Stories of Hope

Scott Frame shares with beautiful clarity and honesty about his journey to faith, a career as an engineer, Christian ministry, marriage and family. His deep faith shines through in all he says, especially in the journey through cancer and the consequent times of dreadful uncertainty and pain.

Relationships grow so much when we share food together and for people who are lonely and unsure of how they belong, to be welcomed at a table is monumental!   #salvos, #storiesofhope, #salvationarmy, #podcast

Matt Davis has a rich Salvo family heritage and is now the Director of Salvo Stores across Australia working with over 10,000 volunteers and staff and serving over 250,000 customers every week. His journey in the business world combined with a sincere faith makes for an interesting story.

The first Christians met together every day and shared a special sort of friendship and unity the scriptures called fellowship. But soulful fellowship like this can be experienced outside of church on Sunday mornings. In fact my running groups provide a great model of the sort of community life that came so naturally to the first Christians.

Rob Harley visited Melbourne to catch up with friends. While he was in town I interviewed him as he has strong links to the Salvos and an amazing story. His life as a journalist, author, church pastor and family man is rich with tragedy, friendship, restoration and the grace and goodness of God.

People learn in different ways and so to be devoted to teaching could be through books and study, as well as friendship and significant conversations.

Jason is a 5th generation Salvo and grew up with a love of music, singing and community. He is a scientist and has worked and studied internationally in the field of molecular biology. He works for the Salvos helping to develop the arts and also runs a community choir. Jason shares honestly about his faith and the way his scientific background speaks into this.

Us Aussies are quite cynical about people promising great deals and strategies that are sure to change your life. So getting all preachy about Jesus is never a good plan. Best to live the sort of life that points people towards the values and lifestyle Jesus was on about. Things like love, hope and joy are a good start.

Daryl Crowden grew up in India and Sri Lanka as his parents were Salvation Army Missionaries. His world view and capacity for discipline and independence was forged through these years. He has since worked in some of the most troubled disaster areas in recent times, such as the 2004 Asian Tsunami and the Christchurch earthquake. He is now head of the Salvos emergency and disaster management in Aus...

Leaders making mistakes is not a new phenomenon. King David was a shocker. In the book of acts we see a way to foster balanced and careful community after the demise of Judas. it involves a sabbath walk and intentional times of reflection and prayer about important things in our lives.

On the day of Pentecost the book of Acts records that the Holy Spirit came in power. Wind, fire and tongues that foreigners understand were experienced by the disciples. However I've never met anyone who has experienced this and my own encounter with the Spirit of God wasn't like that at all. Thankfully for me the lovely Sue has supernatural levels of love and patience without and Acts 2 pentecost...

Nathan Rowe is a brilliant musician and has a beautiful heart for people from all walks of life. He is a leader with the Salvos in Geelong and has a dynamic and interesting take on life and the challenges of being wired in a way that is a little out of the box. He is married to Jenny and he has two children.

We all run out of steam sometimes, but there is a promise of power to live out our lives with passion in the book of Acts that is like breath to an athlete. Regenerative and life giving to every fibre of our being. It's everlasting and new every morning. It's mysterious and spiritual, but its impact is very real.

David grew up with loving parents and was well educated but has always struggled with his mental health and relationships. His life has been interesting and diverse, growing up in Alice Springs and spending some time in South America. He came to help out at the Salvos and has both served and been served in significant ways. His honest sharing will do you good.

Jesus says in Marks Gospel that believers should be able to handle snakes and drink deadly poison. Thats absurd. How do we make sense of this? It is possible to live in harmony with the Holy Scriptures and the lovely Sue for that matter, but not without careful interpretation.

Richard was a student at the Salvos Streetlevel mission and it fitted him like a glove. He loved it. He eventually went on to work in our homelessness service for three years. This is challenging work and the mental toll was heavy. His journey of growth and healing is earthy and real and the lessons and insights shared make for a fabulous story.

Most of us struggle with the paradoxes of our lives, let alone grappling with the mystery of a loving God. But when we have the courage to dig a little deeper, we often find the presence of love, hope and joy - or if you like the spirit of God, comes to us in both the tragedies and the highlight reels of our ordinary lives.

Tony and I grew up together at the Salvos and shared significantly in musical groups and social circles. Tony has transitioned from the corporate world to a lawn mowing business and not only loves the outdoor lifestyle and relationships he fosters, but also that he has time to listen to Stories of Hope podcast!!

We all have times when we get down and negative about our lives.  We find it hard to believe that good will come.  However many people believe that love and goodness are always around the corner for us all and that we need never give up hope.  The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate darkness to light story and gives hope to lots of people who find themselves without a clear way forward.  

Anna and my daughter Eliza have been close friends since they met on the school bus in year 8 and discovered they were both a bit uncoordinated and unbalanced as the bus trundled along.  Anna is now an adult and shares her amazing story of success, heartache, resilience and the courage and inner strength to find healing and hope for the future. She and I ran the Sunshine coast half marathon last y...

Every year the lovely Sue and her Mum Helen make home made biscuits and sticky date puddings for the Streetlevel Fraser Island (K'gari) fishing trip.  The love and dedication of this kindness has become a beautiful tradition.  We all have capacity to be kind if we have our eyes wide open to the opportunities right in front of us.  The simple kindness of a Pharisee named Joseph to make sure Jesus h...

Paul's mum was just 15 years old when he was born and his brother was born when she was just 12.  His mum passed away when he was 3.   To say it was an unstable and challenging start to life, is an understatement. However he describes his Grandma, Aunty and Father as God's angels sent to look after him.  They provided much needed love and stability.  From the age of about 15, Pauls life has been m...

I'm reading a book called phosphorescence by Julia Baird.  She talks about finding our ert.  The idea being that when we are inert we are stagnant.  Inspiration to live our one and only lives with passion is sometimes hard to find.  Christ on the cross typifies the capacity we all have to sacrifice self for others and for what we believe in.  When we do this in balanced and healthy ways, we find o...

Every year the Salvos at Brisbane Streetlevel Mission run a week long Fraser Island 4WD fishing trip for men.  This year 17 of us ventured onto this spectacular sand Island and set up for camping, fishing and some authentic blokey community.  I chat with Paul and Jono around the fire to get a bit of insight about how they came to be connected with the Salvos and what this event means to them.  

When Jesus died on the cross the curtain of the temple tore from top to bottom, signifying that all are welcome into the presence of God and the old Levitical laws are superseded.  Even women with a crippled foot.  Lucky that, or the world would have missed the spectacular ministry of the lovely Sue.