Where Do You Find God?

'God's longing for the world is much more than coming to church on a Sunday'. Reverend Jill McDonald currently ministers at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Hastings. She also runs a monthly event with a focus on social justice at the local pub called ' The Common Good ' where the publican is an atheist and has welcomed Rev Jill and her pub church with open arms.   Support Where Do You Find...

'As a pastors' kid you almost prioritise other people's relationship with God before seeking your own'. Benson Wilson is an Award-winning New Zealand born Samoan baritone.  Originally from South Auckland, he now resides in London and was recently appointed English National Opera Harewood Artist. At the time of recording Benson was in New Zealand for the New Zealand Opera's season of La Boheme...

'People talk about the rock bottom. That was my rock bottom and that were where I found God'. 5 years ago Paul Rawson went through a life changing experience when he lost the bottom half of his right leg from the knee down.  He talks of Finding God through this process and his attitude of not being defined by this life changing event as he seeks to live the Undefeated Life. Support Where Do Y...

'Put your trust in Jesus because he will lead you. Let go of everything else and God will be there'. Gloriana Pilgrim was born and raised in the conservative Christian community Gloriavale, based in Haupiri on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.  Almost 5 years ago, Gloriana and her family left Gloriavale to begin a brand-new life.    Gloriana shares of this life chan...

' We are worlds apart, but we are all the same.  We might be different tribes & nations, different tongues but we all the same'. Sherryn Tai, Day Show Host on Life FM & busy Mom of 2 gorgeous Tamariki spoke with Lizzie about her time in Uganda with World Vision and the leveling experience it was for her to see that though we might all come from different backgrounds essentially, we ar...

"How can we be people of abundance and generosity, people who live out of joy". Dr Christa McKirland, is the Dean of Faculty & Lecturer of Systematic Theology at Carey Baptist College. Christa shares of finding God in community and the places we live. Support Where Do You Find God?: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

'How sufficient is God, how much is my identity in Christ.  Do I trust that he is good when things in my life are not the same way I would want them to be.' Steve De Witt is the Senior Pastor of Bethel Church, Northwest Indiana.  He is also the Author of Loneliness: Don't Hate it or Waste It, Redeem It - a book where Steve shares his journey of loneliness when he was the only single past...

'The best things we can think of are just a shadow of what he is like.' Broadcaster Kat McCormack is a Co Host on the Rhema Breakfast and leads a busy and full life.  She talks openly and honestly of her need for God, sharing out of Psalm 139 and reminds us of how God has both a Father & a Mother heart towards us. Paralysed as a young mum, Kat McCormack | Finding The Light | S1 Support Wh...

'Where do I find God?  I don't even need to say hi, he's already there'. Dave Mann Director of Shining Lights Trust, who's focus is to equip the church in forms of outreach they may not have considered, talks with Lizzie Oakes about where he finds God and of his experience of struggling with anxiety and how these days God is closer than his very breathe. https://shininglights.co.nz/ Support W...

'No matter how hard the experiences are, how significance people's criticism might be, whatever happens, my life has value because God says I have value'.   Pete McArthur along with his wife Sarah are the lead pastors of Elim Church in Henderson. As parents of 3 boys they have a very busy household.  Pete talks of taking time out through his daily walking practice and his weekly gam...

"The place I find God is in the mundane & in the everyday". Lani Hanfiro works as a Graphic Designer at Rhema & in her spare time alongside her husband Fini run a youth ministry at their church.     Lani talks of finding God in everyday moments and of how learning to recognize God in the small things in life has prepared her to hear his voice & recognise his guidance in...

'He's gracious, he's merciful, he's compassionate.  He extends his love to everyone'. Ana Ika is a Senior Social Policy Analyst/Advocate in the Social Policy & Parliamentary Unit of the Salvation Army of New Zealand. Ana is also one of the writers behind the Salvation Army's annual State of the Nation Report. Ana speaks from her heart and shares of how she finds great comfort in the work...

'The heart of God is not to be absent and distance and mysterious, there's always going to be a mystery to God, but he wants to be found.' Ben Fielding is a GRAMMY award winning, multi-platinum, Australian songwriter and artist. A prolific song-writer, Ben has written many of the most sung and loved modern hymns across the Church globally. He is the only songwriter to have four songs reach #1 on C...

‘God loves us infinitely, in a parent kind of love’.  Anna Paterson founded Everlasting Clothing back in 2017.  It's a charitable trust that upcycles women's stylish preloved women's clothing at an affordable price and supports women through social services. Anna talks of having a busy life and wanting to make time for God but not quite having the time. She also has an epipha...

‘God has given us two ears and one voice and I think sometimes we need to listen more than we talk to him.’ Colin Bloom has spent more than 30 years in the business, not for profit and political worlds.  He's held a number of senior roles in British politics and was responsible for creating the Bloom Review that looked at the British government's engagement with faith, people of f...

'The things that I can't fix, I hand over to him and he's got it and there's so much peace in that'. Renee Chopping is a programme director working with survivors of sex trafficking and an advocate of women’s rights and child protection. Renee, deals with gritty and sometimes overwhelming situations and talks of recognizing that the burden she sometimes feels is God's alone to carry.  h...

'‘The practice of stitching and being still is a really helpful way for me to remember God is with me’. Miriam Jessie Fisher is a Theologian, Textile Artist, Poet, Performer and Lecturer at Laidlaw College.  She recently completed a 6-year project called "Women's Word's where she stitched 8,999 words spoken by women in the Bible onto calico, creating a profound textile art pr...

'For me it's deeply personal and I would really love that people understood that God can be their best friend'. Tim Sisarich has over 2 decades of working alongside humanitarian organizations, 3 decades in strategic communication and is married with 5 kids.   Tim talks of his deep faith and the simple ways he connects with God and his desire for all people to understand that God can be y...

‘I experience God like the ground we stand on. It’s always there, it’s always supporting us. If you tune in you realise it’s been there the whole time’. Tianna Williams is a Sacred Artist from Saskatoon, Canada who paints the saints. She shares of her intimate relationship with Jesus and of how the paintings she journeys with impact her deeply. https://sacredartbytian...

‘I think we get these invitations from God in moments of crisis to let go and to trust'. Naomi Cowan is the CEO of Equip Mental Health Services she is also a lung transplant survivor.   Naomi talks with Lizzie Oakes about the ways she encounters God in her everyday life and of how this has changed since navigating her health crisis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oQpb-QaWzs - to...

“Last night I had trouble sleeping, so I just take in a breath and then (as I breathe out) “ lovely Jesus ” “ Beautiful Holy Spirit ”. It’s a nice calming way to quieten my own mind and quieten my own lips”.  Tom O'Neil talks of being inspired by Smith Wigglesworth and of how he has personally developed a discipline of spending time with God each day,...

"The more I try and hold onto something in my own strength, I close myself off from receiving God's goodness". Former White Fern & Ex Policewoman Katie Perkins grew up with a dream to represent New Zealand in cricket.  She shares stories of crying with joy of becoming a White Fern and of how after finishing her policing career she has now embraced a new path while continually to walk with...

"God loves that I'm able to love but then I'm able to know God to be a God of love". Bishop Te Kitohi "Kito" Wiremu Pikaahu is the Māori Anglican bishop for Te tai Tokerau he talked with Lizzie Oakes of learning from a young age that God is everywhere and of how he encounters God in his everyday life.  Support Where Do You Find God?: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?utm_source=omnystudio&utm_...

“In my workplace everything that I was bullied for growing up is celebrated”.  Film Professional Caitlin Head was working in tv but desperately wanted to get into the film industry.  In January 24 an unexpected opportunity opened up and she was offered an internship in the directors department of on an international feature film – directed by Taika Waititi.  Caitli...

We're taking a look back across 2024, revisiting our episode with Canon J John and his wife Killy. "He's everywhere and I'm a carrier of the presence of God, and every Christian is a carrier of the presence of God.   Canon J John and his wife Killy chat with Lizzie about the ways they find God in their everyday lives. https://canonjjohn.com/ Support Where Do You Find God?: https://donate...