The Door to Peace

Growing up in South Central Los Angeles during the turbulent 1960s and ’70s meant living through riots, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the rise of gang violence. It was a time of confusion and hardship for many.

For Damon Kendrix, those years were shaped by unseen grace. As a young boy, God was already leading him—quietly and consistently—toward peace. Music became the unexpected lifeline, a divine escape route from the noise of the world to the stillness of God’s presence.

In this episode, Damon shares how music transformed his journey and how he now lives with unshakable peace, no matter the chaos around him.

You can find that same peace too.

What is hope? 

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

In this heartfelt conversation, Bishop Huggins shares how enduring hope carried him through life’s deepest valleys—from childhood struggles to unimaginable loss. Through biblical wisdom and personal testimony, this episode offers a powerful reminder that no matter how dark the path, hope in Christ endures. 

Bishop Broderick Huggins serves as pastor of the Simply Church House of Prayer.  Simply Church has two locations: Port Hueneme and Bakersfield.  He also speaks around the country with B.A. Huggins Ministries.  

Hosted by Tom Stephen.

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead..." (Philippians 3:13).

Paul isn’t asking us to erase the past. He’s showing us how to live with hope, even when the past carries deep pain.   

In today’s episode, you’ll hear a father share his story after the loss of his daughter in a mass shooting.   

On November 7, 2018 Kristina Morisette, along with eleven others, were killed in a mass shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, Ca.   

Michael's journey isn’t about forgetting. It’s about finding a path forward in the middle of unimaginable grief—about leaning into faith and moving forward with love and courage.

It’s a reminder that sometimes the greatest act of faith is simply taking the next step, even when the road ahead feels uncertain.

While this podcast focuses on Michael's story, the podcast was created to honor all those who have lost loved ones in mass shootings and to explore how families move forward from these tragic events. 

Others who lost their lives at Borderline are Sean Adler, Cody (Gifford) Coffman, Blake Dingman, Jake Dunham, Sgt. Ron Helus, Alaina Housley, Daniel Manrique, Justin Meek, Marky Meza Jr., Tel Orfanos, and Noel Sparks 

God meets us in all seasons of life. 

Recovery from human-made community trauma (ex. mass shootings or sudden political changes) to natural disasters that impact entire communities (ex. fires, floods, hurricanes) follow patterns or phases the five phases include:

1) Hero Phase

2) Disillusionment Phase

3) Rebuilding and Restoration Phase

4) Wisdom Phase

The gift of Jesus' presence meets us differently in each of these phases and brings you what you need as crisis moves to wisdom.    In this podcast you'll first learn about these different phases of community trauma and then discover how God is working through each phase to bring you peace and hope.    

If you'd like to know more about these phases, check out this link from the Institute of Collective Trauma and Growth: Learning Phases of Collective Trauma - ICTG - Getting Leaders Restorative Strategies to Grow after Loss

Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe and our host, Rev. Tom Stephen, dive into collective trauma related to recent wildfires in Southern California. Kate contextualizes the fires through the lens of losing senses of community and examines how people can come together even after times of devastation. 

Kate clarifies what the ‘hero phase’ can look like at the start of a disaster response and how helpers can extend a supportive hand  in the face of extreme loss. She and Tom talk about the importance of identifying needs in the face of overwhelming decisions. They touch on the question of why traumas happen and how to start to answers questions from ‘a cherry picked’ theology. 

Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe finishes with practical advice of how we can help people in need: “listen to the need, don’t try to guess what someone needs.” She discusses Psalm 46, including how it references natural disasters, human-caused disasters, and God's actions that we may experience as challenging, as well as an important first step for us to take when faced with catastrophe.

Dr. Kate Wiebe is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology and PsyD Program Chair, Licensed Psychologist (PSY35006), Pastor, and Consultant. 

The four weeks before Christmas can make you crazy.    So much to do.  So many expectations.  So many disappointments.   Is Peace even possible? 

In this podcast you'll hear an inspiring and informative conversation with Dana Rouse.   Dana's expertise in music, her depth of wisdom and her love for God will offer you ways to find the One who is peace this Christmas season (and any time of year).   Peace is possible. 

Have you ever avoided a tough conversation? 

Sometimes we fear hurting someone's feelings, so we put off having a direct conversation about a growing problem.     Our desire to be "nice" allows that problem to continue unnecessarily.   

Have you ever been overwhelmed and undone because of the brutal directness of a boss or friend?

Some people see themselves as the main character in Jimmy Buffet's song, "Just an Old Truth Teller," who says,

"I'm just an old truth teller
Brutally direct
I see it eye for eye
I'm rarely incorrect."

Nice or Brutal?  There is a better way to address tough conversations. 

In this podcast, organizational ecologist John Losey, shares strategies and skills that bring peace to organizations and communities.  John uses the lens of candor, kindness and emotional courage.   

Peace is possible before, during and after a touch conversation. 
 
As a business and church consultant, John utilizes a holistic approach to provide organizational development, emotional skills, strategic planning and effective communication.   His passion is to guide individuals and organizations to their next best step, towards growth and sustainability.

John’s website: https://intowisdomgroup.com/

Mike Amato joins the podcast and speaks to our host, Tom Stephen, about his near death experience of meeting Jesus in Heaven. He speaks of the conviction that Jesus gave him to “tell the story” of the peace of Christ. 

Over the years, Mike has shared his experience with people around the county bring peace and hope to those who have lost a loved one in death.  

“We cannot truly love unless we give up our right to be right” - Nita Hanson

"Surrender has everything to do with trust.  I cannot surrender to something I don't trust." - Nita Hanson

Tom Stephen is joined by longtime friend of the podcast and recurring guest, Nita Hanson. 

Nita Hanson shares how even in her darkest moments of the war in Ukraine, she experiences the Peace of Christ.   That peace has been a part of her life since she first surrendered herself to God's love.   Surrender leads to sacrifice which turns to service. 

You'll hear how the people in Ukraine are doing and how God continues to work through Nita and her staff to help those facing complete devastation. 

Nita speaks with humor and a warmth that is familiar and also powerful.

Nita has a gift for holding space for peace in chaos and validating the good in people. She highlights tragedy and has a way of seeing the Peace of Christ in all things; Nita Hanson is truly an inspiration. We here at Door to Peace hope that you feel her brightness and authenticity in her message and that you'll experience the same peace Nita experiences. 

“We need to prepare for death the same way that we prepare for life."

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

Talking about death is hard.  This podcast creates a pathway for you to do what is uncomfortable and discover the beautiful moments that are possible in the midst of pain and loss.   She explains how "preparing is a blessing."  

Mickey shows us how to offer dignity for both the person who is dying and the people who need to grieve.    How to hold onto hope for life even as one prepares for the reality that everyone will eventually die.    You will be encouraged and comforted. 

"Treat every day like it is Easter.  Death is not the end.” -Mickey Fenn