What does it look like to have the courage to become who God has called you to be?
Recorded at Hillsong Men's Conference, Gabe Kelly sits down with Phil Dooley, Charles Nieman and Ross Abraham for an honest conversation about what it means to keep becoming the men God has called them to be.
Together, they unpack what it looks like to move forward when you don't have all the answers, why courage doesn't require certainty, and how God uses the journey to shape who we're becoming.
They talk honestly about faithfulness, service, receiving the Father's love, breaking free from performance-based identity, and why meaningful brotherhood doesn't simply happen — it has to be forged.
Whether you're figuring out your place in your twenties, carrying new responsibility, walking through a difficult season, or simply asking what it means to become more like Jesus, this conversation is an encouragement to keep your heart soft, keep showing up and trust God with the process.
🔑 In this conversation:
- Courage without certainty — learning to step forward even when you don't know exactly what's ahead.
- The process of becoming — recognising that God is interested not only in where we're going, but in who we're becoming along the way.
- Contribution and service — finding a need, filling it and bringing the best of who you are wherever God has placed you.
- Faithfulness over talent — choosing to be good, faithful and a servant rather than measuring your life by ability or success.
- Embracing the fight — learning how to move forward through disappointment, failure, grief and the inevitable difficulties of life.
- Loved before you perform — discovering the freedom of knowing that our identity isn't dependent on what we achieve or how useful we are.
- Seeing God as Father — recognising how our experiences with our earthly fathers can shape the way we understand the love of our Heavenly Father.
- The power of brotherhood — why meaningful friendships require initiative, vulnerability and a willingness to take a risk.
- Keeping your heart soft — continuing to show up, even when life doesn't look the way you expected.
📖 Scriptures mentioned:
- Matthew 7:24–27
- Matthew 25:14–30
- Psalm 136
💬 Quotes from the conversation:
“I don't think courage needs certainty.”
“We are loved before we perform, we are loved before we're useful.”
“You've got to forge friendships. You've got to lean in. You've got to risk.”
🙏 Take the next step:
Find a Hillsong Australia location:
hillsong.com/australia
Find out more about Hillsong Men's Conference:
hillsong.com/australia/mens-conference/
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Bringing Sunday into your everyday. 🤍
What is Hillsong Australia Podcast?
The Hillsong Australia Podcast - Bringing Sunday into your everyday.
Each week, we dive deeper into the messages shared in our Hillsong Australia services, continuing the conversation through honest discussion and biblical insight. Together, we explore what it looks like to follow Jesus in our homes, workplaces, relationships, and leadership.
Our church gathers in locations across Australia, and we would love for you to join us. Visit hillsong.com/australia to find a campus near you.
We are believing for a move of God across our great nation — and this podcast is one way we stay connected as we follow Jesus together.