Articles Witten by KCC Staff

Content note: This story includes themes of grief and the sudden loss of a parent.

Raised in a Christian home, Crystal came to know and follow Jesus from a young age, but her journey has not been without doubt, grief, and moments that tested what she believed. Spark was not only a place to build new connections, but also a moment to be reminded of the call to pursue holiness, carry God’s name with intention, and share her faith with boldness.

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your faith journey.

Hi, my name is Crystal Azocar, I go to NewLife Anglican Church in Oran Park and I’m 20 years old. 

How did I come to know Jesus? Well, by the grace of God I was brought up by two loving born-again Christian parents, who taught me and raised me to know and love Jesus. When I was 7, I decided to take my faith seriously and my mum walked me through ‘two ways to live’ by Philip Jensen. I decided that life sounded a whole lot better with God by my side and became a committed follower of Jesus that day.

I decided that life sounded a whole lot better with God by my side and became a committed follower of Jesus that day.

Teen years were tricky dealing with friends and family who suffered with mental health ups and downs as well as facing doubts of my own with my faith. I faced one of the hardest moments of my life when I was 16 and found my dad deceased. I walked outside to meet the ambulance and, in a moment I can’t fully explain, I went from crying and raging at God telling him that if this was real, that I would hate Him forever, to praising God for how good He is and thanking him for the ability to have had so many amazing, memorable years with my dad. Turns out, it was a heart attack that took him but I ultimately learnt that when our clock runs out it’s time to go.

I got baptised in Year 12 and once I graduated high school I went to Year 13 Youthworks for my gap year where I learnt so much about God, His love and the expectations He has for the way we live our lives. Our mission trip to Fiji taught me so much and helped heal some aspects of my relationship with God and reaffirmed to me that life truly is a whole lot better sticking by God’s side. 

2. What made you want to attend Spark?

I was so excited to attended Spark because I had gone to my first KYCK in Year 12 and was sad that there was nothing like it for my young adult years. When I found out that KCC was going to launch a Young Adult version called Spark, I literally squealed and jumped for joy!

I was also very excited to hear that Jackie Hill Perry was coming to teach because I love how approachable her style is for new, not-yet and also mature believers. I was also just keen to meet new brothers and sisters in Christ and meditate on the theme of holiness especially since I felt that word kept popping up for me last year. I brought along with me my sister Megan and our friend Aaron from church. 

3. Describe your Spark experience! What was a highlight for you?

My Spark experience was awesome! My sister and I had always wanted to sit in the front so we arrived early every session and managed to get front row the whole conference (an absolute dream come true).

We enjoyed the morning tea breaks chatting with new and old friends while looking at the different stalls set up and planning hangouts with other new attendees for the breaks. The band was so great leading us in worship in such a humble way that made it about God and not themselves. My sister had been to OneBodyWorship nights before but Spark was the first time I had experienced them.

A highlight for me was hearing Jackie Hill Perry’s testimony and the way she spoke about how all our testimonies start with the garden.

4. One main takeaway from the weekend?

One main takeaway: Don’t let sin become normal and godliness be strange. Sin makes us believe that our ‘wisdom’ should lead our lives instead of God.  

5. How have you been living differently after Spark?

Two things I could say is: Carrying my ‘family name’ with respect and acting like them (there was a theme about God’s family name – the name we carry as God’s children and that we should respect it and act accordingly). I believe that I’ve been trying to do this more.The other is being more proactive with evangelising with the people around me, the friends and family I have in my life (they spoke about our mission field being the people and places around us in our immediate life). Two friends I’ve been chatting and praying for since then have come to our church now! So thank you God.

Get your ticket now.

We live in a world that tells us to create our own meaning. But so often, chasing success, relationships, experiences, or approval leaves us feeling exhausted, confused, and still wanting more.

At Spark 2026, we’ll explore why our culture’s promises fall short and how the good news of Jesus redefines what a truly meaningful life looks like.

Together, we’ll consider how life can be deeply purposeful and secure, both now and forever, in Christ. Register here.

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For many young adults, life is full of big questions about purpose, faith, and what it looks like to follow Jesus in the midst of work, relationships, and responsibility. At SPARK 2025, 1,400+ gathered in the Blue Mountains to open God’s Word together and be reminded of the hope found in the gospel. For Grace, attending with a close friend felt both nostalgic and deeply encouraging. In this interview, she shares how the weekend challenged her to pursue holiness and boldness in sharing Jesus.

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your faith journey.

Hi, my name is Grace, and my current home church is St Paul’s Anglican in Carlingford.

I grew up in a Christian, attending church with my family since I was two years old, when we were first introduced to the faith. Throughout my life, I’ve always known that God is real, but it was through living with a chronic health condition that I really learnt to trust Him.

As I entered adulthood – navigating university, full-time work, and all the responsibilities that come with growing up – my relationship with God deepened. I realised how easy it is to want control over everything: studies, career, relationships, housing. But through various trials and challenges, God has taught me what it means to truly depend on Him rather than myself.

I realised how easy it is to want control over everything: studies, career, relationships, housing. But through various trials and challenges, God has taught me what it means to truly depend on Him rather than myself.

2. What made you want to attend Spark?

Is it bad if I say… Preston Perry? 😄 I’ve been such a big fan of the Perrys’ because of how passionately they love Jesus. Their books and podcast have been a huge encouragement in my faith, helping me see that Jesus truly is to be my everything. It was honestly a tough choice between OneLove and Spark this year, but knowing both Preston and Jackie Perry were speaking made Spark the clear winner!

I came with my best friend, Cathy. We grew up in the same church and used to attend KYCK together as youth. The last time we were here was pre-COVID for NextGen, so it felt really special to be back at a KCC weekend conference after so long.

3. Describe your Spark experience! What was a highlight for you?

It was so nostalgic being back in the mountains and in the hall — surrounded by God’s people, worshipping together with one voice under God’s Word. There’s just something so beautiful about that unity.

There were honestly too many highlights to choose from! A fun one was definitely the Dinner Under the Stars — it was so well organised, the food was delicious, and it was such a lovely way to meet new people.

But my favourite moment was the Fireside Chat with the Perrys. I really appreciated the open Q&A where young adults could ask big, vulnerable questions about life and faith. MC Adrian did such an incredible job hosting — he handled tough questions with kindness and sensitivity. And the Perrys’ responses were full of wisdom, truth, and grace, always pointing us back to the gospel.

I really appreciated the open Q&A where young adults could ask big, vulnerable questions about life and faith.

4. One main takeaway from the weekend?

There were so many takeaways from the weekend — it’s hard to pick just one!

Mitch and Morgan’s talks really helped realign my heart and thinking around holiness. I especially appreciated Morgan’s reminder that our position and identity before God are secure because of Jesus — that verdict never changes. Living in an imperfect world as imperfect sinners, it’s easy to doubt our salvation or question our righteousness before God. Holiness can often feel distant or even unattainable. But the gospel is beautiful because Jesus has already achieved the impossible for us. We belong to Him, and it’s our identity as His children that compels us toward holiness — not an effort to earn God’s favour, but an act of obedience flowing from relationship with our Father.

It was such a helpful reminder that true holiness begins with a heart posture before it shows in our hands and actions.

Holiness can often feel distant or even unattainable. But the gospel is beautiful because Jesus has already achieved the impossible for us. We belong to Him, and it’s our identity as His children that compels us toward holiness…

5. How have you been living differently after Spark?

After Spark, I’ve been convicted to be more intentional about evangelism. I’m learning to see boldness not as something I lack in personality, but as my “yes” to Jesus — trusting the Holy Spirit to work through me, even when I don’t feel brave or have the right words. I’m also learning to be okay with persecution or criticism because of my faith, remembering that if the world hated Jesus, as His disciples we shouldn’t expect any less.

I’m learning to see boldness not as something I lack in personality, but as my “yes” to Jesus — trusting the Holy Spirit to work through me, even when I don’t feel brave or have the right words.

I’ve also been reflecting on purpose. As young adults, it’s so easy to question what we’re meant to do with our lives, especially once we settle into full-time work. But I’m reminded that every Christian shares the same calling — to make disciples of all nations — even though our assignments may look different. My prayer is that God would reveal where my current assignment is and how I can serve Him faithfully in this season.

Because as Jackie said so beautifully: “God is simply better if He’s asking us to give up everything else.”

I’m reminded that every Christian shares the same calling — to make disciples of all nations…

Register today!

We live in a world that tells us to create our own meaning. But so often, chasing success, relationships, experiences, or approval leaves us feeling exhausted, confused, and still wanting more.

At Spark 2026, we’ll explore why our culture’s promises fall short and how the good news of Jesus redefines what a truly meaningful life looks like.

Together, we’ll consider how life can be deeply purposeful and secure, both now and forever, in Christ. Register here.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss the latest updates!