Chip Lunch

The conversation with Michael Greaves continues....Part two dives into what 19 years of youth ministry has taught Greaves about what actually matters on a Friday night. Spoiler: it's not the program. It's not whether the game works or the band sounds good. It's the friendship, based on Jesus.From feathers still turning up in church couches two months after a Home Alone 4D movie night, to the Halloween night where zero kids showed up until later, to teenagers spontaneously grabbing drums and keyboards mid youth group, this is youth ministry.Greaves shares something that cuts through a lot of ministry pressure: everything on a Friday night, other than sharing the gospel, is negotiable. The point was never perfection. The point is being there, being friends, and pointing people to Jesus.There's also a fun conversation about the energy recent convert teenagers bring, the rowdy year nine atheist who wants to debate God, the kids with zero filter and zero expectations, and why that chaos is actually one of the greatest gifts to a ministry.Greaves, we love you.

Michael Greaves is back on Chip Lunch following a five year hiatus, and after 19 years of youth ministry, he's got a lot to say. From WWE nostalgia and the death of MTV to navigating Gen Z meme culture mid-gospel talk, we're ready for a big does of Greaves-dom.Greaves cuts through every youth leadership anxiety with a simple answer: you're not committing to being charismatic or entertaining. You're committing to being their friend. That's it.The conversation traces his journey through nearly two decades of youth ministry: dusty church halls, COVID-era Discord youth groups, coordinating across two separate youth groups, fun nights that didn't turn out the way they wanted and others that unexpectedly did, all based on long-term, low-key relational ministry: showing up week after week, remembering names, offering friendship, and consistently pointing young people to Jesus.

Marking 200 episodes of Stories of Jesus Changing Everything with Archbishop Kanishka Raffel!We welcome the Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel, Archbishop of Sydney, to share his remarkable journey from Buddhism to leading one of Australia's most influential Christian denominations.Archbishop Raffel's story begins in 1986, when a humid Sydney night and a pocket-sized Gospel of John transformed everything. Raised in a devout Buddhist family after immigrating from Sri Lanka in the 1970s, Kanishka spent his early twenties earnestly pursuing enlightenment through meditation and the eight-fold path. He was committed to gaining total control over every aspect of his life, until a friend on a beach mission told him something that shattered his worldview: being a Christian meant losing control of his life to Jesus Christ.From reading John's Gospel three times in one night to the prayers of his Christian grandmother and teenage friends, Kanishka's conversion story reveals how God orchestrates every detail, even before we know we need saving.They chat about the Archbishop's 17-year ministry in Perth, his unexpected call to become Dean of Sydney Cathedral, and ultimately his election as the first non-European Archbishop of Sydney. Kanishka shares the challenges of public ministry in an increasingly secular culture, the loneliness of leadership, and why he asks people to pray specifically for "the fear of God rather than the fear of humans."From debating theology over chili salt preferences to discussing the power of persistent prayer across generations, this episode captures exactly what Chip Lunch does best, revealing the extraordinary work of an ordinary God in the lives of people because Jesus Changes Everything.

Rachel returns for part two, sharing the origin story of her relationship with Chris, reflections on parenting three different daughters, and why consistency matters even more now than when she was youth leading.The love story begins with Chris making Rachel watch The Perfect Catch to explain that the Penrith Panthers season comes first. We hear about the legendary cheese dip incident, the mutual realisation at a flower shop, and being abandoned in the bush when Chris saw a snake.Rachel opens up about parenting Callie, Pippa, and Bonnie, three very different daughters who need to be loved differently according to their unique needs plus other parenting wisdom.The conversation covers 18 years teaching early childhood, leading Kids with Karen on Saturday nights, watching two and three-year-olds grow in understanding of God, and why the village approach to raising children matters.Rachel shares what she'd tell year 10 Rachel about friends leaving church, why persistence matters, and how showing up consistently might be exactly what someone else needs.Plus the epic toaster wedding gift prank on Greaves and Ange.

Rachel shares how youth group became her refuge during her parents' separation and shaped her entire approach to ministry and teaching.Rachel grew up as the youngest of three, waiting years to finally join youth group. When her chance came in Year 5, it coincided with her parents splitting and youth became the place where this quiet child could finally be wild and free.We discuss navigating high school friendships as people prioritised parties over church, the sadness of watching confirmation classmates disappear by Year 11, and what it means to keep showing up. Rachel reflects on how experiencing inconsistent leadership shaped her commitment to being there every single week when she started leading.The conversation covers her journey from irritating Chris with excessive enthusiasm, to leading with Joel and to 18 years teaching early childhood. Plus stories about elaborate chip preparation and working at Michel's Patisserie.

Gemma returns four years after being our very first guest, and so much has changed. With Joel and Brayden, they explore her journey from anxious early twenties to finding contentment and joy.When Gemma first appeared in 2020, she was living at home during COVID, working casually, and navigating youth ministry. Now she's married, teaching full-time, and stepped away from youth leadership to join Late Night. But the real transformation is internal.Gemma shares about deleting social media from her phone and discovering she's happier without it. She reflects on resilience, not as being fazed by hard things, but as depending on God through difficulty. The conversation covers modelling healthy phone habits for students, the heartbreak of identity shifts when leaving youth ministry, and learning to find joy in seasons rather than rushing to the next milestone.They also discuss teaching at a Christian school, trusting God through changes, contentment versus happiness, and fixing our eyes on Jesus when life is good and when it's not.

The OG3 reunite (and add in Hudson) for a year-in-review special, a look back at Schoolies, youth camp, Week Away, and standout moments of 2025.They start with this year's Schoolies where they became bingo legends winning six of twenty games in matching mint green shirts. But beyond the laughs, they discuss what makes church Schoolies meaningful: welcoming young adults into Christian community and exploring what Christian freedom actually looks like.Ethan reflects on college highlights, from Augustine hating Greek to a Genesis 2 lecture about God as a delighted father. Brayden shares finishing four years of theological study with a late-night email. They discuss youth camp bringing campuses together, the boys hall construction company theme, and impromptu baseball games.The conversation explores why rituals matter in a culture that's lost them, how Schoolies addresses the emptiness many feel after finishing school, and why hanging out across age groups keeps us from staying immature.

Join us for Lewis's yearly update as he reflects on his journey from self-proclaimed atheism to vibrant Christian faith and youth leadership.Lewis shares how book clubs during Australia's bushfire season led to reading "Silence" and C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity" with friends. But intellectual arguments weren't what ultimately convinced him. It was the radical love at Soul Revival Church, where adults genuinely cared for teenagers and his rough friends were welcomed.We discuss the transformative power of intergenerational church community, why Lewis believes hanging out only with your age group keeps you immature, and how immediately serving in youth ministry shaped his faith. Lewis opens up about experiencing his grandfather's death as a Christian versus his non-Christian family, discovering grace as what "keeps life going," and why he's increasingly convinced Christianity offers something no other religion can provide.The conversation challenges the assumption that you need a dramatic crisis to come to faith. Lewis reminds us that ultimately, "it's just you and Jesus" and that's enough.

Emily shares what it was like sitting her HSC exams from her bedroom during lockdown — complete with a cardboard desk and online supervision. She opens up about discovering her identity in Christ rather than her marks, and how that brought peace and gratitude through the chaos.They talk about humility, resilience, and learning to trust that you’re not in control — and that’s a good thing. Emily also reflects on how her faith shapes her studies in medicine and her understanding that everything is a gift from God.

Brad takes us through his life journey from teaching himself to program at age seven, to studying aerospace engineering, transitioning into cybersecurity, and eventually helping plant Soul Revival church. Following his accident Brad consistently points back to God's work, saying "but God and only God" has carried him through. We discuss the physics and aftermath of the accident, detailed rehabilitation processes for brain injury, learning compensating strategies for cognitive challenges, turning visual navigation into verbal storytelling, the balance between acknowledging hard work and giving God glory, marriage to Suzanne and raising two remarkable children, the philosophy of "raising adults, not children," career pivots and trusting God's timing, and what he would tell his younger Christian self.Content Warning: This episode discusses traumatic injury, brain injury, and medical recovery.Brain Injury AustraliaBeyond BlueLifeline: 13 11 14

Brad shares his journey from childhood faith to a life-changing accident that redefined everything—and reveals how God's fingerprints were all over his recovery.From planting churches as a kid in the Sutherland Shire to designing rockets as an aerospace engineer, Brad's story is full of "but God" moments. But nothing prepared him for the morning a cycling accident left him unconscious for 16 days with severed arteries and a broken neck in three places.The odds of survival were almost zero. The first responders who showed up were an off-duty police officer, a running mate with nappies, and an ER nurse—all in the right place at the right time. The ambulance that arrived in 4 minutes and 32 seconds during peak hour happened to carry the only trial dressing in Australia for major arterial bleeds.Brad opens up about growing up choosing service over comfort, making hard faith choices as a teenager, and what it's like learning to live with a severe traumatic brain injury. He graduated as an aerospace engineer, but some of those abilities are gone now. He grieves that loss, but he's not giving up. He's taking it all back with God's help, running marathons, and telling his story to anyone who will listen.This is a story about asking "Why am I here?" and finding boldness to share faith in unexpected places. Because God's gift isn't the injury—it's the recovery, and the platform it's given him to share his faith.

In Part 2 of his story, Joel and Braden explore with Jairus what it means to be consistently Christian in a world that doesn't always understand. Jairus doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. He talks about his family's story—his parents' long struggle to have children, the miracle of his birth, and how people he now meets in Adelaide still tell him they prayed for him before he was born. He shares how traveling to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India as a young kid exposed him to real suffering and gave him perspective that keeps him grounded when peers at school "carry on like clowns" without realising how blessed they are.The conversation explores what it's like when your mates already know not to invite you out on Saturday nights because you'll be at church and late night youth. Jairus explains why he never changes how he acts around non-Christian friends, why living consistently matters more than immediate conversions, and how standing out as different—"What are you doing Saturday? I'm going to church"—plants seeds that might grow 20 years later.We also hear about youth leading, building relationships with Year 10 boys who don't come to church but show up every Friday, and the reward of seeing two of them start coming to church. Jairus shares about running at national championships in Adelaide with his grandfather watching,  who FaceTimed him every day and he struggled through lockdown and then witnessed God's work culminating in baptism and representing NSW. And he reflects on the Easter Sunday when he baptized his brother Zach in the river, a moment that became a core memory.Jairus's simple affirmation through chaos? "Life sucks, but God's got me."This is Part 2 of Jairus' story. Listen to Part 1 for Jairus's journey through lockdown, discovering running as meditation, and how discipline carried him through the HSC.

We chat with Jairus just days after he finishes his HSC. Apart from discussing the post-exam haze and the pressure surrounding university admissions, they discuss Jairus' faith journey, his baptism and the role of faith in overcoming challenges.Jairus shares how his faith has been tested by his grandmother's illness and how running and a supportive community helped him through difficult times. The conversation also delves into the impact of COVID lockdowns on teenagers, particularly the challenges of isolation and identity formation and the importance of his faith-based community and the unique relationships he has formed at Soul Revival.

Emily gets real with Joel and Brayden about faith, identity, and the struggle of trying to be “perfect” when you know you’re not.From growing up in a Christian school to teaching medical ethics at uni, Emily shares how her faith guides her through big questions about life, morality, and influence — without making her feel like she has to have it all figured out.They chat about: 💬 Why “I can’t be perfect” is actually a step into real faith 📚 How school shaped her understanding of God and identity ⚖️ Discussing ethics, morality, and real-world dilemmas as a Christian 💡 Staying grounded in truth while engaging with the wider world 🎵 And yes… there’s even a bit of Taylor Swift talk

We sit down with Jwanel to hear her inspiring journey of faith, career, and community. From navigating the challenges of university and corporate life to finding her place at Soul Revival Church, Jwanel shares candid insights on personal growth, courage in faith, and the importance of authentic Christian community.We also explore the power of mentorship, the impact of church culture, and the lessons she wishes she could tell her younger Christian self. This episode is a celebration of honesty, encouragement, and the joy of being rooted in God’s Word while living life authentically.

Jwanel shares her powerful story of how God brought her from a season of anxiety, burnout, and deep depression to a life filled with joy and peace.She opens up about what it was like to lose her sense of purpose and struggle with negative thoughts — and how, in one transforming moment of prayer, she experienced freedom from the weight she’d been carrying.As she reflects on her journey, Jwanel talks about learning to rest, let go of perfectionism, and trust God’s timing in every part of her life — including singleness, purpose, and identity. Her story is an honest and encouraging reminder that even in our darkest moments, God is near, and He can bring lasting hope and renewal.

We sit down with Gerald who shares his remarkable journey from Malaysia to Sydney, filled with culture, resilience, and surprising moments of kindness.From discovering Vegemite and honey on buttered toast, to unforgettable encounters with strangers who showed compassion at McDonald’s and even concerned bikers checking on his daughter, these stories remind us that small acts of care can leave lasting impacts.He also reflects on his studies, career twists, and how a chance phone call led him into IT sales—a role that brought both challenges and deep joy. Eventually, his love for Australia, sparked in part by Peter Allen’s “I Still Call Australia Home,” brought him and his family back to Sydney to start a new chapter.

We sit down to continue Megan's story, a school chaplain, climber, and social work student. She shares what it means to serve in a pastoral role in public schools, where one-on-one ministry is about care, listening, and support rather than preaching. She opens up about the challenges of carrying emotional burdens, the comfort she finds in prayer, and the privilege of pointing people to Christ—even indirectly.Outside of chaplaincy, Megan finds joy and mental health benefits in climbing, music, and being part of a supportive community. We also hear about her training at Youthworks, her path into community services and social work, and her vision of working with kids, families, and mental health in the future.

In this episode of Chip Lunch, we sit down with Megan, a school chaplain, climber, and social work student. Megan shares what it means to serve in a pastoral role in public schools, where one-on-one ministry is about care, listening, and support rather than preaching. She opens up about the challenges of carrying emotional burdens, the comfort she finds in prayer, and the privilege of pointing people to Christ—even indirectly.Outside of chaplaincy, Megan finds joy and mental health benefits in climbing, music, and being part of a supportive community. We also hear about her training at Youthworks, her path into community services and social work, and her vision of working with kids, families, and mental health in the future. Megan’s story highlights the importance of faith, perseverance, and community in navigating both ministry and personal growth.