True Grit: Families Encouraged to Follow God’s Call to Fortitude at KEC 2022
Katoomba Easter Convention, KCC’s flagship family event, returns in-person at the mountains over the Easter long weekend, as well as a high-quality livestream event. Guest speakers Matt Fuller and Russell Moore (plus, more to come!) will be preaching from God’s Word to unpack the 2022 theme, “True Grit: God’s Call to Fortitude in a World of Fear.”
Following Jesus requires courage, perseverance and a willingness to step out of our own comfort zones. Our modern culture, however, pushes us in the opposite direction towards safety, self-preservation, worst-case thinking and fatalism. For most, uncertainty is viewed as an almost insurmountable problem, and as Christians, this mindset can affect us in many ways. We risk settling for a discipleship of Christ that is, first and foremost, ‘safe’.
So, for KEC 2022, our goal is to help God’s children uncover their own true grit and together, march on towards courage and fortitude as they obediently heed Christ’s call of “follow me”.
The preaching program for KEC 2022 will address what our fortitude as Christians rests upon: God, His providence, sovereignty and faithfulness. Complementing this will be talks addressing several of our fears and the compromises they can lead us into with an exhortation to courage, risk and trust.
KCC looks forward to families gathering in the mountains, with adults enjoying fellowship in auditorium and children enjoying their programs across the KCC site. With KEC 2022 marking our 60th anniversary and a return in-person after a two-year hiatus, the KEC team is working hard to bring you another memorable and fantastic event.
Win a Gift Bundle at KEC2022!
To celebrate our 60th birthday, we’re giving away a special KEC Gift Bundle, filled with amazing prizes suitable for every member of the family. This special gift includes:
A choice between a double pass (two adults) or a family pass (two adults & two children) to KEC 2023.
A book bundle and book voucher from The Wandering Bookseller.
2x nights’ accommodation at StayKCC’s Wollemi House for your next adventure to the Blue Mountains (subject to availability, must use in 2022).
Two A4 wall prints from Mary & Sally.
Assorted gourmet treats and snacks.
All you need to do is register before the 31st December to automatically go in the draw to win! Each adult admission counts as one draw. Winner will be announced on Easter Sunday at KEC2022! Enter the giveaway today by registering your place at https://bit.ly/3mz9Zhe. To read more about the giveaway and our terms and conditions, visit https://easterconvention.com/register/#competition.
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Katoomba Easter Convention, KCC’s flagship family event, returns in-person at the mountains over the Easter
By Heidi Tai
Bonus International Workshop with Mary Jo Sharp for NextGen22 Delegates
Katoomba Christian Convention (KCC) is excited to welcome international apologist, Mary Jo Sharp, to the workshop facilitator line-up at NextGen 2022. Bringing her expertise on addressing the hard questions of Christianity, NextGen delegates will benefit from this bonus international workshop from Mary Jo, alongside 10 others, to help equip them to teach and share the Bible.
A former atheist who came to faith, Mary Jo Sharp has experienced two worlds of American culture: the post-Christian culture of the Pacific Northwest and the evangelical culture of the Bible Belt. She first encountered apologetics in her own spiritual search while seeking answers. Mary Jo is now an assistant professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University and the founder and director of Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry which focuses on addressing the hard questions of Christianity with love and logic through research, writing, training, and debate.
The author of several studies including ‘Why Do You Believe That’, she recently released her book, ‘Why I Still Believe’. A clear communicator with a heart for people, Mary Jo finds great joy in sharing the deep truths of her Lord and Savior. Mary Jo lives with her husband and family in Portland, Oregon.
At NextGen 2022, Mary Jo will be facilitating a workshop titled “Creating a Safe Space for Sharing Doubts from Youth and Kids”.
We look forward to welcoming Mary Jo Sharp to NextGen. You can get a taste of her teaching from her KCC Conversations Interview earlier this year, “Why Keep Believing in God When You Feel Like Walking Away?” on Facebook or on the KCC One App.
Photo: Mary Jo Sharp speaking at KCC’s Onward event in 2019
The complete list of NextGen 2022 Workshops
NextGen 2022 will feature 11 brand-new world-class workshops to complement and bring real-life application to the core materials. For the first time at NextGen, your ticket will include access to all 11 workshops, so you’re not just limited to sticking with two. The full list of NextGen workshops includes:
Engaging all Learners to Engage with God: Including Kids and Teens with Disability with Louise Gosbell
Reaching Gen Z with Shelley Ligtermoet
Foundations of Youth Ministry with Mike Dicker
From the Bible to a Kids’ Talk with QuizWorx
Spiritual Formation of a Leader with Graham Stanton
Intergenerational Ministry with Stuart Crawshaw
Foundations of Children’s Ministry with Tim Beilharz
Mental Health 101 with Trinette Stanley
Connecting Teenagers with George Statheos
Action: The Practical Side of the Gospel in the Community with Matt Gelding
Creating a Safe Space for Sharing Doubts from Youth and Kids with Mary Jo Sharp
Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, NextGen exists to train individuals who want the tools to know and share the Bible well with others. For $85 ($17 per day!), you’ll get all the NextGen material including all-new Bible talks and brand-new workshops, as well as resources to help with your training. Kickstart 2022 with your ministry team and commit to getting trained up together. For a limited time only, you can also choose to receive a free tote bag or water bottle with your registration! Register now at https://bit.ly/3CaIMH2.
Stay up to date with NextGen
Katoomba Christian Convention (KCC) is excited to welcome international apologist, Mary Jo Sharp, to the
By Heidi Tai
6 Advent Resources for You this Christmas
With Christmas just right around the corner, we have partnered with The Wandering Bookseller to bring you a list of recommended advent resources for you this Christmas. Our hope is that these resources will be a great source of encouragement and hope for you and your family, or a fantastic and uplifting gift for a friend.
This is a gorgeous new board book from Danielle Hitchen. Young children and babies are introduced to different animals from the Bible, and at the same time they can begin to see the story of the Bible too – from the Snake in Eden to the animals prophesied about in Isaiah, and then the animals in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. Filled with scripture, and beautiful illustrations – this board book would be a great gift for a baby’s first Christmas. The rest of this new Baby Believer board book series is great too!
Rebecca McLaughlin is a wonderful evangelist, and all of her books are worth reading. She has written a short book called “Is Christmas Unbelievable?” reminding us how we know Jesus is real and why we can trust the gospels. She then explains why it matters. This book will strengthen your faith in the lead up to Christmas and might be a good book to give to a friend.
Quiz Worx have just released a brand-new Christmas album called A (Not So) Silent Night. A mix of Christmas songs and carols, with a Quix Worx twist. When you buy the CD you also get a free digital download coupon. Here’s what Colin Buchanan says: “With crazy puppets, big guitars and atomic drums all the way, Scruff and his friends have done their best to guarantee that this Christmas we’re all in for A (NOT SO) Silent Night!”
The Biggest Story was written as a Christmas sermon for an all-ages Family Church Service. Kevin DeYoung wanted to make sure people visiting church at Christmas time wouldn’t miss out on the whole bible story. It was then turned into an illustrated picture book that can be read over a few nights with younger kids, or in just one sitting with primary school aged children. Parents will appreciate DeYoung’s humour interspersed throughout, while somehow packing in so many parts of the Bible into one short book.
Just in time for Christmas, we have a newly illustrated Children’s Picture Bible called Bible Stories Every Child Should Know. There are 120 easy to read stories to help children find joy in the Bible. Advent is a great time to start reading the Bible after dinner, and then continue this family tradition into the new year.
While Christmas is a time of great joy, for many it is also a season of suffering. Nancy Guthrie has written a new prayer journal to help us pray for those who are suffering. Paul Tripp says this book is “the most practical, scripture-infused guide to prayer that I have ever seen. As you walk with people through the troubles of life in this fallen world, you will turn to this little gem of a book again and again.”
Support The Wandering Bookseller and KCC
The Wandering Bookseller team have been travelling across Australia for years with hand-picked bookstalls for Christian events. They cater for small church camps through to large regional conferences – and everything in-between. Visit their website to discover great books for Christians and curious agnostics.
The Wandering Bookseller is also the official book partner for KCC. You can visit them at our upcoming in person events in 2022, including KEC and KYCK. Or, if you’re completing your NextGen training, you can add on a specially curated book pack to your registration!
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With Christmas just right around the corner, we have partnered with The Wandering Bookseller to
By Heidi Tai
5 Creative Ways to Make the Most of NextGen in the New Year
With 2022 just around the corner, new goals and new year’s resolutions are starting to take shape. Perhaps you might be drawn to learning more about the Bible and wanting to step into a ministry where you can teach and share the Good News. If this is you, then NextGen is the ideal training course to get you started for the new year ahead. Here are just five creative ways that you can maximise your learning and make the most of NextGen.
1. Train individually or in groups
While we recommend doing your NextGen training with others in a group and having a leader oversee the course, it is also possible for you to do it at your own pace in your own time with the help of a leader or minister.
If you’re wanting to be part of a group but your church isn’t offering a group training setting, you can reach out to other churches around your area and see if you can join them. Or you can contact the KCC office and we can help you partner with another church who would happily welcome you to join them.
If you’re looking to train individually but need some guidance with some tasks, talk to your Senior Minister or Pastor about catching up with you every now and then. Ask them if they’re willing to discuss some of the questions you have from the course or even help oversee your work to see if you’re on the right track.
2. Make a plan for how long you want to do your training
NextGen officially starts in January each year. As an online and on-demand course, this means you can do it anytime, anywhere, and complete as many of the short courses as quickly or as slowly as you like. You can do it your way, in five days or five months!
Think about your schedule for 2022 and set aside the right amount of time you need to adequately complete your training. NextGen has provided some sample programs and timetables, with examples on timings for an all-week training program or even a weekend only program, which you can access here.
3. Create a shortlist of workshops you want to complete
NextGen 2022 will feature 11 brand-new workshops designed to bring real-life application to the core materials, with useful, relevant skills and topics. For the first time at NextGen, your ticket will include access to all 11 workshops, so you’re not just limited to sticking with two.
Nevertheless, completing all 11 workshops can sound a bit daunting, and not all workshops may be relevant to your training goals. So, just like planning your schedule and how long you plan to train for, consider creating a shortlist of the workshops that you want to prioritise. Choose the workshops, however many or little as you want, that you want to complete over the course of your training and leave the rest to complete as a bonus when you have free time.
4. Grab some extra books and resources to further your learning
The NextGen training helps give you the right tools and skills to know the Bible and teach it well, but it’s equally important to have the right resources to complement your experience so you’re even more equipped.
When you purchase your ticket for NextGen, you’ll also have the option to add on a children’s or youth ministry book bundle (for $99 with free shipping!), filled with book titles to help you further your learning.
The Children’s Ministry Book Bundle includes:
Psalms of Praise: A Movement Primer by Danielle Hitchen
Bible Stories Every Child Should Know Written by Kenneth N. Taylor, Illustrated by Jenny Brake
The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims Book by Rebecca McLaughlin
Children’s Ministry on the Front Foot by Zachary Veron
30 Prophecies: One Story: How the Old Testament Points to Jesus by Paul Reynolds
The Youth Ministry Book Bundle includes:
10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
A Dozen Disappointing Disciples: How to Do Stupid Stuff and Still Change the World by Tom French
The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims Book by Rebecca McLaughlin
Days of Your Youth by George Statheos
Choosing Love in a Broken World by Heidi Johnston
Talks That Don’t Suck: How to Write and Give Bible Talks for Teenagers by Tom French
5. Set goals for post-training
Your NextGen training shouldn’t stop immediately after you finish completing the course. Based on what you learnt, set some goals for putting it all into practise, or set goals for how to further your learnings. Are there workshops worth revisiting or workshops you haven’t yet watched that you can catch up on? Are there any books you need to read or purchase to complement your NextGen experience? Are there people you could meet 1 to 1 with to start the teaching process and build up confidence before moving into other areas of teaching ministry? Whatever goals you set after you finish training, look at how you can start developing the right building blocks so you can readily move onto the next core strand.
So, are you ready to become equipped in God’s Word, to learn the right tools to share the Bible well? Read more on what’s on offer for NextGen 2022, including information about our speakers, workshops and core strand materials.
Receive a Free Gift When You Register for NextGen 2022!
Receive a FREE gift with your NextGen22 registration, while stocks last! Choose between a NextGen tote bag or water bottle when you purchase your NextGen ticket. Don’t miss out. Register today: https://bit.ly/3CaIMH2
Register by the 6th December to receive your hardcopy strand booklet by 1st January 2022.
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With 2022 just around the corner, new goals and new year’s resolutions are starting to
By Heidi Tai
Three Keynote Speakers to Share About Joy at KYCK 2022
Katoomba Christian Convention (KCC) is pleased to welcome and introduce the three keynote speakers confirmed at KYCK 2022! Get to know them here.
At KYCK 2022, our three speakers will be sharing from the Book of Philippians to teach youth groups about the theme ‘Joy’. Youth will be encouraged by the life of Paul, who although suffered much, was persecuted, and imprisoned for telling people about Jesus, he considered it pure joy because he knew he was being who God called him to be.
Alan has been leading Captivate Presbyterian Church in North Ryde for the last 5 years. He’s married to Beatrice and they have three kids, JJ, Teddy and Harry.
Some little things that bring him joy are: deep frying, Brazilian jiu jitsu and pointlessly reorganising his desk. Bigger moments of overwhelming joy have been: marrying his crush from youth group, becoming a foster dad, and leading people to Jesus.
God used Philippians to transform Alan’s life as a young man and he’s praying with great anticipation for how God will work at KYCK in 2022.
Mike Dicker is a tradie who became the children’s and youth minister at All Saints Petersham in Sydney’s Inner West for 14 years. He’s currently Principal of Youthworks College in Sydney.
Mike loves Jesus, his wife Fi, and his 3 kids: Evie, Josie and Benji. He has a soft spot for graffiti, motor bikes, hardware, Pearl Jam, custom T-shirts, and AFL. He makes a habit of building stuff, telling stories, drinking coffee, doodling, going to concerts, watching movies, and he loves talking with others about life and hope in Jesus through his abounding grace and forgiveness.
Daniel is the youth pastor at Narrabeen Baptist Church where he has worked for the past 8 years. Prior to this, his work experience included high school teaching and flipping burgers at Maccas, but he soon realised his passion was sharing the good news of Jesus with young people.
Daniel is married to Mia, his lovely and patient wife, and they have a bubbly one year old daughter, Audrey. They live on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
For enjoyment Daniel sifts through denim at as many op-shops as he can. Other hobbies include running, the beach, learning French (oui oui), and scabbing free coffee from his brothers’ cafe.
We’re so excited that over 2,900 KYCKers are joining us in 2022 so far! Missed out on the first round of KYCK tickets? The good news is that we anticipate the easing of restrictions very soon and being able to announce that KYCK will be back to full capacity with a new release of tickets for sale! In the meantime, you can join our official waitlist for KYCKs #1 & #2 by emailing kyck@kcc.org.au or phoning 1300 737 140 — so you don’t miss out! Or consider attending KYCK #3 or KYCK #4 weekends that have tickets available.
Stay up to date with KYCK
Katoomba Christian Convention (KCC) is pleased to welcome and introduce the three keynote speakers confirmed
By Heidi Tai
New Leaders Stories Coming this December
Earlier this month, KCC launched a new online series titled Leaders Stories – a free weekly interview series where leaders share how they discovered their personal weaknesses and the lessons learnt on how God strengthened them during their journey. In December, we will feature four new Leaders Stories each Wednesday at 12PM AEDT, which you can tune into on the Oxygen Facebook Page or on-demand on the KCC One App. Meet each of our interviewees below and mark the dates in your calendar!
Interviewee: Graham Hill, Principal of Stirling Theological College (University of Divinity), Melbourne Date: Wednesday 1st December, 12PM (AEDT) Event details: https://fb.me/e/2kaK7nL3n
Graham Joseph Hill is the Principal of Stirling Theological College (University of Divinity) in Melbourne, Australia. His author website is www.grahamjosephhill.com. Graham has planted and pastored churches and been in theological education for over twenty years. He is the author or editor of ten books including “Holding Up Half the Sky”, “Hide This in Your Heart” (co-authored with Michael Frost), and “Healing Our Broken Humanity” (co-author with Grace Ji-Sun Kim). Graham also directs TheGlobalChurchProject.com.
In this upcoming interview, Graham shares his struggles with alcoholism in the early days of his pastoral ministry. Graham also shares the process of how he overcame his addiction, the power of community in experiencing God’s presence, and some steps you can take if you’re struggling with an addiction.
Interviewee: Russell Smidt, Senior Minister, New Life Presbyterian Church Date: Wednesday 8th December, 12PM (AEDT)
Russell Smidt serves as senior minister of New Life Presbyterian Church in Gungahlin (ACT). He loves running and cycling around Canberra, kayaking on the Murrumbidgee River, and watching his four sons play AFL.
Interviewee: Judith Calf, CMS Missionary Date: Wednesday 15th December, 12PM (AEDT)
Judith has spent more than 30 years in cross-cultural work. Initially in her profession as a Community Nutritionist, but for the last 23 years serving with CMS-Australia in mission work. As a Bible School teacher and principal, she has taught many pastors and evangelists in Tanzania. She has also taught at the CMS training college, St Andrew’s Hall, and served in a leadership position, Mission Personnel Secretary, selecting, managing and caring for missionaries on their locations around the world. Currently serving in NW Tanzania, Judith is passionate about teaching God’s word. Living and serving as a single woman has deeply enriched her life, and Judith often challenges many of the myths and misunderstandings the Christian community has about single life.
Interviewee: Caz Morton, Children’s and Youth Minister, All Saints Nowra Date: Wednesday 22nd December, 12PM (AEDT)
Caz Morton currently resides in the Shoalhaven. She joined the All Saints Nowra team at the end of 2020. Caz worked in the fashion industry before deciding to study at Youthworks College & has worked in a number of different churches. When not at work, she is at Pilates, taking photos in various locations, or helping at a thrift store.
Catch up on Past Leaders Stories
Did you miss out on our Leaders Stories during November? You can catch up on all our interviews below on our Oxygen Facebook Page or the KCC One App!
Leaders Stories: Natalie Ray – Natalie (Senior Assistant Minister, Northlight Anglican Church) shares about a time during her study at theological college when she grasped God’s strength in her weakness and so much more.
Leaders Stories: Kurt Peters – Kurt (Minister, St Matts, Botany) shares his journey through a season of complete burnout followed by a diagnosis of early-onset Parkinsons disease. Since then, Kurt has been learning from Jesus what it looks like to minister through weakness.
Leaders Stories: Belinda Lakelin – Belinda (Evangelism Consultant for the Baptist Association of NSW and ACT) openly shares the challenges of her role working as an Evangelism Consultant. The anxiety and subsequent physical illness that she faced, but ultimately how God showed her His goodness through it all.
Stay up to date with Oxygen
Earlier this month, KCC launched a new online series titled Leaders Stories – a free
By Heidi Tai
Celebrating 60 Years of Katoomba Easter Convention
KEC 2022 marks the 60th year of the annual family retreat. For decades, KCC have welcomed families and generations to spend the Easter long weekend in the beautiful Blue Mountains and grow together in their faith. So, after a two-year hiatus, KCC is thrilled to invite you and your family to join us again in the mountains, with plans underway to make KEC 2022 a memorable and wonderful experience for you as we celebrate our 60th anniversary.
Registrations for KEC 2022 are now open, offering hybrid ticket options that allow adults to attend parts of the program onsite while livestreaming the rest. A full livestream weekend option is also available for those who prefer more flexibility in viewing the program over the Easter long weekend. Families can also expect the all-ages children’s programmes to return onsite as normal.
With the KEC 2022 starting from Good Friday morning to Easter Monday lunch, delegates can expect the weekend to be filled with:
Powerful and life-changing Bible talks from keynote speakers Matt Fuller (Senior Pastor, Christ Church Mayfair) and Russell Moore (Public Theologian at Christianity Today and Director of Christianity Today’s Public Theology Project).
Worship led by our KEC bands, including the return of AFROfest, an Australian African worship group whose vision is to unite a multitude of diverse backgrounds into a single voice, praising God and witnessing to His love.
Opportunities to speak to our partner Christian organisations, find out more about their ministries and how to support them.
Encouraging and heartfelt testimonies and interviews from everyday Christians on how God has worked through past and present circumstances.
Fun and fellowship in the plaza to celebrate 60 years of KEC, including a chance to learn more about and how to support the future of KCC ministries.
Plus, more to be announced!
KCC is always encouraged to hear how families set time aside every year to enjoy KEC together, with many enjoying the tradition of visiting the mountains for as long as 20 years! We hope the following testimonies will inspire you to come and celebrate 60 years with us in 2022:
“We have attended KEC for approximately 20 years during childhood years of our 3 kids, last one this year in senior high year 12. We benefit from the cross generational family time and learned platform bible teaching. We come to be fed for life and ministry back in our church and world. The key to our personal growth has come from the challenges and depth of bible teaching from learned wise in life experience speakers, evangelical gospel focussed men of faith. Thank you KEC for your commitment and ministry to us.” – KEC2019 Delegate
“My husband and I have been coming to KEC every year since we were married in 2005. We have had four children in that time and each of them have spent every Easter at KEC. It’s such a blessing for our whole family. Although in their younger years our children have been reticent about attending the kid’s programs, as they’ve grown, they look forward to being reunited with their once-a-year friends and participating in the programs. It’s so wonderful to be reflecting on Jesus as we remember his death and resurrection in a special way over Easter.” – Naomi
“For 15 years or more, we have benefited from the preaching of God’s Word at KEC. Our children (now all adults) have grown up through the children’s and youth programs and two of them are now serving faithfully in their churches. For us, it has been an annual opportunity to be refreshed and revived spiritually as we “give out” in our small country church all year round.” – KEC2018 Delegate
“I like the teaching, the opportunity to take my kids camping but also for them to experience Katoomba Conventions as I have done on and off over last 20 years.” – Dawn
Picture from KEC2019. We look forward to welcoming you back in the auditorium for 2022.
Register Your Family for KEC2022 and Join the Celebration with Us!
Katoomba Easter Convention is an annual retreat for the whole family. It is a fantastic way to spend Easter as a family or with friends, soaking in God’s word and grow in your walk with Jesus together.
In order to comply with health orders and ensure as many people can attend KEC, delegates will be offered one of three options for the adult program. This includes:
Early Bird: Morning onsite & evening livestream (with priority registration given to families and Seniors) or,
Night Owl: Morning livestream & evening onsite or,
