New Vine Lakes partners with Hopeworks (formerly know as Depression and Hope), a ministry offering support, encouragement, and healing to those navigating mental health challenges. Explore their website to learn more about their life-changing work.
Hopeworks, led by Linda Rowland, is a home-grown organisation with a vision to inspire and resource churches across Australia to support people in their communities who are struggling with depression, anxiety, grief or isolation. Since its beginnings in 2017, God has faithfully led the ministry through several seasons — from a single support group, to a network of connected groups, and now toward becoming a resource provider that equips churches to run their own support groups.
Over the past year Linda has continued serving through Hopeworks, mainly by supporting the Belmont group and investing in relationships with people who attend. Much of the ministry is simply walking alongside people, listening, encouraging, and helping them feel supported and valued.
One of the bigger challenges this year has been the work of writing and developing the new program resources. Sitting down to draft sessions, handouts and other materials has taken some discipline! Still, it’s been worthwhile knowing these resources will help other churches support people in their communities.
While there haven’t been any major new faith commitments in the current group, it has been encouraging to see people who feel quite lost or self-critical begin to recognise that they are valued and loved. Much of the ministry happens through small steps — building trust, offering support, and helping people feel less alone.
Hopeworks’ main focus at the moment is finalising a new set of resources that will enable churches to confidently run their own depression support groups. A small team is working together to prepare the updated program for release. This includes an information booklet for interested churches, a facilitator manual, session guides for 22 meetings, participant handouts, video clips and presentation materials.
Linda has been leading the content development, along with staff and volunteers from New Vine Lakes assisting with two optional sessions aimed at clearly presenting the gospel, and visual design. Linda is also piloting the updated program with the Belmont group, which has been encouraging, with good connections forming and some new members joining.
Over the coming months Hopeworks hoping to finalise the program and begin sharing it with other churches.
Hopeworks aims to reflect God’s love and care to people who may be struggling with depression or feeling isolated. The program gently weaves faith-based perspectives through topics related to wellbeing and recovery, while encouraging supportive relationships and connection with others.
Often the impact comes through simple but meaningful moments — listening to someone’s story, encouraging them when they feel discouraged, or helping them begin to see that they are loved and valued. Even when there aren’t dramatic changes, it’s encouraging to see people gradually experience greater hope and connection.
Your support of $2,000 will support for the Hopeworks Belmont group including advertising, morning tea and venue hire.