All posts filed under: People

‘Off the Cuff’ with Lyle Shelton

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CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — A journalist by profession, Lyle Shelton initially worked in rural journalism as a roving reporter in Queensland and then Victoria. In 2000, Lyle was elected to Toowoomba City Council. He was re-elected in 2004 and unsuccessfully contested the 2006 Queensland state election. After a short stint as a political adviser in federal politics, Lyle was appointed in 2007 as Chief of Staff at the Australian Christian Lobby, based in Canberra. He served in this role for six years before being appointed Managing Director in May 2013. He led the ‘No’ campaign during Australia’s 2017 same-sex marriage survey debate. In February 2018, he resigned from ACL to join the Australian Conservatives as federal communications director. He chatted to JournoNews. My secret pleasure is … red wine My first job was … shovelling chook manure My most annoying habits are … singing in the presence of others A clear childhood memory is … sitting on my dad’s lap while attempting to steer the tractor What makes me nervous is … speaking to people who …

‘Off the Cuff’ with Wendy Francis

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BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA — Wendy Francis has many strings to her bow. She is Queensland Director of the Australian Christian Lobby and is the ACL spokesperson for the rights of children and women. In 2018, she was appointed Director of the Centre for Human Dignity. She is also a tireless campaigner against sexual exploitation. Professional experience includes managerial positions at Griffith University and Queensland Baptists. She was also Executive Producer of the Lord Mayor’s Carols in Brisbane for eight years. In addition, Wendy is a Director and Board Member of Samaritan’s Purse Australia and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, a board member of Queensland Family Council, the Queensland Alliance for Kids and the Australian Marriage Forum. Wendy regularly travels to countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh and Cambodia to oversee projects which seek to rescue women and children from sex slavery and to work on literacy projects amongst rural women. Her husband, Peter Francis, is Vice-Principal of Malyon College in Brisbane. They have been married for 38 years, have three married children and ten grandchildren. She chatted to JournoNews. My secret …

“Off the Cuff” with Bronwen Healy, Founder of HOPE Foundation

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BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA―As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Hope Foundation, Bronwen Healy’s mission is to help women wanting to be free from addiction and/or the sex industry. A former heroin addict and sex worker, Bronwen established and launched the charity in 2007 to help other women transform their lives. Bronwen set up the Hope Haven―a drop-in space for Hope Chicks under the Foundation’s umbrella. She drives a program of fundraising, events, counselling and services, including the development of a high school-based program, Every Choice has a Consequence. She took time out of her busy schedule to chat with JournoNews. My secret pleasure is … snuggling up on a couch or hammock and reading for hours on end. My first job was … in my mum’s friend’s milk bar when I was 11, stocking shelves and making milkshakes (I was saving up for a double tape deck to make mixed tapes with! It was 1986.) My most annoying habits are … I asked my kids … they said “repeating yourself” but I told them that’s …

“Off the Cuff” with visionary, Tich Smith

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COTTONLANDS, KZN―Former Natal rugby player and cricketer for Natal and South Africa, Tich Smith and his wife, Joan, are the founders of Lungisisa Indlela Village (LIV) in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. LIV is a place of hope and restoration for orphaned children and continues to transform young lives in a mighty way. Tich shares his human side with JournoNews. My secret pleasure is … reading the Bible and spending time with my grand-children. My first job was … packing books at Adams Book Shop for R60 per month. My most annoying habits are … speaking harshly to other people when I don’t really mean it. A clear childhood memory is … scoring my first 100 in a cricket match when I was seven. What makes me really nervous is … preaching the Word of God. The best advice my parents gave me was … to treat others how you would like to be treated. If I wasn’t a visionary, I’d be … dead. If I wasn’t a visionary, I’d be … dead. @TichSmithLIV Click To Tweet I’m most thankful for … God’s saving grace and mercy upon my life. My favourite meal is …

‘Off the Cuff’ with Wordsower, Tom Meyer

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Redding, CA – American author and speaker Tom Meyer can recite twenty books of the Bible including the entire book of Revelation. He travels the country teaching the skill of Bible memorization, having learned the ancient techniques from Jewish rabbis and Christian monks in Jerusalem. He shared some of his lighter moments with Journonews. My secret pleasure is … Watching anything with Tom Selleck. My first job was … Working in a baseball card trading store. My most annoying habits are … Being too punctual. A clear childhood memory is … Being born again. What makes me nervous is … Letting someone else drive. The best advice my parents gave me was … Walk by faith, not by sight. If I weren’t a Wordsower, I’d be … Doing something in Hollywood. I’m most thankful for … The Lord Jesus Christ. I know it’s good for me, but I hate … Going to the dentist. A book I love is … The Sacred Bridge. My favorite meal is … Steak. My ‘happy place’ is … Being …

‘Off the Cuff’ with Karl Faase, CEO of Olive Tree Media

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SUTHERLAND, NSW, AUSTRALIA — Karl Faase is a well known Australian Christian communicator, media presenter, leader and social commentator. He is the CEO of Olive Tree Media, through which he produces programs of excellence for Christian media and local church use internationally. He chatted to JournoNews. My secret pleasure is … Watching sport on TV and eating Kettle chips – it might also involve a quality glass of red wine. My first job was … Bank clerk and teller in Lithgow NSW, working for Commercial Banking Company of Sydney (CBC Bank). My most annoying habits are … retelling pointless stories of minor sporting experiences or achievements to my wife who is not interested but I tell her anyway. A clear childhood memory is … living on the farm in country NSW just outside Tambar Springs, my dad was a farm hand and we lived on the property. I remember having a day off school and sitting in the cabin of a harvester for the day. What makes me nervous is … dealing with technology (phones, …

‘Off the Cuff’ with Author, Deborah Kirsten

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CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA — Author, Deborah Kirsten’s autobiography, Chai tea & Ginger beer was penned from her unique experience as the wife of international cricketer and coach, Gary Kirsten. A sought after motivational speaker, Deborah lives in Cape Town with her husband and three children. She reveals some candid gems with JN. My secret pleasure is … A big slice of lemon meringue pie, a good ‘chic flick’ (romantic comedy) and my journal. My first job was … I guess that would be teaching Sunday school at the age of about thirteen (but of course, that was unpaid). My first paid job was waitressing in a restaurant. My most annoying habits are … My husband would have a field day with this question. He would definitely say never hanging the car keys on the key hook. (It completely mystifies him why I bought a special hook for keys and then never hang the keys there). Other annoying habits are my tendency to accumulate clutter and my inability to pass up a good bargain! A …

‘Off the Cuff’ with the BENHAM BROTHERS

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA — Acclaimed North Carolina real estate entrepreneurs and former professional baseball players, David and Jason Benham have achieved untold success in their sporting careers and property ventures. Today the duo live out their faith by helping people from all walks of life in the areas of leadership, work, family, and culture. The twins shared their lighter side with JN. My secret pleasure is … Jason … eating peanuts and chocolate chips late at night David … chocolate chip cookie cake with white icing (addicting!) My first job was … Jason … mowing lawns with my brother David … taking out the trash for my neighbor in Dallas ($.10 per bag) Updated 10th March 2018 – From the NRB, Eric Metaxas has a delightful interview with David and Jason as they discuss their new memoir, “Miracle in Shreveport.” My most annoying habits are … Jason … taking small sips of water while I eat – I just can’t stop David … I don’t like to step on sidewalk lines A clear childhood memory …

‘Off the Cuff’ with Sean McDowell

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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA ― Dr. Sean McDowell is an Assistant Professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Biola University. He’s a gifted communicator with a passion for equipping the church, and in particular, young people, to make the case for the Christian faith. Traveling throughout the United States and abroad, Sean speaks at camps, churches, schools, universities, and conferences. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Stephanie, and the couple has three children. He chatted with JournoNews. My secret pleasure is … Chocolate peanut butter ice cream My first job was … Resident Assistant in college My most annoying habits are … biting my nails A clear childhood memory is … going to the Final Four championship with my dad What makes me nervous is … turbulence on a plane The best advice my parents gave me was … to stay faithful to my wife and love my kids If I weren’t a Professor and Youth Worker, I’d be a … sportscaster I’m most thankful for … my family My favorite meal is …