The Incredible Journey

Banjo Paterson is one of Australia’s most beloved and celebrated poets. His whimsical ballads, which capture the spirit and allure of life in the Australian bush, have thrilled generations of readers and brought to life the unique charms of the rugged outback. Among his best-known works are The Man from Snowy River, Clancy of the Overflow, and Waltzing Matilda, the latter often regarded as Australia’s unofficial national anthem.

In this program, we take a closer look at the life and times of Banjo Paterson, the fascinating history behind some of his most loved verses, and the enduring themes woven through his poetry that continue to offer timeless life principles.

The story of Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier and hero of the Alamo, has captured the hearts and imaginations of people around the world. Born on August 17, 1786, in a small cabin beside the Nolichucky River near Limestone, Tennessee, David “Davy” Crockett became a legendary hunter, pioneer, soldier, explorer, politician, and martyr. Known as the King of the Wild Frontier, he was already a celebrated American hero in his own lifetime. At the Alamo in San Antonio, 200 brave Texans, including Crockett, made a heroic last stand against General Santa Anna’s massive Mexican army. Though every defender was slain, their sacrifice inspired the creation of the Republic of Texas and cemented Davy Crockett’s place as an enduring symbol of courage and freedom. His incredible life story continues to inspire people to face any challenge and overcome obstacles.

Wales is a fascinating country with a long history, language and culture, and in the rugged beauty of the Welsh countryside, amidst rolling hills and verdant valleys, a child was born who would unwittingly change the course of Christian history. In 1800, Mary Jones walked 42 kms (26 miles) from her home in Llanfihangel-y-Pennant across the Welsh hills to Bala to buy a Bible in her own language. This action would unwittingly change the course of Christian History.

Every year, more than five million tourists visit Israel, many of them Christians retracing the footsteps of Jesus. With over two billion followers worldwide, Jesus Christ is regarded as one of the most influential figures in history. Yet one question continues to be asked: did Jesus really exist as a historical person?

In this program, we'll investigate the historical evidence for His existence, asking whether the millions of pilgrims who journey to Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, and Jerusalem's Via Dolorosa are following the path of a man who truly lived in this land 2,000 years ago.

Beyond the pages of the New Testament, some of the earliest references to Jesus appear in the writings of Jewish and Roman historians. Their accounts have been preserved in ancient manuscripts discovered, studied, and authenticated by archaeologists and historians, providing an important independent witness to the events of the first century.

By examining these remarkable historical sources, including who wrote them, when they were written, how their manuscripts survived, and what they reveal about Jesus, we ask whether these non-biblical records corroborate what the Bible tells us about His existence. Drawing on the documentary evidence left by ancient historians, we explore whether history itself confirms the man at the centre of the Christian faith.

In 1903, America had only 150 miles of paved roads, no gas stations, and no highway maps. Crossing the continent by car was deemed impossible until Dr Horatio Nelson Jackson accepted a casual $50 bet to prove the sceptics wrong. Alongside mechanic Sewall K. Crocker and a goggle-wearing pit bull named Bud, Jackson embarked on a gruelling, breakdown-riddled, 63-day journey that changed transportation history forever.

This program follows the extraordinary story of the Japanese Kamikaze pilots of World War II.

At 7:25 am on 25 October 1944, just five days after the Kamikaze Corps was formed, Lieutenant Yukio Seki took off from this very location on the first official Kamikaze attack mission. Three hours and twenty minutes later, at 10:45 am, his unit reached enemy targets in the Gulf of Leyte. Seki was the first to strike. He deliberately dive-bombed his plane into the American aircraft carrier USS St. Lo, triggering a massive explosion that blew the ship apart. The USS St. Lo sank just 20 minutes later. War historians regard Lieutenant Yukio Seki as the world’s first official human bomb.

The story of these young Japanese pilots, who willingly flew suicide missions by crashing their aircraft into enemy ships, gives us cause to stop, reflect, and take a close look at our own lives. It challenges us to ask: What do we love more than life itself? What is truly worth dying for?
And why is it important, even vital, to ask these questions? Because the things worth dying for reveal most powerfully the things worth living for. The things we are willing to die for are, properly understood, the very things we should live for, the things that give life meaning.

Al Capone, a name that still echoes through the annals of American crime history, was one of the most notorious gangsters of all time. Born in 1899 to Italian immigrant parents in Brooklyn, New York, Alphonse Gabriel Capone rose from humble beginnings to become the kingpin of organised crime in Chicago during the Prohibition era. 

Known for his charismatic personality and ruthless tactics, Capone built an empire based on bootlegging, prostitution, and gambling. He cultivated a Robin Hood-like image, opening soup kitchens during the Great Depression while simultaneously orchestrating brutal acts of violence and murder against rival gangs. This was Capone's Chicago—a city where every shadow held a secret, every handshake could be a deal with the devil, and at the centre of it all, pulling the strings, stood the undisputed king of America's criminal underworld.

His story continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of the misuse of power.

After the test on Mount Moriah, Abraham buries Sarah and secures the first piece of the Promised Land. His servant finds Rebekah for Isaac, and through Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob, God’s covenant continues. Abraham’s story becomes a lasting legacy of faith pointing toward the promised Messiah. How does one life of faith continue to shape generations yet to come?

After waiting decades, Isaac is born, but joy turns to testing as Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away and is then asked to offer Isaac. He obeys and journeys to Mount Moriah, where his faith reaches its peak in one of the Bible’s most powerful moments, pointing forward to God’s sacrifice. What does ultimate faith look like when God asks for what you love most?

Sarai gives Hagar to Abram, leading to Ishmael’s birth and conflict that drives Hagar into the wilderness, where God promises her a future. God renames Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah, promising Isaac despite their age. Abraham intercedes for Sodom before its destruction, while Lot escapes. How do human decisions and divine promises collide in moments of doubt and impatience?