The Architecture of Healing: A Public Thank You to the Phoenix Preacher

By Dr. Peggy Philips, PhD, IYI

In a world filled with heavy burdens and exhausting religious checklists, true spiritual leadership is a rare and sacred thing. For sixteen years, I did not own a physical Bible. It sat outside my reach, an unintended casualty of severe spiritual and emotional abuse from a past life under a legalistic regime. For the last two years, I tentatively navigated scripture only from the screen of my phone, stepping carefully back into fellowship.

Then, less than two months ago, I met Pastor Michael Newnham—known to many nationwide as the Phoenix Preacher and a celebrated author.  In less than sixty days, this man of God met me exactly where I was; he recognized my value, saw my talent, and completely awakened my voice.

He didn't hand me a heavy list of religious "to-do's." Instead, he handed me my very first physical Bible in sixteen years.

As I have navigated some of the most challenging, hostile life circumstances recently, Michael has gently yet firmly guided me back to alignment with my own faith. Where others offered judgment, he offered no shame. He consistently reminds me that our Maker is intimately interested in rehabilitation, shouting into the quiet corners of my life that God chooses me, is well pleased with me, and that I am dearly loved.

One of the most refreshing and necessary sanctuaries we share in this cold world is a deep, mutual love for God’s animals. In so many religious circles, the value of animals is diminished, yet scripture paints a radically different picture. When God chose to have mercy on Noah, the water animals were preserved, and the land animals were brought into the ark "two by two" (Genesis 7:9, NLT). If Noah’s family was saved through the umbrella of Noah’s faith, then the animals were not left without a savior either. They matter deeply to the Divine.

Throughout the NLT scripture, animals are the carriers of profound spiritual reality and providence. We see it when the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus "in bodily form like a dove" (Luke 3:22, NLT). We see it in the architecture of Heaven, where Revelation promises armies riding on white horses. We witness God’s direct providence when "the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak" to save a prophet from destruction (Numbers 22:28, NLT). Even in the heavy moments, like when a legion of demons begged Jesus to be cast into a nearby herd of pigs that violently rushed into the water (Luke 8:32-33, NLT), we see that animals possess a spiritual capacity—they house souls, and they react to the spiritual realm.

For me, animals have always been the only safe place in a hostile world. And in Michael, I found a leader who mirrors that exact safe haven.

Michael, as part of the royal priesthood, has spent years pouring his heart and soul into generations so they might know a loving Maker. Tragically, like many true shepherds, he has faced tremendous opposition from the very people he tried to help. Yet, in the profound wisdom of his years, he has refused to let bitterness take root. Instead, he found his refuge in caring for God's creation—lovingly taking in strays and writing books of beautiful cat stories that serve as mirrors of how God holds him, and how he, in turn, holds them.

True encouragement does not force; it heals.

Because Michael believed that my soul has value and that my voice deserves to be heard, a dam broke in my life. Since knowing him, I have published eight books, posted more than a dozen blogs, and officially registered my new business.

I want to publicly thank you, Michael. Thank you for showing me that love without force, and care without conditions, is the loudest gospel there is. You didn't just give me a Bible; you helped me rewrite my story.