Going Deeper

Join Senior Pastor John Robertson and host Jo Leutton as they reflect on the good news of God's work at Riverlife in 2020. Hear some clips from our thanksgiving services, and get yourself encouraged by what God has been doing amidst the chaos of this past year! He is good, so give thanks to Him!We wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers in our church family that make all the ministry and transformation of lives happen! God bless you, and we love you!Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Video: Preparing The HouseBig thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Continuing our focus on prayer, Jo catches up with passionate pray-er and Riverlife staff member Claudine Hawkins, about how to being and continue to cultivate a passionate prayer life that draws us closer to God in our daily walk with Him.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Book: Pete Greig - How to PrayBook: St Athanasius - The Life of St. AnthonyBig thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian life, and as we spend the next few weeks focussing on prayer, we wanted to bring you a fascinating conversation with Brian Heasley, the International Director of 24/7 Prayer.Brian Heasley, the International Prayer Director of 24/7 Prayer, joins us to share his heart for reviving and renewing the rhythms of prayer in the contemporary church. He speaks from years of experience as a pastor, explaining why prayer must be a practice for all believers. Join us and learn some easy tips to improve your prayer life and go deeper in your relationship with God.Big thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify. 

Reading the Bible can be simple, but oftentimes we are faced with words, ideas and language that isn't instantly accessible, particularly in the Old Testament. This episode of Going Deeper features a sneak peek of our most recent Bible Streams episode, "Our Heart Songs 2: Hebrew Poetry with Robert Alter". Jo and Alex Walker (Bible Streams host) speak with world-renowned author and literary expert Robert Alter on how to read Hebrew poetry. Enjoy this snippet from their conversation.From Bible Streams: "In episode 2 of our series on the Psalms, Jo and Alex are joined by Robert Alter to discuss how to understand Hebrew poetry. Robert is an Emeritus Professor of Hebrew and Comparative literature at the University of California in Berkeley and has written numerous books on Hebrew literature, including the Art of Biblical Poetry. Robert has translated the Hebrew Bible into English along with a full commentary on the text, and his love for the richness of the Bible comes through in our conversation. Thanks to Robert

Many Christians in western cultures may feel the inconvenience of restrictions like COVID, but we should be careful to not mistake this of persecution. Join Ps Robyn Robertson as she talks to Mike Gore, CEO of Open Doors, and Helen Berhan, an Eritrean Christian who loves Jesus, worship, and has survived persecution. Join them on a virtual field trip to the toughest places on earth to live out the Christian faith.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Web: Open Doors AustraliaSocial: Hear the full interview on Riverlife's Facebook pageGive: Contribute financially to Open Doors workBig thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast.For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify. 

Justice is a central element to the life of Jesus and His Kingdom people. For some, the call of justice on them means getting low, going into dark places, and setting captives free. Jo and guest host Pastor Robyn Robertson speak with International Justice Mission Investigator Mark (not his real name), about the job of an undercover investigator, the heart for justice that God's people can carry, and how to make a difference where each one of us are placed by the Lord.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:About IJM: IJM is the largest anti-slavery organisation in the world. IJM has four areas of focus - to rescue, to restore, to restrain and to repair.Web: IJM-  find out more about the work of IJM and to sign up for monthly IJM emailsWeb: Become an IJM Freedom PartnerInfo: To understand more about the situation of child slavery on Lake Volta in GhanaEsther's Story Part 1 Esther's Story Part 2 The Deep Place (Director's Cut)24 boys rescued on Lake VoltaAftercare: The Healing Begi

Cultivating a heart of prayer and worship reflects Jesus's desire for His church to be a house of prayer for all the nations. Yet, we are faced with so much noise and distraction that it can be hard to find time to behold the face of God. Jo speaks with Josh Yeoh, a pastor, worship leader and songwriter from Riverlife Church in Singapore, about cultivating a life of prayer and worship that transforms us and blesses the place the God has planted us.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Video: Josh Yeoh OfficialSocial: Josh Yeoh FacebookWeb: Penang House of PrayerMusic: Josh Yeoh on SpotifyBook: Pete Greig - Red Moon RisingBook: Pete Greig - Dirty GloryBook: Samuel Whitefield - Son of ManWeb: iHOP Prayer RoomWeb: Upperroom Prayer RoomBig thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast.For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTu

Art and it's creation can be one of those wonderfully unknown things. Where does inspiration come from? How does each different artist recieve it, and translate that into what the rest of us get to experience? For Brett and Leah Shaw, that process is intrinsically tied to their relationship with Jesus and how the Holy Spirit is leading and guiding them. Brett and Leah talk with Jo and Scott about life, creativity, faith and New Year's Day.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Web: Leah Shaw - ArtworkSocial: KLAPPE Studio by Leah Shaw (Instagram)Social: Brett Anthony Shaw (Instagram)Music: Brett Anthony Shaw (Spotify | Apple Music)Song: 01/01/2020 (on Spotify)Big thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. "01/01/2020" ©2020 Brett Anthony Shaw (used by permission).For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher,

This episode features a special interview, where Ps Robyn Robertson joins Bianca Bryson from International Justice Mission (IJM), and Matt Darvas from Micah Australia. Both of these advocates for justice discuss with Robyn how the church can engage with issues of justice in this COVID-19 period. As you'll hear, there's plenty to consider, and there's practical ways you can get involved.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Web: International Justice Mission | Freedom Sunday 2020Web: Micah AustraliaBig thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Our world is in chaos, and so many of our cultural reference points are dislocated. So how do we find them again? Jo & Scott catch up for a second time with Toby Thomas, an Ordinand with the Church of England at Hackney Church in East London. As a neo-liturgist, Toby seeks to help people be formed and discipled through their experience of church and suggests to us that these ancient forms and rhythms give us references points in the chaos of our times. This is the second part of our conversation with Toby.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Web: Hackney.ChurchPodcast: Going Deeper with Toby Thomas: A Place For MeApp: Daily Prayer (Apple)App: Lectio 365Resource: Bible in One Year (Alpha/HTB)Book: Book of Common PrayerBig thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stit

Our world is in chaos, and so many of our cultural reference points are dislocated. So how do we find them again? Jo & Scott catch up for a second time with Toby Thomas, an Ordinand with the Church of England at Hackney Church in East London. As a neo-liturgist, Toby seeks to help people be formed and discipled through their experience of church and suggests to us that these ancient forms and rhythms give us references points in the chaos of our times.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Web: Hackney.ChurchPodcast: Going Deeper with Toby Thomas: A Place For MeApp: Daily Prayer (Apple)App: Lectio 365Resource: Bible in One Year (Alpha/HTB)Book: Book of Common PrayerBig thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

So many God-opportunities happen throughout our lives. So often they are invitations to find God in the midst of unusual, difficult or unsettling circumstances. Rich Wilson joins Jo and Scott to talk about how God got his attention and, through a group of passionate young people, started a movement for University students, seeing God break into situations and circumstances. And yet, in the middle of it all, we keep walking and following the call of God on our lives. Can we accept God's invitation to be mothers and fathers for the next generation?Rich Wilson is the leader of Fusion, a UK-based University student movement. Rich is passionate about the local church's role in student mission, and has been leading in this area for over 25 years.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Web: Fusion UKResource: Fusion Discipleship DecksVideo: Fusion UK on YouTube - Make sure you check out the recent online conference.Book: Rich Wilson - A Call Less OrdinaryWeb: Open Heaven ChurchBig thank

The People of God are a prophetic people by nature! Dr Kim Maas joins Jo and Scott in this two-part episode to talk about the role and nature of the church to speak out the word of God to each other and the world. Kim's doctoral research is in the prophetic nature of the church, healthy guidelines for practising hearing God's voice, and how each one of us can learn and grow in discerning the voice of God, first through scripture and the Holy Spirit.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Web: Kim Maas MinistriesPodcast: Move Ahead with Dr Kim Maas - Apple Podcasts | Google PlayBook: Dr Kim Maas - Prophetic CommunityBook: Dr Kim Maas - Speak to the Storm - thanks to Kim for giving us free access to her ebook "Speak to the Storm". You can download it free here.Big thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon,

The People of God are a prophetic people by nature! Dr Kim Maas joins Jo and Scott in this two-part episode to talk about the role and nature of the church to speak out the word of God to each other and the world. Kim's doctoral research is in the prophetic nature of the church, healthy guidelines for practising hearing God's voice, and how each one of us can learn and grow in discerning the voice of God, first through scripture and the Holy Spirit.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Web: Kim Maas MinistriesBook: Dr Kim Maas - Prophetic CommunityBook: Dr Kim Maas - Speak to the Storm - thanks to Kim for giving us free access to her ebook "Speak to the Storm". You can download it free here.Big thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

In this episode, Jo and Scott interview a long-time  friend of Riverlife, Joel Wiseman, to discuss new rhythms, spiritual disciplines, and the creative process amidst the change. Joel Wiseman is the Associate and Worship Pastor at Dayspring Church in Sydney, Australia.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Web: Dayspring ChurchSpotify (these songs are featured in this episode): 'III Days' by Dayspring WorshipSpotify: Joel Wiseman on SpotifyYoutube: 'Room For You' by Dayspring WorshipBig thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

As Christians, are we allowed to have doubts? With a belief system based on faith in Christ, is there room for doubt and questioning this faith? In this episode, Jo and Scott are joined by Alex Stark, a speaker, and apologist with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) to discuss this topic of doubt. Alex was born and raised in Brisbane where he responded to the gospel message in his youth. After completing his undergraduate degree in theology at Malyon Theological College, Alex was offered the opportunity to do further study at Oxford where he then went on to become an 'OCCA Fellow' and now serves as a speaker with RZIM based in Sydney, Australia. Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Web: Alex Stark | RZIMWeb: OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics Sermon: 'Deconstructing God: A Human Guide to Doubt' by Alex Stark'Big thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, a

The intersection of faith, wellness and the brain might just hold keys to make us healthier, and allow us to grow in intimacy with God. Jo and Scott talk to Dr Jerome Lubbe, a functional neurologist (amongst many other things), about God's most amazing creation, the human body, and God's plans for how you were designed to function best.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Web: ThriveNeuroWeb: WholeIdentityBook: The Brain-Based Enneagram by Dr Jerome Lubbe (Amazon)YouTube: Dr Jerome Lubbe on YouTubeBig thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Sometimes, people and conversations are just too tasty not to share! Jo and Scott recently hosted Dr Andrew Dunstan on the Bible Streams podcast, and they talked through why theology is important to doing church well and being a dedicated disciple of Jesus! Here are some of the best parts!Want to hear more of our Bible Stream podcasts? Get them here:iTunesStitcherAndroidSpotifyBig thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android) and Spotify.

Photographer, filmmaker, and Anglican Pastor, Toby Thomas joins Scott and Jo to talk about creativity, faith, music, art and beauty, and how each of us can engage our creativity as worship. Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Book: 'Walk Humbly' by Samuel WellsBook: 'A Creative Minority' by Jon TysonVideo: Sneak peek of 'The Rescue' a film by Toby ThomasSocial Media: Toby Thomas on InstagramSocial Media: Hackney ChurchSocial Media: C3 NYC on InstagramSocial Media: Good Shepherd New York on InstagramSocial Media: Riverlife on FacebookSocial Media: Riverlife on InstagramBig thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

The world and the way we gather is in a state of constant change, yet God is good, and the future in Him is always bright! Senior Pastor of Riverlife, John Robertson, joins Jo and Scott to talk about what we've learned and what we're looking forward to!Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper:Website: Riverlife Website & RegistrationWebsite:  Riverlife OnlineWebsite: Riverlife on YouTubeWebsite: Digital ResourcesSocial Media: Riverlife on FacebookSocial Media: Riverlife on InstagramBig thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. For more info and how you can help, please contact Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.