The Door to Peace

Growing up in South Central Los Angeles during the turbulent 1960s and ’70s meant living through riots, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the rise of gang violence. It was a time of confusion and hardship for many. For Damon Kendrix, those years were shaped by unseen grace. As a young boy, God was already leading him—quietly and consistently—toward peace. Music became the unexpe...

What is hope?  "Hope is a rope.  Hope is the rope that God gives us when we are falling off of the cliffs of life.  Despite how far down you fall into the depths of despair, there is always a sense of knowing that God will rescue us and there will be a better day."                                                                        - Bishop Broderick Huggins In this heartfelt conversa...

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead..." (Philippians 3:13). Paul isn’t asking us to erase the past. He’s showing us how to live with hope, even when the past carries deep pain.    In today’s episode, you’ll hear a father share his story after the loss of his daughter in a mass shooting.    On November 7, 2018 Kristina Morisette, along with eleven others, were ki...

God meets us in all seasons of life.  Recovery from human-made community trauma (ex. mass shootings or sudden political changes) to natural disasters that impact entire communities (ex. fires, floods, hurricanes) follow patterns or phases the five phases include: 1) Hero Phase 2) Disillusionment Phase 3) Rebuilding and Restoration Phase 4) Wisdom Phase The gift of Jesus' presence meets us dif...

Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe and our host, Rev. Tom Stephen, dive into collective trauma related to recent wildfires in Southern California. Kate contextualizes the fires through the lens of losing senses of community and examines how people can come together even after times of devastation.  Kate clarifies what the ‘hero phase’ can look like at the start of a disaster response and how helpers can extend a...

The four weeks before Christmas can make you crazy.    So much to do.  So many expectations.  So many disappointments.   Is Peace even possible?  In this podcast you'll hear an inspiring and informative conversation with Dana Rouse.   Dana's expertise in music, her depth of wisdom and her love for God will offer you ways to find the One who is peace this Christmas season (and any time of...

Have you ever avoided a tough conversation?  Sometimes we fear hurting someone's feelings, so we put off having a direct conversation about a growing problem.     Our desire to be "nice" allows that problem to continue unnecessarily.    Have you ever been overwhelmed and undone because of the brutal directness of a boss or friend? Some people see themselves as the main character in...

Mike Amato joins the podcast and speaks to our host, Tom Stephen, about his near death experience of meeting Jesus in Heaven. He speaks of the conviction that Jesus gave him to “tell the story” of the peace of Christ.  Over the years, Mike has shared his experience with people around the county bring peace and hope to those who have lost a loved one in death.  

“We cannot truly love unless we give up our right to be right” - Nita Hanson "Surrender has everything to do with trust.  I cannot surrender to something I don't trust." - Nita Hanson Tom Stephen is joined by longtime friend of the podcast and recurring guest, Nita Hanson.  Nita Hanson shares how even in her darkest moments of the war in Ukraine, she experiences the Peace of Christ....

“We need to prepare for death the same way that we prepare for life." In this podcast Mickey Fenn offers practical insights for those who facing the death of a loved one.    As a hospice chaplain and someone who has encountered death both personally and professionally, her experience helping families will give you practical insights into how you can walk through the last stage of life of the...

Conflict at home?  At work?  In your faith community?  You might be surprised at what lies at the core of most conflicts.  Jen Fraser joins the Door to Peace podcast to share practical tools of what she has learned about psychological phenomena that occur in conflict. She is passionate to meet people where they are and bring peace and understanding to the root of the anxieties and worries during c...

How can followers of Jesus bring the peace of Christ into a world that sees Christians as judgmental, hypocritical and hateful? Jon Ritner advocates for a shift from some traditional Christian behaviors to living more like Jesus — connecting with people with genuine curiosity to better understand their needs and longings.  This podcast will offer new perspectives on how to approach ideologies that...

"Our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee," wrote St. Augustine in his Confessions Finding peace in the presence of God is not always easy within Christianity.    Many have discovered that in order to experience God's love, peace and forgiveness we need to untangle ourselves from different streams of Christianity that have been more concerned about power, prestige and co...

Do you want to being your day with a fresh and restored mind that will influence all that you do? Do you want to start each day with a God-given confidence and expectation?  In this podcast, you'll learn a simple process of beginning the day by planting "seeds" (ancient wisdom) that will set your attitude to face whatever the day may bring.  In your work, in your relationships, in y...

Rev. Garrett Andrew is back!  And he brought a friend and co-writer with him. Out of passion to help those isolated during the pandemic, Linda strongly encouraged Garrett to write a book with her to help those experiencing fear, depression and anger.  Their newly published book  "Peace Be With You: Tools and Thoughts to Guide You from Anxiety to Serenity," published in 2023,  is bringing...

Diagnosed in April 2011  with stage 4 breast cancer, which spread to her lymph nodes and liver.  Amy was told, "get your affairs in order."    The cancer would eventually spread to lymph nodes near her heart, lungs, skin,  bones and even to her brain.    Thirteen years later,  Amy shares how the boundless and unmeasured love of Jesus carried her through the ups and downs on the cancer ro...

Knowing, hearing and acting on God's direction brings peace not only in your life but in the lives of others.   In this podcast, you'll see how it can literally save lives. As a surfer and father, John has learned over the years to pay attention  to God's direction and to act on what he senses God calling him to do.   His experiences will inspire and encourage you.    "Trust in...

Changing lives one wave at a time, Surfing, surf culture, the surf industry defined John Viella's life for many years.     God planted a seed in John's life at a very young age that would take John's love for surfing and use it to help kids in the foster care system to grow as individuals and discover God's love while on a surf board.  In this podcast you'll not only hear...

When Larry Smith received the phone call from his daughter that his 18 year old granddaughter had died in a car accident - he felt horror. In this intimate and meaningful podcast,   Larry Smith and Pastor Tom explore the impact and reality of grief.   You'll also hear helpful insights into how to be with others who are walking through unexpected death. In addition to his extensive business co...

Listen to this every week.   Rev. Lorenda Barber speaks from experience when she says, "Check the record of your life.   You'll see that you have survived and that God has a plan for you and that plan is good." If you are looking for something more, God has that for you.  If you are looking for the ability to live a better life, God has that for you.    Rev Lorenda will often pray,...

Why do horrific things happen to good people?   Why do innocent children suffer abuse?  Have you ever cried out to God and asked, "Why so much?  Why did I have to suffer so much?" Rev. Lorenda Barber has experienced horrific pain.   Abused as a child and later in life  kidnapped as a young mom she was left for dead on the side of a road in Florida.  She not only survived but her life tod...

Get ready to experience practical and powerful wisdom that has been helping people out of difficult circumstances literally for thousands of years.    God has designed a pathway for carrying you through  and bringing you out of the lowest places in your life.  In this second podcast with Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe, she'll explore how God worked in the lives of biblical characters to help them with d...

The effects of the massive COVID hangover continues.  Preschool  and elementary students having an abnormally hard time at school. College students and young adults  feeling a general malaise about their future. Churches struggling to have worshippers return to the sanctuary  Businesses having a hard time keeping employees. Employees frustrated with having to go back to work in the office. Familie...

What do you think about these thoughts from Garrett Andrew?  “We are the most depressed, medicated, addicted, obese people who have ever existed...a Digital Detox allows us to disconnect from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (our iphones) and simply be present with those around us.” "Walking in nature takes me out of myself, connects me the fullness of the world in which I am a part and...

In response to a friend's request to experience the Christian season of Lent in a life giving way,  Garrett wrote on Facebook, "Someone asked me for some practical, non crazy, practices they could try during Lent. This is what I offered in case you may be looking for something." From a digital detox to mindfulness, you are invited to  experience Seven Non-Crazy Practices to Peace wh...