Going Deeper

Dave Andrews' life has been one marked by responding to opportunities to see what God might do if someone is willing to respond. From Afghanistan to India to the West End of Brisbane, Dave and his wife Angie have spent their life loving everyone God brings into their lives, most often the poorest and most maligned in the places God takes them to.  From the disadvantaged, the misunderstood, the mar...

God plants seeds throughout our lives that call our hearts to His. Amy Smith is no different: through a childhood exposed to the missional heart of God, through politics, to the International Justice mission, God has been calling her to be a voice for the voiceless. Jo chats with Amy about her journey, and her work as Chief Advocacy Officer at IJM. Continuing our series 'Talking Justice', hosts Jo...

Advocacy - speaking up for those who can't speak for themselves - is part of Jesus's example to us. But should all believer's be advocates? In the first episode of our series 'Talking Justice', hosts Jo Leutton and Robyn Robertson are joined by the Rev. Tim Costello and Beck Wilesmith from Micah Australia and talk about the importance of advocacy for disciples of Jesus. Resources/Links mentioned i...

This episode, we are taking a look at Pete Greig's "How to Pray: a simple Guide for Normal People". Jo is joined by Claudine Hawkins and Ryan Vallee, as they unpack the book, what they learned, and why the book is an essential read for every Christian! Our next book club book will be "Healing the Orphan Spirit" by Leif Hetland. The episode will air on July 29, 2021. Why not read it and join in the...

As we spend the start of 2021 focussing on Jesus, we're taking the time on Going Deeper to talk to people about their stories of encountering Jesus, and the difference that has made in their lives. Today, Jo chats with Ps Petrea Taylor, the new Children's Pastor at Riverlife, about her journey to being on staff, and her own encounters with Jesus that have profoundly changed her life.   Big thanks...

As we spend the start of 2021 focussing on Jesus, we're taking the time on Going Deeper to talk to people about their stories of encountering Jesus, and the difference that has made in their lives. Today, Jo chats with Ps Grant Gehrke, the new Family Pastor at Riverlife, about his journey to being on staff, and his own encounters with Jesus that have profoundly changed his life. Resources/Links me...

We launch into 2021 officially as Jo catches up with Riverlife Senior Pastor John Robertson about his heart for 2021: breakthrough that flows from fixing our eyes on Jesus alone.  Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper: Podcast: Ps John Robertson - Vision 2021 Podcast: Ps Scott McKinnon - History Makers #3: Josiah Big thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra produ...

This time, we are taking a look at John Mark Comer's "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry". Jo is joined by Aimee Cowan and Scott McKinnon, as they unpack the book, what they learned, and why the book is an important invitation in this chaotic season we find ourselves in! Our next book club book will be "How To Pray" by Pete Greig. The episode will air on April 22. Why not read it and join in the co...

Welcome to our Summer Sessions! Every Australian Summer, we feature sessions from conferences and events we've held that you probably haven't heard! This episode, we bring you Ps Charles Stock's message from Life to Love Conference 2019. This is part 1 of his message. Come back next episode for part 2! Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper: Podcast: Episode 1 of Cha...

Welcome to our Summer Sessions! Every Australian Summer, we feature sessions from conferences and events we've held that you probably haven't heard! This episode, we bring you Ps Charles Stock's message from Life to Love Conference 2019. This is part 2 of his message. Make sure you've listened to part 1, and come back next episode for part 3! Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful fo...

Welcome to our Summer Sessions! Every Australian Summer, we feature sessions from conferences and events we've held that you probably haven't heard! This episode, we bring you Ps Charles Stock's message from Life to Love Conference 2019. This is part 1 of his message. Come back next episode for part 2! Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper: Web: Iris Global - Suppor...

There's been a lot to talk about in 2020 across the three podcasts across the Riverlife network. We've heard from some incredible guests, discussed a range of topics, and even launched a new podcast in the process! Join our producer, Tim, as he sits down with Jo, Scott, Nick (from The Round Table), and Alex (from Bible Streams) to talk about all the highlights from 2020 and to look ahead to 2021....

Join Scott and Jo as they take a look at the way Christmas fulfils the promises of the Old Testament in so many amazing ways and also draws us forward into the hope that Jesus brings us all at Christmas. Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper: Book: Andreas Köstenberger & Alexander E. Stewart - The First Days of Jesus Social: Riverlife Facebook (for Wednesday morning...

In this special Christmas episode, we bring to you a wonderful message from our Christmas 2019 preaching series. We feature guest speaker Karen Wilson speaking from her experience with Baptist World Aid, and she encourages us to encounter God and then not shut up about Him! Karen is an amazing speaker, pastor and leader, with a global ministry and a calling to influence and motivate people to live...

There's no new episode this week, but Jo gives us a little sneak peek into next year and a fun new idea! In the mean time, why not listen to one of our other podcasts? Other Podcasts from Riverlife Church: The Round Table - listen to the new series of our Young Adult podcast, by YAs for YAs, talking about things that matter to YAs. Listen to the new series, 'Biblical Perspectives' Bible Streams -...

Join Senior Pastor John Robertson and host Jo Leutton as they reflect on the good news of God's work at Riverlife in 2020. Hear some clips from our thanksgiving services, and get yourself encouraged by what God has been doing amidst the chaos of this past year! He is good, so give thanks to Him! We wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers in our church family that make all the m...

Continuing our focus on prayer, Jo catches up with passionate pray-er and Riverlife staff member Claudine Hawkins, about how to being and continue to cultivate a passionate prayer life that draws us closer to God in our daily walk with Him. Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper: Book: Pete Greig - How to Pray Book: St Athanasius - The Life of St. Anthony Big thanks...

Prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian life, and as we spend the next few weeks focussing on prayer, we wanted to bring you a fascinating conversation with Brian Heasley, the International Director of 24/7 Prayer. Brian Heasley, the International Prayer Director of 24/7 Prayer, joins us to share his heart for reviving and renewing the rhythms of prayer in the contemporary church. He speaks from...

Reading the Bible can be simple, but oftentimes we are faced with words, ideas and language that isn't instantly accessible, particularly in the Old Testament. This episode of Going Deeper features a sneak peek of our most recent Bible Streams episode, "Our Heart Songs 2: Hebrew Poetry with Robert Alter". Jo and Alex Walker (Bible Streams host) speak with world-renowned author and literary expert...

Many Christians in western cultures may feel the inconvenience of restrictions like COVID, but we should be careful to not mistake this of persecution. Join Ps Robyn Robertson as she talks to Mike Gore, CEO of Open Doors, and Helen Berhan, an Eritrean Christian who loves Jesus, worship, and has survived persecution. Join them on a virtual field trip to the toughest places on earth to live out the...

Justice is a central element to the life of Jesus and His Kingdom people. For some, the call of justice on them means getting low, going into dark places, and setting captives free. Jo and guest host Pastor Robyn Robertson speak with International Justice Mission Investigator Mark (not his real name), about the job of an undercover investigator, the heart for justice that God's people can carry, a...

Cultivating a heart of prayer and worship reflects Jesus's desire for His church to be a house of prayer for all the nations. Yet, we are faced with so much noise and distraction that it can be hard to find time to behold the face of God. Jo speaks with Josh Yeoh, a pastor, worship leader and songwriter from Riverlife Church in Singapore, about cultivating a life of prayer and worship that transfo...

Art and it's creation can be one of those wonderfully unknown things. Where does inspiration come from? How does each different artist recieve it, and translate that into what the rest of us get to experience? For Brett and Leah Shaw, that process is intrinsically tied to their relationship with Jesus and how the Holy Spirit is leading and guiding them. Brett and Leah talk with Jo and Scott about...

This episode features a special interview, where Ps Robyn Robertson joins Bianca Bryson from International Justice Mission (IJM), and Matt Darvas from Micah Australia. Both of these advocates for justice discuss with Robyn how the church can engage with issues of justice in this COVID-19 period. As you'll hear, there's plenty to consider, and there's practical ways you can get involved. Resources/...

Our world is in chaos, and so many of our cultural reference points are dislocated. So how do we find them again? Jo & Scott catch up for a second time with Toby Thomas, an Ordinand with the Church of England at Hackney Church in East London. As a neo-liturgist, Toby seeks to help people be formed and discipled through their experience of church and suggests to us that these ancient forms and rhyt...