The Christmas season can be a hectic time of year, so we slowed down to listen to a leader who has built a life around loving her neighbors. Candace Gregory, CEO of Open Door Mission in Omaha, shares how a one-year commitment turned into three decades of faith-driven service marked by grit, grace, and surprising joy. She opens the curtain on what it means to “serve everyone, stand firm,” a clear gospel foundation, zero tolerance for violence, honest conversations about sobriety, and a culture that treats people with dignity from intake to aftercare. From its shelters, free clinic, learning center, community kitchen, and prevention programs reaching tens of thousands, her work shows where faith meets measurable outcomes.

Candace also offers a compelling leadership playbook: own mistakes quickly, celebrate wins, ask “what is your thing?” and lead with “we, not I.” We explore the power of Citygate Network, Christ-centered recovery with an 88% success rate, and initiatives like the Toy and Joy Shop that restore dignity by letting parents choose gifts. This conversation is an invitation to move from concern to action—take a tour of your local rescue mission, give two hours this month, and share the episode with someone ready to put love into motion.

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