Words from the streets of Kings Cross and Bondi Beach

About Jon Owen
I am the Pastor and CEO of Wayside Chapel. I write with my heart wide open and my eyes looking at life. I am a philosopher, a dreamer, a tower of weakness, a leader and a follower, a husband and a father and I hope to give you a flavour of life by the wayside.

Living the Response
Dear Inner Circle, Years ago when working in a local high school a mate assisted in setting up a program for aspiring young leaders. We mentored

The Gift of Foolishness
Dear Inner Circle, Sometimes it is hard not to be overawed and overwhelmed with the legacy of the people who have been a part of

Some Bread Crumbs
Dear Inner Circle, Viktor Frankl reminds us that “we detect rather than invent our mission in life.” Yet time goes so fast that it seems

A Mother’s Touch
Dear Inner Circle, There are a few moments on the calendar when a little over-indulging is good for the soul. Here’s hoping that you got

Nothing Teaches Everything
Dear Inner Circle, On the odd occasion I find myself standing in Wayside Chapel after closing time with everyone gone for the night. I like

Disrupting History
Dear Inner Circle, Wayside Chapel’s legacy comes from the “gutter up” rather than the “university down”. From the moment our doors opened we were overwhelmed

Lost with You
Dear Inner Circle, Should we be surprised to discover that we are a society struggling with loneliness?” asks Hugh Mackay in his book ‘The Kindness

Better
Dear Inner Circle, There is once again an air of unpredictability moving through our buildings and we love it! Life is blossoming all around with

Having the Eyes to See
Dear Inner Circle, Sitting in the Heart Cafe, our social enterprise in Bondi Beach, is a rich experience. It is so cool watching the staff operating

A Good Day
Dear Inner Circle, A bright young spark full of passion and persistence has been messaging me, keen to come in and check out what we