EVERYDAY SALVO: Alison runs for joy and Jesus
EVERYDAY SALVO: Alison runs for joy and Jesus
30 October 2022
Alison Hawley, an Everyday Salvo from the Salvos 2508 expression in Helensburgh (NSW), is passionate about cultivating community in every aspect of her life. Photo: Lauren Martin.
Should you ever be around the suburb of Helensburgh, just south of Sydney, keep your eye out for Everyday Salvo Alison Hawley. An avid runner, you may have to hurry to catch up with the personal trainer, but you can guarantee she will stop for a chat. Because when it comes to building community, Alison knows just how life-changing it can be.
“I was baptised in the Catholic Church, went to Catholic School from kinder to Year 12 and would attend church every Sunday with my family until my late teens. I drifted in and out of church but have always had faith in God,” she shares.
“I first encountered The Salvation Army when we moved to Helensburgh six years ago. I ran into a beautiful new friend and work colleague whilst shopping in the Salvos Store at Helensburgh and she told me of the local Salvos church group she was a part of. It sounded amazing so I joined!”
Today, Alison is a member of the 2508 Salvos mission expression, and she has found plenty of ways to integrate her love of fitness and walking (or running) with God. She juggles multiple ventures, including being on staff at her local gym, and teaching aqua aerobics, and she runs her Fluro Fun N Fitness outdoor training business, which brings people together to train in the beautiful surroundings of Helensburgh – while wearing fluro, of course. And by collaborating with 2508 Salvos, she has formed a unique group specifically for their mission expression – the Walk N Talk Group.
“We walk for 45 minutes at a cruisy pace and chat the whole way. Perfect!” laughs Alison.
If you couldn’t tell, movement and community connection go hand in hand for Alison. When she first attended the organic faith expression of 2508 Salvos, she immediately resonated with the mission of the group. And after getting to know the mission leader, Lauren Martin, she knew her passion for outworking God’s love in the community would grow through it.
“I love 2508 Salvos for so many reasons. Our beautiful mission leader Lauren is the first reason. She is incredible. Her leadership. Her ability to draw people together. Her ability to share God’s word. Her energy. Her love. Her community engagement,” reflects Alison. “I love the connection I have with all the Salvos 2508 crew. They are the most uplifting, supportive group I have ever been a part of. I love the community engagement of Salvos and I just love to wear the Salvos logo – and talk. I really love to talk!”
Alison collecting for The Salvation Army at Red Shield Appeal time.
Today, Alison lives with a palpable sense of joy. As a wife and mother to one, she relishes family time, boogie-boarding, games of netball and coffee with friends. But she has fought hard to excavate that God-given hope.
“Going through divorce [some years ago] as a Catholic was very, very challenging,” she says. “In spite of the harsh judgement I encountered, I always truly believed that God loved me and forgave me. I never doubted that. I am now married to the most amazing husband and have a beautiful 10-year-old son. I thank God every day.”
Olympian Eric Liddell famously said, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run I feel his pleasure.” This is definitely true for Alison. In her 20s, she placed in Ultra running events and multiple 100km and 50km marathons. After receiving a Health Science and Psychology degree at university, her ambition was always to work in the fitness industry. She has done so for 22 years, and today Alison takes a slightly less ambitious approach to running, saying it’s purely for fun and to chat with her running buddies.
“I find running the local bush trails is the perfect time to connect with God. The beauty of the bush brings out a natural encounter. I often find myself thanking him for the beauty around me and for all those in my world,” she says. “I run to find peace, to find answers, to contemplate and to pray!”
Next time you are in Helensburgh, look for a woman running past wearing fluro and a Salvo shield. She will come with peals of laughter and an ear ready to hear what you have to say. Because Alison is all about building community and you always have a seat at her table.
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