With Christmas 2020 less than a week away the Beacon welcomes Noe Garcia, Pastor of North Phoenix Baptist Church, and Mike Fleischmann, Pastor of Bethany Bible Church to the program. We think you will be as encouraged as we are to hear the heart of these two men who remind us to remain dependent on Jesus and focused on God’s Word in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves. God is always working and we celebrate today and always the various ways in which He uses the unexpected to do the unexplainable for His glory and for our good. As far back as Bethlehem and as current as today, God is on His throne and we can trust Him beyond what we see or how we might feel. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Merry Christmas from the Beacon and from Phoenix Christian.

phoenixchristian.org/beacon

nphx.org

bbcphx.org

Leaving your family and home country to explore a new one, having to overcome language barriers and being in a foreign atmosphere all to come to a school to receive an education sounds crazy right? Nevertheless, these four brave students faced the unknown and have overcame these challenges. Tune in to hear how these bold outgoing students from South Korea, France, Italy, and China came to the US to study, their experiences and their future plans.

https://www.phoenixchristian.org/international/

Coach Mo Streety is a community leader and connector. He is the Head Track Coach at Phoenix Christian, he is a football manager with the Arizona Cardinals, and he is the Athletic Director for Field of Dreams in the Murphy School District. Most importantly He is a Christ-follower who values His relationship with the Lord and with others. From Detroit to Phoenix and still today along the way, the Lord continues to bless and use Coach Mo's availability to pour into athletes. Whether he is working with first graders or elite professionals, his love for the Lord shines through to every athlete he trains and every person he meets. You will be encouraged by his story and will be amazed by the connections the Lord has provided throughout his journey with Christ.

Join us in a intimate conversation as Jasmine Allred dives deeps and talks about her journey through infertility and how through the pain and the struggle  she and her husband found joy in the most unexpected way. Listen in and hear this beautiful sorry of surrender and be encouraged as we are remind through scripture of His faithfulness.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MorningJoyCo

A fundamental human need is to find the sanctuary of loving arms.  However, for thousands of Arizona’s foster care children living in the wake of disruption and uncertainty such basic needs  may be out of reach.   Arizona Baptist Children’s Services and Family Ministry’s Arms of Love’s passion is to provide foster care and adoption services for those wishing to provide safe, loving homes for children.  In this episode, Arms of Love’s Maricopa County Director Nichole Tamburstuen and Arm’s of Love Maricopa County Assistant Director Debbi Baker share first hand stories of impact and their commitment to the sacred role of the family and the power of restoration.  In this episode of the Beacon you will be challenged and encouraged to learn of Arizona Baptist Children’s Services and Family Ministries multidimensional pursuit for redemption and restoration of the family unit and our state’s growing foster care population.

https://abcs.org/

https://abcsfostercare.com/

https://abcsfostercare.com/about/

When she was only twelve, Senator Martha McSally’s dad died. Although she grew up around church, the years that followed were hard, confusing and sometimes even found her angry at God. In her sophomore year at the Air Force Academy she got to know this God with whom she had been angry on a more personal level and found Him to be gracious, faithful and steadfast. Admittedly, life after that has not always been easy. It has been especially hard this year as it has for many, especially in the passing of her fifty-eight year old brother. As she sang at her brother’s funeral she reflected on also having sung at his wedding. Even amidst pain and trials, Senator McSally knows personally that God is forever her refuge and her strength. She is truly a pioneer among women. As the first U.S. woman to fly in combat and command a fighter squadron, and through challenging the male dominated stereo types throughout her time in the service, McSally's life’s work has led to greater equality and opportunity for every young woman who is bold and courageous enough to follow in her footsteps. In this episode of the Beacon, Senator McSally talks candidly and passionately about the significance of her faith journey and about stories of others from the Bible from whom she draws personally on her unique and very public journey in this life. We also find out how God’s perfect plans for Superintendent Jeff Blake led him personally through Washington DC on his way back to Phoenix and to a life of impact in Education.

https://www.mcsallyforsenate.com/

https://www.phoenixchristian.org/ 

https://www.phoenixchristian.org/support/

The Swaback family endured the loss of a generous and giving son and brother suddenly and too early in life due to a drowning accident. They were determined to celebrate Mitchell Swaback’s life and legacy by loving and helping others in the way he did. One of the ways Mitchell’s sister, Nicole Thompson, keeps her brother’s legacy of compassion and generosity alive is through three Harvest Compassion Centers located in Phoenix.

Every time they open their doors HCC meets the needs of their guests who come for help and leave with hope and the love of new friends. Heidi Dwigun is the Director of Operations at the North Phoenix location of Harvest Compassion Center. She joins us in this episode to celebrate the ways in which God is continues to use one family’s tragedy from years ago to ultimately usher in encouragement and hope for many who need it today.

https://harvestcompassioncenter.org/

Steve and Teri Vogel had just dropped off their youngest son for his first year of college. They had just relocated and were living in an apartment. Their life together appeared to be taking the simplified shape of the typical “empty nester” couple. But God had other ideas… knowing that Teri and Steve possessed a desire to be useful in ministry, God invited them to enter the world of Foster Care. Since August of 2016, Thrive Arizona has helped hundreds, if not thousands, through the stated objectives of Prevention, Reunification, and in support of those who age-out of the system. In this episode of the Beacon we think you will be challenged and encouraged as you hear their story of obedience to the call of our God who cares deeply and intentionally for everyone they serve.

thriveaz.org

leesa.com

dutchbros.com

phoenixchristian.org

https://www.instagram.com/leesasleep/

https://www.instagram.com/thrift2thriveaz/

Founder and Director of Unite PHX, Stephen Franke and Aim Right Ministry Director Caleb Reed are not ready to return to pre-Covid “normal.” Through the challenges of 2020, a beautiful renewed vision to serve is emerging. Stephen’s and Caleb’s passion for what is next is contagious. Our communities are rediscovering the value of interpersonal physical connection. Leaders all across Phoenix are beginning to take steps into our new “normal” with a vision for new methods and directions. Be inspired as these two leaders celebrate other organizations directionally pivoting to meet new challenges with great impact! God is guiding the Church together through adversity to sharpen His body for what is to come.

Organizations Mentioned:

https://aimright.org/

https://unitephx.org/

https://harvestcompassioncenter.org/

https://www.thriveaz.org/

https://www.hoperesponseinc.org/

https://jumpstart-ministries.org/

https://explore.gcu.edu/

https://www.arizonachristian.edu/

Phoenix Christian Preparatory School is on a mission to launch the lives of hundreds of students year after year (for the last 71 years). Principal Ruth Zappe serves as the leader of Phoenix Christian’s Elementary School.  Principal Jeannine Graden serves as the leader of Phoenix Christian’s Middle and High.  In this episode, you are invited into the behind the scenes responsive planning to the unexpected realities of 2020.   Along the way, these leading educators rediscovered the power of on campus--life changing education (never to be taken for granted, again).  You will also be blessed by the voices elementary students (Dean and Aiden) as they share of the impact of teachers and friends! Check out this episode to learn how educators found themselves on the front lines of unprecedented change.