In this episode of the HOPE 25 podcast, hosts Michael Calder and Christy Capper welcome Geoff Folland, the National Director of Power to Change Australia. They discuss the importance of evangelism, reframing it as a personal journey rather than a daunting task. Geoff shares insights from his extensive experience in campus ministry and emphasises the need for training and resources to equip individuals for effective evangelism. The conversation also touches on cultural shifts in Australia post-COVID, the significance of creating welcoming spaces in churches, and the upcoming animated Jesus film initiative to engage communities with the story of Jesus.

In this episode of the HOPE 25 podcast, hosts Michael Calder and Christy Capper engage with Al James, a youth ministry advisor, discussing the challenges and opportunities in youth ministry today. They explore the importance of evangelism, the role of community, and the significance of relationships in nurturing faith among young people. Al emphasises the need for a gospel-shaped community and the slow, relational journey to faith, highlighting that every church has a youth ministry, regardless of formal programs. The conversation encourages intentional discipleship and empowering youth to take ownership of their faith and evangelism efforts.

In this episode of the HOPE25 podcast, Christy Capper engages with Sarah Dulley, Kim Hodges, Brett Watterson and Mike Wilkinson at Diocesan Leaders Conference in Newcastle to discuss what HOPE25 is looking like for them locally. The conversation explores the diverse ways communities are preparing for HOPE25, the importance of building connections within regional areas, and the reactions of church leaders to the initiative. The leaders share their hopes for empowering congregations, enhancing community engagement, and fostering confidence in sharing their faith. The discussion emphasises the significance of being outward-focused and the potential for renewal within both local and national contexts. Keywords: HOPE25, community engagement, church initiatives, regional communities, faith sharing, church leadership, hope in Jesus, parish projects, church community, empowerment

In this conversation, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell discusses the topics of spirituality, evangelism, catechesis, and discipleship. He emphasizes the importance of journeying with people and creating spaces for them to ask questions and explore their faith. He also highlights the role of the church in providing nurture and support for those on their faith journey. Keywords spirituality, evangelism, catechesis, discipleship, journey, church, nurture, faith, Emmaus course, Pilgrim course Takeaways Evangelism is best understood as helping people make the journey of faith, meeting them where they are and listening to their questions and concerns.Creating spaces for people to ask questions and explore their faith is essential, especially for those who are new to the church or have doubts.The church plays a vital role in providing nurture and support for those on their faith journey, offering spaces for people to build relationships and find community.The Emmaus and Pilgrim courses are useful resources for engaging with people and deepening their understanding of the Christian faith.Evangelism is a collective effort, and everyone in the church has a part to play in sharing the beauty of the gospel and living out their faith authentically. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:21 Focus on Spirituality, Evangelism, Catechesis, and Discipleship 02:56 Personal Faith Journey 04:15 God as the Evangelist 06:00 Journey and Pilgrimage in Evangelism 08:45 Creating Spaces for Questions and Exploration 11:09 The Role of the Church in Nurturing Faith 12:57 The Emmaus and Pilgrim Courses as Resources 14:56 Evangelism as a Collective Effort 21:09 Anglo-Catholicism and Evangelism 23:42 Metaphors of Pregnancy and Birth in Evangelism 27:15 Conclusion and Encouragement

In this conversation, Cathy Ross discusses the concept of hospitality and its role in mission and the church. She highlights the importance of viewing the church as a household of God and creating spaces of welcome and hospitality. Cathy emphasises the need for the church to be attentive, listen, and learn from others, rather than just offering hospitality. She also explores the subversive nature of hospitality and its potential to break down barriers and challenge power dynamics. The conversation touches on the impact of loneliness and the role of missional hospitality in engaging people and welcoming them into church communities. Authors mentioned Christine Pohl, Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition Cathy Ross, Mission on the Road to Emmaus Emmanuel Katongole, Born from Lament Stephen Bevans, Constants in Context and Models of Contextual Theology

In this conversation, Christy Capper interviews Julie-Anne Laird about evangelism and talking to people about faith. Julie-Anne shares her background and journey in ministry, particularly in student ministry, and how she discovered her gift of evangelism. They discuss the importance of living out one's faith authentically and openly and the role of the local church in reaching out to non-Christians. Julie-Anne provides tips for starting conversations about faith, including prayer, being present with non-Christian friends, and being prepared to answer tricky questions. She emphasises the beauty of the journey of faith and the importance of recognising what God is already doing in people's lives.

Summary: In this episode of the HOPE25 podcast, host Michael Calder interviews Karl Faase, CEO of Olive Tree Media, about the history of Christianity in Australia and its impact on shaping Australian culture. They discuss how Christianity first came to Australia, the response of the First Nations people to the hope of Jesus, and the role of faith in shaping Australian culture. Karl shares stories of everyday Australians who have had faith in Jesus and the lessons we can learn from the history of Christianity in Australia. He also highlights the resources available from Olive Tree Media to help parishes reach out with the hope of Jesus in their communities.

Anne Van Gent discusses her book 'Restoring the Story: The Good News of Atonement' and explores different models of atonement. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the backstory and context of these models to fully grasp their meaning. Van Gent also highlights the power of storytelling and how it can help us connect with others and better understand the central mystery of Jesus' atonement. She encourages listeners to be open to different understandings of atonement and to focus on the foundation of our faith in Jesus rather than specific doctrines. Check out Anne's book here Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:25 Restoring the Story: The Good News of Atonement 09:41 Exploring Different Models of Atonement 25:10 Embracing Different Perspectives on Atonement 26:10 Focusing on the Foundation of Our Faith in Jesus

Mark McCrindle, a social researcher, discusses Australian culture and attitudes towards Christianity. He highlights the changing context and rising uncertainty in Australia, including economic challenges, loneliness, and mental health issues. Despite these challenges, there is still a sense of optimism and a desire for hope among Australians. McCrindle emphasizes the opportunity for the church to share a message of hope that goes beyond the temporal and offers something more trustworthy and secure. He dispels the notion that Australians despise Christianity, highlighting that the majority of Australians either identify with a religion or consider themselves spiritual. He also addresses the belief blockers for people, including hypocrisy, authoritarianism, and a sense of not belonging. However, he notes that there is warmth and support towards the local church and positive perceptions of Jesus. McCrindle encourages the church to be invitational, share personal stories of transformation, and extend warm invitations to others.

The conversation with Archbishop Geoff Smith revolves around the HOPE25 project and the importance of evangelism in the Anglican Church in Australia. The Archbishop shares his personal background and role as the Primate of the Anglican Church in Australia. He expresses excitement about HOPE25 as a national project that will unite the church and provide resources and training for evangelism. The conversation highlights the need to move beyond stereotypes of evangelism and empower people to share their faith naturally. The Archbishop hopes that more people will hear the good news of Jesus and that the church will become better equipped and more confident in sharing their faith.

In this episode Christy and Michael chat about what Hope25 is and how you and your community can get involved.