A Redeemer Church podcast
Philip Brown yarns with Kiwi Christians about how they ended up in the fold. So, how did this all go down?
Episode 47 · · 47 min
Happy Tuesday! This week we chat with Mark Rutter about his journey with Jesus! We chat just about anything and everything! Thanks for your time, Mark! I thoroughly enjoyed this korero!
Happy Tuesday! This week we chat with Mark Rutter about his journey with Jesus! We chat just about anything and everything! Thanks for your time, Mark! I thoroughly enjoyed this korero!
*A quick heads-up: This episode delves into some heavy themes, so please take care while listening.* Happy Tuesday! In this episode we chat with David Brand about his Christian walk, the mercy of Jesus, and the hospitality of Christ's people. Cheers for chatting, David. I thoroughly enjoyed this kōrero!
God moves in a mysterious way/ His wonders to perform/ He plants his footsteps in the sea/ And rides upon the storm. — William Cowper, 1774 ““Fleas are part of this place where God has put us.” And so we stood between piers of bunks and gave thanks for fleas. But this time I was sure Betsie was wrong.” - Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place “Who can resist his will (Romans 9:19)? — Paul — Kia ora! In this episode I respond to a sermon preached this month at a local Tauranga church, Freedom Centre, called The Lie Of “God’s in Control,” preached by Pastor Adam Guneyi. The sermon made numerous claims, among which were that the Bible nowhere says God is in control, that belief in God being in control will make you a “weak Christian” and has spread through the church “by the enemy himself,” that belief in God moving is mysterious ways is “one of the stupidest things [he’s] ever heard in [his] life,” that Satan is trying to deceive you into believing God is in control so that your prayers won’t get answered, and that well-meaning people who say that God is in control should be apologised for. I don’t agree with any of that. I also reckon Holy Scripture strongly supports the idea that God is in control. Here is my response. Link to original sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_fPxj8wHi8 Recommended resources: The Crook in the Lot — Thomas Boston (Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/44Er4vc8XkKp99osVAG5wA?si=ba854d9900424dd8 ) The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment - Jeremiah Burroughs (Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5580p7HfZFIhmeZy6kH21X?si=9389363269f14c93 ) The Horse and His Boy - C.S. Lewis Suffering and the Sovereignty of God - Edited by John Piper & Justin Taylor (Link: https://www.desiringgod.org/books/suffering-and-the-sovereignty-of-god ; See also conference messages: https://www.desiringgod.org/series/2005-national-conference/messages ) The Hiding Place - Corrie Ten Boom Providence - John Piper (Link: https://www.desiringgod.org/books/providence ) Note: I misspoke in the podcast and said the sermon was preached “this week.” I meant to say “this month.” — “I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you.” - Aslan to Shasta, The Horse and his Boy “As to the crook in your lot, God has made it; and it must continue while He will have it so. Should you ply your utmost force to even it, or make it straight, your attempt will be vain: it will not change for all you can do.” — Thomas Boston, The Crook in the Lot
Happy Tuesday! This was a bit of a different episode! This week I yarned with Joel Hillary of The Jesus Magnet podcast, another kiwi podcast that tells conversion stories. Joel chats his story of coming to Christ, and from Christ to podcasting. Cheers for joining us Joel! You can check out more of Joel's work and all things The Jesus Magnet here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5P0MibkwU64YAVC9PAX8wA?si=d36fa68d5d834ba4 Note: After this Phil went on The Jesus Magnet and they made an inverse of this episode. It drops early September. Check it out!
Happy Tuesday! This week I got to chat with Brad Douglas, a busy Christian about a year and half into his journey into the faith. We chat the party scene, conversion, Bible strategies, and a ministry he's involved in called Imperium. Cheers for stopping by, Brad! For more info about Imperium, check out the website :https://www.imperiumtraining.co.nz/
Happy Tuesday! This week we talk with George Grant, a Glasgow native residing in Papamoa, New Zealand. We chat procrastination, Billy Graham, Christians worthy of the name, and evolution. Thanks for fitting me in, George! I thoroughly enjoyed this korero!
Happy Tuesday! This week we talk with Deb Belworthy, a Christian from Rotorua. We chat her journey into the Christian life, mother in lawing, flowers, Dunedin, and growing in your faith. We had a Phil Me In first in this episode: the second chunk of the conversation has disappeared from my computer, so you won't get to hear the full conversation. I'm so gutted about this, as I thoroughly enjoyed this korero! A massive apology to Deb and to the listeners! Genuinely have no idea what happened :/
Happy Tuesday! This week we talk with Steve Young, an accountant turned pastor/church planter in Auckland. A friend of mine once told me that Steve is the "best guy [he] knows." After this conversation I can genuinely say that I see why he's up there. I thoroughly enjoyed this korero! Thanks, Steve!
Happy Tuesday! In this episode we chat with Zoe Doyle, a Christian mum living over in Hamilton. We chat Christian friends, mission trips, Bible bashing, and 1 Corinthians 10:31 is a great "life verse." I thoroughly enjoyed this korero! Thanks Zoe!
Happy Tuesday! This week we chat with Des Meyfarth, a good bloke from Redeemer Church. We cranked out the pod during a burger night with the blokes from church, so please enjoy those authentic cicada, wind, and laughter sounds. Thanks Des for the hospitality! And special thanks to Te Mana for organising those burgers! I thoroughly enjoyed this korero!
Happy Tuesday! This week we chat with Nick Clevely, one of the pastors at Covenant Grace Baptist Church in Timaru and former death metal front man. We chat Jesus, gusto, evangelism, and learning to stop talking smack about Jesus' wife (he doesn't appreciate it). I thoroughly enjoyed this korero! Cheers Nick!
Happy Tuesday! This week I chat with my friend Te Mana, a deacon at Redeemer and a good friend of mine. We chat conversion, Calvin's commentaries, God's hand in life's difficulties, and music. I thoroughly enjoyed this korero!
*A quick heads-up: this episode delves into some heavy themes, so please take care while listening.* Happy Tuesday! This week we chat with Shaun Killerby about his journey to Jesus. We chat academia, spiritual disciplines, the brethos, prayer, libraries, gardening, paganism, and some of the difficulties along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation!
Happy Tuesday! In this episode we kick off 2025 with Ian, a member at Redeemer Church. We chat conversion, Christian growth, and even other stuff. Hoping to be more consistent on these this year. We shall see.
Happy Tuesday! This week we chat with Susie, a member at Redeemer and an awesome Christian in spite of that. We chat her childhood, searching the globe for God, getting discipled by an old Brethren lady, and swinging from chandeliers. I thoroughly enjoyed this korero!
Happy Tuesday! This week I got to chat with Ashley Stevenson, a Christian mum living in Auckland. We yarned Ashley's background in unitarianism, praying in English, reading outside literature, embracing Jesus as Lord and God, and Festival One. I thoroughly enjoyed this korero!
Happy Tuesday! We're back, and hopefully that'll be a bit more consistent. This week we were joined by Jordan Afoa. We chat Auckland suburbs, Leviticus, the holiness of God, and Jordan's long and windy road to Jesus Christ. I thoroughly enjoyed this korero. Thanks for opening up, Jordan!
Happy Tuesday! For episode 30(!) I caught up with Mark and Angie Stevenson, my friends' pentecostal parents. Mark and Angie have a great story and I'm stoked we got to do this! We chatted going to Billy Graham with Grandma, the fruit of the Spirit, Proverbs 3, parenting, spiritual growth after retirement, conversion to Jesus Christ, and music as a unifier in the Christian life. I thoroughly enjoyed this korero! Also, just wanted to point out that Mark and Angie literally drove over to Tauranga to do the pod in person, which made for a great chat. Thank you both so much!
Happy Tuesday! This week Phil sat down with Geoff Hill (sometimes known as Pastor G), Phil's childhood pastor. Geoff and I chatted for a full hour about conversion, the gospel, bad early sermons, church, and the Christian life. I thoroughly enjoyed this korero.
Happy Tuesday! For this episode I joined Sachiko Kodaira at the lovely (and very echoey) office space at the Holly House in Tauranga. We chat all things Japan, New Zealand, Jesus, conversion, church planting and getting your tongue pulled out. I thoroughly enjoyed this korero! Thanks Sachi for fitting me into one of the busiest schedules I've ever seen!
Happy Tuesday! This week I chat with my mate Wayne Ashbrook. Wayne lives in Tauranga and is a member at Redeemer. We chat conversion, Alpha courses, diced fruity pieces, and serving in the church. Wayne is one of our sound guys at the church, and he made my day when he said I did an alright job at setting up the microphones for the pod. I thoroughly enjoyed this korero. https://www.facebook.com/redeemerchurchtauranga https://www.instagram.com/redeemerchurchtauranga/ https://www.youtube.com/@redeemerchurch-tauranga8045 https://www.redeemerchurch.org.nz/ https://pjbrown.weebly.com/ https://open.spotify.com/show/2S4Nsw517uxTGPyKad4KlF?si=68a396b67ae94ded
Happy Tuesday, this week I caught up with Tanja Swanepoel, a new addition to Christ's family. We chat crystals, source, religious culture, psychic meetings, Jesus Christ, peace, and how the church is surprisingly good. I thoroughly enjoyed this korero!
After months of cocktails and relaxing, I figured it wouldn't be too onerous to fire up the pod again. Hopefully some people from last year still want to listen. We kick the year off with a great chat with my man, the honorary kiwi, Rowan Huliciar. I thoroughly enjoyed this chat.
Psych! We're back for one more episode, which is our Christmas gift to you. This episode totally breaks the usual format for the pod, but this week I chat with Jared and Bethany from Captivate Music about their debut worship album Grace Upon Grace. This album is an incredible achievement and it was awesome unpacking it and celebrating it with them. Give Grace Upon Grace a listen and let us know your favourite song in the comments! https://open.spotify.com/album/6MjLTb5uBPECHbCkvXdfVf?si=gLrRuj_1QgWUw6vSRAHD0A Also, check out their brand new Christmas song, just in time for the holiday: https://open.spotify.com/album/0ovLo1k42RVn9RxTFpKxYX?si=GoGJlwBeR5SDVWdCETExkQ
Merry Christmas and Happy Tuesday! This week we chat with Mateo Sutton, a 17 year old sitting in that summer between high school and university. We chatted with Mateo about conversion, KFC, and YouTube. I thoroughly enjoyed recording this one. Shalom and see you next year!
Happy Tuesday! This week we chat with Ruby Pye, a Chrizzo from Rotorua. We chat spiritual conversations, hospitality, Koine Greek, the Bible, and conversion to Jesus.
Happy Tuesday! This week we had the opportunity to chat with Courtney Thompson from Te Arawa about faith in Jesus, the gospel, putting yourself out there for evangelism, providence, and small groups. I thoroughly enjoyed this korero! Thanks Courtney for coming on the pod!
Happy Tuesday! We made it to episode 20, which apparently gives us some credibility as an actual podcast. Today we chat with Monica Whitehead, a Chrizzo from Auckland who's down in Tauranga over the summer. We chat meaning, Mystery Creek Easter camp, conversion, Bible college, the cage stage, and Israel.
Happy Tuesday! This week we chatted with Mike Beck from Gracenet Community Church in Wellington, taking the opportunity at A29 conference to experiment with a live episode. We chat the Christian culture of Mike's youth, his objections to Christianity, conversion to Jesus, and God's use of The Message in his life. Shalom Lekha.
Happy Tuesday! This week we chat with my man, Josh McClay. We chat holiday programmes, the gospel, not knowing anyone at camp, leaning on your own understanding, Beautiful Eulogy, and looking through Paul Washer's sermon notes.
Happy Tuesday! After a few long weeks of podcast draught, I had a korero with Aidan Smith, a member here at Redeemer. We chat with Aidan about his early experiences with Christianity, life as a Christian, involvement in the church, and Christian black metal from Sweden. Towards the end, either Aidan or I got really fidgety and so there's this great rattling sound on one of the mics. Listeners are free to blame who they wish. Also, get along to Acts 29 Conference on the 3rd and 4th of November! This year's conference is being held at Redeemer Church (56 Second Avenue, Tauranga). If you love Jesus, the church, and the expansion of the gospel, it'll be a great time. Come and meet other Christians who are big on the local church and hear talks from Jared C. Wilson, Anthony Campbell, Mike Beck, David Fandey, and Mark Glenn. Tickets available at https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/one-another-relationships-ministry-and-mission-tickets-711757043477
Happy Tuesday! This week I chat with my brother Steven Wilkinson about Rotorua, aliens, efficient evangelism, conviction and assurance, small groups, and early Christian struggles. I thoroughly enjoyed this korero.
Happy Tuesday! This week we chat with our very own Jordan Mills, originally from Waihi. We chat about sports, the Westminster Shorter catechism, Mumsdollar, conversion to Jesus, and Gavin Ortlund.
Happy Tuesday! This week we chat with Joni Shepherd from Waihi. She is a mother, teacher aide, youth support worker, youth pastor, student, and Christian. We chat with Joni about God saving her despite her resolve to avoid the Chrizzos, the exciting nature of conversion, studying at Carey Baptist College (another one!), friends going on mission, and the word of God. I met Joni about 10 minutes before we recorded the podcast and this is the final product—I was super encouraged by her and I hope you will be also.
Happy Tuesday! This week we had a good korero with Rob Stacey, Generations Pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church (in Tauranga, not Minneapolis), who God rescued out of Auckland with his powerful right hand. We chat conversion to Jesus, Jedi action figures, Spurgeon, sowing financial seeds, life at Carey Baptist College, and Casting Crowns. Special thanks to my bro Michael Brown for setting up an actually good recording set up for this episode!
Happy Tuesday! This week we chat with Bevin Hayward, a Tauranga Chrizzo, about his journey into faith, watching Friends as a spiritual discipline, Easter Camp experiences, plucking out bullets, and Christian rock concept albums.
Happy Tuesday! This week Phil chats with Neven Dzaferic, a student, pastor, and evangelist. We yarn about evangelism, Bible college, being able to pass as any ethnicity, conversion to Jesus, and saying awkward Chrizzo things in job interviews.
Happy Tuesday! This week I chat with Mark and Catherine Davies about conversion to Jesus, alpha course, Anglican church choirs, playing worship music in the house, Foo Fighters, Audioslave, the Bible, Luther (2003), and parenting.
Happy Tuesday! After a week of covid, we're back with Episode #9! This week Phil chats with Simon Ussher, a Chrizzo hailing from Dannevirke. We discuss Simon's conversion to Jesus, his experience of and reflections on the Christian life, and his hatred of 14 year olds.
Happy Tuesday! After having a good chin wag over a Roiboos tea, I sat down with Bernie Roodt to chat her pro-choice days, conversion to Jesus, family dynamics and the Christian life, Sinclair Ferguson, and Bernie's royal lineage.
Happy Tuesday! This week Phil chats with veteran Chrizzo Lisa 'Alofi about rally, Revelation 3, C.S. Lewis, the McDowells, J.I. Packer, Christian education, and conversion to Jesus Christ.
Happy Tuesday! This week we are joined by Bradley Ogg, a brother located in Auckland. We chat New Years in Whangamata, confrontational conversations, sanctification in beliefs, Scripture, and conversion to Jesus Christ. Brad is a podcasting veteran and you can check out his stuff at https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoKoXxrdI9TWfpDwysknj?si=c02aced1e9b345a9 .
In this episode Phil chats with fellow Rotorua Lakes High School alumnus and Christian of five years (so far), Sam Munday. We yarn about new age practices, confusing the Spotify algorithm, the need for gutsy evangelists, not being like other guys, conversion to Jesus Christ, and the Christian life.
Jamie Hill is one of our deacons. This week we chat with her about the Christian life, intermediate school, standing on seats in church, conversion, Palmy, and ethics in the book of Genesis.
After waiting for him to finish up his vape, we chatted with Rich about church life, childhood, life in the Catlins, conversion, mentors, the Bible, regrets, and church planting. Some all round good chat from Rich. [Note: The Explicit warning was just a safety precaution for this episode because, well, you all know what Rich is like. Luckily, he behaved himself this week.]
In the first episode of this new podcast that has been said will change the future of podcasting as we know it, Phil yarns about what he's trying to accomplish with it. [Feat. Phil's daughter trying to get into his office right at the end.]
Philip has been at Redeemer since 2019 and pastoring there since 2021.
He is married to Haley Joy and together they have a multitude of children that no one can number.
In his quickly fading spare time he enjoys running the streets of Tauranga, learning German, reading the puritans, and listening to Creed (sometimes unironically).
He exists to know Jesus and make him known.