Hillsong Australia Podcast

S2E5: 'The Heart Behind Heart for the Mission': A Conversation with Phil Dooley

What if the greatest financial gift you ever gave was to someone you'd never meet? In this episode, Global Senior Pastor Phil Dooley sits down with host Jerry to unpack the heart behind Hillsong's annual Heart for the Mission weekend — and why generosity isn't about donation, it's about ownership, legacy, and trust. ⚠️ Disclaimer This episode discusses financial giving in the context of Hillsong's Heart for the Mission season. Giving is never compulsory — as Phil says, "You can come to our church every week and never give, and we'll love you and you're welcome." ✨ Key Themes * Paying It Forward — Giving sacrificially to bless people you may never meet, just as others gave for you * Owners, Not Donors — True generosity means being spiritually invested in a mission, not just transactionally contributing * Generosity as Trust — Giving is ultimately an act of trusting God, not just a financial transaction * Sowing & Reaping — The biblical principle that what you sow into God's kingdom opens your life to greater blessing * Impact Beyond Borders — How local giving ripples out to change lives in South Africa and beyond through the Hillsong Africa Foundation * Tackling Misconceptions — Addressing common fears around compulsion, transparency, and whether a small gift matters 📖 Scripture References * John 3:16 — "For God so loved the world that He gave..." — generosity flows from love * Matthew 6:21 — "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" * Matthew 6:24 — "You cannot serve two masters" (God and Mammon) * John 6 — The boy with five loaves and two fish; what happens when you give what you have to Jesus * 2 Corinthians 9 — Paul on cheerful, non-manipulative giving; God loves a cheerful giver * 2 Corinthians 8 — The Macedonian church: extreme generosity in the midst of poverty and trials 💬 Quotes "It should never be reduced to, 'Oh, please can you give something?' It should be an understanding of our responsibility and the impact our lives can have when we truly live generous lives." — Phil Dooley "When I give freely, it's not 'What do I get out of it?' It's freely giving." — Phil Dooley "I wonder how many Christians trust Jesus with their salvation but struggle with their finances." — Jerry (host) "You can know all the theory. Your daughter can have it explained clearly to her why you will catch her, but at some point she has to jump." — Phil Dooley "It's not equal giving — it's equal sacrifice." — Hillsong church principle, cited by Jerry 🚶 Next Steps 1. Pray about your giving — Ask God if there's a step of faith He's inviting you to take this Heart for the Mission season 2. Give beyond yourself — Consider giving "to the man or woman you may never meet" — someone whose life your generosity could change 3. Start somewhere — If you've never given sacrificially before, start small and trust God with it 4. Model generosity — If you have kids or young people in your life, let them see you on the journey of giving 🔗 Links / CTA * 🌐 Find a Hillsong Australia location near you: hillsong.com/australia * 💛 Give to Heart for the Mission: hillsong.com/give * 🌍 Learn about the Hillsong Africa Foundation: hillsong.com/foundation * 🎙️ Subscribe to the Hillsong Australia Podcast on your favourite platform * 📲 Follow Hillsong Australia on socials for updates from across the nation

S2E4: 'Do Christians Need All the Answers?': A Conversation with Amy Orr-Ewing

How do we talk about Jesus in a world full of questions? In this special conversation recorded at Hillsong Conference 2025, Hillsong Conference 2026 guest speaker Amy Orr-Ewing joins the Hillsong Australia Podcast to explore apologetics, evangelism, and how Christians can confidently engage in conversations about faith. Together, we discuss why faith is not disconnected from reality, why it's okay not to have every answer, and how asking thoughtful questions can often be more powerful than giving immediate responses. Whether you're sharing your faith with a friend, navigating difficult questions, or simply wanting to grow in confidence, this conversation offers practical wisdom and encouragement. Amy is an author, speaker, theologian, and founder of The Lead Academy, known internationally for helping people connect the truth of Christianity to the questions and challenges of everyday life. ✨ Key Themes • Faith in the real world • Apologetics and everyday evangelism • Why questions matter • Following the example of Jesus in conversation • Navigating doubt and difficult questions • Having confidence without pretending to know everything • Creating meaningful conversations about faith 🚶 Next Steps • Identify one person you can intentionally have a faith conversation with this week • Ask more questions before rushing to provide answers • Spend time reflecting on the questions Jesus asked throughout the Gospels • Remember that faithfulness is often found in conversation, not perfection 🔗 Links / CTA • Learn more about Hillsong Australia: hillsong.com/Australia • Podcast & platforms: https://linktr.ee/HillsongAusPodcast [https://linktr.ee/HillsongAusPodcast] If this conversation encouraged you, share it with someone who has ever wrestled with questions about faith.

S2E3: Will You Follow God Wherever He Leads, Even if it Costs You Something?: A Conversation with Lucinda Dooley

What does it really look like to follow Jesus on the “narrow road”? In this honest and deeply practical conversation, Pastor Lucinda Dooley shares the wrestles, refinement, and surrender that come with choosing a road less traveled. Through Matthew 7:13–14, this episode explores how God uses uncertainty, opposition, and excavation seasons to form us into people who flourish with Him. ✨ Key Themes * Trusting God in the unknown * Living outside your comfort zone * Spiritual opposition and fighting for faith * Consecration and living set apart * Staying planted in church community * Abundant life through surrender to Jesus 📖 Scripture References * Matthew 7:13–14 — The narrow and wide roads * John 14:6 — “I am the way” * John 10:10 — Life abundantly * Proverbs 4:23 — “Guard your heart” * 1 Timothy 6:12 — “Fight the good fight of faith” * 1 Peter 5:8 — The enemy like a roaring lion * Psalm 1 — Planted by streams of water * Deuteronomy 30:19 — “Choose life” * 1 Timothy 4:12 — Be an example in life and purity * Nehemiah — Perseverance amidst opposition 💬 Quotes “The unknown road requires complete trust and complete obedience.” “If you’re living outside your comfort zone, it will often be a wrestle.” “The deeper the work, the stronger the building.” “If you lose your life, you’re really going to find life.” 🚶 Next Steps * Ask God where He may be calling you into greater surrender or trust. * Journal areas where fear, insecurity, or disappointment may be affecting your heart. * Read Matthew 5–7 and reflect on Jesus’ teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. 🔗 Links / CTA * Learn more about Hillsong Australia: hillsong.com/Australia [https://hillsong.com/Australia] * Podcast: Hillsong Australia Podcast (available on all major platforms) [https://linktr.ee/HillsongAusPodcast] If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend and start a conversation about what it means to follow Jesus on the narrow road.

S2E2: Lucinda Dooley: 'Will You Walk A Road Less Travelled?'

What does it really mean to walk the narrow road? In this message, Pastor Lucinda Dooley explores Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 7 to choose the road less travelled—a life of surrender, obedience, and wholehearted trust in God. With honesty and wisdom, Lucinda shares how following Jesus often requires us to move beyond comfort, wrestle through uncertainty, and remain planted in faith even when the journey feels difficult. This message is both challenging and encouraging, reminding us that the narrow road may not be the easiest path, but it is the one that leads to true life in Christ. 🔗 Links / CTA • Learn more about Hillsong Australia: Hillsong Australia [https://hillsong.com/australia?utm_source=chatgpt.com] • Podcast & platforms: Hillsong Australia Podcast [https://linktr.ee/HillsongAusPodcast?utm_source=chatgpt.com] If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend and start a conversation about what it means to follow Jesus on the narrow road.

S2E1: Robert Fergusson: The Letter that Jude did not Write

In the Season 2 premiere of the Hillsong Australia Podcast, Robert Fergusson shares a deeply personal message reflecting on 52 years of following Jesus and the decision that changed his life forever. Drawing from the book of Jude, Robert explores identity, calling, insecurity, and what it means to share in the salvation found in Christ. Through Jude 1:1–4, this message reminds us that our identity is not built on achievement, comparison, or recognition—but on being called by the Holy Spirit, loved by God the Father, and kept by Jesus Christ.  ✨ Key Themes • The salvation we share in Christ • Finding identity beyond achievement and comparison • Jude’s story as the younger brother of Jesus • Being called, loved, and kept by God • Contentment, humility, and serving faithfully • The difference between striving and resting in Christ 📖 Scripture References • Jude 1:1–4 • Ezekiel 3:17–19 • Acts 20:28–30 • John 13 – “The disciple Jesus loved” 📚 Resources • 2 Peter and Jude Commentary – Michael Green • The Message Bible – Jude 1:1–4 💬 Quotes • “We don’t need an identity outside of Christ.” • “We don’t need to be first in order to win in life.” • “We are called by the Holy Spirit, loved by the Father, and kept by Jesus Christ.” • “Love is both our inheritance and our commission.” 🚶 Next Steps • Reflect on where comparison or insecurity may be shaping your identity • Read Jude 1 slowly and personally • Spend time thanking God for His mercy, peace, and love • Ask: Am I striving for identity, or resting in Christ? • Invite the Holy Spirit to remind you who you are in Jesus 🔗 Links / CTA • Learn more about Hillsong Australia: https://hillsong.com/australia [https://hillsong.com/australia?utm_source=chatgpt.com] • Podcast & platforms: https://linktr.ee/HillsongAusPodcast [https://linktr.ee/HillsongAusPodcast]