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Wesley Mission - Jon Owen – “Urban Neighbours of Hope.”                        

Imagine, selling up and moving your family from all the comforts of home into a neighbourhood that is plagued with social upheaval, relationship breakdown and poverty. 

On Wesley Impact! this week, we meet Jon Owen as he shares some of the stories of his ministry, “Urban Neighbours of Hope” in Sydney’s South West.

Jon is a man who not only ‘talks the talk’ but ‘walks the walk.

In Jon’s book, ‘Muddy Spirituality,’ he shares his baptism of fire into the neighbourhood. A simple trip to take out the bins quickly turned nasty after he disturbed an attempted car break-in. Face to face with a teenager wielding two machetes he braced himself for the worst. A neighbour who was out on parole became his ‘saving grace.’

For more information on the ministry log onto: http://www.unoh.org/  

Guest Jon Owen.  His ministry is just one of nine UNOH neighbourhood-based teams living and serving Christ amongst the urban poor in Melbourne , Sydney , Auckland , Mae Sot and Bangkok

Jon Owen and Rev Dr Keith V Garner. Jon shares with Keith just how important it is to connect with people in tangible ways. He highlights how God touched the life of someone who was one step away from suicide when he first introduced himself to the neighbourhood by walking door to door with lollies one New Years Eve.

Like our guest John Owen, at Wesley Mission we also have a passion for helping people.

With the ever increasing financial difficulties faced by families more and more of them are being forced to move to areas away from their families & friends.

Wesley Mission’s Rouse Hill Families Connect is involved in creating opportunities for parents to connect with each other and form new support networks.

Wesley Mission – ‘Rouse Hill Families Connect’ 

Levi McGrath has written a song that shares Jon’s message about stepping out into the community.

At a time when the world seems to be more divided than ever, it’s up to all of us as individuals to express love and peace.

Levi has a passion for the broken From working with former child soldiers in Uganda, to accompanying The Choir of Hope and Inspiration (comprised of Melbourne's homeless people) Levi is committed to the belief that music is one of the most powerful influences in the world.

Log onto his website to find out more: http://www.levimcgrath.com/

Guest Performer Levi McGrath

Levi McGrath singing “Christopher’s Song,” with the Wesley Impact! band.

Wesley Mission - Andy Gourley – “Red Frogs”

On ‘Wesley Impact!’ this week, Rev Dr Keith V Garner takes a look into “The guidance and protection of God.”

We also look deeper into that theme with the founder and director of RED FROGS, Andy Gourley. 

Andy’s role kicked off from humble beginnings. From a skateboarding event in the 90’s, his passion for reaching out to the youth grew into the “RED FROGS” power house that has expanded worldwide.

Right now a team of volunteers are preparing for their busiest time of the year as thousands of students converge on the Gold Coast for end of school celebrations – otherwise known as schoolies week.

The Red Frogs Chaplaincy network stands in the gap when schoolies celebrations have the potential to get out of control.   Cooking pancakes, conducting band events, counselling students, walking ‘the beat’ and visiting hotels.

Their role, to be God’s hands and feet, to guide and encourage people to make the right choices.

For more information log onto http://www.redfrogs.com.au

Guest Andy Gourley Andy shares how the Red Frogs Australia Chaplaincy Support Network has been working in Universities since 1997. Their work has expanded to 130+ Student Residential Colleges in 24 Universities across Australia .

Andy Gourley and Rev Dr Keith V Garner Andy shares a RED FROG or two to Keith. The expansion of Red Frog University Program is an international program that is operating in New Zealand, South Africa, France, Wales, England, Scotland, Canada and the USA.

Wesley Mission – ‘Drug and alchohol rehabilitation program - Wesley Hospital Ashfield, Sydney.’ 

Issues involving substance abuse are varied and complex. Just like Andy shared today, it’s important to help stand alongside people and help them make wiser choices.

At Wesley Mission we have dedicated staff and programs to help people get back on track.

For more information and to see Peter’s story click onto the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvZ4yvCggKs

Wesley Hospital Ashfield client Peter

Peter and horses

Bel Morrison is a fresh face on Wesley Impact!

Her song choice reflects that while we can all get lost in life - especially when wrong choices spiral us out of control –  but one thing is always constant.

Guest Performer Bel Morrison

Bel Morrison singing “You are My Destination,” with the Wesley Impact! band.

Advent: Week 1 - Carolyn Thornley – “Keeping Watch.”

On ‘Wesley Impact!’ this week we enter into Advent as we celebrate the lead up to Christmas.

Rev Dr Keith V Garner talks with a guest who is passionate about equipping the next generation of new Ministers into the Uniting Church.

Rev Carolyn Thornley is the Dean of Candidates at United Theological College. She shares with us about her role and her love for God.

Rev Garner also talks about the concept of “Keeping Watch”. That is: to explore the coming of Jesus amid the ‘Christmas Rush’!

Guest Rev Carolyn Thornley Carolyn shares how she came to have a real faith in God after leading a Christian youth camp in her early years. She discovered that the children had something that she didn’t.  It was here that personal relationship with Jesus and her journey in ministry began.

Keith and Carolyn Carolyn also shares the about the power of prayer and how it helped her son to be recover dramatically after being rushed to the Emergency Department in a hospital in Canberra.

At Wesley Mission we also extend faith in action beyond the four corners of the church.  

Our Ministry & Mission department reaches many areas of society, seeking to improve the lives of people we meet, while spreading the good news of Christ.  

Let’s take a look at some of the hard working members of the Wesley Mission Ministry and Mission team.

Shanutaii Batzke enjoys R&B, Jazz, Hip Hop & Classical, Shantaii but she’s chosen a ballad as we lead up to Christmas.

To find out more about Shauntaii, log onto http://www.myspace.com/shauntaii

Guest Performer Shanutaii Batzke

Shauntaii singing “Mary Did You Know”