Where Do You Find God?

'I've found that God uses some of the darkest times in our lives to do some of the most beautiful moments in our faith'. Scott Bell is the General Manager of a busy web development company From Here. Scott shares openly and honesty of going through hard times, finding God in the adventure of working in the market place and his heart for going on regular missions' trips.  Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Start praying.  Your prayers don't have to be carefully designed and sanitized'. Bishop Anne Van Gend was born in South Africa and is currently the Bishop of Dunedin serving over 360 000 people living across Otago & Southland through the dioceses 30 Anglican Parishes.   Bishop Ann talks of the weight of the role she carries, knowing she can only perform it with God's strength & provides some down-to-earth tips on how to pray.Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'I remember going into the Olympic season, we have to do this & I was aware I was starting to feel anxious'. Jonathan Moody is a Short Speed Skater for Great Britain.  Born in New Zealand he fell in love with the sport when he was 12 years of age. Now based in Nottingham, UK and home for the summer he joined Lizzie on the podcast to talk about the highs and lows of elite sport and of how an earlier encounter with God changed everything for him in terms of his identity and self-worth.Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'It's God who does the work and he's been doing it from the beginning of creation & we're part of that process'. Tom Francis is a radio broadcaster with Rhema Media.  Having started his work life off as a mechanic with the AirForce, he has also worked as an ambulance driver.  These days he is the day show host on Sanctuary Radio.  Tom shares his heart for studying the word of God and the joy of discovering that God himself is to be found there.       Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'When I met my midwife for the first time she was surprised "wow this is a miracle".   Christine Leonardi recently immigrated to New Zealand from Indonesia and shares of finding God in her first pregnancy when it seemed unlikely that she would ever be able to get pregnant. Christine talks of the joys and concerns of becoming a mother for the first time and recognizing that she needs God every step of the way.  Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'The early part of my life I only acknowledged God when good things were happening'. Pastor Jeff Vines is internationally known through "Today with Jeff Vines" and Lead Pastor of ONE&ALL Church in Southern California. Jeff and his family lived in New Zealand for 10 years and while back in New Zealand in December 2025 Lizzie managed to grab a moment with Jeff to chat with him on the podcast.  Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a look back across 2025, revisiting our episode with Nick Holder 'Through this suffering I've drawn a lot closer to God'.  Nick Holder is an Editor/Director and has been part of the Rhema Media for 14 years.  Just last year he was admitted to hospital with a life-threatening condition and almost died - 3 times. With honesty, humility and an accepting nature of his ongoing suffering he talks with Lizzie Oakes of how he has felt seen and comforted by God and the reality that all of us face challenges at some point in our lives. Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a look back across 2025, revisiting our episode with Tabi Huxford Radio Producer Who Has Wisdom Beyond Her Years. 'I find God in my frustration with other people.  I think God speaks to me a lot in my daydreaming I do on my walks. Tabi Huxford is the Morning Wakeup Producer on Life FM. Deeply reflective and self-aware Tabi shares of finding God in difficult spaces of her life and having the maturity to work through those frustrations in real and honest ways that includes walking, journaling and lying on the grass and looking at the sky.Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a look back across 2025, revisiting our episode with Rev Jill McDonald.  'God's longing for the world is much more than coming to church on a Sunday'. Reverend Jill McDonald currently ministers at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Hastings. She also runs a monthly event with a focus on social justice at the local pub called 'The Common Good' where the publican is an atheist and has welcomed Rev Jill and her pub church with open arms.Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a look back across 2025, revisiting our episode with Dr Christa McKirland.  "How can we be people of abundance and generosity, people who live out of joy". Dr Christa McKirland, is the Dean of Faculty & Lecturer of Systematic Theology at Carey Baptist College. Christa shares of finding God in community and the places we live.  Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'I sing in a choir, a lot of choir music is sacred music.' Catherine Perich is Lead Pastor and Elder at Lincoln Road Bible Chapel, Auckland New Zealand.  She is also a Chaplain to the staff at Rhema Media and a classical music buff.  Having sung in choirs for many years Catherine talks of spine tingling experiences of understanding that classical music has been written to reflect theological truths including the well known Christmas Carol - O Come All Ye Faithful.  Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I'm guided through the air by God, I'm guided by his presence in those milliseconds.' Flynn Chisholm is an extreme sport junkie & a committed Christian.  Flynn is a Death Diver, as well as a world class speed climber.  Flynn recently broke the NZ & Oceania Death Dive record when in August 2025 he jumped 40 meters off a cliff in Spain.  Flynn takes her sport seriously always following safety precautions and loves the sense of being in a flow state.    Saint Irenaeus said, "The Glory of God is man fully alive" and Flynn Chisholm very much embodies this through his pursuit of extreme sports.     Flynn Chisholm (@fizzysends) • Instagram photos and videosSupport Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'We are a Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit.' Bethany Edmonds is a Worship Leader, Nurse & Recording Artist who alongside Madison Hornblow released an EP in 2023 called The Steady Heart.  Bethany is also part of the line up for Festival One 2026. Deeply reflective, down to earth, creative and practical as both a musician and a nurse Bethany talks about connecting with God in the multifaceted spaces of her life.   Bethany Edmonds (@bethanyeds) • Instagram photos and videosSupport Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.