Associate Spotlight
Eric and Jean Skattebo have been serving in radio ministry in Australia since 2003. Eric is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Jean is from Castries, St. Lucia in the West Indies.
They are currently serving with Focus on the Family Australia in Melbourne. Eric co-hosts and produces the weekly radio program, “Focus on the Family Australia” and Jean assists with receptionist duties and nationwide program distribution.
Click here to listen: http://radio.families.org.au/
Program topics range from Christian parenting and marriage advice to inspiring testimonies. As one radio station manager put it, Focus Australia provides “Help and Hope.”
Jean regularly receives calls from listeners who share how the topics on the programs have touched their lives. She often offers encouragement and prays with them. One regular listener told Eric,
“Your wife is precious! God is using her in a powerful way! I explained to her [about my daughter’s separation] and our hearts melded together…..and we could do nothing but pray. And so I know that God is using both Jean and yourself in powerful ways to bring families together. It was as a result of that conversation that my passion for families – God’s way – was reignited!”
Also, in June of last year, Jean received a phone call from a listener who admitted she had a drug addiction (“I should be looking for God….but I don’t know how.”) Jean prayed with her and arranged for further follow up by Focus on the Family Australia’s staff chaplain who led her to the Lord.
Eric in the studio with the CEO of Focus on the Family Australia, Brett Ryan.
A recent guest on the program shared her journey with breast cancer. After hearing the final edited program, she responded, “I have just been in tears listening to it. What a gift that was to me. I love it Eric, thank you again for so sensitively editing it.” – Amanda
Click here to listen: http://radio.families.org.au/20481220
This is a reminder to Eric and Jean that they are not only ministering to listeners but also to the guests who courageously share their stories.
In a country where less than 10% of the population regularly attends church and marriages and families are facing challenges like never before, a Christian radio program offering hope and biblical guidance is able to reach people where they are at – in their homes and cars. Jean and Eric have a heart for helping people grow in healthy family relationships and, most importantly, in a relationship with the Lord.
“God heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
To Learn More about Eric and Jean’s Ministry with Focus on the Family Australia