Rod Parsons
Stories of Hope
Rod is the Salvo leader in a Town in New South Wales called Young and he also looks after the surrounding area as a rural Chaplian visiting farms and remote communities. He loves his big 1100CC Yamaha motorcycle, his cut throat Razors and is an earthy bloke who loves a chat and cares deeply about people and what the Salvos stand for. I know Rod well, because we have worked shoulder to shoulder together providing financial aid to folks affected by floodwaters in Kempsey. Rod is married to Deb and I reckon he is the salt of the earth!
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We all have a story
Stories of Hope
It is an absolute delight and honour to share on this podcast about how people have navigated thier lives. The stories are very often rich and full of courage meaning and inspiration. The lovely Sue has a great story too and finding love is a powerful part of this. I am in the mix a little, but Maggie the Toy Cavoodle has also won her heart!
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Bindy Lupis
Stories of Hope
Bindy had a really tough childhood but has found a way to be mindful of the ways this impacts her life today. She works for the salvos in our emergency services department and helps people who have been devastated by things like floods and fires. She is married to Marco and has three children. She is a proud Novacastrian and her story will inspire and delight you.
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Measuring Spiritual success
Stories of Hope
Some Christians feel guilty because they do not measure up to what they believe the church is wanting from them. Making new converts, deep commitment to spiritual practices like prayer and scripture and consistent service to the poor seem to be the goal posts. However doing what God has placed in our path does not always align with church agendas, so we need to measure by that, more than things like bums on seats on a Sunday morning.
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Amanda Hart
Stories of Hope
Amanda has a rich heritage within the Salvos and yet it took time for her to find her true self, both within the organisation and personally. I met her on deployment in Townsville and Ingham delivering flood relief - and we got on like a house on fire. She is great fun and a powerhouse of genuine honesty and warmth. Her story resonates with me and I'm sure many listeners will relate and learn from her story.
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Lifting elephants
Stories of Hope
The lovely Sue works out at a gym and has a program that measures how much weight she lifts in animals. Sometimes she lifts elephants. Doing hard things is not always to be avoided. We sometimes need to ditch our fears and head directly into the suffering if we are to live life to the full.
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Brad Potter
Stories of Hope
Brad trained with me and the lovely Sue at the Salvos college for officers in Melbourne 30 odd years ago and he and his wife Katrina have always been the sort of friends we don't see much of but are close to when we do catch up. Brad is now based in Perth and has two adult children. He is a keen cyclist and we have an authentic sort of chat about life, faith and leadership.
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Women in leadership
Stories of Hope
The role of women in society has been a controversial subject since ancient times. But it is undeniable that women have been vital leaders and even prophets - warning people and analysing strategically throughout history in significant ways. General Eva Burrows was an Aussie girl who became the international leader of the Salvos. She was awesome!
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Greg Dhnaram
Stories of Hope
For the last 15 years or so Greg has been a vital cog in the leadership wheel to an innovative Salvo church expression in Brisbane called Gods Sport Arena. Greg's family originates from India and from an early age Greg developed a strong work ethic. He did not speak English when he arrived in Australia and his success story is inspiring and insightful. He has worked for many years in management roles and in retirement still loves to be alongside people in helpful and encouraging ways.
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Networks
Stories of Hope
When we join organisations we often find support and encouragement emerging in surprising ways. I was in Norway recently and saw a Salvo shield on a building and went in to say g'day. The lady who worked there was very friendly and made a really nice connection. Community life can be challenging, but the strength of a team cannot be underestimated.
info_outlineIt is an absolute delight and honour to share on this podcast about how people have navigated thier lives. The stories are very often rich and full of courage meaning and inspiration. The lovely Sue has a great story too and finding love is a powerful part of this. I am in the mix a little, but Maggie the Toy Cavoodle has also won her heart!