“A Turning Point in My Faith”: Reuben’s KYCK Story
Over the years, countless stories have emerged of young people encountering God in profound ways, recommitting their lives to Him, and building friendships that last a lifetime. In this story, we hear from Reuben as he reflects on his journey with KYCK—from his first experience as a high school student to their current role as a leader (St Michael’s Wollongong) and volunteer. Reuben’s story reminds us of the power of God’s Word, the strength found in Christian community, and the hope we have in Jesus.
1. How many KYCKs have you been to?
I’ve attended KYCK since 2019! I was in Year 11 at the time. I believe the theme was “Believe. Love. Remain” on John.
2. Can you share what your KYCK experience was like?
It was one of the turning points of my Christian faith. On Saturday night, I made the step to refocus my faith and recommit to God. God worked so powerfully through my youth group at the time. It was such a wonderful experience seeing so many Christians singing along and listening to God’s Word.
3. Tell us a KYCK highlight!
Even though KYCK19 was such a huge part of my turnaround in the faith, it isn’t the biggest highlight. The biggest highlight for me was last year (2024). This was a challenging time due to an unexpected passing of a friend. Despite this, God worked so powerfully during my time at KYCK. It was so encouraging seeing how God changed so many lives of those around me – to those who I was leading and when I was volunteering.
4. How has KYCK encouraged your faith?
KYCK is an amazing starting ground in jumping into the Bible and learning more about God. I honestly learnt so much when I was in school, and that learning has continued even through leading and volunteering. KYCK every year, gives me a reason to keep going, to keep holding steadfast in my walk with Christ.
5. Why would you recommend KYCK to others?
KYCK is such an encouraging experience. It is equally as hard-hitting, I know that God can work in every situation. I know that it could be the seed for my friend who may not be a Christian yet. I know that it is a place for Christians who strayed away, to get a taste again of what and who Christians are.
We can trust in God in these circumstances because he softens the hearts of many and He is always in control. We can have confidence in this. I would recommend KYCK to others to show them the abundant love of Jesus Christ and no matter what happens. He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.
6. How has being a Christian changed your life?
Being a Christian has changed the way that I view life and the way that I treat others. Christ is the reason why I can find hope in the bad times even when everything is against it. The assurance that I have in Christ, that we will see our brothers and sisters in Christ again, why wouldn’t I want to show others this love too?
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to attend KYCK at the best price! Early bird tickets are only available until February 9, so now is the perfect time to secure your spot. Gather your friends and rally your youth group! Head to the KYCK website today to grab your tickets before prices go up!
Over the years, countless stories have emerged of young people encountering God in profound ways, recommitting their lives to Him, and building friendships that last a lifetime. In this story, we hear from Reuben as he reflects on his journey with KYCK—from his first experience as a high school student to their current role as a leader (St Michael’s Wollongong) and volunteer. Reuben’s story reminds us of the power of God’s Word, the strength found in Christian community, and the hope we have in Jesus.
By Patrizha Yeomans
Share your faith over summer
Have you ever wondered if you were doing enough to share your faith with those around you? Or felt stuck?
Late last year we were thrilled to sit down with Sam Chan again, to chat about how to share your faith over the summer. Sam and L-T chat about how to use the seasons of life to share the Gospel, and also some simple tips that Sam and his family have to make evangelism a part of their year’s plan. Don’t miss this encouraging, rich and practical interview on the KCC One app now.
The full interview is up now on the KCC One app, with any KCC+ subscription plan.
Watch on your phone, tablet or laptop; listen to audio on the go; or read in your quiet time – with plenty of resources available on all your devices, be strengthened and encouraged in your faith in the way that suits you best!
Have you ever wondered if you were doing enough to share your faith with those
By KCC Staff
4 Ways to Grow into the New Year
As we near the end of the year, we can often be in reflection about our hopes, goals and experiences of the year gone by. How has 2024 been for you? How has it been in relationship with God? Do you already have specific things you want to shift or change next year? Perhaps there are things you’ve put in place this year that you’re keen to continue to do.
We’ve picked out some snippets from our events and app this year that have encouraged and challenged us, and hope it will be helpful for you as you look toward 2025.
1. Love the Lord with everythingyou have
This call and reminder will never get old for us, regardless of whether we are looking to a fresh new year or not. At KEC 2024, Tim Blencowe walked us through Deuternomy 6, with this reminder to love God, the perfect Giver:
"You really must love Him with everything you've got because anything else is not love. When He says, 'all your heart', that's the driving seat of your life, the centre. Nothing on the side, please, for God. When He says, 'with all your soul', 'that's everything within me', says the psalmist in Psalm 103. It's your whole of you. Let's be in it, all body and soul ... Whatever power you have, whatever muscle you have, from your bank account to your daily breath - whatever strength you have - pour it all out for Him." (Tim Blencowe, Love the Lord with all your Heart, KEC 2024)
2. Build spiritual ‘rhythms’
Mitch Everingham’s short series on ‘Forming Resilient Rhythms‘ encouraged us to look at how we grow in godliness through the way we approach and integrate spiritual practices into our lives – not just as habits set aside for particular segments of our day, but as a constant presence in our everyday.
"This is why our rhythms are more than just habits. The Scriptures don’t say, 'set aside 10 minutes each morning to read the Bible and that means you’ll grow in godliness and love for others.' Rather they encourage us to move through life with, for example, the Scriptures on our minds as often as possible (Psalm 1), because this is the true path to godliness." (Mitch Everingham, Growing in Godliness by Cultivating Rhythms)
3.Stay in community
One area that can often be overlooked in the busyness of life is the quality of our relationships with others. When Sam Allberry joined us at BASECAMP this year, he instilled in us a real hopefulness for community – that we are not meant to be alone, but to experience the joy and strength that comes from being known and loved (just as Jesus loves and calls us his brothers).
"In 2 John, he ends the letter by saying, 'I have much to write to you. I'd rather not use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.' John is saying, 'I've got a lot to get through with you. I'd rather not use paper and ink.'
It's not because John is a cheapskate and can't be bothered to buy another piece of paper and write on it. John is saying, 'If we talk face to face, if I'm physically with you, our joy will be complete.' There is joy in receiving a letter. There is joy in having a phone call. There is joy in getting a text message, but it's incomplete joy if we're not relating face to face, physically, in person with one another." (Sam Allberry, Brothers in Christ, BASECAMP 2024)
4. Exercise?
Something a lot of us hadn’t considered was the practice of physical exercise in relation to our spiritual walk with Jesus. This series by Amy Townsend on “Should Christians Exercise?” was an eye-opening opportunity for us to consider this – whether we needed to reframe our motivations for exercise, or look to building in physical exercise – for the glory of God and the good of others.
"As Christians, we understand the temporary nature of our bodies. So why spend time and energy looking after what we know is perishing? While there is value in keeping eternity in sight and not holding too tightly to our physical forms, the bodies God has given us have significance and purpose! We were created as embodied beings and will live forever as embodied beings.
Jesus demonstrates this at his resurrection ... it is important we recognise that God has purposes for our bodies—not just in the future but also in the here and now. And so, an appropriate amount of self-care is necessary for us to do the good works God has purposed for us to do (Ephesians 2:10)." (Amy Townsend, Why Exercise?)
Dedicate some time away to sit under God’s Word in 2025
Finally – with all our 2025 events now open for registration, we encourage you to consider setting aside some time away to join us. Dedicate some time our of your everyday; block out dates and come gather with fellow brothers and sisters to sit under God’s Word, worship and grow together in 2025!
As we near the end of the year, we can often be in reflection about
By KCC Staff
Help Light a Spark in the Next Generation
KCC began its ministry to young people 50 years ago, and it is one of the best things the ministry has done in its 120 years. It has impacted hundreds and thousands of lives, and under God, it has been taken by Him from strength to strength.
One example is our KYCK ministry. Every year, across the four weekends, somewhere between 200 and 500 teens make either first-time commitments or re-commitments of their lives to Jesus Christ. And this has been happening every year for at least 20 years.
We want to see the same impact in the lives of Young Adults, so we’ve announced the launch of Spark Conference in 2025, and we need your help to give it a strong footing.
Why Young Adults?
Every year at KYCK, we say goodbye to a large cohort of Year 12 students as they finish high school. The question for us is, what do these kids step into after they step out of high school? What happens after KYCK?
What all of us need, but especially young adults, is something that keeps shining the light of God’s truth onto life. Young adults need something that reminds them that life has been given to them to glorify the Giver. Something that reminds them to lay their life down before God and ask Him, “What do you want me to do?”
We believe Spark is that “something” for Young Adults – a convention that urges them not to waste their life, but to consecrate it to God for His use. An event that they can step in to immediately after they step out of high school.
We have this opportunity to run a pilot event in 2025, and if successful, turn it into an annual event for years to come.
Whether you have a young adult in your family, or group of friends, or not, we are asking you to consider investing in them and sow into them.
Click the link and donate before 31 December and help us to continue the work of the ministry: https://kcc.org.au/YA25
KCC began its ministry to young people 50 years ago, and it is one of
By KCC Staff
10 Words that Describe KEC
What is Katoomba Easter Convention to you? If you could describe Easter Convention in one word, what would it be?
For our regular attendees, KEC is many things. Families and individuals who come to the mountains every Easter discover that KEC is more than just a conference.
Here are 10 words our KEC delegates have used to describe what KEC means to them.
1. KEC is a highlight
"It is our family’s highlight to attend every year. We attend for the spiritual growth and worship - we love it!" – Mari
2. KEC is a reset
"Through KEC, God provides a reset for me - a yearly 4 days to refocus on God’s Word, His Kingdom, His plans. I need this!" – Karen
3. KEC is incredibly valuable
"It’s incredibly valuable to us as a family of believers to learn more about God, draw closer to Him, be in fellowship with others and praise and worship Him." – Sharon
4. KEC is a tradition
"It is an Easter tradition for our family to go to KEC, in fact we have been sharing a house with the same group of families for 19 years. We enjoy the atmosphere of singing with so many other Christians and hearing from world class speakers that challenge us and re-orientate us toward God." – Marianne
5. KEC is life-changing
"It will be another life-changing experience for me. In this world wherein we live, we need to stop paying attention to the world around us and actively listen to God's Word. Coming to KEC will once again be a life tool for my spiritual walk with the Lord." – Bruce
6. KEC is practical
"The thing I loved most about KEC was the practical application of the Word. Knowing that being swept up in the passion of the weekend, and in the quality of the teaching, wasn’t going to change my life by itself. The encouragement to really take the talks and commit to apply them in my daily walk has made the most difference out of any conference I’ve been to." – Markus
7. KEC is a top-up
"I attended because I love - and really need - the great Biblical teaching that 'tops me up' in my Christian life. It is SO encouraging and deeply refreshes my faith." – Tori
8. KEC is edifying
"KEC is a long-standing family tradition to attend, which we have consistently found edifying and valuable. It’s an opportunity to spend four days together receiving excellent teaching in a beautiful environment." – Alison
9. KEC is a vital refreshment
"We have been coming most years for the last 25. It is a vital refreshment and encouragement spurring on for our family. We value the teaching, and the kids love the program." – Sarah
10. KEC is family time
"We make the weekend a family time - great teaching and a fabulous time of fellowship with Christian families we have known for 30 years attending." - Katherine
We invite you to join us at Katoomba Easter Convention, 18-21 April 2025, to retreat to the Blue Mountains over four days, and discover what KEC is and what it can do for you and your family. Enjoy time with friends and family away from life’s busyness, hear God’s Word preached and ignite a love for Christ and a passion to follow Him. Discover what our speakers – Philip Ryken, Glen Scrivener and Kirk Patston – will share on the theme, “Seek First the Kingdom”.
Free Online Access with Family Packages
Our free online access promotion for Family Packages is back by popular demand!
Book your Family Package by midnight (AEDT) 31st December 2024 and get free online access added to your booking (normally $65 in value).
The online add-on will provide you with flexibility to access the online sessions between Good Friday 18th April and midnight Monday 21st April, so you can catch up on any sessions you miss during the weekend!
What is Katoomba Easter Convention to you? If you could describe Easter Convention in one
By KCC Staff
Give a KCC Gift Card this Christmas
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.
So, why not bless someone with a gift that will last well beyond 2025?
Our event gift cards are perfect for everyone in your life, and they can be instantly sent, or downloaded and printed to gift! Simply pick from an event, or a subscription to the KCC app — we’ll email them with your message and an e-gift card to download!
KCC+ Subscription
Gift a 12-month KCC+ app subscription! Give them access to all the latest event talks & subscriber-only resources to bolster their daily walk!
KYCK 2025 Merch
Gift the teen in your life with a KYCK25 merch gift card. Choose from a $25 or $50 gift card, and they can use this gift card to purchase a merch item of their choice at the convention.
KCC Events
Choose your gift card design and gift $50 or $100 to spend towards a KEC, BASECAMP, OneLove or Spark Convention ticket.
A gift for a future generation
Your gift card purchase is just one way you can bless others and help keep the ministry of KCC going.
In 2025, we want to see the ministry grow, and continue providing a space for God’s people to gather under His Word preached, so we can continue to live for His glory. So, we have launched Spark Conference, a new Young Adults event in 2025 to encourage 18-30 year olds to live wholeheartedly for Christ in this world.
Your donation before 31 December will be an immense help to KCC and get this event off to a solid start in 2025.
If you know and love KCC events, you’ll know that you walk away encouraged and
By KCC Staff
Meet Mitch
With the upcoming launch of Spark, KCC’s new young adults event, we asked committee chair, Mitch Everingham, a few questions about himself, and about the new event.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I grew up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and currently serve as a pastor at Anchor Church Sydney in the inner west. Outside of Jesus, my greatest joys in life are spending time with my wife Suz and our son Jamie, eating good food and drinking coffee with friends, and playing or watching football.
I grew up hearing about Jesus, but it wasn’t until I was 20 that I put my trust in him and he turned my life around completely. I’ve spent the 12 years since then giving all that I can to telling young people about why Jesus is worth following — and plan to do so until I meet him face to face!
What is it about a new young adults conference that led you to come on board to chair it?
I served on the KYCK Committee for over four years and have seen first-hand the way that God uses conferences like this to shape young people’s lives. I see a real need for young adults to be served in a similar way — and so when the opportunity came up to be involved, I jumped at the chance to be able to serve the next generation in this way.
Can you tell us a bit more about the heart behind the name, ‘Spark’, and who it’s for
Spark is a conference for young adults that we’re praying will light a spark inside of the next generation that they might burn passionately for Jesus and follow and trust him all the days of their lives. Young adults are anyone 18 to 30-ish (we’ve had some early questions about what ‘young’ is!)
What is your hope for Spark in the lives of young adults?
My hope is that Spark will serve a generation in coming to love and live for Jesus with every fibre of their being. I believe in the next generation and that now is a time for us to invest in their faith alongside their local churches. My prayer is that God will use Spark to this end for many years to come!
Spark Conference is a new event for young adults, launching on 22-24 August 2025. For more updates and to be notified when registrations open, sign up to the KCC mailing list below, or follow Spark on socials!
With the upcoming launch of Spark, KCC’s new young adults event, we asked committee chair,
By KCC Staff
Spark is Coming
KCC will return to the young adults space in 2025 with a brand-new event, Spark Conference, just for 18-30 year olds. This exciting new event will launch as a weekend away (22-24 August) in the Blue Mountains, with a focus on igniting hearts to live wholeheartedly for Jesus.
Watch the video below from Mitch Everingham, chair of Spark, about why this will be an unmissable event, and spread the word with friends, church and family.
Sign up to the KCC mailing list for updates on Spark, and follow Spark on socials! FB: @kcc.spark IG: @kcc_spark
KCC will return to the young adults space in 2025 with a brand-new event, Spark
By KCC Staff
This is KCC
Katoomba Christian Convention has gathered people under God’s Word for over 121 years, and by His grace the ministry sees tens of thousands impacted by His Word today. With another year of events done, we look back with incredible gratitude for God’s work and providence in 2024 and look forward to more next year and for future generations.
‘This is KCC‘ is a new video introducing the ministry and its heart and mission. We are so pleased to be sharing this with you today, and hope it is an encouragement to you.
We pray we may continue to gather as “all one in Christ Jesus”, under God’s will and with your support, for many more years to come.
Looking to the future
You may have seen the news already (read the update here), but we’re well on the way with plans for our new pilot Young Adults event in 2025.
In line with the mission of KCC, it is our earnest desire that this new event will spark a new fire in the hearts of young adults, to live wholeheartedly for Christ in this world.
We are convinced that this is a vital space for KCC to serve in.
If you are able, please consider a financial gift before December to help us get this new event off on a strong footing, and in a way that will reduce the risk to the ministry as a whole.
Katoomba Christian Convention has gathered people under God’s Word for over 121 years, and by
By KCC Staff
Delighting in the Father’s Joy at OneLove 2024
“I remember when you used to love me You were so beautiful back then So fruitful back then When you used to love me But, you have forsaken your first love So come back to me”
Each year, OneLove provides a much-needed refresh for women, to take time out from everyday routines, spend a day soaking in God’s Word and walk away with cups full of love and joy in the Lord. This year, international speaker Blair Linne, inspired women to remember the Father’s joy, and why this is important in reigniting our devotion to Him and overcome complacency.
Blair Linne preaching on ‘The Father’s Joy’ at OneLove women’s conference 2024.
Over 1,600 women across Australia and overseas joined together in fellowship at the OneLove 2024 conference in August, in-person and online. Through faithful Bible teaching and shared stories, women were encouraged with a refreshed view of what it means to be a child of God and how it shapes everything we do.
Bible teacher and Spoken Word Artist, Blair Linne, presented two talks to address the theme, “Overcoming Complacency: How the Joy of the Father Can Reignite Your Devotion”.
Her first talk was derived from the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. Titled, “The Father’s Joy (Two Types of Lostness)”, Blair helped women to consider the actions of both sons depicted in this story and identify the lostness and complacency that each of them bring. Both sons were complacent and wanted the Father’s inheritance rather than Him. The younger son runs away from his father to pursue immorality. The elder son also “runs away”, but his pursuit is towards morality.
Blair explained that complacency has us placing things, whether immoral or moral, over God Himself. We can be around the Father, but not satisfied in the Father. She highlighted that the story in Luke 15:11-32 exposes our own lack of appreciation for the Father’s joy and gracious love, and yet, even in our complacency, the joy of the Father is constant. He is still near to us and is still patient with us.
“There are two ways to run from the Father or deny the Father: immorality and morality. But there is only one way to come to the Father, and that is by faith.”
In her second talk from Ephesians 1:3-14 titled, “The Blessed Father (Blessed in the Beloved)”, Blair shared that like the brothers in Luke 15, there is a contrast between the Jews and the Gentiles. There was a complacency by the Jews in understanding the full scope of God’s gospel which would include Gentiles as well as the Jews. These disputes cause Gentiles to question their standing as well, which would hinder them or cause them to be complacent and kept from their full gospel identity.
The Father’s joy and love is the stabilising truth which shifts us from complacency to devotion. Blair presented this passage to demonstrate that a way to overcome complacency is by grasping what God has done for us. Do we realise the divine forethought God used to craft all the blessings ordained for us, so that we might be with Him? We must recognise who we have in our Heavenly Father and the right blessings we have attained because of Christ, and all to the praise of His glorious grace.
“We have been stamped with God’s seal of security and no one can take that away from us. As hard as the enemy may try, he cannot remove the seal.”
Blair ended her second talk reciting a Spoken Word poem she wrote at a time when she personally experienced complacency. Her poem, “I Remember When You Used to Love Me”, deeply resonated with the women as she reminded them to return to their first love, God the Father.
Blair also joined the much-loved Q&A segment. Her honesty in her own personal testimony on facing anxiety and fatherlessness sparked countless questions around mental health, ministry life and shifting our focus towards eternity. Many felt moved by her wise and sincere responses during the session.
Women at OneLove were also presented with testimonies and stories throughout the day from everyday women who have wrestled with what it means to really delight in the Father and not just be around Him. Marissa presented a beautiful and thoughtful reflection on how we can ask questions, experience discomfort, sit in uncertainty and still seek God–in sharing stories with one another and God, recognising our grounding in and around scripture. Abi and Diana joined the platform as part of the Fireside Chat to provide women with insights into what complacency might look like in other people’s lives and to be equipped with practical strategies and suggestions as to how to best overcome it.
A particular highlight was the video testimony from Yuni – an inspiring Christian woman, wife and mother with a special needs son. Through her testimony, women were reminded that though we’re tempted to think doing everything is the antidote to complacency, Yuni helpfully reminded us that serving the Lord looks different in different seasons:
“I may not be as active in church as I used to be, but I find deep purpose in my ministry at home knowing that this is where God is calling me to serve right now. The Lord can display His Glory through my situation.”
For many women, Blair’s gentle, sincere, yet strong and bold message, was truly a highlight of the day, as they were comforted and challenged to remember God’s boundless love for His children and the joy that it brings in our lives and the way we serve Him. It was also a beautiful day to enjoy fellowship with friends, family, other churches and women’s groups.
“I really loved hearing the testimonies of the ladies who shared. I think God gives us stories to share and encourage each other. It helps us see how God is working and gives us a sense of him in the wider church.” – Eleisha
“Encouraged the most by Blair’s poem she recited at the end – brought tears to my eyes. I was also greatly encouraged by God’s word from Ephesians – I am chosen, adopted, redeemed, sealed and have an inheritance because of Jesus.” – Paula
“The talks were so encouraging for me to not be complacent but to serve with joy and passion. I was also encouraged to not let difficult times get me down but to persevere to the end.” – Prue
“OneLove was an opportunity where I was surrounded by women who all shared the same goal of growing in godliness. We are all one in Christ, and are called to encourage one another and build one another up; and I believe this was achieved at OneLove. The community that was formed amongst women from all different places, who were unknown to each other before, speaks to the power of the gospel in bringing people together and the truth of the body of Christ – all united by our living desire to please the Lord. OneLove 2024 was an expression of how good our God is, to have given us people to walk alongside us in this life – women from all walks meeting together to praise and worship the one true God.” – Laura
“It wasn’t just one thing, I loved it all. So much variety & not too much of one thing. Kept me interested throughout the conference. God is SO good!!! I love our community & that was shared all the way through.” – Deb
Save the Date for OneLove 2025
Jackie Hill Perry preaching at OneLove women’s conference in 2023.
Jackie Hill Perry will be joining OneLove in 2025 as keynote speaker on Saturday 23rd August 2025! Save the date in your calendar now, and sign up to the mailing list on the OneLove website to be notified when registrations open – don’t miss out!
Missed out or want to rewatch the talks?
The OneLove 2024 talks and interviews will be up on the KCC One app on October 3, with a KCC+ subscription.
Watch on your phone, tablet or laptop; listen to audio on the go; or read in your quiet time – with plenty of resources available on all your devices, be strengthened and encouraged in your faith in the way that suits you best! Read more at www.kccone.org.au/subscription.
“I remember when you used to love meYou were so beautiful back thenSo fruitful back
