Tag Archive for: articles
Deadpool & Wolverine: A Bromance Unleashed
By: Russ Matthews
Deadpool: He is the one Marvel character everyone wants to see in cinemas. Still, most feel guilty even acknowledging they enjoy his existence. Read more
Stand Together Day: Sharing Their Stories
by: Susie Holt
Today is not your average day. Today is Stand Together Day and to celebrate, our team are pushing away our comfy work chairs to stand up for the workday. As we do, we’ll be remembering the 122,000 Australians who will be without a safe home tonight, many of them hidden from sight.
Many people who are experiencing homelessness are what we call the “hidden homeless”. People who don’t have a secure, safe home of their own, but find a place to sleep on couches, futons and in spare rooms of people in their world, supporting them in their difficult time. As we discussed this recently as a team of Christian broadcasters, we discovered that, without realising it, multiple people in the room had experienced hidden homelessness.
For eight years and nearly 2500 episodes, Luke Holt was networked across 27 Christian Radio stations as a part of the Luke and Susie radio show. Luke and Susie have three sons and live what they would describe as a happy life in a happy and safe home. However, on his 23rd birthday Luke sat homeless at a train station in the western suburbs of Sydney with no money, no friends or family, no options.
Luke’s story highlights that hidden homelessness can happen to anyone. Complete strangers chose to stand together with a young and broken man.
Ashley remembers her first experience of homelessness when she was four years old. Throughout most of her childhood and teen years, Ashley faced ongoing struggles with mental health, tragic life events, and family conflict. Growing up, home was never a safe place. As an adult, Ashley pursued further study in community services. When she came across the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – a document written by the UN over 75 years ago, Ashley caught her first glimpse of the life she deserves to live. For the first time in her life, she believed she was worthy.
Today, Ashley applies her lived experience in her role at Mission Australia, offering real hope that has lasting impact. Ashley’s story highlights that there is hope to end homelessness in Australia if we choose to stand together.
On this Stand Together Day, we’re encouraging you to remember those who are experiencing homelessness and consider what you can do to be a part of the solution. Mission Australia’s goal is to see the end of homelessness in Australia. It can be done, if we stand together to ensure all Australians have a safe place to call home.
Nominate someone now.
Hear, Help or Hug: Three Ways to Respond
By: Brian Harris
It was a slightly unexpected and somewhat abrupt question, but afterwards its wisdom struck me. Read more
We Have To Change The Way We Talk About Renting
By: Ben McEachen
Buying or renting is not a competition. We all have to live somewhere, and our options tend to boil down to: rent or buy. Read more
The Positive Impact of Cheering on Young People
By: Helping Hands TV
The many pressures and expectations being faced by young people today makes it harder than ever before for them to find motivation, according to Brett Ryan from Focus on the Family. Read more
Standing Together Through Snuggle Season
by: Susan Holt
“Snuggle season”. That’s what I call winter. It’s the time of year when the uggies are thrown on (and sometimes worn in public!), the blankets come out and all the winter woollies get first pick from the wardrobe.
I’ve recently become very aware that I’m afforded the privilege of having winter as my favourite season as someone with a safe home.
Across Australia, 3000 people are expected to reach out to homeless services, such as Mission Australia, in the next hour. Around 122,000 people are experiencing homelessness, many of them Australia’s hidden homeless, on any given night.
Hearing these numbers can feel overwhelming. Mission Australia, however, are unswerving in their passion to serve the needs of these Australians, moving each one towards independence.
Mission Australia stand with individuals and families across the country to provide practical support, find suitable housing and target the main known causes of homelessness in a bid to prevent more people facing a night without a safe home.
As such, we are standing together with Mission Australia whose founding purpose is, “Inspired by Jesus Christ, Mission Australia exists to meet human need and to spread the knowledge of the love of God.”
Right now you can share your stories of how someone has stood with you through a difficult time, just as Mission Australia does with Australians in need.
Mission Australia believes homelessness can be ended in Australia. This instils great hope in me that one day, all Australians will be safe and warm throughout snuggle season.
To pray for the work of Mission Australia and find out more, click here.
Are You Prepared for Jesus’ Return?
By: Andrew Laird
In my job I meet up with a lot of people, and so whenever I go to a meeting I always go prepared…with a book. Read more
Bec’s Delicious Banana Bread
By: Bec Spencer
This is my go-to banana loaf when I have spare over-ripe bananas or just because (why do we need an excuse to make banana bread?!) Read more
The Impossible Question: ‘What’s Your Favourite Movie?’
By: Russ Matthews
I have a fear of sharing my favourite ‘anything’. Read more