* 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
Friday May 29, 2020
Friday May 29, 2020
When Sophie De Witt first encountered the gospel of Jesus, she found it strange and unnerving. Despite her initial resistance to what she had deemed intellectually ridiculous - something that would have been reinforced in daily lectures by her uni professor, renowned atheist, Richard Dawkins - Sophie became less convinced of her own position as she encountered more evidence for the truth of the Bible. It was God working through friends and evangelists like Rico Tice and John Chapman that led her to finally put her trust in Jesus. Listen to her story here as she speaks to Taryn Hayes of how she has learned to cling to Christ more and more through many of life’s obstacles..
EPISODE NOTES
Like so many, Sophie De Witt finally committed her life to trusting Jesus after hearing a series of talks in the UK by the much-loved, Australian evangelist, Chappo. Today, she partners with her husband, Chris, in a number of gospel ways including raising their three children, Molly, Zach and JoJo, in South Africa. Together with others, Chris and Sophie are co-founders of Hope Training Course, Hope Central Church and of Grace Primary School, a school following a Charlotte Mason approach to education. Whilst facing health issues, ADD and an increasingly frustrating struggle with what she calls ‘Compulsive Comparison Syndrome’, Sophie undertook to find out what the Bible had to say about her struggle. Compared to Her (The Good Book Company) is the result of her research. She is also the author of a discipleship Bible-reading handbook called One to One: Discipleship Handbook (Authentic Media). On her days off, she loves going on family walks or sightseeing outings, reading and definitely also watching TV, ideally whilst eating chocolate!
This interview was recorded in early 2019.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macauley
Sophie’s Books: Compared to Her & One to One Handbook
Grow Women’s Conference 2020 – Grow Chats
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"I’d never interrogated my own beliefs about spirituality or life. The more I did, I realised I had no evidence and no coherence in it. More and more, what I was reading in the Bible and (other) seemed coherent. But it meant a big lifestyle change and I wasn’t willing for that. So, what started off as intellectual ended up as being a kind of submission, trust issue. And then it was in my third year, we had a big mission there and it was headed up by none other than Chappo, John Chapman, from Australia…."
"Well, I think what’s encouraging to me, and especially when I talk to young people, and when we did student work, is that I was one of those students who ridiculed, was hostile, rejected, laughed, disagreed. And yet this Lord still got me! (I) encourage people just to persevere. And those are the very people you thank now and for eternity."
"Comparison is something that I struggled with generally … not growing up with a Christian framework."
"From her book, Compared to Her: “I am a recovering Compulsive Comparison Syndrome sufferer. It causes me to feel envy, despair, pride and superiority. It cuts away at my relationship with God, with my loved ones, and with myself. It has promised me contentment, and yet robbed me of it. And although I don’t know you at all, I’m fairly sure you have CCS, too. That’s not meant to sound rude. It’s just that I’ve rarely met a woman who doesn’t struggle with it.”
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Saturday May 09, 2020
Saturday May 09, 2020
EPISODE NOTES
As Mother’s Day was approaching this year, Taryn and I had the idea that we could ask our kids some questions about us as mothers and then have a brief chat about Mother’s Day, motherhood and a few associated topics. As we were thinking and chatting about this, we kept deciding not to do it because it just felt a bit awkward to talk about our own roles as mothers and then ask our kids about it. And then we decided to do it, because as podcast listeners we really enjoyed being able to get that behind-the-scenes, lighthearted look about people’s lives, and especially people who we knew a bit through listening to a podcast. So with a sense of awkwardness, we did continue on. We hope that you find it fun and enjoy listening. We certainly found it really instructive, and learnt quite a bit along the way, including how we most embarrass our kids!
On a more serious note, we do begin this episode with a brief discussion around how Mother’s Day began, what we value about it and our thoughts around the question of how to best care for others for whom Mother’s Day is an emotionally difficult day. We hope that you enjoy the episode and that Mother’s Day is a day when you are reminded of the blessing God gives the world in mothers.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Queensland Theological College
SHOW SNIPPETS:
”I’ve had varying feelings about Mother’s Day over the years… how do we find the balance between honouring mums … and yet take into consideration those for whom Mother’s Day is hard.”
”What would your ideal Mother’s Day look like?"
”My mum was great at enthusing us about good things … I do find myself doing that with my kids.”
”If you could rewind and do things differently as a mum, what would they be?”
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Tuesday May 05, 2020
Tuesday May 05, 2020
In this special Mother’s Day episode, Taryn has the pleasure of interviewing Karola Williams and her 18-year-old daughter, Emmeline. They talk about how they became Christians, the importance of one-to-one discipleship, and how both Karola and Emmeline have grown in their understanding and love of Jesus. Hearing from Emmeline about some of her mum's habits that have left a profound impression on her is both inspiring and encouraging.
EPISODE NOTES
Christian families – worldwide – can look different, one from another – and that’s totally okay. And yet, there is a common mandate and that is for parents to raise their children in the knowledge and fear of the Lord, to share the gospel with them, and to teach them God’s Word. It’s a colossal task that is daunting and yet also a joy and a privilege. In this episode, we get to sneak a peek at what that has looked like in the Williams household by hearing from a mum, Karola, and one of her daughters, Emmeline. Why? Well, with Mother’s Day on the horizon, Tori and Taryn saw the opportunity to learn from others: not only how Jesus has rescued them, but also how they are passing the love and knowledge of God down to their own children. We personally love learning from other mums, but this episode allowed us a glimpse into the heart of a daughter who has learned from her mum. Perhaps the most striking thing is hearing how some of the most simple habits of this mum have left an enormous, gospel-sustaining impression on her daughter.
***
About Karola and Emmeline Williams
Karola started life out in Namibia, but love and marriage brought her to the shores of Australia. She and her husband, David, and their three children, Emmeline, Charlotte and Elliot, settled in Brisbane eight years ago. For many years, Karola worked as a goldsmith, but her commitments to her family changed her focus. Nowadays, Karola’s focus includes sharing her passion in one-to-one ministry. She serves together with her family at Christ Central in Eatons Hill, Brisbane.
Emmeline is an 18-year-old nursing student. She is also a homeschool graduate, who went on to experience the YouthWork’s Year 13 programme in 2019. Emmeline serves in the music team and as a youth leader of year 7 girls at their family church, Christ Central in Eatons Hill, Brisbane.
Both Emmeline and Karola are passionate about the gospel, reading the Bible and great literature. Their shared favourite things include To Kill A Mockingbird and quiet spots to relax and think.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Jen Wilkin’s books available at: The Wandering Bookseller, Koorong, Amazon
Jack Klumpenhower: Show Them Jesus
Paul E Miller: The Praying Life
SHOW SNIPPETS:
”And I’m so amazed at this God that we serve and Jesus who we follow, or try to very feebly, who is so gracious and merciful to us and loving and kind and you know, a lifetime is not enough to, to know.”
”And my pastor just in his sermon explained the gospel and it just made so much sense. And I just remember sitting there thinking, ah, so that’s what Jesus was on about. That’s why you died. And yeah it definitely took a few years for it to sink in. But I think through especially youth ministry, and the way that God used people in my life and through his word. I think I was about 15 when I kind of realised that if all of this is true, it needs to change my life in some way or have an impact on my life.”
”I think when we first started going to this church, I kept hearing people talk about getting together and reading the Bible. And I couldn’t imagine what that looks like. So one day I asked this lady in our church, can you show me what that looks like? I need to see, you know, experience it. And she didn’t have the time to take on another thing. So she gave me this book, which is called Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin and it was such a life changing book for me because it shows you how to read the Bible, which so much of the Christian life is about it being modelled to others, isn’t it. Jesus walked with his disciples and made his disciples for three years and he calls us to do the same.”
”You have, in the last few years, really modelled the importance of reading the Bible with people and I think that’s really inspired me.”
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Thursday Apr 30, 2020
Thursday Apr 30, 2020
Karen Fowler talks to Tori Walker about deeply tragic and personal events, including a divorce and the death of her son. But hers is a story of hope. Her faith has given her strength to process and trust in God’s sovereign care. Karen will help you fall in love with her gorgeous kids as she talks about them. Listen as she shares the grief that she and her husband experienced, as well as the robust faith in God’s goodness that has continued to grow in them both.
EPISODE NOTES
Karen Fowler and her husband Ryan lost their beautiful baby boy in October 2018. Strengthened by their trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty, they have responded to their grief with compassion and selflessness. They have set up Rio’s Legacy, a charity which aims to see at least one hospice in every state of Australia, with the specific aim of supporting children with a terminal illness and their families. Karen lives with her family in Sydney.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Rio’s Legacy – https://rioslegacy.org.au/
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"I was raised in a Christian family… I continued to go to church, didn’t really develop my relationship with God until probably late teens and then went to and fro from that."
"I’ve had definite moments where God’s touched me or spoken to me or revealed things to me. But I wouldn’t say that I suddenly became a Christian in a moment, it was just a gradual feel. My faith’s something that’s been refined and developed through life. I feel like I’ve grown into the Christian I am today. I don’t feel like I woke up and suddenly it was that."
"He was seeing someone else and the marriage fell apart within months."
"I did learn though, but I’m forever appreciative for what I have, and sometimes I think if you don’t learn that way you don’t fully appreciate what you’ve got, and I’m continually like daily appreciative of how easy our relationship feels compared to being in a wrong relationship."
"When you can’t do anything for your child medically, all you want to do is make them not scared and help them feel comfortable and safe."
"God can bring him peace. God can bring us peace, even if the scenario is that he doesn’t make it through the night, God can just be. And surrendering everything in the moment to God is what we became dependent on doing."
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Friday Apr 10, 2020
Friday Apr 10, 2020
What does living each day in the light of the gospel mean? How does that impact our daily decisions? Hayley Tubman talks with Taryn Hayes about how she came to be a Christian; her work in student and women’s ministry, and how she longs to have the gospel inform her daily decisions. Listen as Hayley shares some of her thoughts around what it means to be a part of a church as a Christian woman and how much her church youth group influenced her as a young teen to stand firm for the gospel in a hostile school environment.
EPISODE NOTES:
Hayley has been a Christian for nearly 30 years. After graduating from George Whitefield College, she worked as a student worker at the University of Cape Town, and later as the women’s worker at St. James Church, Kenilworth in Cape Town, South Africa. She is married to Scott, a Sydney boy who is a fellow George Whitefield College graduate. Scott serves as the Associate Rector at St. James Church.
Scott and Hayley have been married for 19 years, and have two children: Benjamin, who is 14, and Jemma, who is 12. Hayley loves reading a good book, drinking great coffee, and teaching God’s Word to women.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Talks by Hayley
- Hayley’s 3-part series: Wisdom in a World of Fools | 2015 REACH-SA Cape Town Convention
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"I viewed my own father quite differently at that point, realising that like me, he has a problem with sin and yes he had done wrong but he is blind by his sin and it doesn’t excuse his behaviour, but there is a sense in which I can’t stand in judgment of him. That is God’s work to do because he is blinded by sin like I was and needs a saviour just like I did."
"But there is a sense in which multi-generational meetings are just so helpful because you don’t just need the women who is going through what you’re going through."
"I think for me, it’s the daily exercise of getting up and reminding myself that the gospel is true and that one day as God promises in his word, Jesus will come back. And I don’t know if that will be tomorrow or if that will be in 50 years time. But I do know that I’m called now to live in the light of that and to live as if it may be today, that I will meet Jesus. None of us really, we don’t know when we’ll meet Jesus, but we are called to live as if today will be the day."
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Monday Mar 16, 2020
Monday Mar 16, 2020
How big an issue is abortion in our society? Who does it affect and how do they deal with it? Liz Preston has devoted her life’s work to thinking about this topic and helping women facing unplanned and crisis pregnancies. In this episode, she talks with Tori Walker about how she and her husband got involved in this work, the type of counselling and support that Priceless House is involved in, and shares some of the stories of the men and women she has helped.
EPISODE NOTES:
Liz Preston and her husband Graham were planning to head overseas to be involved in mission work, but when that door closed, they became involved in supporting women facing unplanned pregnancies – a work that Liz has been doing since 1966. Liz has contributed an enormous amount to this work through the Priceless Life Centre in Brisbane.
How big an issue is abortion in our society? Who does it affect and how do they deal with it? Liz Preston has devoted her life’s work to thinking about this topic and helping women facing unplanned and crisis pregnancies. In this episode, she talks with Tori Walker about how she and her husband got involved in this work, the type of counselling and support that Priceless House is involved in, and shares some of the stories of the men and women she has helped.
A note from Tori:
This episode is a bit of a difficult one because it covers a really tricky topic, and that’s the topic of abortion. We chatted to Robyn Bain about the issue in Episode 26, and we were really chatting a lot about the theology of abortion as well as her work in thinking through a practical response – really from a big picture perspective. In today’s episode, we talk with Liz Preston, who has been on the ground working for an organisation called Priceless Life, which is in Southeast Queensland. Liz has so much experience and so much warmth and I know that the people who are counselled by her or who are trained as counsellors with the organisation really benefit from her experience and her humility. It just comes out so much in how she talks about this issue and the kind of people that she loves as she shares the hope that they can have and the options that they have in the future with their unwanted pregnancy. I say that it’s a difficult topic because I know that some people may have been really closely affected by this issue. But there are words for you in this episode, so if you think you can handle it, I think it’s a good one to listen to. Liz talks about how she and her husband got involved in this work and how God was at work in closing a door to open up what has really becomes such an important work for them. She also talks about some of the barriers that people face when they do have an unexpected or unplanned pregnancy. And also the hope that she has both for people that she counsels but also for our society and for the work that she does.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Priceless House – www.pricelesshouse.org.au
Circle of Security Course – www.parentingworkshop.com.au
Pregnancy Help Australia Network – www.pregnancysupport.com.au
How big an issue is abortion in our society? Who does it affect and how do they deal with it? Liz Preston has devoted her life’s work to thinking about this topic and helping women facing unplanned and crisis pregnancies. In this episode, she talks with Tori Walker about how she and her husband got involved in this work, the type of counselling and support that Priceless House is involved in, and shares some of the stories of the men and women she has helped.
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"(re: the issue of abortion) In a way, we’ve all become complicit and now we just don’t know what to do with it."
"We all have a sense deep down that there’s something rather unpleasant about abortion."
"We do know that people have been significantly helped by a phone conversation."
"They are not going to be willing to sort things through with someone they don’t think gets it."
"I don’t know anywhere else or anyone else where we can find such truth and love than in Jesus."
"We didn’t do a lot in some ways, but obviously our support at that time had meant a lot to her."
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Wednesday Jan 15, 2020
Wednesday Jan 15, 2020
Karen is the co-founder and CEO of the ISeeU Trust. Listen as she shares how growing up in Apartheid South Africa led her to long to help marginalised young women succeed in a world that is hostile to their circumstances. Karen's gratitude to the saving grace of God leads her to share her joy in caring for others, whether her own family, the many couples that she and her husband, Hugo, have taken through premarital counselling, or the young women she and her Trust partner, Haley, have mentored over the past few years.
EPISODE NOTES:
Karen Nelson is married to Hugo and together they have four children. Karen began her working life as a lawyer and lobbyist. Growing up in a marginalised community within the context of an Apartheid South Africa, Karen was determined to be self-sufficient and she was eager to contribute towards a changing nation. While her work challenged her, it also took her away from home enough to cause her to take pause and ask the tough questions that many mums find themselves facing. With much prayer, wise counsel and evaluation of her family’s own needs, Karen made the difficult choice to set her career aside for the sake of the health of her family. She says that God has used her children to empty, humble, shape and refine her.
Through them, I have seen the hidden places in my heart where I most need God to shine His light.
In time, Karen started to feel more and more burdened for the many young women living in marginalised communities around Cape Town. Her concerns actioned her and fellow founder of the ISeeU Trust, Haley, to begin their non-profit organisation. ISeeU works to up-skill teenage girls and provide them with opportunities to see themselves through the eyes of God: deeply loved by Him, with God-given potential and great value.
Karen finds Genesis 16:13 particularly comforting, especially in the light of the work she does with young women through the ISeeU Trust: “She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.”
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- The ISeeU Trust: www.iseeu.org.za
- I See U – Facebook page
- Contact: info@iseeu,org.za
SHOW SNIPPETS
"I tend to be a control freak. I want to organise my life to the nth degree. And in that process, I often leave no space for God. It’s become very clear to me over the years that actually the best place for me to be, even in the midst of a storm, is his will for me at that point."
"By God’s grace, these girls will become role models in their families, in their communities. And my dream was actually that you’re starting a little revolution in that street, in that little block, in that rundown flat or apartment block with these girls becoming role models."
"One of the ways we can support them is just to say that you don’t have to make the perfect decision. You just have to keep moving. And the road is littered with detours. But those detours often are where you learn."
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Friday Jan 03, 2020
Friday Jan 03, 2020
Recorded at a live event, Hannah Begg shares with women in North Brisbane, Queensland about her genuine struggles with God over the deep darkness in this world. Interviewed by Nicky Wilton, Hannah explains how she grappled with heavy questions around the brokenness of our world and how she came to the conclusion that the gospel profoundly answered her deepest questions and struggles, allowing her to find comfort in God's anger.
EPISODE NOTES:
Hannah Begg is a young woman in her 20s. Until recently she worked as an occupational therapist in Brisbane. She now works and lives in the UK. While she grew up in a loving Christian home, she found herself grappling with the brokenness of the world. Her journey to having a real, honest relationship with God included many deep and confronting questions and struggles with what she believed to be true.
In her quest to reconcile the God she worshipped with the darkness of this world, Hannah found uni to be a healthy part of the journey, by mixing with people who challenged her thinking. It was during this time that the gospel ultimately profoundly answered her deepest questions and struggles with trusting God.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
This is Amazing Grace by Phil Whickham
SHOW SNIPPETS:
“I think I felt quite terrified that there was this darkness was in the world. I knew the world was broken, but I felt like I was saying to God, “Is it really this broken? Like, this is really bad?”
“I wasn’t sure if God could understand how I was feeling.”
“I was trying to reconcile the God that I knew with the darkness that I was confronted with. I needed to know if He was there as well.”
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Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
Sue Duke counts herself blessed that her youth was saturated in Jesus through the faithful teaching and relationships of others, allowing her to grow in her understanding and love of Christ year on year. In this episode, Sue shares honestly about the fears she has as she faces a year of challenges that includes caring for an elderly mum and her family who have all experienced great trauma in the past 18 months. She also shares stories of trusting God even in the midst of personal weakness.
EPISODE NOTES:
While Sue counts raising her children in Christ as her biggest ministry, she also serves her home church family, Tokai Community Church, in Cape Town, South Africa in various ways, including serving on the women’s ministry team, opening her home to bible study ministry, and closely loving and supporting a missionary family. Sue is married to Kevin and they have three children, 17, 15 and 11 years old.
Education has been a big part of her working and home life, starting out with over a decade as a maths and English teacher and switching over to the role of a home-educating mum for the past 17 years. Books also form an integral part of her Christian walk and she takes courage from the stories of others who have faced trials of many kinds. Ultimately, however, Sue is grateful that it is the Word of God that forges her path and thinking.
After a year of great sadness, it is no surprise that one of her favourite verses is Philippians 4: 6 – 7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
In this episode, Sue mentions two books that have encouraged her in this year. Both detail the lives of extraordinary women serving Christ in extraordinary circumstances. Sue speaks of being encouraged by the work of God’s grace in their lives and their commitment to continue to serve Christ through great tragedy and heartache.
Daring to Hope, by Katie Davis Major
Joni and Ken, by Joni Erickson
At the end of this episode, there is mention that you can win a beautiful devotional book this Christmas called A Jesus Christmas, by Barbara Reaoch. You can read a review here on The Gospel Coalition, Australia. Head to The Lydia Project’s Facebook page to find out how you can win. CONTEST CLOSED.
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"God has carried us through hard times … We still have a road to travel … I have moments of fear… But then you look back and you see where God has taken you and how he has helped with seemingly insurmountable problems all those years ago and you have to just trust that he has been faithful in the past and he will be faithful in the future – whether or not our prayers are answered the way we want them to be."
"We had a very tough year, and walking an elderly parent through death and bereavement has been a challenge. Just all the decisions and complexities and heartaches of that stage of life … no one really has any answers … that is a new phase of life for us."
"The best part has been working on a committee with other women who are passionate about where God has placed them, being involved in the lives of the women at our church."
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Thursday Oct 24, 2019
Thursday Oct 24, 2019
Amanda Stoker entered Federal politics in 2018 and works hard to give voice to her convictions. In this episode, she talks with host Tori Walker about her faith in Christ, freedom of speech, the role of families and the democratic process in Australia.
EPISODE NOTES:
Amanda Stoker didn’t start out her career as a lawyer with the view to become a Member of the Australian Parliament. Yet, it was with a growing concern for her country that brought Amanda to make the decision that sees her representing Queensland in the Australian Senate today.
Prior to her role in the Senate, Amanda spent many years serving as a lawyer in varying capacities, including serving as a Commonwealth prosecutor and as a judge’s associate in the Supreme Court of Queensland.
Amanda is married to Adam and together they have three daughters.
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"Freedom of speech matters because if we restrict the things we can speak about we are only a generation away from restricting our ability to think."
"Freedom of speech is absolutely core to future-proofing our country."
"Of course there are limits [to free speech]. The question for our time is where we draw that line."
"Universities are supposed to be places where all ideas are in bounds and we can be the most creative with our thinking, and yet these are now places where some speakers are no longer welcome because their views challenge the post-modernist identity politics orthodoxy. They are supposed to be the protectors of intellectual freedom and freedom of speech and [yet] they are abandoning the cause of standing up for people whose ideas may be a little different. This process takes away the resilience of current students … they become [our future leaders]."
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