Rescuers radio show: Recent Episodes
Rescuers
The Rescuers radio show provides an opportunity to spotlight people who are working behind the scenes to make this world a better place. These people serve as inspiration and idea starters to encourage others to find creative ways to impact their community, their city, and the world.
Host Art Brooks has spent his career in broadcasting, both as on-air talent and in representing the industry as president and CEO of the Arizona Broadcasters Association for nearly 30 years. He was the driving force behind an Emmy-winning series of documentaries on drug abuse that combined a phone bank of 100 seasoned counselors and history-making "roadblock," as every TV station in Arizona and many radio stations broadcast the groundbreaking show on the same day at the same time. He also was instrumental in starting AZ AMBER Alert (one of two states in the nation where broadcasters initiated the program), helped form the Native American Broadcast Institute at Northern Arizona University and consulted with broadcasters in Bulgaria to help build commercial radio as the country was coming out of communism.
Rescuers airs 5:30-6 p.m. AZ time Thursdays on KPXQ-AM Faith Talk 1360, beginning May 7, 2020. Based in Phoenix, it is available internationally online. We invite you to submit names of heroes you think would be good subjects for the show - just message us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rescuersradioshow/
Jimmy Walker is a great story-teller. And many of his stories feature well-known figures from Billy Crystal to Kevin Costner, Halle Berry, Kurt Warner, Tom Hanks, Dionne Warwick, Barry Manilow, Reba McEntire, Magic Johnson and his close friend Muhammad Ali.
He doesn’t tell those stories to impress – he talks in a soft voice about their adventures and their lives, and most of all their generosity in helping with his many philanthropic efforts, including the storied Celebrity Fight Night that has raised more than $90 million for charity.
Jimmy is just as quick to make friends with non-celebrities. He founded a program for the homeless at St. Vincent de Paul called “Never Give Up,” and his latest passion is growing Grace Sober Living homes in memory of his beloved son Scott whom he lost two years ago.
Join us and just be prepared to laugh out loud, and maybe to shed a quiet tear, and you get to know Jimmy.
Click here to learn more about Grace Sober Living: https://gracesoberliving.org/
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Most people know Rosie Romero as the congenial voice on the radio for the past 34 years that helps entertain and educate homeowners about caring for their investment.
His homespun Cajun humor has helped make Rosie on the House a hit, but there’s a side to him that isn’t as readily apparent. He and his wife Jennifer “Sweet Jenn” are coming up on their 44th wedding anniversary, and together are passionate about rural ministries in Arizona, having helped start a church in Nutrioso. They also work with organizations ranging from Habitat for Humanity to Wildlife for Tomorrow and American Missionary Fellowship. They use the show and their notoriety to constantly encourage listeners to seek opportunities to serve in their own communities.
Join us as Rosie talks about the journey and what brought him to this point in his life.
Click here to learn more about Rosie: https://www.rosieonthehouse.com/
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Linda Pauling’s story starts as unspeakable tragedy for her family, but she has helped turn it into a story of unspeakable joy for families all over the world.
In the spring of 1980, her 7-year-old son Chris had already been battling leukemia for years. His doctors told Linda he may be approaching the end of that struggle.
Knowing that Chris loved all things to do with the police, his mom reached out to friends and in the course of just a few days created his dream day that included rides in patrol cars, helicopters, motorcycles and even an adventure to catch some bad guys.
“He was his old self that day, smiling and full of energy. He was high-fiving everyone and it was wonderful,” said Linda. “Chris was such a proud little boy.”
Sadly, Chris died just four days later. But all who witnessed his joy that day realized they had been part of something very special, and Make-A-Wish was born.
Click here to learn more about Make-A-Wish, click here: https://wish.org/
Original air date: March 17, 2022
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Brad Cesmat has always had a passion for sports – from Little League and Pop Warner to track and basketball. But when they handed him a mic to do some announcing for his high school JV team, a star was born.
That star not only earned a stellar reputation broadcasting throughout the Southwest, but has used his talents in countless ways to help mentor others, put the spotlight on local youth sports, teach, and devote 20 years to serving on the board of directors for the Salvation Army. Join us to learn about his journey to service.
Click here to learn more about Brad: www.sports360az.com
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What if … leaders and companies could create a vision for their organizations to keep them from being led astray?
What if … leaders could help their teams live life to the fullest?
Bill Heitzman’s dream is to provide every person in the world with tools to create a personal written guidance for their life.
In pursuit of that dream, he formed the Leadership Productivity Forum to work with organizations from the Rose Women’s Foundation in Kenya to Celebrate Recovery, and help causes like volunteers who are preparing incarcerated men to handle the transition from prison to civilian life.
Hear how he equips leaders and their people to live worry-free, happy, inspired lives and build innovate organizations.
Click here to learn more about the Leadership Productivity Forum by clicking here: http://productiveleader.com/
Original air date: March 3, 2022
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As the mom of five, Jenny Clark knows how different kids can be, even in the same family. Part of that difference is in learning styles and the needs of each child may call for different approaches.
As a result, she uses a variety of schooling options for her own family, and loves sharing with other families about their options and helping them find the right fit for their kids.
That passion led her to start the nonprofit Love Your School. She wanted to create an avenue for families and schools to share more about the amazing ways Arizona kids are learning, and growing, and loving their education – whether they are in district, charter, private, online, homeschool, microschool, learning pod, or receive an Arizona Empowerment Scholarship.
Click here to learn more about Love Your School: https://www.loveyourschool.org/
Original air date: February 24, 2022
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Tom Kuyper has been a basketball player for nearly as long as he can remember. He could never have guessed where that would take him, not as much in terms of his own career, but in terms of impacting the lives of children.
He learned he had a gift for working with kids that surpassed even his talent at basketball, and he used that gift – coupled with his passion for the sport – to help change lives. Learn how he coaches his players both on the court and off.
Click here to learn more: https://www.tomkuyperbasketball.com/
Original air date: February 17, 2022
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Aaron Parrott had an all-American childhood growing up in Seattle, at least until age 9 when his parents entered the mission field. From that point on, he moved throughout Central and South America, learning new languages and new cultures.
That built a compassion for kids that he’s directing toward helping underserved students in Phoenix as executive director of MentorKids USA. He has been with the organization for 16 years, helping it through a reorganization, growing the budget by 500% and impacting the lives of 500 students in Phoenix each year. Learn how you can join him in his mission!
Click here to learn more about MentorKids USA: https://mentorkidsusa.org/
Original air date: February 10, 2022
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Marc Lozano had a dream job working for the NBA. As in the National Basketball Association. But then he quit.
Find out why he left, why he liquidated all his assets and what drove him to help people invest in a way that is aligned with their Christian values. He says, “When you invest in something, that means you want it to grow in power and influence. If you are a Christian than the things you want to grow in power and influence are probably not aligned with the typical retirement account or investment portfolio.”
Click here to learn more about Christ Centered Capital : https://christcenteredcapital.com/
Original air date:February 3, 2022
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As a teen deep in his active addiction, Sean Walsh was resigned to the fact he probably wouldn’t live to see young adulthood.
Today, he not only is in long-term recovery, but he has helped thousands of others on their own path. As CEO of Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, Sean is responsible for its family of programs which include not only the flagship location The Meadows, but more than 12 others that help people overcome addiction, heal unresolved emotional trauma, and develop the tools they need to transform their lives.
Hear his story of personal redemption and his dedication to help change the way we think about addiction, trauma, and mental health.
Click here to learn more about The Meadows: www.meadowsbh.com
Original air date: January 27, 2022
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Kathe Wunnenberg suffered three miscarriages and the death of an infant son. She could have taken that hurt and sunk into bitterness and sorrow, instead she believes God can transform anything you offer Him into hope to help others. Her life motto is “We go through what we go through, to help others go through what we went through.” She is the author of Grieving The Loss of a Loved One, Grieving the Child I Never Knew, Longing for a Child, and Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope when Life Hurts. Hear how she found a life-calling from tragedy.
Click here to learn more about Hopelifters Unlimited: http://hopelifters.com/
Original air date: January 20, 2022
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Bernadette Coggins has lived in the Tempe, AZ community she serves for more than 30 years. She gained a reputation as an advocate for children and those in need, and used her background in education to help in the passage of state legislation and grant funding for some key dyslexia programs.
Today her passion for kids has brought her into a powerful new role as the program director for the Tempe (AZ) Coalition, developed to reduce underage drinking and drug use. Their initiatives include 21 or Too Young, Support Your Kids’ Interests, Social Host Ordinance, and Opioid Resources.
Click here to learn more about the Tempe Coalition: https://tempecoalition.org/
Original air date: January 13, 2022
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Dr. Brent Garrison Ph.D. spent 32 years in Christian higher education and leadership at respected institutions from the Moody Bible Institute to LeTourneau University in Texas and Arizona Christian University. He is an author, hosted a daily radio program and traveled to 40 countries.
But in recent years, his students have been of a different sort. As a senior discipleship fellow of The CEO Forum, he works with leaders of businesses with $100 million in revenue to engage, encourage and disciple them and their families as Christ-following leaders who advance the Kingdom of God.
Learn how the vision of “Transformed executives. Transformed world” helps prepare those leaders to change the world.
Click here to learn more about The CEO Forum, click here: https://theceoforum.org/
Original air date: January 6, 2022
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Tracey Beal was leading college students on service trips all over the world when she realized there were needs at home in Phoenix where they could help. Her experience with schools in other countries helped her realize they were the lifeblood of any community and a perfect place to make a difference.
She began to bring businesses, churches, nonprofits, and university students together to serve Phoenix schools, and found there were other organizations who wanted to help, but didn’t know how to go about it.
That’s when School Connect was born. Today, it serves more than 700 public and charter schools in Arizona, and the model is being used in locations from Louisiana to Texas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and California.
Listen to Tracey’s interview to learn how she took a simple idea and nurtured it to help students and their families.
Click here to learn more about School Connect: https://schoolconnectaz.org/
Original air date: December 30, 2021
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The more you learn about Lydia Guzman, the more convinced you’ll become that she began advocating for positive change before she learned to walk.
Her personal mission is to help the community to become politically engaged. In order to become empowered, she believes people have to be part of the process.
One of her earliest accomplishments was helping Betsy Bayless, Secretary of State at the time, lead Arizona to becoming the first state in the nation to have totally paperless voter registration. And she’s continued making positive change ever since.
Today she’s the Director of Advocacy and Civic Engagement for Chicanos Por La Causa, an organization that spans four states and impacts more than 2 million lives each year.
Click here to learn more about Chicanos Por La Causa: https://cplc.org/
Original air date: December 23, 2021
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Judy Borgeson saw a great need in the Phoenix area homeless community for basic hygiene care. She was inspired by an international ministry that was sending hygiene kits around the world inspired her and she began learning everything she could about the needs of nonprofits in the Phoenix area. She continued to hear that one of their greatest struggles was the funds to provide their clients with basic items needed for day-to-day care.
In 1988, Judy founded Shoebox Ministry in the greater Phoenix area. Donations are collected from businesses and individuals, and are sorted, organized, packed into a shoebox or a bag by an army of volunteers, and given to a network of nonprofit agencies, who then distribute them to individuals in their programs.
Today, the organization delivers more than 1,500 hygiene kits each month. Learn how one person can impact 30,000 each year!
Click here to learn more about Shoebox Ministry - https://shoeboxministry.org/
Original air date: December 16, 2021
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Dave Hannah was a world-class athlete, signed to play with the Los Angeles Rams and unofficial holder of 14 world records in weight lifting. He could have never dreamed his most remarkable “lift” wouldn’t be in pounds, but in young lives.
He joined the Campus Crusade for Christ and helped found Athletes in Action which he led for 22 years. Then in 2004 he began a bold new program, Ambassadors of Compassion that equips youth with the critical skills necessary to navigate and succeed through life’s inevitable challenges. The full program is scientifically measured and proven to build resilience in the lives of youth. It brings together the wisdom and expertise of successful leaders, influencers, and educators from across the world.
They also partner with caring corporations, celebrities and the entertainment industry, pro and college sports teams, schools, and community-based groups. They have done more than 70 food distributions with Tyson Foods and 26 pro and college sports teams. Ambassadors also does movie premieres and sports stadium events to give hope to the neediest children in each city. More than 60,000 students have taken the Ambassadors of Compassion life -changing curriculum, with plans to reach one million students by 2023.
Click here to learn more about Ambassadors of Compassion: https://aoclife.org/
Original air date: December 9, 2021
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Growing up in Southern California, Dawon Coleman didn’t think of his family as homeless, but they moved often, from living in a Motel 6 to his dad’s office to an assortment of houses and apartments for a few months at a time. His family struggled financially, his mom feeding a family of four on $10 a day.
Part of Dawon’s story is how through dogged determination to overcome his background led to his success in business, as owner of The Dawon Coleman Agency-State Farm. But the real part of his story is his dedication to giving back – as a speaker, as a mentor, and as an inspiration to kids with a background like his, to show them that there are options. That they don’t have to let their circumstances dictate their existence or their future.
Original air date: December 2, 2021.
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A RESCUERS CLASSIC for Thanksgiving
Eric Sheldahl grew up on a farm just north of Des Moines, and had a successful career as a real estate developer. He and his wife Mary came to Phoenix planning to stay for a few months to flip houses – never knowing they would fall in love with Arizona.
When they learned about an organization called Midwest Food Bank that was ranked in the top 10 out of 7,000 nonprofits, they had to learn more and in 2017 they opened the Arizona Midwest Food Bank in Gilbert. They began by serving food at absolutely no cost to 30 agencies, from food pantries to homeless ministries, rehab centers, schools and churches. In just four years, they have grown ten-fold, serving 320 agencies with $64 million worth of food.
Learn how this amazing organization provides food at no cost to other agencies across the country to feed the hungry.
To learn more about Midwest Food Bank, click on https://www.midwestfoodbank.org/
Original air date: March 11, 2021.
Rebroadcast: November 25, 2021.
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Kevin Cherilla’s passion is mountaineering, and his greatest personal accomplishment in that arena is in conquering the summit of Mt. Everest. But his life impact is even greater than that.
He has shared his passion with those who might never know the joy of climbing, including those who are blind, paralyzed or who have lost limbs. In addition to helping those with disabilities to summit some of the most famous mountains in the world, he and his partner Kristen Sandquist formed the K2 Adventures Foundation, with programs like The White Hat Project to build Tanzania’s first safe haven shelter for young girls who are victims of sexual violence, the Summit Happy Home for displaced and orphaned children.
Click here to learn more about the K2 Adventures Foundation: https://k2adventures.org/
Original air date: November 18, 2021
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Demetrius Early is a Christian recording artist and motivational speaker. His life is full with writing music, promoting new designs for his clothing line, and spending time with his wife and two dogs.
But in the streets of the neighborhood, he saw people living in pain. Lives full of hurt, depression, homelessness and addictions. Instead of just passing by, he found ways to reach out and help change those lives. Today, The PHREE Project – People Helping Reach Everyone, Everyday – partners with more than 50 organizations around the globe. In his home base of New Mexico, PHREE has distributed clothes to more than 12,000 people and toys to more than 3,000 kids during the holidays.
Join us as Demetrius shares his story of making a difference.
Click here to learn more about the PHREE Project: https://phreeproject.org/
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He’s just one man, but his ministry experience ranges through almost 50 nations, and from arts in evangelism, missions and ministry, to Jewish & Muslim evangelism, to church planting, worship ministry and coaching, and the theology of worship, imagination and the arts.
The Rev. Dr. Byron Spradlin surrendered his life to Christ’s service at age 19, and from that point on his steps have taken him all over the world. His legacy may be in the organizations he has founded or served with, including Artists in Christian Testimony International, The Lausanne Movement, professor of Worship, Imagination & the Arts, Jews for Jesus and WorldVenture Mission.
Learn how his career – his calling – has intertwined workship, music, and the world!
Click here to learn more about Artists in Christian Testimony International: https://actinternational.org/
Original air date: November 4, 2021
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When Rachel Cinader first traveled to Uganda on a mission trip, she had no idea where that journey would take her.
She was in Uganda to create a program to help local women make dresses for little girls in their communities who had only rags to wear. But on returning back to the U.S., she found hundreds of women here eager to sew dresses for the children.
That led her to founding Hope 4 Women International, which not only includes the Dress a Girl Around the World program, but is designed to empower women suffering from poverty, disease, and low self-worth to become self-sufficient with businesses of their own through business program sponsorships.
Click here to learn more about Hope 4 Women: https://www.h4wi.org/
Original air date: October 28, 2021
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When Miriam Antolik’s husband died suddenly in 2010, she was determined her youngest children needed to stay at the private school they had been attending.
She wanted them to have stability, familiar faces, friends, and teachers, as they were facing many challenges and adjustments.
The Arizona Tuition Tax Credit program allowed her children to continue at the school of choice which best met their educational, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
She found not everyone was familiar with the program, however, or knew how to apply it to their families. So she founded the School Tuition Organization 4 Kidz to help others. Learn where the journey has led her in this week’s show.
Click here to learn more about School Tuition Organization 4 Kidz: www.STO4KIDZ.org
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Teen Challenge gave David Dobkins his life back as a young man; and now his given his life to the organization in gratitude.
Growing up in Phoenix, David had a good family, was involved in church, and enjoyed using his talents as a musician, artist and athlete.
As a teenager, David faced serious challenges in his life, as a series of bad choices led him into deep drug addiction, trouble with the law, and two drug overdoses that almost ended his life.
Fortunately, his family never gave up on him, and through God's grace and the Teen Challenge of Arizona recovery program, David was able to learn about life in Christ and find a new start in life.
Click here to learn more about Teen Challenge: https://tcaz.org/
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Kit Danley was still in college when she felt called by God to serve the poor in urban communities.
In 1982, she helped launch Neighborhood Ministries in Phoenix, an organization to be the presence of Jesus Christ, sharing his life-transforming hope, love, and power among distressed families of urban Phoenix to ignite their passion for God and His Kingdom.
Neighborhood Ministries is a hub of community activity where basic necessities of life are joyfully met, including providing a safe place for youth to engage in sports, activities, and the arts. Whole generations of families have forever been changed by being shown a way out of the cycle of poverty that grips most urban communities. The results have been nothing short of miraculous.
Hear Kit talk about how she turned her calling into a ministry that not only changes lives, but an entire city.
Click here to learn more about Neighborhood Ministries: https://nmphx.com/
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Ben Sanders grew up on the ASU campus where his father was a professor.
After working as an accountant and financial analyst, he joined Community Ministries International in 1997 and returned to ASU to do full-time campus ministry with Christian faculty members and campus ministry leaders. He and his wife Sarah met at a prayer meeting on campus in 1980, and together they started the Campus Christian Center (C3) in 2012, hosting up to 30 Christian ministries to the ASU campus, ranging from the African Student Forum to Young Life. Learn how they are touching lives on the ASU campus!
Click here to learn more about the Campus Christian Center https://www.c3tempe.org/ and the Arizona Center for Christian Studies https://www.azccs.net/
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When a BMX accident left Ryan Pinney paralyzed from the waist down, it slowed him down. Briefly. Nine years later, he was in the international spotlight as a Paralympics medal winner.
He figures that everyone has barriers in life, and it’s our choice if we let those challenges stop us from doing the things we love. Riding a bike led to his injury, but riding a bike also led to his greatest victory – to date.
Ryan loves competing and has always wanted to be the best in the world. The bike is his passion, but it’s support he’s received from the people in his life that has brought him to the pinnacle of success.
Let Ryan inspire you the way he inspires all who cross his path.
Original air date: September 23, 2021
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Rick Johnson likes to say his business is really a ministry created by God, working undercover as a fastener company.
And that’s not far from the truth – the way he has integrated his faith into the workplace makes him a role model for many businesses. It hasn’t been an easy road – his story talks about failure and success, adversity and ultimately, miracles.
Click here to learn more about how Rick offers his employees so much more than a simple paycheck!
Click here to learn about RC Fasteners: https://www.rcfastener.com/
Original air date: September 16, 2021
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No two children have the same gifts or the same learning styles. That’s why the nonprofit Edkey Inc. doesn’t have any schools with the same mission or identity.
Mark Plitzuweit has found a way to help kids find out what makes them special, whether they are gifted in academics, wonderful artists, or need special help in learning English, accommodations or distance learning.
Learn how he is helping set kids up for success!
Click here to learn more about the Sequoia Schools and EdKey, go to https://www.edkey.org/
Original air date: September 9, 2021
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When Kim Perea was a young girl, her father had an accident that left him physically and mentally impaired. The community came together and blessed their family by bringing food, and helping with childcare, transportation and loving care.
Then when she was 10, her brother fell into the pool and she was able to save him. Helping others became a calling, and she says “I wanted to serve from the overflow of my heart, not from a paycheck,” and as an adult she became a Phoenix firefighter.
Learn how all these pieces fit together to bring her to starting Arizona Compassion and Action.
Click here to learn more about Arizona Compassion and Action: https://www.azcompassion.org/
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“I was no longer consumed by fire. I was consumed by gratitude.”
Growing up, Jason Schechterle had one dream - to serve as a Phoenix Police Officer. Inspired by the tragic loss of a local law enforcement hero, Jason worked persistently towards his dream. After serving four years in the Air Force, at the age 26, Jason achieved his goal to work on the streets of Phoenix as a rookie police officer. Then, only 14 months into what was supposed to be a life-long career, Jason's life took an unexpected, dramatic and, at the time, tragic turn.
On the night of March 26th, 2001, a taxi cab crashed into the rear of Jason's patrol car. Upon impact, Jason's car burst into flames, trapping him inside with temperatures reaching over 700 degrees.
Jason's journey chronicles his fight for life, his triumph over tragedy and the inspiration that enables him to continue to overcome unimaginable adversity. His personal narrative exemplifies that the power of the human spirit can never be underestimated or extinguished.
Click here to learn more about Burning Shield: https://burningshield.com/
Original air date August 26, 2021
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It’s obvious that Donna Kafer is a woman of many talents. Her bio lists experience as an actor author, screenwriter and producer. She’s written two books – “Women of Courage” and “Women of Faith.” She’s passionate about prison ministry.
But it’s her 23 years serving the Arizona State Legislature and staff through her nonprofit, The Arizona Legislative Chaplaincy that has had the most impact, providing one-on-one prayer, scriptural counseling and encouragement.
Original air date August 19, 2021.
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“Unconditional love.” “Resilience.”
Rev. Sanghoon Yoo led ministries and social services in the Valley of the Sun for 20 years, when he was introduced to an idea that inspired him to merge mental health and faith in his work.
He was delighted to discover that current neuroscience developments support what scripture and his faith teaches. From there he formed the Arizona Trauma-Informed Faith Community Network with a mission of building resilient faith-based organizations to facilitate sensitive care, training, resource sharing, advocacy, and social movement – not compromising people’s own faith tradition, but multiplying collaboration for the greater good.
Click here to learn more about The Faithful City and Arizona Trauma Informed Faith Community: https://www.thefaithfulcity.org/
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David Zook’s first career was in sales and marketing. He didn’t know how well he was being prepared for his true calling: helping churches and pastors impact their communities.
After being called as a pastor in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, it became clear that he had a gift for developing leadership to help build the church spiritually, and ultimately in attendance. His creativity and passion is influencing churches and pastors around the country. Hear his thoughts about the church of tomorrow and saving small congregations led by a single pastor charged with two critical essentials.
Click here to learn more about The GO Center: https://www.pmaofepc.org/the_go_center
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Doug Brooks spent the first 20 of years of his professional life in sales management; then he answered a holy calling that led to seminary, and ultimately back to the workplace in a totally different capacity.
As a regional director for Corporate Chaplains of America, he helps bring care and compassion to hurting employees, meeting them where they are. No one can predict when life is going to have challenges, from hospital visits, to illness, or a devastating family death, it’s difficult to keep all of these stresses separate from work.
Click here to learn more about Corporate Chaplains of America: https://chaplain.org/
Original air date: July 29, 2021
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Randy Spencer has represented Grammy Award-winning recording artists. He’s written for Billboard Magazine. For the past 30 years he’s been involved with the music business.
Now he’s working with the most promising artists of all at Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers, where they allow teens to build confidence and discover their passion through music, dance, self-expression and creativity.
They provide private lessons for guitar, bass, drums, pianos and vocals for free. They provide instruments; they provide a place for young bands to practice.
A faith-based organization, Solid Rock’s primary mission is to make an everlasting difference in the lives of teens by helping them meet the spiritual, economical, physical, and social needs of teens in the community by offering a safe, engaging environment during non-school hours.
Click here to learn more about the Solid Rock Teen Centers: https://www.alicecoopersolidrock.com/
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When her grandfather died of Alzheimer’s, Tiffany Ramirez’s heart was broken.
That loss fueled her passion to bring the healing properties of art and imagination to lives of people living with dementia.
Tiffany is committed to raising awareness of the value of creativity and faith for people living with cognitive challenges among memory care communities, care partners, support groups, and spiritual organizations. Her work has been recognized by the County of Sacramento with the Hero of Human Services Award.
Today, she is dedicated to providing creative experiences that support the hope and faith of people living with physical and cognitive challenges.
Click here to learn more about Artisan Mind:https://artisanmind.org/
Original air date: July 15, 2021
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Darien Bennett had dreams of being a professional athlete until serious knee injuries sidelined him permanently. He worked for IBM for 23 years before retiring to focus on coaching. His life, however, had become one of regret and destruction. Divorced, depressed, and discouraged, he felt lost and alienated. But then a man of faith came alongside him and he was forever changed.
Today, his goal with Men Coaching Men is to strive to help men to do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons, so that they will be effective as servant-leaders in all areas of life – as husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and lovers of God and neighbors.
Join us as Pastor D shares how they connect and coach-up men so that they will contribute as Christ’s representatives
Click here learn more about Men Coaching Men: https://mencoachingmen.org/
Original air date: July 8, 2021
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For years, Chey Castro’s life centered around success and focused on his profession.
Then something happened – he found Christ.
Now his focus is on giving hope to other, mentoring and talking about his faith.
Original air date: July 1, 2021
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He likes to say his life has taken him from the suburbs of L.A. to Siberia.
Jonathan Sanborn always knew he was destined to work globally. For more than a decade, he traveled the world, equipping churches to practically serve the poor in their own communities.
But God kept changing what was important to him.
Today, he is the Area Director (Arizona, California, Utah and Hawaii) for CarePortal, a nonprofit that connects children in need to churches and other organizations nearby to fulfill needs defined by a child welfare worker, from diapers to beds. Special software immediately broadcasts specific needs to organizations in a 15-mile radius of the child or family’s home, so those organizations can step up to meet that need in their own neighborhood.
The greatest request right now from CarePortal is for more member churches. In Arizona, for example, there are currently 118 member churches, but they would like to have 300-500.
Tune in to learn how this partnerships helps children, their families and their communities.
Click here learn more about CarePortal: https://www.careportal.org/ or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheCarePortal
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To know that Chuck Fitzgerald currently serves as the Sergeant at Arms for the Arizona House of Representatives is to know only a tiny piece of the man.
He has been instrumental in causes ranging from foster care to human trafficking, and most recently promoting peace. He has served on the board for Neighborhood Ministries, 2-1-1 Arizona, CityServe Arizona, Communities in Schools, Leadership West, and Shoebox Ministries. He has facilitated the Arizona Faith Council (www.godenriches.org ) for over ten years and has co-led the West Valley Human Services Alliance (www.wvhsa.org ) for twelve years. He has been a sought-after public speaker on the topics of serving the vulnerable and impoverished, building the capacity of the community, and promoting peace.
Join us to hear how you can join him in serving the community.
Click here learn more about the Peoria Peace Initiative www.peoriapeaceinitiative.org and the annual Pursuing Peace Conference www.pursuingpeace.org
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As the mom of seven, Kathleen Winn holds a special distaste for human trafficking. As the executive director of Project 25, she’s able to do something about it.
Her career includes stints as a news reporter, real estate and Community Outreach and Education Director for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
Click here learn more about Project 25: https://www.project25.net/
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Bryan & Erica Lamca have dedicated their lives to helping others around the globe. From short-term missions in Peru to working with college students and their current assignment in Ecuador. Erica is partnering with Casa Elizabeth, a crisis pregnancy center and home for teenage girls. More than 16 percent of teenage girls in Ecuador get pregnant, and 80 percent of those are unwanted.
Bryan is working with young men, helping them learn how to become better and more responsible fathers. Together they are raising their three daughters, teaching them about a life of service. We invite you to be inspired with their story!
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Forty years ago, Mark Napier accepted a position as a police officer in Iowa, and he’s been in law enforcement ever since. Most of that time has been in Southern Arizona, and he has become an expert in many areas, from border issues to drug trafficking.
His stories about the changes in the past couple of decades of law enforcement will give you insight to the challenges our first responders face every day.
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Angela Harrolle’s world came to a stop the day her husband lost his life in the line of duty as a DPS officer/paramedic, leaving her a widow with two young children.
The 100 Club of Arizona was there to help her, and today as the organization’s CEO/President she is helping to extend comfort, hope and advocate for safety programs for Arizona’s public safety members and their families throughout the state. They stand behind the men and women who stand behind the badge.
Click here learn more about The 100 Club of Arizona at https://www.100club.org/
Hear her story at 5:30 p.m. AZ time Thursday, May 20 on KPXQ-AM 1360, or listen LIVE online by clicking here: https://faithtalk1360.com/radioshow/8525 and select “Listen Live!”
After the show airs, it will be available at any time at https://omny.fm/shows/rescuers
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For 20 years, Jeff Boles’ expertise was corporate IT. He had a knack for cutting edge technology and solving problems.
Then he took those skills a totally different direction, and now changes lives as director of the Creighton Community Foundation. The foundation was established to support Creighton School District and the surrounding neighborhood to bring resources to some of the most impoverished families in urban Phoenix.
The organization seeks to achieve better developmental outcomes for children, to bring people into deeper relationships with the community, and bring resources to help families.
Learn how a dedicated group of people can make a brighter world for children, their families and the community.
Click here learn more about the Creighton Community Foundation: https://www.creightoncommunityfoundation.org/
Original air date: May 13, 2021
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The image of a 15-year-old girl jammed into a dog crate so small her knees were forced against her chest and then was forced into prostitution was pivotal in Peggy Bilsten’s fight against sex trafficking.
She was a teacher before being elected to the Phoenix City Council, and three years later elected vice mayor. She used that cultural capital to fight against domestic violence in Arizona and advocate for people with disabilities. She played a role in opening StreetLightUSA in Phoenix, a Christ-centered program to help survivors of child sex trafficking heal and dream again. She led seven humanitarian aid trips to Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami. She traveled to DRC Congo – the rape epicenter of the world – five times as part of a team to provide trauma counseling to survivors of rape. She participated in humanitarian missions into Sudan to rescue child soldiers and sex slaves. She has helped equip church planters, leaders, and pastors around the world.
The power of one. Prepare to be inspired as to how you can change the world in the story of Peggy Bilsten.
Click here learn more about some of the ministries Peggy has participated with: StreetLightUSA https://www.streetlightusa.org/
Arizona Sexual Assault Networkhttp://www.arizonasexualassaultnetwork.org/
Mending the Soulhttps://mendingthesoul.org/
Food for the Hungryhttps://www.fh.org/
Arizona Sexual Assault Networkhttp://www.arizonasexualassaultnetwork.org/
Original air date: May 6, 2021
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When Tammy Abernethy was raising her kids as a single mom, she had first-hand experience with the fears, insecurities, and hopelessness that parenting in a crisis brings.
She was fortunate to be supported by a community of friends, family, and faith, but her heart was burdened for the women who were doing it alone, without a community or an understanding of resources available to help.
Now as the CEO of Hope Women’s Center, she is helping to provide a safe haven for at-risk women and girls to get back on their feet.
Whatever the adversity — addiction, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, unplanned pregnancy, feeling overwhelmed by parenting, unemployment, loss of confidence or support system, human trafficking, family conflict or change, children in the foster care system, homelessness, or healing past trauma — Hope’s free holistic approach helps engage, encourage, and equip women in all stages of life.
To learn more about Hope Women’s Center, go to www.hopewomenscenter.org
Original air date: April 29, 2021
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Thinking back, Susan Howe thinks having two sons who went to war played an important role in her resolve to start an Honor Flight Hub in Arizona.
She first heard about the Honor Flight program in 2008, and was inspired by the story of the organization dedicated to honoring our nation’s veterans with an all-expenses paid trip to the memorials in Washington, D.C., a trip many of our veterans may not otherwise be able to take. She took her father, a B-24 nose gunner, on an Honor Flight from Ohio and came back determined to start a hub in Arizona.
True to her word, she completed the paperwork for the first Honor Flight AZ board and began fundraising. The first trip was in November 2009 with 12 veterans.
To learn more about Honor Flight Arizona, click here: https://honorflightaz.org/
Original air date: April 22, 2021
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Brenda Combs’ life is drastically different now compared to what it was like not long ago. After 10 years living on the street with what seemed like a hopeless drug addiction, she went on to earn three college degrees and then to create and run a foundation that helps the homeless.
Brenda grew up in a middle-class family, but fell into a bad crowd, began using drugs and dropped out of school. During her darkest days on the streets, she endured years of unspeakable trauma, including being beaten, shot, stabbed, raped and burned with cigarettes. It took hitting rock bottom for Brenda to find the strength to turn her life around, praying and seeking forgiveness and help. Brenda set her sights on earning an education so she could help others. As a single mother of her son, Mycole, who suffered a massive stroke at birth, she juggled three jobs while earning her B.S., M.Ed, and Ed.D. Today Dr. Brenda’s story has received national coverage, including an article in Reader’s Digest, interviews on CNN News and NBC’s The Today Show.
To learn more about Dr. Combs’ story, go to https://www.facebook.com/FindingMyShoesFoundation/
Original air date: April 15, 2021
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Colonel Heston Silbert began his career with the Phoenix Police Department as a patrol officer in the South Mountain Precinct, and in the years to come he worked gang and drug investigations, undercover, mentoring at-risk youth and selected to be a member of the Special Assignments Unit (SAU/SWAT). Today, he leads the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Hear how the DPS has weathered the past year of pandemic, politics and more.
To learn more about the Arizona DPS, click here: https://www.azdps.gov/
Original air date: April 8, 2021
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Scott Clark retired from the Army National Guard after 27 years of service. He spent part of that time in Afghanistan, where he survived a horrific helicopter crash. Once home and physically healed, his unresolved combat trauma continued to take a toll on his family and his life.
It wasn’t until a friend of his from church whose son suffered with PTSD, presented him with a book and asked him to give his thoughts on it that began to change. Admittedly, Scott tossed the book aside for a while, but ultimately “The Combat Trauma Healing Manual” and his friend’s guidance changed his life. He now leads groups for vets dealing with PTSD offering them effective Christ-led steps for getting their lives back.
Original air date: April 1, 2021
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John M. Perkins was born in 1930, a sharecropper’s son who grew up in New Hebron, Mississippi amidst dire poverty. His mother died of a malnutrition disease when John was only 7 months old. When his older brother was murdered at the hands of a town marshal, he fled to California at age 17, vowing never to return.
However, after his conversion to Christianity in 1957 and three-year discipleship, he returned back to his home state of Mississippi in 1960 to share the Good News of God’s love. While in Mississippi, his outspoken nature as well as his support and leadership in civil rights demonstrations and voter registrations resulted in repeated harassments, beatings and imprisonments. He again was arrested in 2005 while protesting in Washington D.C. against U.S. Government defunding of programs aiding the poor.
Drs. John and Vera Mae Perkins have founded many ministries with the support of friends, which include focuses on Christian community development, multi-ethnic church planting, health centers, schools, leadership development, legal assistant, thrift stores, low-income housing development, and training centers. He has authored 17 books and continues to be the voice of reconciliation and justice, seeking a truth that could save blacks and whites together.
To learn more about John Perkins, visit his foundation website at https://www.jvmpf.org/
Original air date: March 25, 2021
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Nicolee Thompson’s life was full of excitement and promise. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s in teaching and a masters in liberal arts English. Her love of sports, including volleyball, led her to be a college coach.
Then her family was rocked by the loss of her brother Mitchell in a drowning accident. Their response was to form Mitchell Swaback Charities (MSC), and seven years later when recession threatened American families, they opened Harvest Compassion Centers (HCC) with the mission to serve neighbors with life’s necessities – food, hygiene products, baby and clothing items. Today, MSC operates three HCC locations and a sister HCC in Chandler.
Learn how one family turned tragedy into hope for underserved families in the Phoenix area.
To learn more about MSC and Harvest Compassion Centers, visit https://harvestcompassioncenter.org/
Original air date: March 18, 2021.
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Eric Sheldahl grew up on a farm just north of Des Moines, and had a successful career as a real estate developer. He and his wife Mary came to Phoenix planning to stay for a few months to flip houses – never knowing they would fall in love with Arizona.
When they learned about an organization called Midwest Food Bank that was ranked in the top 10 out of 7,000 nonprofits, they had to learn more and in 2017 they opened the Arizona Midwest Food Bank in Gilbert. They began by serving food at absolutely no cost to 30 agencies, from food pantries to homeless ministries, rehab centers, schools and churches. In just four years, they have grown ten-fold, serving 320 agencies with $64 million worth of food.
Learn how this amazing organization provides food at no cost to other agencies across the country to feed the hungry.
To learn more about Midwest Food Bank, click on https://www.midwestfoodbank.org/
Original air date: March 11, 2021
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It’s no small task to coordinate and support the work of a corps of nearly 3,000 volunteers in Central in Northern Arizona, whose mission is to “Feed. Clothe. House. Heal.” families across the state. It takes someone with years of experience with large events and even bigger staffs.
John Junker has been with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul for eight years. The Phoenix Council of the organization is regarded as the largest for St. Vincent de Paul in the U.S. – and if you count the scope of services, probably the world. Volunteers are critical to helping families bounce back from adversity. Last year, those volunteers, known as Vincentians, in Phoenix generated more than $4 million in direct aid for assistance to families for rent, utilities, food services, back-to-school programs, medical and dental expenses and more. Hear how it all works with the Rescuers interview!
To learn more about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, click on https://www.stvincentdepaul.net/
Original air date:March 4, 2021
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In the 40 years that he has been a pastor in the Phoenix area, Rick Efrid has seen a lot. But this past year of the pandemic has brought new challenges to churches and the clergy who run them.
He now serves as the Director of Church Partnerships for Phoenix Seminary. In that position, Rick works to encourage, network and resource other pastors and ministry leaders. His conviction is that it takes healthy leaders to have healthy churches. Rick loves to shepherd God’s people through teaching biblical truth, providing wise counsel and equipping men and women to reach and disciple others.
His unique vantage point will provide insight as to what the future might hold for churches, post-pandemic.
To learn more about the Phoenix Seminary, click here: https://ps.edu/
Original air date: February 25, 2021
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Mary Jo West is beloved by Phoenicians for many reasons. Known for being the city’s first female prime-time news anchor in 1976, her life in front of the camera and behind the scenes has been one of service ever since.
She debuted with Bill Close as co-anchor for then KOOL-TV, Channel 10. She went on to work as an anchor and reporter for the CBS network's pioneer all-night news program, NIGHTWATCH in New York. She also was the Chief Anchor and Managing Editor for KTVK-TV, Channel 3 in Phoenix.
As much as she loved reporting and anchoring, serving the community is her first love, particularly the mentally ill and the homeless. It would take too long to read all the numerous boards she has served on as well as community projects she has spearheaded.
Now that she has retired, Mary Jo is a volunteer with Global Hope Network International. Her passion is helping to complete a well for 70 orphans with HIV/AIDS in a remote village in Kenya. She says she left part of her heart there with those precious children.
In her personal life, Mary Jo is the proud mother of daughter Molly and her favorite title of all is “Nannie” to her three grandchildren!
To learn more about Global Hope Network International, click here: https://www.globalhopenetwork.org/
Original air date: February 18, 2021
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Mario D’Ortenzio is soft-spoken with an easy smile. He began his career as a football coach at Morningside College, but found his great joy was leading kids to Christ through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He soon joined the FCA Staff full time in 2000 and later became vice president of the Breakthrough Ministry. Then came an incident that rocked him to his core, and ultimately led to his founding Death2Life Revolution (D2L), reaching the hopeless, hurting and suicidal with love, hope and healing.
D2L is now a worldwide non-profit organization that reaches youth and adults who are living in darkness. D2L exists specifically for the emotionally hurt, physically abused, and spiritually struggling youth of the world to reach, teach and guide. Join us for the story of how Mario is helping bring light and life to the hurting.
To learn more about Death2Life, click on https://d2lrevolution.com/
Original air date: February 11, 2021
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Josiah Friedman has always been passionate about the unborn, but it was when his mom told him a story about an early pregnancy she had that he realized the greatest impact could come from working to change the culture.
He is the CEO and founder of Voices for the Voiceless, a nonprofit movement advocating for a world where every preborn life is valued and no one faces unplanned pregnancy alone. He works across political and ideological boundaries to build support for pregnant women in relationships, schools, workplaces, faith communities and doctor offices. He also started the #NotSorry campaign to change the way a prenatal diagnosis of disability is presented in the U.S.
Learn how Josiah and Voices for the Voiceless is creating a world where every life is valued and no one faces unplanned pregnancy alone.
To learn more about Voices for the Voiceless, visit https://www.voicesforthevoiceless.org/
Original air date: February 4, 2021.
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From his early days as a classical concert pianist to capturing the hearts of millions of American Idol viewers with his engaging presence and vocal prowess, Scott MacIntyre has never let challenges keep him from achieving his dreams.
Blind from birth and a two-time kidney transplant recipient, Scott knows what it means to persevere despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
He was first diagnosed with stage-four kidney failure at nineteen years old, and after becoming extremely ill, he began emergency dialysis.
“The hardest thing for me was not having enough strength to play the piano and sing anymore,” says Scott. “It felt like my dreams were dying, but still I held on to hope.”
After a year on dialysis, his college piano teacher’s wife donated her kidney to Scott and saved his life. It was less than a year later that he auditioned for American Idol.
Hear Scott’s inspiring story, and how he was led to start Scott MacIntyre Ministries to help children and students overcome adversity.
To learn more about Scott, go to https://scottmacintyre.com/
Original air date: January 28, 2021
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Kristen Polin has a passion for ensuring youth arrive to adulthood healthy and whole.
The CEO of notMYkid (NMK), has 24 years of experience working in nonprofit management and is a respected leader in the prevention and behavioral health sector. Her successful career began at Community Bridges and her transition to notMYkid in 2015 carved out her true heart work and passion for working with youth.
The decision kids make today can impact their tomorrow – in good ways, or bad. At notMYkid they passionately work to educate and protect our community’s kids by providing a full continuum of life-saving prevention, early intervention, behavioral health treatment, and peer support. The team of prevention and behavioral health experts are dedicated to helping youth overcome challenges during their most vulnerable years. The programs are traditionally delivered in schools, community organizations, at the workplace, direct to devices via a Podcast, and now, virtually, as well. Hear how Kristen and her team help inspire kids to make positive choices.
To learn more about notMYkid, visit https://notmykid.org/
Original air date: January 21, 2021
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Dr. Alyshia Smith spent the first 20 years of her career working in varied aspects of nursing and management for a large private hospital system. She began her VA career as the Deputy Chief Nurse at the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center, leading initiatives including implementation of a hospital-wide cardia monitoring system, facilitating the opening of the Emergency Department Overflow Unit and Fast Track Area.
Dr. Smith joined the Phoenix VA Health Care System in 2015, and has developed strong community relationships and clinical expertise since then. She was named the Interim Medical Director in 2019 and in June 2020 was appointed as the Medical Center Director. Hear her story of the work that goes on behind the scenes by 3,500 employees to build on the current momentum of improvement and innovation in providing health care to more than 132,000 veterans.
To learn more about the Phoenix VA Health Care System, go to https://www.phoenix.va.gov/
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Jaime Jorge began playing the violin at the age of five. Born and raised in communist Cuba, he was given many opportunities-including an offer to study in Russia at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music in Moscow with some of the greatest musicians of our time-if only he and his family would renounce their belief in God. They refused. When Jaime was ten, miraculously, his family was given the opportunity to leave the country.
Despite his musical gift, he dreamed of being a missionary doctor, but in 1996, he left medical school and a promising medical career to follow God’s call to devote his life to full-time music ministry.
Since 1988 he has traveled over six million air miles and has played on six continents and in over 110 countries. He’s played in thatch-roofed huts for a handful of people, in high school gyms and auditoriums, simple and elaborate churches, fancy cathedrals, stadiums, as well as in Carnegie Hall and The Lincoln Center. No matter the venue, his desire is to share Jesus through music and testimony, and bring people closer to Christ. He has recorded and released 17 albums.
To learn more about Jaime, go to https://www.jaimejorge.com/
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Pastor Julius Keller knew early on that he was called to make a difference in people’s lives. For 25 years he worked as an attorney to help people through investigating fair housing complaints in six states. Then he received a call to the ministry, where he helped save people’s souls for nearly 20 years.
Original air date: September 17, 2020
Rebroadcast: December 31, 2020
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Lisa Kingry has been an ICU nurse for 8 years, but since COVID-19 she’s been on the front lines in a way she could have never imagined. Come join her as she talks about what the days are like for her and her colleagues, and her assessment of the situation in Arizona.
Original broadcast August 19, 2020
Rebroadcast December 24, 2020
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As a business leader, Marianne Gouveia was a successful executive working in aerospace nearly 30 years when she decided to leave corporate America to become an executive coach. Her youngest son Eric struggled with medically prescribed opioids from a high school injury. He had seven surgeries and was left with chronic pain, but eventually his injury became more about addiction than it did about pain and he transitioned to heroin.
The shame and disappointment he carried in his heart created a moment when he made the choice to end his life. Through the loss of Eric, she chose to create a safe place to promote both traditional and alternative forms of healing so there is help for everyone touched by these horrible and devastating epidemics. This was the birth of EricsHouse.
To learn more about EricsHouse, go to https://www.ericshouse.org/
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Terry Hamlin grew up in a Mormon (LDS) family rife with alcoholism and gambling, and at 24 was excommunicated for refusing to follow church doctrine. The family legacy followed him – his middle name, spelled Allin, was pronounced All-in, his gambling father’s inspiration, and Terry became an alcoholic himself. Escaping God and religion, he became director of the local ski patrol, a leader in business and civic pursuits, an entrepreneur, councilman and mayor.
At 42, he developed a personal relationship with Christ. Now sober for 32 years, Terry is a gifted itinerant evangelist, prayer warrior and passionate ministry entrepreneur. He has planted churches and helped found ministries like Pinnacle Forum, done at the suggestion of Bill Bright, best-known for starting Campus Crusade for Christ.
Learn how Terry has followed God’s leading and the amazing places that has taken him.
Original air date: December 10, 2020
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Stephanie Siete likes to say her world is drugs, Cubs and dogs. Passionate about all three, she reaches out throughout the community to help families fight the challenges of addiction, and educate children on the dangers of drugs.
Stephanie has been with Community Bridges since 2002. She began her work as a Prevention Specialist in Valley schools and soon moved into a role of Community Outreach providing education to students, parents, teachers and administrators. She continues to train law enforcement, emergency personnel, crisis volunteers and local businesses on drug trends, signs and symptoms and drug concealment.
She is a respected speaker on drug prevention for large conferences and events such as the National School Resource Officers Conference (NASRO), AZ School Resource Officers Association (ASROA), and frequently participates in interviews with NBC, ABC, Fox and AZ Family Channel 3.
Original air date: December 3, 2020
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Julie Supplee, CEO of the House of Refuge Sunnyslope, talks about how COVID-19 and the dropping economy has impacted their clients. Their goal is to catch people before they become homeless on the street, bringing them to their 11 properties in North Phoenix in programs for men, for women, and for single women with children. Julie shares how their program to love, house and equip has actually grown during COVID-19, rather than been forced to shut down like many organizations.
Originally aired June 18, 2020; rebroadcast December 3, 2020.
To learn more about House of Refuge Sunnyslope, go to https://refugesunnyslope.com/
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Maria Cristina Fuentes was already used to changing the world after six years in Washington, D.C. where she served President George W. Bush in the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Justice. She also served in the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, working to help states across the country develop and establish their own faith-based initiatives.
Following that, she worked at Casey Family Programs to provide and improve -- and ultimately prevent the need for -- foster care.
This all prepared her for her current position as Director of the Arizona Office of Youth, Faith and Family, where her team works with issues ranging from substance abuse prevention to human trafficking, sexual & domestic violence, juvenile justice, and child well-being. GOYFF also serves as the Governor’s faith-based office and administers the state’s AmeriCorps program. Learn how she is leading the effort to strengthen the health and safety of Arizona’s communities.
Original air date: November 19, 2020
To learn more about the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family, click here: https://goyff.az.gov/content/about-goyff
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Robert DeVries served over 25 years with the Holland Michigan Police Department and in 2003 traveled westward when he took over as the Chief of Police for the Kingman Police Department in 2003. During his tenure he was very active with the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police and the Arizona High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). He has been very active in drug prevention and awareness throughout Mohave County. Kingman PD was the first agency in Arizona to train and equip their officers with Naloxone and the only rural community in the state to allow a harm reduction program to assist those suffering from opioid use disorder.
After 42 years in law enforcement, Chief DeVries retired in April and took over as the program coordinator for the Mohave Substance Treatment Education Prevention Partnership (MSTEPP). He currently oversees a Bureau of Justice grant for Mohave County focusing on fighting opioids and methamphetamine use.
Original air date: November 12, 2020
To learn more about the Mohave Substance Treatment Education Prevention Partnership just click here https://mstepp.org/
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Steve Yamamori has seen it happen too many times. People come out of years in the service. People come off a prison term. And suddenly, they’re thrust into a world where their days aren’t as structured, they have to adjust to looking for a job and – in the case of someone from the service – they aren’t “wearing their resume on their chest.”
That’s why he started The Reveille Foundation, to create better, faster pathways to success for all under-served populations, no matter where they began their journey.
Original air date: November 5, 2020
To learn more about The Reveille Foundation, click here:https://reveillefoundation.org/
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Steve Fedyski has always had a mission to impact lives. Now, as the CEO/Managing Partner of Cloudburst Entertainment, he's bringing that vision "as big as the Sonoran sky" to reality. The company will celebrate just its first anniversary in December, but is already well on the way to being a world leader in distributing transformational media. They are committed to bringing films to market that are not only entertaining, but also infuse hope into the lives of audiences who experience them. Their films are powerful, uplifting, and catalysts for positive change.
Recent films include “Infidel” starring Jim Caviezel now playing in theaters nationwide. Also, “Trump Card” on Video on Demand, and “The Comeback Trail” starring Academy Award winners Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones is releasing in theaters November 13, 2020.
To learn more about Steve and Cloudburst, go to cloudburstentertainment.com.
Original air date October 29, 2020
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Betsy King made history on the golf course. She played collegiately at Furman University in Pennsylvania, where she was on the 1976 national championship team. Betsy joined the LPGA Tour in 1977, and won six major championships and claimed 34 LPGA Tour victories in her career. She is a three-time LPGA Tour Player of the Year (1984, 1989, 1993). In 1995, Betsy was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
She made history on the golf course; but she made a difference when, following a 2006 trip with World Vision to Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, she founded Golf Fore Africa. Betsy took this trip with a prayer in her heart to hear God's call in her life on what she could do to help the poor of Africa. To date, Golf Fore Africa has been able to give $10.5 million dollars to fund schools, health clinics, and most recently, clean water projects in five different African countries.
To learn more about Betsy King and Golf Fore Africa, please go to https://golfforeafrica.org/
Original air date: October 22, 2020
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Nikki Kontz is the Clinical Director for Teen Lifeline where she oversees all programs as well as volunteer management, and conducts the training of the volunteer Peer Counselors. She manages the daily operations of the hotline including direct supervision on the peer counselors.
Nikki is a product of the Teen Lifeline volunteer program, starting as a teen peer counselor 26 years ago after losing a close friend to suicide. There she found her passion and has been working in the field for the past 20 years including work on a crisis mobile team and assessment for hospitalization. Nikki also currently serves as the Board President of the Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Original air date October 15.
To learn more about Teen Lifeline, go to www.TeenLifeline.org
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Lee Pioske understands the struggle of addiction that the people attending Crossroads deal with. He himself has been clean and sober for 26 years after battling cocaine and serving a 5 ½-year stint in federal and state prison. Today, he has a master’s degree in Addiction Psychology and he has been appointed by Governor Ducey as a commissioner on the Arizona Substance Abuse Panel. Lee has been the Executive Director of Crossroads for 15 years, and has seen the organization thrive during that period. Listen how talks about how his life and the organization have grown.
To learn more about Lee Pioske and Crossroads, go to https://thecrossroadsinc.org/
Original air date: October 8, 2020
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The men and women of law enforcement are dedicated to protecting and serving the community, and despite the actions of a few, work hard to meet those high standards. Today’s Rescuers show is a precursor to an online panel discussion open to the public Saturday, Oct. 3 to discuss police-community relations.
Guests are Dr. William Crawford III and Dr. Cindy Scott-Janicik, both on the faculty of the NAU Justice Studies program. Dr. Crawford served for 23 years on the Phoenix Police Department as a career officer and 10 years in a a volunteer reserve capacity. Following that, he worked for 24 years for the Maricopa County Community College District.
Dr. Scott-Janicik worked as a detective with the Phoenix Police Department, and now serves as Clinical Professor of Justice Studies. During her tenure in law enforcement, she worked a variety of assignments, including patrol and the neighborhood enforcement team in south Phoenix, undercover narcotics detective, and media relations detective.
Original air date: October 1, 2020
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It began with a tragedy, when 17-year-old Joni Eareckson Tada broke her neck in a diving accident, leaving her a quadriplegic. After struggling through depression and two years of rehabilitation, she emerged with new skills and a fresh determination to help others in similar situations. Through the grace of God –she continues to change the world, authoring nearly 50 books and impacting hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities and their families.
Original air date: September 24, 2020
To learn more about Joni Eareckson Tada and her ministries, go to https://www.joniandfriends.org/
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Pastor Julius Keller knew early on that he was called to make a difference in people’s lives. For 25 years he worked as an attorney to help people through investigating fair housing complaints in six states. Then he received a call to the ministry, where he helped save people’s souls for nearly 20 years.
Original air date: September 17, 2020
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When Scott Fischer earned a degree in nursing from ASU, he knew he dedicated to helping others. He worked for years in nursing administration, nursing education, mental health and home health nursing. But he saw a need that would become his legacy.
Since 2000, his sole focus has been on the care and service of seniors, particularly in the area of senior mental health with an emphasis on seniors suffering from dementia.
Original air date: September 10, 2020
To learn more about Options for Senior Living, click here: https://optionsforseniorliving.com/
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Jeff Armor has more than 30 years of leadership experience, which he has used to create successful businesses, nonprofits and collaborations. He was the creative developer of HERO Life Network – HERO stands for Helping Everyone Reach Opportunity. The organization is committed to inspiring all people – especially the under-served – to reach their real potential by helping remove obstacles that get in the way of success.
Original air date: September 3, 2020
To learn more about Hero Life Network, visit their website at https://herolifenetwork.com/
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Kevin McNichols has had an illustrious career in law enforcement, and when he retired in 2018, he wanted to make a difference by coaching football, serving as a substitute teacher and planning short-term mission trips.
His passion right now is partnering with Impact Teen Drivers, working with youth, encouraging them to choose the best practices and make wise decisions all while sharing the Impact Teen Drivers programs.
To learn more about the program, go to https://aztroopers.org/impact-teen-drivers
Original air date: August 20, 2020.
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Lisa Kingry has been an ICU nurse for 8 years, but since COVID-19 she’s been on the front lines in a way she could have never imagined. Come join her as she talks about what the days are like for her and her colleagues, and her assessment of the situation in Arizona.
Original air date August 20, 2020.
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Frank Milstead, former head of DPS, and Andy Hill, a 26-year law enforcement veteran and consultant, gather to talk about the challenges facing policing today.
The two seasoned law enforcement professionals discuss issues of the day, including defunding, training and policing in the era of social media and cameras, and the evolution of policing and technology.
Original air date: August 13, 2020
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Cindy Scott-Janicik is a researcher and professor of justice studies at Northern Arizona University; Commander Tina Gonzales has been with the Phoenix Police Department more than 28 years and currently heads the Community Engagement Bureau. The story of their two careers, how they have intertwined and how they now work together to help nurture a new cadre of Phoenix police officer weaves together components like community engagement, exception college students and continuous improvement. This is a story filled with hope and promise for the future of the Phoenix Police Department.
Original air date August 6, 2020.
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Jacki Taylor has dedicated her career to helping the poor, the disenfranchised and the homeless. When the opportunity came to head Save the Family Foundation she jumped at the opportunity to provide services and housing to 700 families every year. They have a broad range of programs to support stable homes, safe children, and strong families.
Original air date July 30, 2020.
To learn more about Save the Family, go to https://savethefamily.org/.
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Vincent Piano served 32 years on the Phoenix Police Department, and retired to accept a primo position with the State Attorney General's office. But then he got a call to start a chaplain program for employees working in the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office jails.
And he said yes.
Original air date July 23, 2020.
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Kim and Michelle Humphrey worked hard to give their two boys a good life, but that life crumbled when both boys became addicted to heroin. The years that followed were full of heartache, fear and unbearable stress, and nearly cost the couple their marriage, their savings and their lives. In desperation, they attended a group called Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) and learned how to set loving boundaries and found support from other parents going through the same challenges. Not only did the Humphreys get their lives back, but both boys found ultimately found sobriety and success. Today, Kim is the CEO and Executive Director of PAL.
Original air date July 16, 2020.
To learn more about PAL, go to https://palgroup.org/
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Tac Coluccio was adopted into a loving home as an infant, and today he has a real heart for kids who didn't have the good fortune he did -- kids in the foster system, and kids who need a family. As a filmmaker, he has been able to use his talents to help educate and inform people about the need that exists. He wants to make the world a better place for children in need.
Original air date was July 9, 2020.
To learn more about Tac's projects, go to https://dinosaurheart.org/
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Kristen Merrifield, CEO of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, has led the organization through a challenge that none could have ever anticipated. The challenges of COVID-19 have hit the budgets and volunteer base of the thousands of nonprofits that serve the people of Arizona. Learn how the AAN has played a role in helping nonprofits survive, and because of that, touched the life of everyone in the state.
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Melissa Elliott, Vice President of Programs and Services for the Area Agency on Aging, has a passion for helping seniors, and she is on the front line of answering the needs of elders that have been heightened by the pandemic and anxiety about world situations. One of the AAA's most utilized services is the 24-hour Senior Help Line, a one-stop resource staffed with professionals offering everything from food boxes to counseling and resolving housing issues. During the pandemic, they have also instituted telephone reassurance calls, and Project HOPE (Helping Older People Eat).
Original air date June 25, 2020.
To learn more about the Area Agency on Aging, go to https://www.aaaphx.org/
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Julie Supplee, CEO of the House of Refuge Sunnyslope, talk about how COVID-19 and the dropping economy has impacted their clients. Their goal is to catch people before they become homeless on the street, bringing them to their 11 properties in North Phoenix in programs for men, for women, and for single women with children. Julie shares how their program to love, house and equip has actually grown during COVID-19, rather than been forced to shut down like many organizations.
Originally aired June 18, 2020.
To learn more about House of Refuge Sunnyslope, go to https://refugesunnyslope.com/
The Rescuers radio show is sponsored by RC Auto, where it’s not just an exchange of keys – it’s a relationship! www.meandmyrc.com
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Join Art and guest Dr. Jeff McGee of Cross-Cultural Dynamics, as he seeks to narrow the gulf between disparate factions, building community and teaching people how to love one another. He challenges leaders to take an active role in changing culture to empower people of all races and backgrounds.
Originally aired June 11, 2020.
To learn more about Cross-Cultural Dynamics, go to https://ccdynamics.org/
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When Ken Brissa started his new position as CEO of the Phoenix Rescue Mission in February, he knew he would have his hands full balancing all the programs the organization offers to the hurting and homeless, including a men’s shelter and training, the women’s Changing Lives Center, the Hope Coach and the Hope for Hunger Food Bank.
On top of that was one of the largest expansion projects in the rescue mission’s nearly 70-year history, a $21 million expansion project to build new facilities and add 200 long-term recovery beds at the Mission’s Transforming Lives Center.
He knew all that. But what he couldn’t know was that little over a month later, the city would be rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organization would have to quickly develop a strategy to keep clients and staff safe, while continuing to provide services that were suddenly even more critical than before.
For more information about the Phoenix Rescue Mission, visit their website here: https://phoenixrescuemission.org/
Original air date June 4, 2020.
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Jacqui MacConnell was an officer with the Phoenix Police Department in 2003, when she was called out to a horrific scene. Two 5 year-old twins had lived caged their entire lives and their 8-year-old brother shared their room. Her reaction was to get involved with the boys' lives, and she continued to stay in touch as they were placed with a loving foster family.
From that, she founded Angels on Patrol, a nonprofit that provides police officer-initiated support to community members in times of crisis.
For more information about Angels on Patrol, go to https://angelsonpatrol.org/
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Ginger Sykes Torres gained early notoriety in her life as a champion hoop dancer, at a time when it was a man's event. But weeks ago when she heard that her homeland in the Navajo Nation was ranked the highest in the U.S. for COVID-19 cases in the country; and that healthcare professionals and first responders had no personal protective equipment to protect them, her family gathered to create homemade face masks.
She is a woman who gets things done. That simple effort grew to gathering donations of hand sanitizer, face makes and other vital supplies, shipped up to the Nation by the van-load and then the truckload. Listen to her story on this broadcast, and if you're moved to help consider looking up the Go Fund Me Site at https://tinyurl.com/y7b73tzl
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Vince Ing is in sales by profession, but recently began creating items with his 3D printer as a hobby. At first it was just things for fun, like a collection of 3D Peanuts characters for his kids. But then came COVID-19, and Vince began hearing from his friends in the medical field about the horrible sores behind their ears they were getting from wearing face masks for 12 hours at a time, far long than was ever intended.
Hobbyists into 3D printing across the country are a tight-knit group, and there were templates going around for printing "ear savers" - flexible bands that remove pressure and friction from the ears, making any mask more comfortable to wear. Vince put together a 24-hour operation in his basement, churning out over 1,000 bands in the first few weeks, all given away at no charge, including shipping.Vince is one of hundreds of rescuers across the country during COVID-19.
Original air date May 14, 2020.
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The inaugural Rescuers radio show features guest Henry Rojas, who was first known as the innovative "father" of sports mascots, as the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, where he built relationships with fans as an entertainer, an extension of the fans, and a game changer. Since then, Henry has changed lives in a deeper way, most recently as the founder of Community of the Wild Goose, a quirky churchish gathering that leaves the door of spirituality cracked open so just about anybody feels welcome to enter. And never fear - there remains the feel of a comedy club!
Original air date May 7, 2020.
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