This week in our Advent journey, we turn our focus to one of the clearest expressions of God’s heart: people.

Our value, Passionate About People, is rooted in the life of John the Baptist. John’s entire purpose was to point people to Jesus. He didn’t build a platform for himself. He prepared hearts. His life reminds us that God so often chooses to work through people, ordinary and extraordinary, to reveal His love to the world.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Ephesians 3:10-12

At Solomon’s House, being passionate about people means seeing every individual as God’s masterpiece, whether you get on or not. It means recognising that faith is not meant to be lived in isolation, but formed and shaped in community. We grow together. We heal together. We learn who we are in Christ alongside one another.

This episode is Part One of a two-part conversation. We originally planned to sit down together, but schedules didn’t quite allow it. Instead, we recorded separate conversations with Parisse and Hayley. What surprised me was how rich both conversations became and how the Spirit shone through a lot of the chats. Each ran for over an hour, which was a gift in itself, and even though they were recorded separately, there were so many overlaps in themes, experiences and reflections. It felt important to share both voices.

In this first episode, you’ll hear Parisse’s story. It’s a powerful reflection on what it means to be seen, supported and transformed through community. Her journey echoes the truth that God often meets us through the love, presence, and faithfulness of others.

This conversation touches on sensitive experiences, including church hurt and post-partum depression. If these topics feel close to home, we encourage you to listen in a way that feels supportive and safe for you.

As you listen, we invite you to sit with this reflection question:

How can I love people this week in a way that points them toward Jesus?

May this episode remind you that your presence matters, your relationships matter, and that God is still at work through people, including you.

---

Here’s episode 3 – as always we hope you enjoy…