New Vine Lakes partners with Healing Path to Wellness, a ministry guiding people toward wholeness through faith, counselling, and supportive programs. Discover more about their work on their website.
Healing Path to Wellness (HPTW), led by Craig and Michelle Sparrow, is a ministry dedicated to supporting those experiencing mental anguish, chronic pain, and special needs. They provide an integrated pathway of care—offering support, healing, and hope for each individual. Their impact continues to grow as they build strong, trusted relationships within the community.
A key part of their work is suicide prevention through the Lake Macquarie Safe Space. This ‘drop-in’ space offers a warm and welcoming, non-clinical environment for people experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis, providing an alternative to acute services such as hospital emergency departments.
The last twelve months have been personally difficult as the family have navigated more challenges associated with Shell’s health. After her third surgery in the last 18 months in January, Shell has needed to stop working for the short term to aid her recovery after post surgical complications. They are making adjustments associated with this decision to ensure Shell’s recovery is prioritised. This extra pressure at home has caused some extra stress on Craig and he similarly is making some adjustments to ensure longevity and a sustainable rhythm moving forwards.
The ministry at Healing Path to Wellness, including the Lake Mac Safe Space, has continued to see great breakthroughs. They are growing their reach supporting people in emotional and suicidal crisis, and those attending are finding our support compassionate, caring and effective in reducing suicidal ideation.
They launched a campaign at Christmas, advertising the Safe Space with a large banner at Charlestown Square, and had their largest response with over 20 guests attending the safe space in the month of December.
A new wellbeing support group launched, added a new counsellor, and continue to build their schedule with more referrals coming direct from NSW Mental Health services.
In the healing space, we continue to see encouraging stories of restoration and breakthrough across a range of physical, emotional, and mental health challenges. People have experienced healing from long-term injuries, chronic conditions, and sensory impairment, as well as significant breakthroughs in mental health struggles following prayer.
We are also supporting many individuals and families navigating terminal cancer journeys, with some experiencing remarkable improvements in health following prayer, alongside ongoing care and belief for full restoration.
One person had their hearing restored after prayer.
A man with a mental health condition of phobias received significant breakthrough after prayer reducing physiological responses to triggers.
One couple were preparing the husband for death prior to Christmas, but after prayer the man had a miraculous rebound, and is now playing 18 holes of golf. His cancer markers are improving but remains in need of total restoration.
Over the coming year the focus will be on strengthening and expanding the existing support pathways. As a result of the growing impact of the Lake Mac Safe Space, the ministry is also launching a new initiative called the Hunter Mobile Team.
This outreach will use a mobile van—generously supplied by a local business—to take trained team members with lived experience of suicide and mental health challenges into community gatherings, festivals, and events across the Maitland region. The goal is to extend compassionate, non-clinical support to areas where accessible mental health support options are currently limited.
Over the past year, we have sought to live out the theme “Arise and Shine” by creating spaces where people experiencing emotional distress, isolation, and crisis can encounter hope, compassion, and the love of Christ in tangible ways.
Through Healing Path to Wellness, we have continued to support individuals and families navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, and relational challenges. Our aim is to provide a safe and welcoming environment where people feel seen, heard, and valued. For many who come through our doors, faith has not been part of their story, yet through compassionate care, listening, and practical support they are able to experience the heart of Christ in action. Spiritual discussions are growing as guests experience God’s peace in our rooms. In these moments, shining the light of Christ is often less about words and more about creating a space where healing, dignity, and hope can begin to grow.
Alongside this, our work with Lake Mac Safe Space has allowed us to engage with people in some of their most vulnerable moments. The Safe Space provides a compassionate, non-clinical environment where individuals experiencing crisis or overwhelming emotional distress can come without judgement and receive immediate support. In a time where many people feel alone and unsure where to turn, this ministry has been a powerful expression of the Church arising to meet people where they are. By offering presence, empathy, and practical care, we help people move from despair toward stability and hope.
Both of these initiatives reflect the heart of “Arise and Shine”—bringing light into places where people often feel overwhelmed by darkness. Through listening, encouragement, and walking alongside those who are struggling, we seek to embody the compassion of Christ and demonstrate that there is hope, healing, and a future available to them.
Your support of $4,000 will help sustain and expand the ministry of Healing Path to Wellness and the Lake Mac Safe Space, supporting counselling services, outreach initiatives, and the continued development of compassionate support environments for those experiencing emotional crisis.