How Our New York City Church Responded to 9/11 – Chris Gilbert

Chris Gilbert was working with Tim Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City on September 11, 2001. Chris told Hope Mornings about looking down Madison Avenue at the crumbling World Trade Center buildings, the surprise search for God and how best to remember what happened. IMAGE: Sup…

The Joyful Noise Behind Handel's Messiah – Nic Papademetriou, actor

Nic Papademetriou told Hope Mornings about Joyful Noise, a stylised telling of composer Handel and the reaction to his Messiah oratorio. Staged by Joining the Dots Theatre in Sydney, Joyful Noise has Nic as Handel and he was struck by the soulful music, production scandals and Handel's artistic pai…

Helping Young People Living with Disability to Relate Well – Bec Baines, author

Bec Baines is YouthWorks Accessibility Ministry advisor. Bec told Hope Mornings about Made to Be Me and You, a new resource she co-authored with respected sexologist Patricia Weerakoon. With God's truth as its foundation, Made to Be Me and You is dedicated to providing relationship and self-care he…

Making Movies About Faith and Relationship Issues – Damian Hempstead, film-maker

Damian Hempstead is an actor, writer and director in Sydney, Australia. Damian told Hope Mornings about his new short film Out of Step, and why his own relationship challenges made potent material for screen content. IMAGE: Damian Hempstead on Facebook.

I Have 10 Kids, 22 Grandkids and 1 Great-Grandchild – Bill, Suburban Sydney

Ahead of Father's Day 2026, almost 80-year-old Bill told Hope Mornings about the importance of family. "You've just got to put in," said Bill about dedicating time to his children and grandchildren every week. IMAGE: RawPixel.

Power Needs a Purpose Beyond Self – Max Jeganathan, CPX

Max Jeganathan is Senior Research Fellow at Centre for Public Christianity. Max told Hope Mornings that we all know what can happen when power is wielded without purpose, or with selfish purpose. Max explained the need for purpose to come from something external, to ensure power is exercised for ma…

My Father Died. Mark Chose to be My Dad – Rachel De Giorgio

Rachel De Giorgio told Hope Mornings about the pain of being a teenager when her dad died. While it took a while to warm up to her stepfather Mark, Rachel is grateful for his patience, the choice he made to be in her family, and also celebrates the restoration God can bring to our relationships. I…

I Was Australia's Representative at Ukraine's National Prayer Breakfast – Melissa Lipsett, Baptist World Aid

Melissa Lipsett is CEO of Baptist World Aid. Melissa told Hope Mornings about being Australia's representative at Ukraine's National Prayer Breakfast in August 2026. Along with having to take cover in bomb shelters, Melissa met church leaders and locals with heartbreaking stories of war, loss and w…

I Love To Support Other Dads – Kym Abbott, father of three

Kym Abbott is a father of three daughters and pastor at a Sydney church. Kym told Hope Mornings why he loves to invest in dads with less experience than he has. Knowing the joys and difficulties of being a father, Kym encourages others to share their faith and wisdom to support dads. IMAGE: PxHere

What It is Actually Like to Be a Single Parent on Father's Day – Alan, Sydney

Alan is a father of two daughters who shared with Hope Mornings about being a single dad on Father's Day. Offering a window into the complexities and emotions, Alan also raised where our true identity is found and what he wants any other single parent to know on Father's Day 2026. IMAGE: OpenClipA…