* Conversations with Christian Women * Hosts: Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes chat to women from Australia and around the world about faith, life and ministry. Ordinary women trusting an extraordinary God makes for inspirational stories and great wisdom shared about all aspects of life as a Christian woman.
Episodes
Thursday Dec 30, 2021
Thursday Dec 30, 2021
Joanne Hobbs is the CEO of Teen Challenge Qld, a ministry helping young people from addiction to hope. Tori Walker chats with Jo about how she ended up in this position, and how God is at work through the ministry.
EPISODE NOTES:
Joanne Hobbs is the CEO of Teen Challenge Qld, a ministry helping young people from addiction to hope. Tori Walker chats with Jo about how she ended up in this position, and how God is at work through the ministry.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
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Friday Dec 10, 2021
Friday Dec 10, 2021
EPISODE NOTES:
Whether you are a new Christian, or have been for a while and feel in need of a refresher, "Need to Know” will give you the essentials—what you really need to know if you’re going to follow Jesus.
Host Tori Walker chats with Gary Millar about his work at the Queensland Theological College, as well as his most recent book, “Need to Know”. This practical and easy-to-read book shows readers how letting the fundamental truths of the gospel take root in our hearts changes everything about the way we see God, ourselves and the world around us. He explores what this miraculous change on the inside looks like on the outside as we live our lives shaped around gospel priorities.
Packed full of warmth and wisdom, this book will set anyone up for a lifetime of living for Jesus. It's perfect for giving to new Christians and makes a great gift for baptisms or confirmations. Mentoring questions are included for each chapter, so it's also an ideal resource to use in one-to-one discipleship with younger believers.
“Need to Know” is available online or in bookstores worldwide. In Australia, a 15% discount is available for all Lydia Project Book Club books through The Wandering Bookseller. Simply use the discount code LYDIA15 at the checkout.
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LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
The Wandering Bookseller: The Lydia Project Collection
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Saturday Nov 27, 2021
Saturday Nov 27, 2021
As an Aboriginal Christian Leader who is a descendant of the Waka Waka peoples, Brooke Prentis uses her talents and experience to lead Common Grace, a movement of people pursuing Jesus and justice. Tori Walker talks with Brooke about her family background, how she came to know Christ at uni, and why she is so passionate about the work she leads at Common Grace.
Brooke Prentis is CEO of Common Grace, a movement of people pursuing Jesus and justice. Brooke is an Aboriginal Christian Leader who is a descendant of the Waka Waka peoples. Brooke is a writer, speaker, poet, theologian, community pastor, Chartered Accountant, and Company Director.
Brooke has appeared on numerous national TV and Radio programs including ABC's The Drum, NITV's The Point, ABC RN’s Soul Search, God Forbid, and the Religion & Ethics Report. Brooke shares a message of Reconciliation as friendship across these lands now called Australia. @commongraceaus @brookeprentis.official
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"Just showing the reality of our warming world."
"Together we feel less tired and less alone and so I understand the reality, I can’t afford to be overwhelmed by injustice."
"What I pray is that non-indigenous Christians don’t get overwhelmed, because we actually need you to walk alongside us, to share that burden of injustice."
"It’s the Body of Christ."
"It’s knowing that God is up to something and I want to be part of that something."
"Build us up in our leadership and share that across these lands now called Australia."
"People don’t know."
"The call is still to listen, to learn, and to love."
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Saturday Oct 30, 2021
Saturday Oct 30, 2021
What does it actually mean to disciple someone? What is ministry supervision? And why should every ministry have it? These are some of the questions that Sarah Balogh answers in her chat with Taryn today on The Lydia Project. Sarah has a psychology practice in the Blue Mountains in Sydney, which she loves, but she also loves discipling women, caring for people in ministry in her role as a ministry supervisor, enjoying her family and supporting her husband in his role as the CEO of the Gospel Coalition, Australia.
EPISODE NOTES:
What does it actually mean to disciple someone? What is ministry supervision? And why should every ministry have it? These are some of the questions that Sarah Balogh answers in her chat with Taryn today on The Lydia Project. Sarah has a psychology practice in the Blue Mountains in Sydney, which she loves, but she also loves discipling women, caring for people in ministry in her role as a ministry supervisor, enjoying her family and supporting her husband in his role as the CEO of the Gospel Coalition, Australia.
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Sarah Balogh is a Christian, wife, mother, friend, psychologist, ministry supervisor and flower appreciator. She’s also a women’s chaplain at Moore College and loves being involved in her local church, Springwood Anglican. Sarah lives in the Blue Mountains, NSW with her husband, Akos and their three children. In the rare moments when she has time, Sarah likes to write. Many of her articles can be found at The Gospel Coalition, Australia.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Ministry Supervision - What It Is and Why Your Ministry Needs It
Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES)
Dane Ortlund - Gentle and Lowly
Sarah Balogh.com - Ministry Supervision
SHOW SNIPPETS:
“Our house was always full of church, the bible and people.”
“Life was faith and faith was life.”
“As a young Christian, this was life, true life, if the gospel was true, which I believe it is, then He demanded my whole life.”
“I have a real heart for discipling women.”
“In practical terms, we should always be looking out for someone to disciple.”
“Sometimes God is more interested in our holiness than our happiness.”
“Often there are gaps between what we say we believe and what we do. A ministry supervisor can help fill the gaps.”
“Some of our children by be like dandelions - they can grow anywhere, while others are like orchids - they need a little more care.”
One of my favourite sayings is “I can only do what I can only do. The rest goes to the keeper and that’s God!”
“We do life with and for others.”
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Friday Oct 15, 2021
Friday Oct 15, 2021
Host Tori interviews Jo Gibbs on what the crosscultural life is like and how chronic fatigue affected that. Jo talks about the ministry roles that she has been in as well as how she came to understand who Christ is and what He had done for her.
EPISODE NOTES:
Host Tori interviews Jo Gibbs on what the crosscultural life is like and how chronic fatigue affected that. Jo talks about the ministry roles that she has been in as well as how she came to understand who Christ is and what He had done for her.
***
Jo grew up in a non-Christian family but came to Christ while at university. Later on she felt challenged to go serve the Lord overseas and ended up living in a crowded city for 11 years before returning to Australia due to her husband’s health. She took up ministry roles that used her plethora of skills from working in different situations such as, community development, cross-cultural ministry, working with families, kids and youth, then care and discipleship ministry.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"I felt like someone had given me some of the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle but without all of them and without the box with the lid that actually helps to put it together. That’s what it felt like."
"I was generally the one arguing with the Christian studies teacher, trying to pull out, what I thought were, apparent contradictions in the Bible or tough questions."
"I’d heard about the needs of the Muslim world but honestly at the time I felt really uncomfortable around Muslim women."
"I developed a love for Muslim women that went alongside that challenge that I’d heard."
"Great, huge needs."
"At one point I was a part of a women’s Bible study where the only person in the group who could read was the national leader."
"It (the Pentecostal church) often felt like it was, intentionally or unintentionally, focused on what I was doing to generate my Christian life rather than what Christ had done."
"I could see God taking me on this gentle process of different denominations."
"Rest in all that Christ has done and not what I generate in my Christian life."
"I think that remembering what God’s done in the past but also remembering who God is is such an important part of our lives."
"So just trying to pull back, reset my priorities."
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Thursday Sep 30, 2021
Thursday Sep 30, 2021
Linda Poole chats to Taryn about finding joy in Jesus and longing to be someone who chooses gratitude and thankfulness even when times are hard. Linda speaks about her years in cross-cultural mission where she and her family served as part of a hospital mission in South Sudan. She speaks of the transition back to Australia and the struggle that was. She also speaks to how God is growing her today in her ministry to her children, her church and as a facilitator for Pioneers, Australia.
EPISODE NOTES:
Linda Poole chats to Taryn about finding joy in Jesus and longing to be someone who chooses gratitude and thankfulness even when times are hard. Linda speaks about her years in cross-cultural mission where she and her family served as part of a hospital mission in South Sudan. She speaks of the transition back to Australia and the struggle that was. She also speaks to how God is growing her today in her ministry to her children, her church and as a facilitator for Pioneers, Australia.
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Linda Poole is a wife, a mum and a passionate follower of Jesus. She loves Jesus, her family, mission, people, coffee and Tasmania. She is committed to playing her part in Jesus' global plan for the nations. At present, that includes ministry to her children, in her church – The Branch, Launceston – and as the Member Care and Development Facilitator for Pioneers, Australia. Linda and her husband, Graham, spent a number of years in South Sudan as part of a mission hospital team. Linda is also a contributor to the Australian Christian book, For The Joy, edited by Miriam Chan and Sophia Russell. (link For the Joy to the gospel coalition article - link below in the links section)
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Pioneers, Australia (mission organisation)
For The Joy, edited by Miriam Chan and Sophia Russell
SHOW SNIPPETS:
“God is good and we are at His mercy; he is good and he is gracious.”
“There is a lot of inequality in our world. There is a lot of suffering and injustice, and I wrestle a lot with our role in it.”
“Saying yes to Jesus means saying no to things that are so much a part of their lives.”
“I have a really high value on inclusion.”
“We struggled with the “uh, what are we supposed to do here now?””
“I really wrestled with every dollar I spent.”
“How do I live here, knowing what I know about there?”
“Gratitude is something that I want to keep getting better at.”
“Because we had faced a lot of stuff together, that glued us together.”
“There was a lot of shared trauma and sadness, but also a lot of laughter and joy.”
“My biggest ministry is my kids.”
“There are just so many opportunities to serve the Lord. Let’s not get complacent.”
“As much as I am distractible, I love to pray with people and for people. Prayer changes things. What a privilege to speak to our Father.”
“God gives us all that we need to do what we need to do today.”
“I’m learning to choose thankfulness and gratitude … and I’m learning that a lot of that is choice.”
“He is the one who keeps us!”
“There is a King and Country song called I Choose Joy. And that is what I want to do. I want to choose joy.”
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Wednesday Sep 15, 2021
Wednesday Sep 15, 2021
EPISODE NOTES:
"Sometimes we ask What is God's will for my life? when we should really be asking Who should I be? The Bible has an answer: Be like the very image of God."
Hosts, Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes chat about Jen Wilkin's book In His Image. Jen Wilkin is an American speaker, writer, and teacher of women's Bible studies with 20 years of experience in ministry. Her book, In His Image, explores ten characteristics of who God is - holy, loving, just, good, merciful, gracious, faithful, patient, truthful, and wise.
Tori and Taryn discuss the premise of In His Image, why they think it is a valuable book to read and share, and their big takeaways from some of the chapters.
To get your own copy of this book with a 15% discount, head to The Wandering Bookseller and use the code LYDIA15 at checkout.
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LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
The Wandering Bookseller: The Lydia Project Collection
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Monday Aug 30, 2021
Monday Aug 30, 2021
Jill McAlpine knows what deep emotional pain looks like - she has seen it in her practice as a Clinical Psychologist and she has felt it herself, acutely, through church-based ministry and the terminal illness diagnosis of her husband, Stephen. In this episode, Jill shares with Taryn her gratitude for the pain, hurt, sorrow and grief because of how God has shaped her and her husband through some of the more difficult moments in life and ministry.
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Jill belongs to God, first and foremost. She is grateful for his gift to her of her husband and best friend, Stephen. Together, they embrace the challenges of loving and parenting two children (an adult and a teenager) and they are looking forward to retirement together.
As a psychologist, Jill has been blessed to meet and work with people from all walks of life in a diversity of settings, from schools to prisons; around the world, including in the UK working with Muslim women in a refugee centre; and currently in her clinical psychology practice in Perth with women (and men) across all life stages and contexts.
As someone involved in church-based ministry – that has included a couple of church plants – Jill has been entrusted with an intimate awareness (personally and professionally) of the struggles and pastoral care needs of congregations, of those who lead them, and of their families. Jill also enjoys teaching in Pastoral Care at theological college to help equip the next generation of students to care well for others.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
SHOW SNIPPETS:
“I’m a huge introvert and so for me it was quite a challenge to open myself up, so instantly, to people.”
“We were told that our parenting was not up to speed, we were told that I should not be working as a psychologist-because it’s not good for the family.”
“We were told that Stephen was not cut out for ministry or for leading a church.”
“We felt that at that moment we were so deconstructed, we had nowhere to go then to seek God out.”
“We soothed our way through our suffering, just praying.”
“Even though we thought that we had let them down, there was enough grace there to continue to love us.”
“The clutter was more my despair and my disbelief, I knew I couldn’t fix this. I was trying to work out ‘how do I manage this?’ And I realised that it was beyond me.”
“Everything just did not make sense and we were completely vulnerable and exposed to God’s plan for us.”
“We had nothing. It was a very pivotal moment for us in our ministry.”
“We are thankful for the pain and the hurt, the sorrow, the grief, we are thankful for how God has shaped us through it.”
“My time is very much with people-and sometimes those contexts blur.”
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Sunday Aug 15, 2021
Sunday Aug 15, 2021
Host Tori Walker chats with Marion Birchley about life and student work in PNG.
EPISODE NOTES:
Host Tori Walker chats with Marion Birchley about life and student work in PNG.
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Marion lives and works with her husband Keith in Papua New Guinea. She has three adult children and one granddaughter. She enjoys serving and growing in her knowledge of God through involvement with different churches in children, youth and women's ministry.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
The Church Missionary Society (CMS)
SHOW SNIPPETS:
“It’s exciting to see how God can just continually grow us right throughout life.”
“Sometimes when you have very little or nothing, then there’s only one place to turn: that is to the Lord.”
“How much do we (in the West) really cry out to the Lord to help us through things?”
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Friday Jul 30, 2021
Friday Jul 30, 2021
When Kate became serious about her Christian faith, she chose to explore mission work abroad. Little did she realise that a 5-month mission trip would turn into a lifelong ministry that involved a cross-cultural marriage, three children, and a venture into authoring books and supporting other Christian women in their writing. Grief, heartache, and much uncertainty are just some of the things that Kate shares with Taryn. Listen as they chat about her journey and God’s incredible compassion and care as Kate trusts Him and learns from those around her.
EPISODE NOTES:
When Kate became serious about her Christian faith, she chose to explore mission work abroad. Little did she realise that a 5-month mission trip would turn into a lifelong ministry that involved a cross-cultural marriage, three children, and a venture into authoring books and supporting other Christian women in their writing. Grief, heartache, and much uncertainty are just some of the things that Kate shares with Taryn. Listen as they chat about her journey and God’s incredible compassion and care as Kate trusts Him and learns from those around her.
***
Kate Motaung is the author of A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging and Letters to Grief, and co-author of Influence: Building a Platform that Elevates Jesus (Not Me). She is the host of Five Minute Friday, an online community that encourages and equips Christian writers, and owner of Refine Services, a company that offers writing and editing services. Kate and her South African husband have three teenagers and call Michigan their home state.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Kate’s Books:
SHOW SNIPPETS:
“When we do have conflict, we can go back to Scripture and agree that that is the basis - and that wins.”
“I thought I was going for a five-month mission trip … I ended up living there for 10 years. I met my husband there and all three of our children were born there.”
“Scripture is the ultimate authority and truth and that is what brings us back together.”
“It has been interesting with race relations in America becoming more heated.”
“It has been a blessing and opportunity for my husband to listen and educate others.”
“I have learned a lot from him: just watching him, listening to him, learning from him about how we an treat each other in a way that reflects that we are all made in the image of God.”
“I have also been passionate about supporting women of colour particularly in the writing and publishing sphere, because those are the circles I am often already in.”
“Wherever we are in the world, we can take comfort in knowing that this world is not our final home.”
“We want to be a city on the hill pointing people to Christ.”
“It is very tricky - whenever I post about myself or my work on social media it feels very much like “look at me, look at me”, yet at the same time we have been called to be obedient to use the gifts we have been given.”
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