Love In Action » Creating hope and change through stories

Love in Action – Stories of hope

Love in Action started as one story. The story of how one ordinary neighbourhood in the corner of the world – Manly, in Sydney, Australia – formed a relationship with the people of Manado, Indonesia, to take action against poverty. From its small beginnings with only a handful of residents, this grassroots movement has captured the imagination of Manly’s wider community. It grew to include the support of local council, local businesses, schools, churches, and over 13,000 residents.
Now, in 2011, the story journey continues for Stu and Jim as they embark upon their next story, HEAL Africa.

Stu Harris

Stu Harris is a commercial photographer and documentary media producer based in Tasmania, Australia.

A passionate communicator and public speaker, Stu has over 15 years of experience in the creative markets including work within the film, television and photographic industries - with particular expertise in the digital environment. His work spans from commercial photography of food, lifestyle, people, and places through to documentary-storytelling photography for not-for-profit organisations. Stu also has a passion for seeing change in the local community. And, together with his wife Jeanette, has run the Alpha Course (a Christian evangelism program) for several years - both in Sydney and Hobart.

During 2006 on a short-term mission trip to Indonesia, Stu saw an opportunity to use his creative skills to tell the unique story of a community 'anti-poverty' partnership between the people of Manly, Australia and people of Manado, Indonesia. Once back in Australia, Stu brought together a team of friends to help tell the story - the result was a photographic-documentary book that explored the communities' mutual transformation through partnership.

Stu has since developed Love in Action - a creative vehicle to communicate hope and change through stories.

Stu lives near Hobart with his wife Jeanette and son Samuel.

Jim Collins

Jim Collins is a pastor, speaker and freelance writer. He is also co-founder of Love in Action,

With a background in corporate and financial advisory work, in 2003 Jim decided to re-train as a Christian communicator. A lively and engaging speaker, he has since worked as a pastor/preacher in several local churches, as well as pursuing his passion for writing. Specialising in not-for-profit communications, to date Jim's writing has been used in a range of publications - from press releases to annual reports, education papers to DVD scripts - including the photo-story book Love in Action - Taking Action Against Poverty. Above all, Jim loves to craft words that help inform, influence and inspire people to make positive change.

Jim lives in Hobart with wife Cathy and their kids Sarah and Benjamin.

“Creating hope and change through stories”

Love in Action is the intersection of where love and action meet. Love in Action is an ongoing conversation. A commentary responding to the motivations of people that stretch out a loving hand to help a neighbour. In a world where mainstream news reveals the hopelessness in the world, Love in Action, exposes a glimmer of hope.

It started in 2009. In response to the community movement, Manly-Manado. Stu Harris and Jim Collins, founders of Love in Action, documented the story of community partnership and action against poverty. More recently, in 2011 the team were engaged by CNEC Partners International to capture the story about the partnership between Australians and HEAL Africa, a hospital based in DR Congo.

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Love In Action » Creating hope and change through stories

Love in Action – Stories of hope

Stu Harris

Jim Collins

“Creating hope and change through stories”