President takes to the airwaves
Rev Charissa Suli recently featured on ABC radio, where she shared of her journey to Uniting Church President, and offered insight on women of faith and lasting hope for a broken world
June 18, 2025
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UCA President Rev Charissa Suli recently featured on ABC Radio National’s God Forbid program, hosted by James Carleton.
In this compelling interview, she shared her personal journey from a teenage mum once shunned by society and her church to becoming the first woman of colour to lead the Uniting Church in Australia.
With honesty and humility, Rev Suli reflected on facing cultural and theological barriers, navigating faith and motherhood, and leading a Church that embraced inclusivity, justice and spiritual authenticity.
Throughout the interview, she called for a Christian faith that welcomed people as they were – particularly young people who were seeking meaning and belonging in a world of brokenness.
Rev Suli stressed that spiritual depth and social relevance had to go hand in hand, and challenged churches to create space for honest conversations, adapt to changing contexts and uplift migrant communities shaping the Church’s future. Her leadership was rooted not in exclusion or easy answers, but in listening, grace and hope.
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