Conversations of Hope

"The young people ain’t studying old folk no more... they just done threw us away." — Mike

Can Christian community heal the deep ache of senior isolation? In this moving episode of Conversations of Hope, host Dave Phillips sits down with Mike, who drives in from Pendleton every morning just to find fellowship, share conversation, and be around brothers in Christ.

Mike opens up about the isolation many older adults face, his path to breaking the chains of past addiction, and what it meant to hear the truth that he is loved and created in the image of God. From navigating health battles like vertigo to finding encouragement to visit New Holly Light Baptist Church, Mike’s testimony shows the life-giving difference of a community that refuses to let anyone feel forgotten.

Tune in to hear how faith, fellowship, and intentional love bring light and hope to every season of life.

Host Dave Phillips sits down with Khalil Walker, Clemson University athletic staff member and Hope Missions volunteer. Khalil shares his powerful journey of overcoming childhood homelessness, living in shelters and vans without running water or electricity, to becoming the first man in his family to graduate from college. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the power of Christian community, staying coachable, and learning to carry one another’s burdens through faith.

Host Dave Phillips sits down with Jeff Burke to discuss listening to God to serve others in practical, life-changing ways. Drawing from his years as a school administrator and McKinney-Vento liaison, Jeff shares real stories of helping families facing homelessness secure housing and find hope. Tune in to hear how developing a servant heart in ministrytransforms lives at Hope Missions in Anderson, SC.

"Nobody chooses this. Like, I wish people would sit back and honestly ask them as humans, what put you in this position?" — Lisa Jones

In this emotional episode of Conversations of Hope, host Dave Phillips sits down with Lisa Jones to discuss her story of overcoming adversity and rebuilding life after homelessness.

Lisa shares her personal experience sleeping on concrete steps and under bridges, finding relief through the Salvation Army, and receiving the gift of temporary shelter through Family Promise of Anderson County. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on faith, community support, and seeing God at work in the midst of struggle.

Host Dave Phillips sits down with Pastor Kline Matthews, head of day shelter operations at Hope Missions. Pastor Kline opens up about his journey, serving 150+ daily guests, and how God used Isaiah 41:10 to speak peace into his anxiety. Tune in for a powerful conversation on grace, relationship, and seeing God at work in the valleys.

What happens when a single assumption closes your heart to the place God is calling you to serve?

In this episode of Conversations of Hope, host Dave Phillips sits down with Mark Demers—a military veteran and wood-burning artist whose perspective radically shifted in the courtyard of Hope Missions in Anderson, South Carolina. 

Mark candidly shares how he initially showed up to volunteer only to appease his wife, bringing along the same reservations and stereotypes about homeless individuals that many people carry. But as he handed out cups of coffee and listened to the stories behind the faces, God stepped in to shatter his judgment and replace it with deep empathy.

Guest: Mark Demers

In this episode, we explore:

• From Walls to Open Arms: How a rained-out Saturday turned a hesitant obligation into a lifelong calling.

• The Power of Simple Hospitality: Why small acts—like serving a hot cup of coffee or sharing artwork—can restore dignity to those facing hardship.

• Faith in Action: How Mark traded sleeping in for 5:30 AM wake-up calls and quiet obedience.

• Changing Perspectives: Recognizing how fragile our circumstances are and learning to evaluate people with our hearts instead of our minds.

Mark wraps up with a challenge for anyone on the fence about stepping out of their comfort zone: pay grace forward, stand firm in God's word, and allow your heart to be transformed in the process.

We all have our own struggles. Dave Phillips of HOPE Missions of the Upstate interviews Katherine. She shares about how her and her husband remain close in life's struggles.

Cee-lo has a song in his heart and brings his journey to life in this episode with HOPE Missions' Dave Phillips.

How does Anderson SC assist the challenges veterans struggling with homelessness. Dave Philips of HOPE Missions of the Upstate interviews Larry Turner of Alston Wilkes Society.

Clifford brings his story to life. Anderson gave him the opportunity to climb from addiction to redemption.