her country and she is now doing some amazing things helping c...

God interrupts our plans.  Darcy Olsen is a high capacity leader who has championed big causes at the highest levels in our country.  But the reality of children with no parents in her own city opened her heart and life to becoming a foster and adoptive mom.  She is the founder and CEO of GenJustice which advocates for reforming the foster care system.  See omnystudio.com/liste...

Tracey Beal is the innovative leader of School Connect.  Over the last 10 years she has helped hundreds of schools across Arizona connect to churches and their surrounding community.  With so much bad news this year, they have brought together businesses, churches and government in new ways to practical serve our children.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Elaine Howard Ecklund is a Sociologist from Rice University and has studied what scientists and faith practitioners think about each other extensively.   Her research has led to her to not only say that science and faith need to be talking but that they need each other.  Join in for a thoughtful conversation on an important topic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

What is your first thought when you think of the inner city?  Is it a positive or negative one?  Oye Waddell thinks there is fundamental good in our poor communities and has dedicated his life to helping that good to flourish.  Oye is the CEO of of Hustle Phoenix which helps break cycles of poverty by empowering local entrepreneurs from the inner city.  See omnystudio.com/liste...

Tom Lewis spent a career as one of Arizona's leading home-builders.  He shares his life story but also the foundational principles that helped him become a successful person, not just in business, but in his life.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often hear about rewarding it is to give to others in need.  But when it comes to our daily lives, we aren't what we aspire to be and continue to hold on to money and possessions.  Brad Formsma, CEO of I Like Giving has spent 20 years thinking this through and inspiring people to live generous lives.  Very practical and helpful conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Brian Mavis is Co-Founder and President of America's Kids Belong.  This former pastor has dedicated his life starting with his own family to find care and homes for the 400,000 children in our country in the foster care system.  Rather than being a statistic, each child is made in God's image and has a story that invites us to respond.  Very challenging and lively discussion. See om...

We are in the midst of two pandemics.  One is about a virus and the other is the mental health crisis in our nation.  Senior Pastor Aubrey Barnwell has led his church First New Life in Phoenix to be equipped to better serve not only the physical and spiritual needs of their community but also the enormous mental health challenges facing us.  Very honest and helpful conversation. See...

Longtime neonatal nurse Tara Sundem saw firsthand the struggle to keep babies alive at the start of their lives.  This became a life challenge when she saw the unique struggles of babies born exposed to opioids.  She has gone on to found and lead the recently opened Hushabye Nursery.  Very heart-wrenching and heart-warming conversation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Health costs are often the biggest financial burdens people face in their lives.  How does our Christian call to share and bear the sufferings of our brothers and sisters in Christ face this reality?  Evelio Silvera with Christian Care Ministry shares about their Medi-Share program and how this is part of their huge God-sized vision to increase sharing and generosity in our world. ...

The Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation has one mission, to provide foster children with social, athletic and educational activities that they never would otherwise get a chance to have.  Executive Director Kris Jacober joins us in studio to share about this amazing work happening across our state.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.