Faith Runs Deep - Season 1

As a missionary to the South Seas, Richard Johnson was the chaplain on the First Fleet. This episode looks at Johnson's and others commitment to the Gospel. We also hear of the remarkble and miraculous personal story of artist Bindi Cole Chocka.

Lachlan Macquarie and his wife Elizabeth were dedicated Christians who believed in forgiveness and giving second chances. As governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821, Macquarie emancipated or set free more convicts than any other governor before him. Roy Williams also tells his personal story, his self-confessed ignorance of God, and how he came to realize the truth of the Gospel.

The history of the treatment of the First Nations people of this nation is an awful story, full of injustice, which continues to impact lives and communities today. The Christian Church was seen as complicit and at times active in the process of colonization. Yet, in the complexity of history, we find that the only people speaking out about the injustice of the time were Christians and those like John Gribble and Lancelot Threlkeld sought to bring the message and love of Jesus to the indigenous people. Indigenous elder, Riverbank Frank speaks about Indigenous activist Bill Ferguson, as well as his own personal story of coming to faith in Christ.

This episode looks at people such as JD Lang and George Fife Angas who came to this country as people of faith, and who helped shape this nation. We also hear Tony Hoang's incredible personal story, who as a second-generation immigrant, became a drug dealer at 14, was jailed, came to teh end of himself, and had God break into his life in a miraculous way.

This episode introduces a number of sporting professionals, both from history and today, who found winning does not deliver true fulfillment and joy. We hear from Olympian Eloise Wellings, bull rider Tim Kelly, former AFL player Shaun Hart and racing car driver Andrew Fisher. Former NRL player, Peter Gibbs, also shares his own rise and fall story and how finding faith in Jesus saved his life.

Founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, John Flynn, was an outback preacher who saw a need for practical medical help for those living in the bush. His faith motivated him to find a solution, bringing about incredible innovations and inventions that served wider purposes than those he had started out with. John Flynn's story is just one of thousands in this nation where people of faith have decided to use their life and resources to aid others. Red Frogs founder Andy Gourley, Director of Fusion on the Mornington Peninsula Gemma Bell, and Bernadette Black tells her personal story of being a teen-parent and going on to found a charity devoted to helping expecting and parenting teens around Australia.

Jesus' sacrifice on the cross allows us eternal freedom and security. This episode of Faith Runs Deep looks at how Jesus is often found in the darkest and most desperate of places, as many courageous military chaplains throughout time have brought His light and love to the warfront. Former Army soldier Dave Jensen and former Army chaplain Tim Booker tell Dave's amazing prodigal-son story, showing Jesus is always there and ready to welcome you home, no matter how far you go.

Christian faith has always had an influence in the political life of Australia, whether it was our first governors, the foundational values of our laws or even the present beliefs of our politicians. This episode explores the beginnings of politics in Australia, and the instrumental men and women of faith involved. Former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson tells his personal story and how he came to the conclusion that he 'can't not believe' in Christ.

As Christians, we believe in a creative God, and believe creative abilities and passions are gifts from Him. When people of faith use their creative abilities to produce works of art, music, media or other forms of expression, they are reflecting the very heart and nature of God. In this episode we hear from musician Colin Buchanan, creative director Cass Langton and creative director and artist Jane Faase. Artist Narelle Urquhart also shares her personal story of incredible hardship leading to a remarkable transformation, and how she expresses herself through art.