Articles Categorized: Blog

NextGen Online now offers an easy, accessible training resource through a member’s only portal.  

​For over 30 years, NextGen leaders training conference has played an integral role in developing leaders in youth and children’s ministry. As of this year, the world-class training model has been relaunched as NextGen Online, with all NextGen’s strand booklets and video workshops now available through a brand-new membership portal. 

NextGen Online will give you complete access to all four of our core short training courses (previously named “strands”) and 11 practical video workshops for effective Christian ministry. 

The four NextGen courses are:  

Rising Leaders: Leadership Development for Youth (specifically Year 11-12 students) Strand 1: How to Interpret Bible Passages Strand 2: Seeing the Big Picture of the Bible Strand 3: Understanding Issues Biblically 
By training with NextGen Online, delegates will be equipped, encouraged and enabled to:  Have confidence in approaching the Bible Know what to look for when reading the Bible in groups or individually Explain passages biblically to anyone – your Sunday School class, youth group, home group, family or friends 
​ If renewing your love for God’s word is something you would like to embrace this year, start planning your ministry training with NextGen Online:  nextgen.kcc.org.au  

Stay up to date with NextGen Online

Here are 10 hand-picked resources to refresh and nourish church leaders ahead of Christmas. The list includes music, podcast episodes, blog posts, free downloads and a book recommendation! 

1. Known and Loved by CityAlight 
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A song to meditate on this Christmas! This comforting hymn by CityAlight will guide your soul to the truth that promises everlasting peace: 
 
I come to Jesus, lay down my weakness 
No need for hiding, here in His light 
This truth I treasure, my peace forever 
Is being known and loved by Him 
Is being known and loved by Him 
 
Listen on Spotify
Lyrics and chords 

2. ImBetween Podcast: Finding Hope in the Hard Seasons of Life 

In this episode of the ImBetween Podcast, Drake Farmer unpacks for us what hope is, where we should put our hope when we are going through a difficult season, and how to be full of love, fueled by faith, and addicted to hope. He says: “Our hope isn’t found in our circumstances or the release of painful situations. Our hope is the anchor. It is in the shepherd. Our hope is in Jesus.”  
 
Listen here ​

3. How to Ignite Your Spiritual Health – Interview with Paul Tripp 

​In this interview, Paul Tripp addresses the core reasons for the current ‘crisis’ among pastors while offering practical ways to move forward. He says: “The key to ministry fruitfulness is longevity because we all know, fruit doesn’t come overnight. The key to longevity is spiritual health. It’s only spiritually healthy pastors who are able to sustain the dark valleys and high mountains of being a pastor and the key to spiritual health is community…”  
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Watch the interview

4. Jesus Is His Name by Emu Music 

An uplifting hymn by Emu Music, inspired by the book of Isaiah. The lyrics remind us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, Hope of Nations, and the Light of the World who has shattered darkness to bring us hope, light and eternal life: 

The heavens declare, angels proclaim 
Shepherds cry out, the Christ has come to save 
He is our light, he is our hope 
He is our gift of life 
Jesus is his name, Jesus is his name 

Listen here  

5. The Strains of the Season – Risen Motherhood Devotional 
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This Advent devotional by Risen Motherhood, addresses the strain and questions that come with the holiday season. How much is too much to spend on Christmas presents? Does every Thanksgiving dish have to be made from scratch? What do we do about Santa Claus? Should we let our kids stay up late on New Year’s Eve? This devotional takes a closer look at what it means to pursue faithfulness in the midst of family frustrations, shopping, Santa, and sickness.  
 
Sign up here

6. Social Anxiety and the God who held Mary 

In this blog post, Lara d’Entremont shares her struggle with social anxiety, and how she has drawn comfort from Jesus and his love for his mother, Mary. She writes: “Jesus didn’t look at Mary with heartless stoicism. He didn’t tell her to get over it because he is sovereign. Instead, he beheld his mother in her inevitable suffering and still sought to comfort her in her grief. All the while, he bore the sins of his people upon his beaten back.”
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Click here to read the full article
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7. A Carol In The Minor Key  

In this blog post, Chris Thomas writes beautifully about Christmas carols and why we need to sing “in the minor key”. He writes: “Christmas as a child was simple and straight forward, but with the passing years came complexity, blurred lines, and tears that mix in a strange melody with laughter. We need songs that speak of glorious victory, yet carry a tune of heartbreak that ripples beneath the surface...It’s good and proper to sing songs in the minor key too.”  
 
Click here to read the full post
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8. Advent Calendar For Couples 

​A free resource by the SOLA Network to encourage couples to reconnect and to have Christ-centered conversations ahead of Christmas.

Click here to access it

9. Is It Possible to Find Faith Again?  
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In this talk from the 2021 Sage Christianity Conference, Zack Eswine addresses the topic of finding faith in age of doubt, losing faith and deconstruction.  
 
Watch the talk here 
 

10. Companions in the Darkness – Seven Saints Who Struggled with Depression and Doubt  

In Companions in the Darkness, Diana Gruver looks back into church history and finds depression in the lives of some of our most beloved saints, including Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, Mother Teresa, and Martin Luther King Jr. Without trying to diagnose these figures from a distance, Gruver tells their stories in fresh ways, taking from each a particular lesson that can encourage or guide those who suffer today. Drawing on her own experience with depression, Gruver offers a wealth of practical wisdom both for those in the darkness and those who care for them. 
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Purchase here

Oxygen Conference is officially returning for workers in Christian ministry. Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, Oxygen exists to refresh workers in their zeal for God and the work that He has called them to do.  

In 2023, Oxygen will return as a 4-day conference retreat in the beautiful Blue Mountains. A line-up of guest speakers including Paul Tripp and Zack Eswine will speak on the topic, “Reshaping Our Hearts for the Work We Do”.  
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Delegates will be served with a quiet, focused space to hear God speak and to rest and reflect in nature. God’s word will be opened each morning and evening, and delegates will be equipped through practical sessions aimed at nurturing and cultivating a “God-shaped” heart.   

Dates: 15-18 August 2023 

Place: StayKCC conference centre in Katoomba, New South Wales  

For more information on tickets, speakers, program, the group discount and married couples’ rate, please visit our website:  oxygenconference.com/register 

Know a pastor or leader in need of encouragement? Gift them a ticket to Oxygen with a KCC gift card!  

We are thrilled to announce that author, bible teacher and hip hop artist, Jackie Hill Perry, will visit Sydney next August for OneLove women’s conference. Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, OneLove is a one-day conference to inspire women of all ages in their relationship with Jesus.  

Jackie made her first appearance at OneLove 2021, to preach on the theme “Made for More: Created to be Holy”. Her talks had a powerful impact on delegates, as she opened the Scriptures to show women the true meaning of God’s holiness, why it is beautiful, and how it makes God a consistent and unfailing source of hope for humankind: 
 
“If God is holy, that means He cannot sin. If God cannot sin, that means He cannot sin against you. If God cannot sin against you, doesn’t that make Him the most trustworthy being that exists?”  – Jackie Hill Perry, OneLove 21 

Jackie Hill Perry is an author, poet, bible teacher and hip-hop artist. Since becoming a Christian, she has been compelled to use her speaking and teaching gifts to share the light of the gospel of God as authentically as she can.   

She is the author of various books including Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been; Holier Than Thou: How God’s Holiness Helps Us Trust Him and the Bible study, Jude: Contending for the Faith in Today’s Culture. At home she is a wife to Preston and mother to Eden, Autumn, Sage and August. 
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Get a taste of her teaching here: ​

1. Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was And Who God Has Always Been ​

​2. Help Me Teach the Bible: Jackie Hill Perry on the Gospel for Sinners (Interview with Nancy Guthrie)  
 
In this interview with Nancy Guthrie, Jackie Hill Perry shares about her mentors, her method, her tools, and her book Gay Girl, Good God, in which she says she is “leveraging my story so you can see the gospel rightly.” Listen here.

3. Podcast: Fear of death, social anxiety, and other angsty things… 

In this episode of Thirty Minutes with The Perrys, Jackie and Preston chat about fear and anxiety, and their power to suck joy and contentment from those who feel it. They examine why Adam and Eve lacked anxiety in the Garden and what we can gain from them to lead less anxious lives.  

4. ‘The Holiness of God’ from OneLove 2021  
You can Read, Listen, or Watch this sermon exclusively on the KCC One App. 
 
5. ‘The Unholiness of Idols’ from OneLove 21  
You can Read, Listen, or Watch this sermon exclusively on the KCC One App. 
 

Grab your Early Bird ticket to OneLove today  

OneLove will return on Saturday 26th August 2023 at the Hillsong Convention Centre in Baulkham Hills. Join us for a day of encouragement and fellowship, or if you can’t make it in person, you can tune in via livestream. Mums and bubs are welcome to use the baby room with an in-room conference feed, so you don’t miss out on anything.  

Early Bird tickets are now available. Register today!  ​

Gift a ticket this Christmas 
​Ahead of Christmas, we invite you to give the gift of encouragement. With a KCC Gift Card, you can gift a loved one with a OneLove 23 ticket, so that they too can be blessed and refreshed by God’s word. Purchasing a gift card is easy – click here to get started!  

Stay up to date with OneLove

If you know and love KCC events, you’ll know that you walk away encouraged and challenged in your faith, often at a time you need it most. This Christmas, we invite you to pass on the blessing of encouragement with a KCC Gift Card.

We have a fantastic line-up of events and speakers for 2023 including Alasdair Groves at BASECAMP, Jackie-Hill Perry at OneLove, and Paul Tripp and Zack Eswine at Oxygen Conference.  

With gift cards available across five events, there’s something for everyone! Browse the options below:  

A Gift for Men 

Encourage a brother at BASECAMP men’s conference. Executive Director of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF), Alasdair Groves, will speak on the theme “Unravelling Emotions”. Click here to get started. 

A Gift for Women 

Inspire a woman at OneLove women’s conference. Author, bible teacher and hip hop artist, Jackie Hill Perry will return to speak live in Sydney. Click here to get started. 

A Gift for Youth 

Is your teen a fan of KYCK? Help them get dressed in the latest merch with a KCC gift card! Click here to get started. 

A Gift for Church Leaders  

Who pastors the pastor? Who leads your leaders? Refresh and encourage your church leaders in their walk with God with a ticket to Oxygen 2023! Paul Tripp and Zack Eswine will speak on the theme “Reshaping Our Hearts for the Work We Do”. Click here to get started. 

A Gift for Every Member of Your Family 

Refresh a family at Katoomba Easter Convention. Ed Stedzter, Dan Paterson and special guests will speak on the theme “Rock Solid: Trusting God’s Word in a World of Confusion”. Click here to get started. 
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Purchasing a KCC gift card is quick and easy. Once you have chosen your gift card, we’ll email the recipient your personalised message and the gift card to download. Click here to get started.  

Volunteer registrations are now open for Katoomba Easter Convention (KEC) 2023. ​

​Katoomba Easter Convention relies on the power of volunteers—from our children’s program leaders to our ushers on the day, each volunteer helps to facilitate God’s Word preached from the platform. 

Have you been blessed by Katoomba Easter Convention and want to see the ministry grow and bless others for many years to come?  

Are you free the Easter long weekend (7-10 April 2023) and able to use your gifts to serve your brothers and sisters attending KEC?  
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If you’ve answered ’yes’ then we would love to invite you to join the KEC Volunteer Family today!  

Join Our Volunteer Teams 

Here are some of the exciting volunteer roles available at Easter Convention! Whether you’re more suited for up-front roles or behind the scenes, logistics or children’s ministry, there’s a role for everyone—see which one suits you best!  

AV Team 

Assist our AV supplier with tasks such as camera operation, lyrics operation, audio monitoring and stagehand tasks. Apply now! 

Ushering 

If you love interacting with and helping people, ushering may be for you! Your job is to greet delegates, help them find their seats and be the point of contact to point people in the right direction. Apply now! 

Coffee Cart Team 

Help set up and pack down our coffee carts each session, and support our coffee cart staff by taking orders and processing payments. If you have barista skills as well, that’s an added bonus! Apply now! 

Morning Tea 

Help serve our delegates with hot drinks and food during the session break. You’ll also help assist with the flow of people through the serving tents. Apply now! 

Parking 

Set up and pack down signage and traffic cones, direct people to sensible places to park and help ensure the safety of people in these parking areas. Apply now! 

Children’s Programs 
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We are on the look-out for energetic, Gospel-minded leaders to volunteer in all our children and youth programs. Apply now! 

FAQ 

1. Do I need to pay for a ticket and accommodation if I’m volunteering at KEC?  Accommodation and meals are provided for our volunteers for the whole weekend (you just need to purchase a regular convention ticket), or if you already have accommodation sorted offsite, your registration is free! 

2. How much time will volunteering require? How much of KEC will I miss?   Most of our volunteer teams are required before and after sessions and during the mid session breaks, so you’ll still be in session most of the time! It’s a great way to enjoy KEC and show love to fellow attendees. The exception is the Children’s Program teams which run programs during the morning sessions. 

3. What are the minimum requirements for a volunteer? 
 
To volunteer you must be:  A committed Christian and agree to the KCC statement of faith  Over 18 or attending with a friend or group that has an adult attending  Happy to serve and work with others in a team environment  Have a current, cleared Working with Children Check (or interstate equivalent)  ​
4. What is the process of applying to be a volunteer?  

Full details of the volunteer process and application form can be found here: https://easterconvention.com/volunteer/  
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If you have any questions about volunteering, or about this process please reach out to our team at kec@kcc.org.au. 

Stay up to date with Katoomba Easter Convention

Grab your Early Bird tickets and on-site accommodation for BASECAMP men’s conference 2023.  ​

BASECAMP men’s conference is returning in 2023, and Early Bird tickets and on-site accommodation are now available. Over two weekends in August, Executive Director of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF), Alasdair Groves, will help men unravel their emotions. By combining Scripture and Christian counselling experience, Alasdair will help men of all generations to have a biblical view of what their emotions are, how to handle them well, and how to help each other process with God and one another.   
 
Choose the date and format that works best for you and your mates:  
​a six-hour recharge in Sydney (5 August 2023) an overnight weekend retreat in the Blue Mountains (11-12 August 2023) online from wherever you are! (11-12 August 2023) 

In 2023, BASECAMP will address the topic of emotions because the team recognises that ‘boys don’t cry’ is one of many damaging principles of a past era. It’s a ‘truth’ that has raised men with suppressed grief, until it explodes in anger or anxiety, causing further damage to their relationships with God and one another.  

At BASECAMP, we want to recognise that if men are to live in a world stained by sin, they need community and tools to process grief and disappointment in a godly way. Christian men need to have a biblical view of what their emotions are, what to do with them, and how to help each other. Together, men need to fix their eyes on Jesus, the perfect man and model of emotional expression, and bring the change that is needed. 
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BASECAMP is for men of all generations, backgrounds and life-stages. Whether you’re fighting anger or anxiety, weariness or worry, register to renew your strength at BASECAMP: https://basecampmen.com/  

Not sure what to get your mate for Christmas? Give the gift of spiritual encouragement with a ticket to BASECAMP 2023! Gifting a ticket is easy, visit our website for further details. 

Stay up to date with BASECAMP

In this interview, students from Tara Anglican High School, Suhanya Jayasuriya, Meghann Brodie and Dana Gharavi, share why they decided to attend KYCK youth conference, how they experienced God and the ways in which lives were changed for Jesus. We hope you are encouraged by their story! ​

1. Why did you decide to attend KYCK this year?   
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​We decided to attend KYCK this year so that we could strengthen our relationship with God and learn more about Jesus while we were there. We also thought that it would be a great opportunity to have fun with friends and meet new people!  

2. How did God work in your life at KYCK this year?    

The amount of people’s lives that were touched by God over KYCK was amazing. Within our school’s group alone, we had so many people decide to commit or recommit their lives to Jesus on Saturday night. It was an incredible experience that many of us will cherish for the rest of our lives. After the commitments and recommitments to Jesus, the energy and atmosphere completely changed; it was almost like you could feel His presence in the room.  
In that moment, it felt like just us and God, but as much as it was personal, it was also a shared experience with so much support and care from others. Being able to be there for your friends and peers, stand with them and support them in this decision was so meaningful. We felt so connected to God in that moment. 
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The worship and music that followed this was also incredible. One of our girls also had the opportunity to read a bible passage at one of the talks, it was amazing for us to see someone we knew up on the stage and made us feel so connected and welcome. 

Finally, the talk from Daniel Leach brought many of our girls and leaders to tears. The way he spoke and connected with every person in the room through Jesus was astounding. 

Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, KYCK is a conference that challenges and equips high schoolers to boldly live the Christian life. Each year, close to 6,000 delegates gather at StayKCC in the Blue Mountains to hear and respond to God’s word.   
  
At KYCK 23, youth will be invited to “Meet Jesus” by exploring Mark’s Gospel through powerful preaching, inspiring testimonies, worship in song and fun activities designed specifically for teenagers. Whether youth are already Christian or still exploring the faith, there will be ample opportunities to deepen their understanding of who Jesus is and respond to the call to follow him.  
  
KYCK 23 will return over the following four weekends during the school holidays:   
​Weekend 1: 14-16 April (nearly sold out) 
 Weekend 2 & Online: 21-23 April (500 tickets left) 
 Weekend 3: 28-30 April (nearly sold out) 
 Weekend 4: 22-24 September    
   Registration and on-site accommodation bookings are currently open. Tickets are selling quick, so book before the of the year to secure your preferred weekend!  
 
Visit our website for more information: www.kyck.org.au    

Stay up to date with KYCK