Hope Rising

Serving our Neighbour with the Hope that we have in Jesus.

New research reveals both challenges and extraordinary opportunities for the Church to share the hope of Christ

In a season when many Australians are struggling with uncertainty, new research from NCLS and Tearfund Australia, presented at a recent Webinar that I attended, reveals an extraordinary opportunity for Christians to shine as beacons of hope. While the 2025 Australian Community Survey shows concerning trends, it also unveils the transformative power of faith-based hope and points to clear pathways for the Church to serve our neighbours with the gift of hope.

Faith: The Ultimate Hope Multiplier

The most encouraging finding from the research is unmistakable: a fruit of faith is hope. Religious and spiritual Australians consistently show significantly higher levels of hope than those without faith. Prayer, worship, and Christian community don’t just provide comfort – they act as powerful “hope boosters” that equip believers to face uncertainty with confidence.

“Hope is not naive optimism,” explained Emma Wyndham-Chalmers from Tearfund Australia. “It’s courageous action, together, grounded in faith.”

This aligns with Scripture’s teaching that our hope is not wishful thinking, but confidence rooted in God’s promises.

Hebrews 10:23 encourages us to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

What is that hope?

1 Peter 1:3-4 – “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”

A Gift We Can Give

While only 19% of Australians feel hopeful about the world’s future (down from 24% in 2024), this might present the Church with its greatest evangelistic opportunity in years.

When the world grows dark, the light of Christ shines brightest. The research reveals that Australians are hungry for what God has given us – authentic, action-oriented hope.

There’s also something called the proximity effect – where hope increases closer to home (44% hopeful about personal futures, 32% about local communities) – which shows exactly where churches are uniquely positioned to make an impact.

Through local ministry, community service, and authentic relationships, your congregation can demonstrate the reality of Christian hope.

Living Proof: Hope in Action

Rev Adam from St Hilary’s Anglican Church in Melbourne exemplifies this hope in action. When fire destroyed part of their building, neighbours – including non-churchgoers – rallied to help, recognising the church’s positive community presence. Their community shed project and local outreach ministry, “St Hilary’s Hope,” create tangible expressions of hope that draw people in.

“Our global partnerships allow us to feel connected to big challenges that might otherwise feel overwhelming,” Adam shared. “Knowing we’re contributing—even in small ways—makes us more hopeful than simply watching the news.”

The Collective Hope Advantage

Perhaps the most encouraging finding is that 7 in 10 Australians believe that together, people can make the world a better place. This reveals a deep hunger for a gift that God can give through his church: transformative community acts of service rooted in divine purpose, inspired by hope.

Survey data is telling us that while individuals may doubt their personal impact, they maintain strong belief in collective power. The Church, with its 2,000-year history of community transformation, is perfectly positioned to channel this collective hope through the power of the Gospel.

Practical Hope Practices

The research identified key hope-building practices that align beautifully with Christian discipleship:

• Spiritual disciplines: prayer, worship, gratitude (already central to Christian life)
• Community connection: fellowship and mutual support (the heart of church community)
• Purposeful service: meaningful work and volunteering (our calling to serve)
• Healthy relationships: the fruit of Christian love in action

These aren’t merely self-help strategies – they’re biblical practices that naturally build hope while drawing others toward Christ.

Our Hope-Filled Calling

The research confirms what Scripture has always taught: hope flourishes in community, grows through service, and is sustained by faith in God’s promises. As Dr Ruth Powell concluded, quoting N.T. Wright: “What you do in the present – preaching, teaching, caring for the needy, loving your neighbour – will last into God’s future.”

While the world struggles with anxiety about war, economic uncertainty, and climate change, Christians possess the answer: hope anchored in the eternal God who works all things for good. Our calling is not to retreat from these challenges but to engage them with confidence, knowing that our labour in the Lord is not in vain.

The research shows that Australians are ready to hear about hope. They believe in collective action. They hunger for community. They long for purpose. The Church has all of these – and the good news that transforms everything.

This is our moment to demonstrate that Christian hope is not merely optimism about outcomes, but confidence in God’s character and commitment to His people. When we practice hope together through worship, service, and community, we become living invitations to the hope that never disappoints.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13

For more information about the Global Hope Project and resources for your church, visit Tearfund Australia’s website: https://www.tearfund.org.au/

Tearfund Australia has developed resources specifically for churches:

• Global Hope Report: comprehensive research analysis
• Practising Hope: essays and reflections for personal and group study
• Hope Conversation Guide: tools for starting hope conversations in your community