More than charity...bringing hope, breaking despair - John Thomas, Living Hope

What does it take to build something that truly transforms lives - across health, family, addiction recovery, agriculture, and more? In this powerful episode of Born to Build, we sit down with the founder of Living Hope John Thomas to explore the spark behind a bold vision, the challenges of scaling a multi-faceted organisation, and the leadership values that have anchored it for decades. From stories of ground-level grit to long-term legacy planning, this conversation is a masterclass in building not just systems - but faith and hope.(00:00) Intro and welcome(00:50) A spark of purpose: the origins of Living Hope(03:50) From one mission to many: growing the scope(05:42) Lessons from the early days(07:42) A hospice turns into a healthcare centre(09:00) Building systems that don't break(12:30) Listening to the needs of the community(13:35) An inspiring story of how they bought land and a building in faith(18:30) Leadership anchors that held through change(22:00) Developing leaders from within(26:45) "This is working": signs of real impact(32:30) How has Living Hope impacted communities it serves?(35:58) Facing opposition and staying the course(39:03) The legacy play: succession done right(45:36) Looking ahead: Living Hope in 2045(51:35) Be sure of your visionSee more here: https://www.livinghope.co.zaAbout Born to Build:Born to Build is a podcast featuring conversations with the builders, founders, and pioneers driving change from the ground up. Each episode highlights the real stories of SME owners - how they started, what they’ve overcome, and what keeps them building their business. It’s honest, practical business insight from those shaping their industries one bold move at a time.