Into the Fire: Powered by Dream City Church

This week, Debi is joined by Megan Kronstedt, Youth Alive Missionary for the Arizona Assemblies of God

Megan shares her story of being called to missions during a Fine Arts youth service and how that led her to Youth Alive.  

Megan explains the four core areas of Youth Alive and how they help equip students to share the gospel at their schools.  This can be done through one-on-one evangelism, group huddles, school clubs, prayer, and outreach projects.  

Megan and Debi talked about the pushback tha...

This week, Debi is joined by George Khalaf, conservative strategist and pollster.

George and Debi discuss data and polling and how they can be manipulated to prove virtually any point.  George explains the ways in which we can look more critically at those numbers, how questions were worded, and more to better gauge what those numbers mean. 

George and Debi talk about ESAs and the lies being told about the program.  They review the push by far left unions and out of state interests to get an initiative on the ballot that would prevent money fro...

This week, Debi is joined by her youngest daughter, Eden Vandenboom

Debi and Eden discuss Imago Dei, being made in the image of God.  This includes inherent human dignity, ethical decision making, stewardship, relationships and creativity.    They specifically discuss the role of creativity.  

Eden talks about growing up participating in Fine Arts and how that program helps students discover, develop and deploy their God-given gifts and talents. Through this program she has developed and deployed an amazing gift of script writing.

They discuss some of the dangers of AI as it relates to Imag...

This week, Debi is joined by Macario de la Cruz, VP of Advancement for Center for Arizona Policy

Macario and Debi discuss the important work of the Center for Arizona Policy.  Pastor Macario talks about how critical it is that churches engage, not only to speak truth to those in power, but also to offer ministry and hope to those who serve our state.  He shares the heart and mission of the Church Ambassador Network, connecting local pastors to their state legislators.

Finally, Macario and Debi discuss his work with Proyecto por la Familia de Ar...

This week, Debi is joined by Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas, of Scottsdale City Council

Jan and Debi discuss the important work of city councils.  City Councils across the country have enormous budgets and make decisions that greatly impact our daily lives..  

Jan and Debi discuss some of the specific and often contentious decisions that city councils have to make. They also discuss what skillset and background lends itself to being a good councilmen. Jan shares some ways in which the public can be more involved in their cities and learn more about the ins and outs of...

This week, Debi is joined by Matt Beieinberg, Director of Education Policy at Goldwater Institute

Matt and Debi discuss ballot initiatives and the various ways that they end up on your ballot.  Arizona has unique laws related to ballot initiatives which make them nearly impossible to correct or remove. Because of this, far left organizations will spend millions of dollars to get radical initiatives on Arizona ballots and to deceive voters.

The rule of thumb for propositions should be to decline to sign these petitions unless groups you trust are promoting them, and to err o...

This week, Debi is joined by Erin Rathier, founder and director of Ignite Homeschool Ministries.

Debi and Erin discuss the many school choice options that families in Arizona currently have. Children's needs and the needs of individual families are not one size fits all, so school options should reflect those needs.

Debi and Erin discuss their own paths with homeschooling children and helping other homeschool families to thrive. ESA has been an important part of opening opportunities for families to homeschool or to choose private school. They discuss how public school and private or homeschool...

This week, Debi is joined by Senator Warren Petersen, Arizona Senate President

Senator Peterson explains the basic makeup and process of the state legislature, the role of Senate President and the process of being selected to serve as Senate President.

Debi and Senator Petersen discuss how Kris Mayes,  our current Arizona Attorney General, has repeatedly and willfully failed to do her job defending state law in the courts.   Our state law allows the Senate President to have standing and to step in as the de-facto AG to defend state law when the sitting AG refuses. Se...

This week, Debi is joined by Taylor Sharp, influencer and investigative journalist. 

Taylor is a young Christian, a Gen Z conservative and social media influencer with a significant following.

Taylor talks about how he got started as a young teen and about how Charlie Kirk influenced his life path. Taylor attends protests, asks protestors questions, and records the interactions.

Debi and Taylor discuss how Gen Z views the world, politics, conservatism, and the major political parties.  It is important that we listen to, mentor and encourage young conservatives. They have a unique voice th...

This week, Debi is joined by Tina Hansen. She and her husband Derek, last week's guest, pastor the Dream City Campus in Show Low.  Tina is  also the director of the Living Hope Dream Center in Show Low, AZ

Tina shares her own story of being a poor single mom with two young children and how she fought to get herself and her children out of difficult circumstances. She also shares the tragic story of her son's death several years ago. She chose to hold fast to God and allow him to use these difficult life experiences to...

This week, Debi is joined by Pastor Derek Hansen, campus pastor at the White Mountains campus of Dream City Church.

Pastor Derek talks about growing up Mormon and about the journey that led him away from the Morman church and to a relationship with Christ.  They talk about the unique area where their campus is located.

Derek and Debi discuss how his campus is landlocked by tribal land and about the relationships the church has built in the community.  They discuss the high levels of addiction and abuse among Native communities and how the church is...

This week, Debi is joined by Steele Brand, associate professor at Arizona State University.

In 2016, the Arizona Legislature established and funded the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership (SCETL) at ASU aiming to promote the study of Western civilization, American institutions, and free-market philosophy. Professor Brand is one of the professors who teaches in this important program

Debi and Professor Brand discuss the importance of a classical liberal arts education which emphasizes reading historical and original source texts as well as deep analysis and discussion.  We cannot preserve Western Civilization if we are n...

This week, Debi is joined by Leisa Brug, VP of Advocacy at Center for Arizona Policy and CAP Action.

Leisa shares un update on the systematic dismantling of our state's common sense pro-life laws following the tragic passing of Prop 139 in November.  Elections have consequences

Debi and Leisa discuss the process of how a bill becomes a law and the work that goes on behind the scenes to draft and pass good legislation.  Leisa and Debi encourage viewers to go to the Capitol to sit in the gallery or sit in on a committee hearing to...

This week, Debi is joined by Gabriel and Kellee Napoleon.

Gabriel and Kellee share the story of their own road to redemption.  They talk about meeting in addiction and living in that addiction for years.

After testing positive for drugs following the delivery of their third child, their lives suddenly hit a crossroads.  Kellee and Gabriel talk about how ending up at the Phoenix Dream Center changed the trajectory of their entire family's lives for good.  

Debi, Gabriel and Kellee also talk about how governmental systems in many ways set them up to fai...

This week, Debi is joined by State Representative Pamela Carter

Representative Carter talks about what led her to run for office and about the role that faith plays in her life and work.

Debi and Representative Carter discuss the important role of state government. Rep Carter walks through the process of how bills get heard, discussed, and voted on at the State Capitol.

They also discuss the ways in which you and I can participate in the legislative process and voice our opinions on bills being considered. They talk about Representative Carter's help...

This week, Debi is joined by Bruce and Kim Ketola from Kairos Prison Ministries

Bruce and Kim talk about the work of Kairos Prison Ministries and how they got involved.

Debi, Bruce and Kim discuss the importance of outreach to those who are incarcerated and to their loved ones. The Kairos retreat model shares the love of Christ with male and female prisoners and helps develop them to be leaders both in and out of prison.   Kairos has a proven track record of making prison atmospheres calmer, with less internal crime among prisoners. It also h...

This week, Debi is joined by Tammy O'Connor, campaign leader for 40 Days for Life

Tammy shares her personal story of the tragedy of abortion and how that led her to get involved in the life movement. 

Debi and Tammy talk about 40 Days for Life, how it got started and its impact.  They discuss the deceptive and sometimes hostile practices of abortion clinics and how they do everything to prevent women from hearing the truth and receiving prayer while they are on their way into their abortion appointment.  

They also discuss the ways in whi...

This week, Debi is joined by Lucy Breen and Season Reynolds, co-founders of Pursuit Ministry at Dream City Church.

Debi, Season and Lucy discuss a previous episode of Into the Fire with Season about the specific and unique needs of singles in churches across the country. 

In this episode, they discuss how Lucy and Season launched a ministry designed for singles of all ages.  It can be particularly challenging to develop a singles ministry for a number of reasons. One is that there is a wide range of ages and life situations:  divorced, widowed, never mar...

This week, Debi is joined by Ashley Trussell, founder of Butterfly Effect Foundation

Ashley and Debi discuss foster care group homes and the unique needs of teens who are unable to be placed with a family.  While they are provided for and supervised, they often lack the bonding and connection that comes with family.  These young people often miss out on things that the rest of us take for granted, like going to professional sporting events and learning how to drive. 

Debi and Ashley discuss the powerful role that mentors can play in the lives of...

This week, Debi is joined by Alison Furno, previous co-host of Into the Fire and a volunteer leader with Dream City Civics

Debi and Alison discuss the alarming rise in a favorable view of Communism among young Americans.  

Debi and Alison discuss the dangers of an overreaching federal government and how the founders tried to warn of this.  They talk about how dependence on government programs and assistance is exceedingly difficult to dial back and that a government which is big enough to provide for an individual's needs can also withhold those goods to control th...

This week, Debi is joined by Pastor Saeed Hosseini, prayer pastor at Dream City Church and founder of the Global 365 Prayer Network

Pastor Saeed shares his background growing up in a Muslim family in Iran. Debi and Pastor Saeed discuss some of the tenets of Islam, the dangers and oppressions of the belief system and how that ideology is incompatible with American freedom. They also discuss the alarming rise in Islam in America and some of the reasons for this rise.

Pastor Saeed also talks about his conversion to Christianity and the freedom that a...

This week, Debi is joined by Kim Ketola, author of Cradle My Heart and volunteer for Dream Life Pro-Life Ministries at Dream City Church.

Debi and Kim discuss Kim's own post-abortion healing journey. They also discuss the prevalence of abortion within the church at large. One in three women sitting in a church has had an abortion.  

Debi and Kim discuss some of the ramifications of having had an abortion including substance abuse, depression and difficulty bonding with other children. They also talk about the redemption available through Jesus Christ. 

To get involved wi...

This week, Debi is joined by Pastor Jim Black, Director of the Care Network at Dream City Church.

Pastor Jim oversees congregational care and has performed hundreds of funerals for Dream City Church.

Debi and Jim discuss the aftermath of tragedy. It often brings out either the best or worst in people and can either bring families together or amplify existing issues. The Congregational care network has a unique opportunity to provide comfort, care and guidance to those in need.

Pastor Jim also talks about how performing so many funerals has caused...

This week, Debi is joined by Adam Ranney, worship pastor at Dream City Church Glendale Campus, and a leader in men's ministry.

Debi and Adam talk about how across ministries and churches, men are being called higher, back into their divine purpose.

Adam shares a picture of the importance of covering. God created Adam, Eve was created from within Adam and children are created from within women. There is a beautiful, biblical order to covering and protection of the family.

Debi and Adam discuss the importance of men being whole and healthy, and...

This week, Debi is joined by Sloan Adams, Central Senior Strategic Manager of TPUSA Faith

Debi and Sloan discuss the faith arm of TPUSA and its work unifying and empowering churches to speak truth in love to culture. 

They discuss how so many cultural and political issues over the last several years including COVID, BLM, Antifa, men calling themselves women and the overturn of Roe v Wade have impacted churches. Some churches like Dream City have been bold and talked about these issues, others have compromised the truth of the Word of God to accept a...

This week, Debi is joined by Alison Furno, one of the volunteer leaders of Dream City Civics Ministry and former co-host of Into the Fire podcast.

Debi and Alison discuss the importance of biblically based civics.  They go through some scriptural examples of godly men and women interacting with, influencing and participating in government affairs.  

They tackle some of the common arguments against biblically based civics including the so-called separation of church and state, 501(c)3 rules, and accusations of Christian nationalism. 

They also discuss the ways in which being salt and light in cur...

This week, Debi is joined by special guest Dr. Krista Fabrick business and marketing professor Mesa community college, marketing consultant and business coach (Sam Oriza was out sick)

Debi and Krista discuss the growing concerns with the effects that use of AI can have on the brain and on the effects that screen time in general can have on young developing minds.

Just like many other things, AI is not inherently good or evil. It is a tool which can be both helpful and destructive.  Krista and Debi discuss a recent study at MIT on t...

This week, Debi is joined by Alison Furno one of the volunteer leaders of Dream City Civics Ministry and former co-host of Into the Fire podcast.

Debi and Alison discuss the rise in violence in our culture. From school shootings to subway stabbings to a public assassination, it feels as if the world has gone crazy.  

They talk about a recent survey showing that a high percentage of college students believe that violence is an acceptable way to shut down speech they don't agree with on campus.  They also discuss the tendency of the media an...

Note: This episode was prerecorded prior to the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk

This week, Debi is joined by Carrie Bradley a sex trafficking and domestic violence survivor and founder of Identifreed. 

Warning: This is an episode that discusses difficult adult topics.  Please preview this episode before allowing young children to listen.

Carrie shares her story of being trafficked by gang members, being held captive and forced into being a "breeder". She also talks about her steps to both physical freedom and the freedom she found in Christ.

Debi and Carrie di...

This week, Debi and Sam are joined by Kevin Theriot, senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom. 
Kevin talks with Debi and Sam about his career at ADF, some of the important cases he has worked on, and why we must continue to fight for Life, Law and liberty. 

Kevin explains how a case might progress through the courts, using the Dobbs v Jackson case as an example.  Cases progress from state to federal level and can take years to finally be settled. It is not just the Supreme Court that matters. State level legislatures, Attorneys General, Gov...

This week, Debi and Sam host a solo episode on school choice and the ongoing battle over ESAs in Arizona.

Much has been made of a recent news article highlighting supposed fraud in the ESA system. But, Empowerment Scholarship Accounts have long been a target of those who do not like our school choice options in AZ.   Arizona was the first state to offer such accounts, which allow some, not all, of the education dollars to follow the student and be used for homeschooling, tutoring or private school instruction. This enables families who may not be able t...

This week, Debi and Sam are joined by Rich Jessup, former Chief of Police
Rich shares highlights of his lengthy career in law enforcement.  Rich shares with Debi and Sam about being Chief of Police in one of the busiest border cities in America. They discuss how changing border policies during different administrations affected law enforcement morale and their ability to do their job.

Rich, Debi and Sam also discuss the crossover between ministry and police work. This includes ministry to fellow officers, who face heightened job and familial stresses.  Rich also talks about viewing police wo...

This week, Debi and Sam are joined by Griffin McGrath, the Network Youth and Young Adults Director for the Assemblies of God Arizona District
Griffin shares his own story of loss and resilience.   Glod does not promise us that we will live without heartache or tragedy. In fact, His Word clearly tells us that we will have trials, but that He will be with us through those things.

Gen Alpha appears to have some of the highest rates of anxiety and mental health issue and be the least equipped with resilience.  Why?  Griffin is currently working on...

This week, Debi and Sam host a solo episode of Into the Fire

Debi and Sam discuss the issue of truth and deception in modern world. With AI, fake news, social media and a 24 hour news cycle we are bombarded with information but it can be difficult to sift through to determine what is truth and what is not. 

Sam and Debi discuss how to analyze information wisely and with discernment and discuss both biblical and practical tools to help you. 

We highly recommend this 7 minute video on Prager U about how to th...

This week, Debi and Sam are joined by Beth Boyer, a staff nurse at Choices Pregnancy Centers

Beth talks with Debi and Sam about the importance of an ultrasound when a woman is considering or planning to have an abortion. They talk about why your last menstrual period (LMP) is not always an accurate predictor of gestational age which can impact both the failure rate and potential complications of taking the abortion pill. They discuss the dangers of an undetected ectopic pregnancy which can be life threatening.

Beth also explains how abortion pills work as...

This week, Debi and Sam are joined by Hughie Johnston, also known as Hughie Vuitton, a former National Boxing Champion.

Hughie shares his faith background with Sam and Debi and talks about his career as a fighter and what he learned in that season of life as well as how becoming a father has changed his perspective on issues.

He also talks about how he's become a speaker for the MAHA movement to make America healthy again.  Hughie, Sam and Debi talk about how much food impacts our health and how many food producers offer c...

This week, Debi and Sam are joined by Michael Hunter, C.O.O of Christian Family Care.

Michael talks about his own journey of becoming a foster parent and then adopting two children out of the foster care system who are a sibling set and both have special needs.  

Michael, Sam and Debi discuss the important work being done at Chirstian Family Care and why Christian non-profits are so important.  They also discuss how politicians sometimes target Christian families or Christian agencies because of their biblical beliefs. This has been happening across the country and ha...

This week, Debi and Sam are joined by Alison Furno, girls' volleyball coach, former collegiate athlete, and previous co-host of Into the Fire.

Alison, Debi and Sam talk about the importance of sports for girls and why it is worth fighting to protect female only sports.  They explain some of the updates in the battle over Title IX both at both the federal and state levels.  

They discuss how compassion has been weaponized, especially against Christian women.  Those pushing values that are contrary to the gospel frame them as being compassionate and loving like Jesus. Sam...

This week, Debi and Sam are joined by Lacy Cooper, an attorney who has held positions such as federal prosecutor , border security section chief in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Deputy County Attorney in Gila County.

Lacy  talks with Debi and Sam about her legal experience and firsthand knowlege of the decades long operation of the Mexican Cartel at our Southern border.

Lacy shares the difference between smuggling and trafficking and the different types of criminal activity seen at the border. They discuss the harms of each type of smuggling or trafficking both to...

This week, Debi and Sam are joined by Kaden Matchett, youth director of Dream City Church.  

Kaden, Debi and Sam discuss Gen Z, culture, and church.  Gen Z has by far the highest rates of LGBTQ+ self-identification as well as high rates of depression and anxiety. However, there is also a resurgence of traditionalism among Gen Z.  They are returning to God, seeking out traditional denominations over "woke" denominations, and focusing on marriage, family, homeschooling, homesteading and old school gender norms.   Kaden talks about why he feels this is happening, what he sees in todays youth, including the...