Aspire

Duncan Robinson is the senior pastor of Northgate Church in Belrose, Sydney. Duncan was the host of HOPE 103.2's breakfast show for several years.  

Chris Ekins is the lead pastor and church planter of Coast EC in Forster, on NSW's Mid-North Coast. We spoke with Chris about his story, but also the themes of:-getting rejected by bible college three times-what bible college was like at 21 -church planting on the mid-north coast -the need for more church planting in Australia.

Dave Jensen works as an evangelist for Evangelism and New Churches, as a part of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. In this wide-ranging interview we chatted with Dave about how he found Christ in the army at age 28, and how he went on to become an evangelist. We also chatted more practically about what evangelists and mission pastors actually do, and what is critical to know when it comes to evangelism in the local church. 

Julie-anne Laird is an evangelist who works with City to City Australia. She also helps lead Lausanne Australia. We spoke with Julie-anne about:-how she found out she had the gift of evangelism-moving from loving evangelism to doing it as a job -having clearer pathways for evangelists -why we need more evangelists

Steve McAlpine has been a pastor, church planter, writer and cultural commentator.We spoke with Steve about:-how he accidentally landed in ministry at first! -church planting highs and lows - both in the UK and in Western Australia. -locking away your justification early in ministry - how we need to remember we are justified not by our ministry success but by Jesus. -having your eyes open in ministry.Time stamps to come!

Dan Patterson is an evangelist, preacher and communicator who shares the gospel across Australia in a range of settings. We spoke about going to seminary at 19, and how he was originally afraid of public speaking. We reflected on the dangers and opportunities of itinerant gospel ministry, and how he landed in that type of ministry. We also spoke about what evangelistic ministry actually looks like and how he grew his ministry Questioning Christianity. (1:55) - Dan coming to faith & early call into ministry (9:55) - Starting ministry at 22(17:30) - Evangelism ministry with RZIM(23:00) - Why itinerant ministry is still important today (28:30) - What is the role of the evangelist? (32:00) - Why consider shifting to itinerant ministry (36:00) - Pathways to becoming an evangelist

We are back for 2025!Karl Deenick is a lecturer in theology and pastoral ministry at Sydney Missionary and Bible College. We spoke with Karl about his journey through engineering, into pastoral ministry, and then into theological lecturing. We spoke about his wrestle with the question: does he love the word of God and the people of God? In other words, did he love people enough to be a pastor? We also spoke about what it was like growing and overseeing a big church early in his ministry journey. We also spoke about what led him to eventually move into lecturing at a theological college.

Sabine Ford-Arthur is a student at St. Cyrils Coptic Orthodox Theological College.

Kathy Dadd is a Bible Translator for Wycliffe Bible Translators in the Northern Territory.

**Anna not Hannah, sorry for the gaffe! ** Sylv and Paddy had a fab chat with Josh and Anna about: When paid gospel ministry was never on the radar Serving the less reached The value of AFES ministry apprenterships Getting married!? Dating & Marriage while pursuing paid gospel ministry Their experience at Moore College Why they love learning in community

Jeri Jones Sparks is an Assistant Minister at St. James Croydon.

A bonus mini-series called "Book Club", where Sylv and Aaron reflect honestly and openly about their own paid gospel ministry journeys through the lens of Ray Galea's new book, "Eager to Serve".

A bonus mini-series called "Book Club", where Sylv and Aaron reflect honestly and openly about their own paid gospel ministry journeys through the lens of Ray Galea's new book, "Eager to Serve".

A bonus mini-series called "Book Club", where Sylv and Aaron reflect honestly and openly about their own paid gospel ministry journeys through the lens of Ray Galea's new book, "Eager to Serve".

A bonus mini-series called "Book Club", where Sylv and Aaron reflect honestly and openly about their own paid gospel ministry journeys through the lens of Ray Galea's new book, "Eager to Serve".

A bonus mini-series called "Book Club", where Sylv and Aaron reflect honestly and openly about their own paid gospel ministry journeys through the lens of Ray Galea's new book, "Eager to Serve".

A bonus mini-series called "Book Club", where Sylv and Aaron reflect honestly and openly about their own paid gospel ministry journeys through the lens of Ray Galea's new book, "Eager to Serve".

A bonus mini-series called "Book Club", where Sylv and Aaron reflect honestly and openly about their own paid gospel ministry journeys through the lens of Ray Galea's new book, "Eager to Serve".

Owen Robson is a Student Minister at St Paul's Canterbury. A new series is coming up reflecting on Ray Galea's new book "Eager to Serve". Check out our Instagram for our giveaway!

Megan Stevens is the Children's Ministry Director at Vine Church. ** If this was helpful, please consider sharing it with a friend! It really helps more people find out about the podcast who would like to listen :)

Joel McMaster is the Digital Pastor at Soul Revival Church, in the Southerland Shire of Sydney. ** After a bit of a hiatus (Aaron church planting craziness/fun haha, Paddy overseas/leave, Sylv blitzing all that she does..) we are back! We will aim to be a lot more regular over the second half of this year. We'll aim to be fortnightly/monthly with a special surprise mini-series or two. ** Check out the Shock Absorber Podcast (the podcast Joel hosts!) here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4DapVmqLG23v0yqicn51Hq?si=c1289ba2efc34c0a

A raw bonus conversation between Aaron & Sylv. We chat about what's happening for us in 2023, where the podcast has been, and where we think the podcast may be heading. We also quibble over whether Vocational Ministry is a good label & share some stories of how God has been graciously at work in the podcast.

'Students of SMBC' - a mini-series exploring what it is like to be at one particular bible college in Sydney, Australia. Meet some of the people, their stories, their longings, and their questions.

'Students of SMBC' – a mini-series exploring what it is like to be at one particular bible college in Sydney, Australia. Meet some of the people, their stories, their longings, and their questions.

'Students of SMBC' – a mini-series exploring what it is like to be at one particular bible college in Sydney, Australia. Meet some of the people, their stories, their longings, and their questions.

'Students of SMBC' – A mini-series exploring what it is like to be at one particular bible college in Sydney, Australia. Meet some of the people, their stories, their longings, and their questions.

*changed for security reasons 'Students of SMBC' – a mini-series exploring what it is like to be at one particular bible college in Sydney, Australia. Meet some of the people, their stories, their longings, and their questions.

'Students of SMBC' – a mini-series exploring what it is like to be at one particular bible college in Sydney, Australia. Meet some of the people, their stories, their longings, and their questions.

'Students of SMBC' – a mini-series exploring what it is like to be at one particular bible college in Sydney, Australia. Meet some of the people, their stories, their longings, and their questions.

The fourth episode of a four-part mini-series hearing from representatives from four different theological colleges.

The third episode of a four-part mini-series hearing from representatives from four different theological colleges.

The second episode of a four-part mini-series hearing from representatives from four different theological colleges.

 The first episode of a four-part mini-series hearing from representatives from four different theological colleges. 

Bek Underwood is currently aspiring to overseas mission in a restricted access country. We hear about her formative experience at YWAM Kona, moving from lukewarm to real Christianity, dropping out of her university degree, and the importance of surrender. Her story is unique to other episodes in that it is 'live' or ‘in motion' - just like most of our listeners.

Simon Smart is the Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity. Simon told us about his unexpected journey into vocational public Christian ministry, advice for communicating the Christian faith in our current post-Christian age, and advice for people considering entering public Christian ministry like himself.

Nate Singh is the Director of Gatherings at Vine Church. He has written two songs with the band City Alight, Blessed Assurance and Shepherd. Aaron and Nate chat about Nate's journey into vocational music ministry, and advice Nate would give to those aspiring into vocational music ministry.

Kara Hartley is the Archdeacon for Women's Ministry for the Sydney Anglican Diocese. Although she initially thought she wanted to do ministry in Africa, she ended up to her surprise doing ministry in Sydney for 20+ years.

James Wong is a pastor at Anchor Church Sydney. In James story we explored: How he came back to faith after a Prodigal season How a fire in his heart grew on a Northern New South Wales beach mission Weighing up a career in business, doing an internship at a top marketing firm with a graduate role lined up, before changing plans at the last minute Importance of teachability & humility when moving towards ministry Principles vs prescriptions for rules of what you need to do before you go into ministry The danger of finding your whole value and meaning in ministry Why he chose to enter church planting & how to figure out what type of ministry to get involved in Why he chose to go to SMBC (and Ridley) Why he is passionate about seeing the unchurched come to know Jesus

Emma Sibley is an Assistant Youth Minister at St Paul's Castle Hill. Emma Sibley jumped into becoming an Assistant Youth Minister at Paul's Castle Hill at 20 years old. In Emma's story we explored: Why she never expected to go into ministry Studying high school teaching & considering overseas mission Formative time doing The Bridge gap year Trusting God with your life & how God opens doors Challenges of being a young woman in ministry Difficulties of faith for young people during COVID Loving God more than loving Ministry Ministering to people close to your age

Ying Yee is the Pastor of Chinese Christian Church (CCC), Milson's Point. He has been the pastor there for 30 years. In Ying's story we explored: How Ying “did a Jonah” to eventually return to convictions about ministry Working in Taxation to needing to iron out some character issues The challenges of overcoming his parents disapproval Why the idea that you always have to do work before vocational ministry may be more middle class rather than biblical What it was like getting taken off a ministry position Three types of people who may be thinking of going into ministry Podcast Timings: Ying's Story - (0:37-32:35) Paddy and Aaron Reflections - (32:35-49:56) Resilience & humility when pushing through ministry challenges - (32:35-34:30) Avoiding unrealistic expectations about ministry - (34:32-37:35) Navigating dating & singleness when pursuing ministry - (37:35-45:40) Avoiding unrealistic expectations about ourselves - (45:55-49:56)

Kellie Nicholas is a cross-cultural missionary to Japan. She has spent 4 terms in Japan. She has been sent and supported by CMS (Church Missionary Society). She studied at Moore Theological College. As we heard her story we spoke about: How learning Japanese in year 10 (somewhat poorly) led her down an unexpected path What it was like doing a university exchange to Japan during her university degree Why she didn't think she was initially suitable for mission Challenges of cross-cultural overseas mission The helpfulness of missionary agencies Why it's helpful sometimes to not have an exact country in mind when thinking about overseas mission Podcast Timings: Kellie's story: (1:15-31:25) Paddy and Aaron reflections: (31:32-44:36) Which missionary agency should I choose? Are missionary agencies even important? (31:32 - 36:20) Prayer & overseas mission (36:20 - 38:50) Can Introverts do ministry? How can we utilize the wisdom of older missionaries? (38:50-44:36)

In this final interview of Season 1, we hear the story of Mandy Curley - the Director of Membership at Christ Church Gladesville. Mandy shares the path of working in government, having a lack of female role models, loving her secular job, and wondering what type of ministry job she should do, that were all apart of her road into ministry. Timestamps Mandy's Story (1:28-32:16) Reflections (32:26 onwards) What is the importance of having a role model? (32:45-39:58) Paddy's cat (39:43-39:57) Why should I consider leaving my ‘secular' job if I love it? (39:58-42:31) Is there a temptation to aspire to only ‘impressive' types of ministry? (42:32- 46:50)

In this fifth episode, we hear the story of Mikey Lynch, a campus director & church planting director in Tasmania. Mikey shares about his university conversion, his experiences of jumping into a ministry role straight after his arts degree, how he discerned his ambitions, and how he ended up in church planting and university ministry. Timestamps: Mikey's Story (1:39-37:14) Aaron & Paddy Reflections (37:23 onwards) Should some “young guns” go straight into ministry? (37:42-41:45) How can I tell if I am the exception to the rule? (41:46-44:15) Is ministry “real work”? (44:15- 49:33) Music: Hugo Wrench

In this fourth episode, we do something different. We hear the story of someone who is not already in full-time ministry but someone who is in the process of aspiring towards ministry. Shem Jeevaratnam, is one such story! Shem is currently a corporate lawyer and is studying part-time at SMBC while she considers transitioning into full-time ministry at some point in the future. Timings Shem's story - 1:15-35:46 Paddy and Aaron reflections - 35:46 - 50:23 Part time vs Full time study? - 37:53 How can character formation best occur? - 41:19 Should you move to where you study? - 43:47 Intensive study? - 47:24 Intentionality in aspiring - 49:00 Music: Hugo Wrench

In this third episode, we hear the story of David Fell a chaplain to Norfolk Island, an island 1800 kilometres off Australia's mainland. Dave shares the path of early childhood convictions, recruitment consulting, MTS, and reluctant parents-in-law that were a part of his road into ministry. He shares wisdom on how to navigate resistant parents, how to understand your convictions and the benefits of MTS. Timings Dave's Story - 1:58- 33:00 Aaron & Paddy Reflections - 33:00- 51:15 Music: Hugo Wrench

In this second episode, we hear the story of Anna Beaver, a former Sydney University Evangelical Union staff worker now looking to do mission overseas. Anna shares the path of secondary teaching, key mentors, a 3-year plan & financial temptations that were apart of her road into ministry. She shares wisdom on how to overcome frustrations with work before ministry, how to navigate financial temptations, and how to be authentic once you are in ministry. Anna's Story - 1:30- 31:40 Aaron & Paddy Reflections - 31:40 - 47:00

In this first episode, we hear the story of Nathan Campbell, the Night Church Minister of St Matthews Manly. Nathan shares the path of stress, worry, conviction, and unexpected circumstances that led him into ministry. He shares wisdom for overcoming challenges in ministry and advice he would give to people who tend to stress about whether to do ministry in the future or what exact ministry to aspire towards. Personal introduction 0:57 - 4:00 Interview with Nathan Campbell - 4:00 - 38:10 Paddy & Aaron Reflections - 38:10- 50:20 Music: Hugo Wrench