The Incredible Journey

Judea was ruled by Rome two thousand years ago, and in AD 66, a Jewish Revolt flared into a full-scale war that raged for four years – until the Roman general Titus destroyed Jerusalem. But one outpost alone held out against the Romans. It was the fortress of Masada built high above the Dead Sea on top of a barren mountainous plateau, and it's where one of the most heroic and incredible stories of all history was played out when a small group of Jewish Zealots defied the power of Rome.

Due to its natural features, steep sides, and lack of easy access, the place is virtually invincible. Herod the Great also recognised this natural fortress's unique characteristics and strategic advantages. He was a Roman client king of Judea who ruled this region from 37 BC to 4 BC. He wanted a fortress, a place of refuge, in case the Jews should rebel against him or the Egyptian pharaoh Cleopatra, who wanted Judea, should try to have him killed. So, he fortified Masada with walls, gates and towers.   

This ancient stone fortress was also a place of safety for King David when he was threatened by danger during his fugitive years before he became king. Like Herod and the Zealots a thousand years after him, David recognised the strategic advantages of Masada. He realised that with its steep sides and difficult access, it was a perfect hiding place and easy to defend. He knew he could find safety there

Tony McLellan began his life out in the Australian bush on his family farm called Jumble Plains, which in its heyday was a successful sheep station in the Tullamore District in NSW. Tony's journey from the Australian bush to the pinnacle of international success is fascinating and inspiring. Perhaps the most significant aspect of Tony McLellan's story is his encounter with Jesus and the subsequent changes that took place in his life. These changes impacted countless lives through the Christian ministries that Tony founded. Join us this week as we take a look at the action-packed life of Tony McLellan and how he turned success into significance.

100% Pure New Zealand. Its unparalleled scenic beauty and amazing outdoor activities make it one of the most desirable places to live. In fact, Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand tops that world ranking. But Auckland has an ominous secret: it sits on over 50 volcanoes.

New Zealand still has ten active volcanoes scattered across its north island. You see, New Zealand sits on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, a 40,000km horseshoe-shaped belt of active volcanoes on the very rim of the Pacific Ocean. 75% of the world’s volcanos are in this ring of fire. All these Volcanos and thermal activity intrigue and fascinate us. Join Gary Kent on an incredible journey, as we look at some of the most devastating volcanic eruptions to hit New Zealand in recent times, the warning signs that were disregarded and the bravery and heroism of those who rushed to help, even at the risk of their own lives. 

On the 7th of October, the militant Palestinian group Hamas launched a deadly attack against Israel. Over 5,000 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza. Hundreds of Hamas terrorists invaded Israel by land, and air. At least 1,400 Israelis have been killed and more than 3,000 injured by Hamas terrorist attacks. In response, Israeli jet fighters have hit hundreds of targets in Gaza. Many thousands of Palestinians have been killed and wounded in Gaza since Israel launched retaliatory air strikes, with over a million residents displaced. Gaza is under siege. Electricity, water, fuel, and medicine have been cut off. Is there a way to stop this endless cycle of violence? Join Gary as we look for these answers.

The town of Broome is often referred to as the pearl of North-West Australia. It's an exotic pearling town with history and culture as rich and vibrant as its landscape. Broome is home to the Pinctada Maxima, the largest pearl oyster in the World. Pearls remind us of the pearl of great price in the Bible. Watch the program and see how the pearl of great price applies to men seeking the kingdom of heaven and to Christ seeking His lost inheritance - you and me.

Ancient records tell us that salt was a valuable trading item and merchants developed salt routes to transport it to sell to other countries. Salt even came to be used as a currency known as white gold and its history has been interwoven into countless civilizations for thousands of years. But what does the Bible have to say about salt? Well, if you would like to leave a legacy, make a difference in your world and be a blessing to others, then find out what it means to be the ‘salt of the earth.’

Kokoda, the defining battle for Australia during World War 2, is a testament to the courage and resilience of our soldiers. But there's an untold story of heroes who played a pivotal role during the gruelling Kokoda campaign: Thousands of Papua New Guineans from villages along the Kokoda Track stepped up as carriers and porters. They walked for miles, carrying heavy loads, while their bravery knew no bounds. These selfless men not only delivered vital supplies to the front lines but also undertook the daunting task of rescuing the sick and wounded, often guiding them through the treacherous mud. Join us as we pay tribute to these unsung heroes whose contributions during the Kokoda campaign are a shining example of human spirit, sacrifice, and unity.

Eating is one of the great pleasures in life. In fact, the average person spends a staggering 32,000 hours on eating in their lifetime. That’s nearly four years of non-stop eating. Amazingly, our gut makes up about 70% of our immune system and contains 1.5 to 2kg of bacteria – more than the weight of our brain. So, our gut is a big deal. Join Gary Kent as he meets with Dr. Delia McCabe, a nutritional neuroscientist whose research specialises in how the food we eat affects the way our brain functions. And in particular, we are going to look at how the food we place in our gut affects our brains.

German artist Albrecht Dürer's pen and ink drawing, 'Praying Hands', is one of the best-known works of art in the world. The story is told of how Albrecht studied art, returned to his village and saw his brother's gnarled, work-ruined hands, who had supported him by working in the mines. His brother, an aspiring artist, could no longer hold a paintbrush. Albrecht was so moved that he painted his brother's hands, the "Praying Hands", in thanks for his self-sacrifice. In this program, we follow in the footsteps of Albrecht Dürer into the world of the Renaissance and reflect on his masterpiece and the importance of prayer.

When the Nazis rose to power in 1933, they began a systematic campaign to exclude, expel and separate the Jewish community from various aspects of society. In 1941, the Nazis began to murder Jews indiscriminately. In the summer of 1942, the Ten Boom family began a covert underground operation in a little watch shop in Haarlem, Holland. They began to offer shelter to countless Jews, developing a vast network of contacts to relocate Jewish refugees to safe houses across the Dutch Countryside. Join Gary Kent as he looks at their remarkable story of compassion, forgiveness and sacrifice.