This September school holidays, high schoolers across NSW will gather for the last KYCK youth conference for the year. The conference will be looking at the book of Genesis – creation, humanity and the fall – together with speakers Alan Au, Brett Hookham, and Andy Stevenson. KYCKers can also look forward to Jocelyn Bignill and Patricia Weerakoon bringing them some special segments to help think through the theme of ‘identity’ in today’s world.
If you’re joining us this month, here are nine ways to prepare your hearts and minds for KYCK:
1. Read and re-read the book of Genesis
Get the most out of KYCK with some pre-reading from Genesis 1-3 to prime your heart to hear and respond to God’s Word. Read and re-read it – anything stand out for you? Are there any questions you have about the passage?
2. Start your personal praise with the KYCK 24 playlist
Whether you’re wanting a shout-out-loud worship session or some mellow praise for quiet study, this playlist is the perfect soundtrack to familiarise yourself with songs that we’ll be singing at KYCK 24! Listen here.
3. Start training with your youth group for the KYCK On Cup!
Our Saturday afternoon soccer competition, KYCK On, will be back at KYCK#4! The winning team will be declared the champions and awarded the prestigious KYCK ON Cup. We’ll also be giving prizes to the best supporters – think apparel, mascots, team flag and uniform. Start training now, and make sure to get your teams and supporter costumes ready!
4.Rep KYCK with our fresh merch!
Our range of KYCK 24 merch includes hoodies, tees, beanies, caps and NEW sunnies! Enter our merch giveaway competition on Facebook or Instagram to win a hoodie! You can also purchase merch onsite at KYCK each Saturday morning from 8am. All proceeds go towards keeping our ministry going. See pricing and size info here.
5. Don’t forget your KYCK friendship bracelets to swap and share!
Here’s your chance to get creative with spreading the Word! Gather with your youth group to make friendship bracelets and trade them with others at KYCK! We suggest including bible references to our KYCK theme (Genesis 1-3), our memory verse (Colossians 1:15-16) or the name of your youth group. There might even be some prizes on offer! Have fun!
6. Pray for God to work powerfully through KYCK
Please join us in committing KYCK to God in prayer:
Pray that as the gospel is preached at KYCK, the Spirit will work powerfully in the hearts of youth.
Pray that God will protect our speakers Alan, Brett, Andy, Jocelyn and Patricia ahead of KYCK, and that they will preach the gospel and its implications on our identity, clearly and faithfully.
Pray that KYCK will be an opportunity for teens who don’t know Jesus to meet Him for the first time.
Pray that teenagers will leave KYCK with a firm trust in Jesus, and that they will be bold and loving gospel witnesses in their schools, communities and homes.
7.Don’t miss out on the Saturday Night BBQ
Support high school scripture and teachers by purchasing the Saturday night BBQ at KYCK. Held on Saturday, 6.15pm-7.00pm in the Plaza, it’s $7 per person and includes 2 sausage sandwiches & a soft drink! RSVP here: https://www.kyck.org.au/saturday-bbq/
8. Stay up to date with KYCK on socials and the KCC One app
Stay up to date with the latest KYCK news, and interact with our live segments by following us on Facebook or Instagram. Download the KCC One App to gain daily encouragement from KCC’s library of sermons, topical talks, testimonies, and devotionals in audio, text and video formats.
This September school holidays, high schoolers across NSW will gather for the last KYCK youth
By KCC Staff
3am mates, brotherhood & changed lives
“Fellowship is not two or more Christians in the presence of coffee … Fellowship is when we’re honest with one another; when we drop the pretense; when we are real with one another. That is fellowship.” – Sam Allberry, BASECAMP 2024
Every year at BASECAMP, men gather under the Word of God – taking time out to be in fellowship with one another, to dedicate to their relationship with God, and go away refreshed and inspired to live out their faith in work, family and life. This year, speakers Sam Allberry and Jonathan Andrews spoke on the necessary topic, “Brotherhood: Life Together”.
Sam Allberry preaching at BASECAMP Men’s Conference 2024 in Katoomba.
Over 1,700 men joined the conference over two weekends and online, from over 370 churches nationwide in August to share in food, fellowship and rich teaching from the Bible. The theme of brotherhood resonated deeply, with attendees encouraged to think about who they had as a ‘3am mate’ – someone they could call at 3am, and how they could be that mate for those around them. Men were particularly encouraged by seeing the practical ways they could live out Christian brotherhood with one another.
“Was encouraged and challenged to see the importance of investing deeply into my brotherly friendships. I want to put into practice what I learnt and was challenged, which has started with making some face to face hangouts with my 3am friends.”
“The teaching really helped us open up and look inside at what God was trying to talk to us about. It was a great time away with the men from my church to focus on being a Christian brother, husband, father, and son.”
“Reminded of some truths that are often not spoken about in a typical church environment. Spending time with guys from church. Hearing a talk such as Jonathan’s helps put the theory of our Christian walk into reality of life as a ‘man’.”
“It has given me a new over look on confessing sin to my brothers as well as to God. It amazes me how we can be OK to confess to God but be scared to confess to our brothers; we should be more scared to confess to God, because he is God and perfect. I realised that I would rather be judged here on earth by man then to be judged by God.”
“Attending BASECAMP is always a great encouragement and reset. Having attended since Men’s Convention started in 1996 (!), I’ve been encouraged more and more each year to be more the man God made me to be than the one I am. This year, I was particularly instilled with the importance of having a 3am mate (and being one to someone else)! I’ve already come home and am meeting up with someone so we can develop that co-mentoring and support role for each other, even if that sometimes just means a quick check-in.”
“When it gets to me, I ring a mate.”
A particular highlight of the conference was an interview with Steve Turner and Keith Lord about their 40+ year friendship in Christ. Keith first shared his story with the BASECAMP audience in 2020, and talked about being able to reach out to his friend Steve in difficult seasons. Attendees this year were encouraged by seeing and hearing Keith and Steve’s lived experience of enduring brotherhood, and in witnessing this strong real-life example of men truly being there for each other and spurring one another on in faith.
Watch an excerpt from Keith’s original interview here.
Watch the highlights from BASECAMP 2024 below!
Save the date for BASECAMP 2025
Zack Eswine will be joining BASECAMP in 2025 as keynote speaker! Save the dates in your calendar now, and sign up to the mailing list on the BASECAMP website to be notified when registrations open – don’t miss out!
BASECAMP Sydney: Sat 2 August, 2025 BASECAMP Mountains: Fri 8 – Sat 9 August, 2025
Missed out?
The BASECAMP 2024 talks and interviews will be up on the KCC One app in just a few weeks, 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.
“Fellowship is not two or more Christians in the presence of coffee … Fellowship is
By KCC Staff
On the Value of Raising Kids in a Church Family: Andrew
In this interview, Andrew shares both the deep joys and everyday struggles of fathering two young girls. He shares his desire to be fully present for his girls, while grieving not being able to do so as the provider for his family. He opens up about how fatherhood has acted as a “mirror” to his selfishness, impatience, and longings for spontaneity and freedom, and how God has used these moments to grow and strengthen his faith. Finally, he shares the value of raising his girls in a church community—something he learned being exposed to Christianity and a church family early in life.
Photo: The L’estrelle family
Please introduce yourself!
Hi, my name is Andrew L’Estrelle, I’m 32, married to my beautiful wife Addie and together we have two girls – Emily who is 5 and Ellanor who is almost 2. We’re members at Providence Church Brisbane, having started as part of the launch team when the church was planted in 2015.
During the week I work for the Queensland Government and hobbies these days mostly revolve around the kids or various building and improvement projects around the house. I like gardening, making/building things, and pursuing simple creative outlets like cooking. When I get the time, I really enjoy going out to the country where I grew up, spending time in nature, and enjoying the tranquility of standing on a remote hill with no civilisation in sight.
2. What has been the greatest joy and challenge of being a Girl Dad so far?
The greatest joy I have found in parenting has been watching my girls grow and learn. Their sense of adventure and eagerness to explore the world, asking questions about how things work and why. Watching them achieve things they couldn’t do yesterday whether it be helping Emily learn to read or seeing the joy on Ella’s face when she finally masters jumping with both feet at the same time.
Growing into this role of ‘Dad’ has also been incredibly challenging, realising how selfish I am with my own time and desiring a level of spontaneity, freedom and independence that isn’t compatible with giving yourself up to be available and present for your kids. Working full-time and having to spend a significant portion of my week away from the kids has also been, and continues to be, a challenge for me. Switching off from work and trying to be as present as possible at the end of a long day is difficult, but as Ella runs toward me, with arms in the air screaming “DADDDAA” work quickly fades away. It’s in the little chats as I put them to bed and we try and catch up on the day that I find little moments of joy, for example, as Emily asks to pray together, and we read her bible together each night.
Growing into this role of ‘Dad’ has also been incredibly challenging, realising how selfish I am with my own time and desiring a level of spontaneity, freedom and independence that isn’t compatible with giving yourself up to be available and present for your kids.
3. You grew up in a Christian household and attending church and have remained in the faith into adulthood. How has your early exposure to Christianity shaped the way you parent your girls today?
I grew up in a Christian home and had the benefit of learning from and observing several solid, mature Christians as I grew up. I’m very grateful for the early exposure I had to Christianity, being in an environment where I was taught the bible and seeing Sunday church be prioritised and valued. This all provided a solid base for me to develop my knowledge of God and develop my own faith.
I have seen lots of men who are dedicated to their church and their families, and one common observation I have is that they were all present and committed, with church and family being clear priorities in their life. This has helped me tackle my own big decisions in life like where to buy a house and live, where to work, the type of lifestyle we seek and seeking to have church and community as a central priority of our week, seeking opportunity’s to open our home and serve people to model to our girls that our faith and our church family are central priorities that guide our decision making, not an afterthought that we fit into our otherwise secular lives.
Growing up in a Christian home has taught me the importance of providing an environment and space for my girls to learn and encounter authentic gospel community to allow them to develop their own faith in time. In 2021, I took 18 months long-term leave from work, and we sold our house and packed up all our things to build our own tiny home on wheels and travel the country together.
We loved our time away but returned to Brisbane to provide our girls a gospel-based church to grow up in—something I believe is so important in supporting my kids as they explore the gospel for themselves at a young age. We love our church community and I’m enjoying this phase of parenting particularly as our eldest Emily has started asking more questions about the bible and faith.
Growing up in a Christian home has taught me the importance of providing an environment and space for my girls to learn and encounter authentic gospel community to allow them to develop their own faith in time.
4. How does knowing God, the perfect Father, shape the way you parent your girls? How has God used fatherhood to grow and sanctify you?
The majority of the challenges I have faced in parenthood stem from my own selfishness and lack of patience, however I am coming to see joy in the mirror that parenthood holds up to our own lives as it presents opportunities for me to grow and mature in my own walk with God.
When faced with a child who ignores my first, second and 58th reasonable request to put their socks on (insert daily struggle here), rather than being discouraged and frustrated I am reminded to stop and act out of love and patience as I hear God calling out to me with grace and love, patiently waiting for me to respond to his reasonable request to love and follow him.
I have by no means mastered this yet, and God continues to work in my heart to grow me and to shape me as his son and as a father. I am thankful for the kids he has blessed me with, and the privilege it is to raise these two girls, and I pray that I can point them toward God’s grace and love through my parenting as they grow up and we face new and unchartered challenges together.
Andrew opens up about how the challenge of fatherhood has grown his faith, and the value of raising children in a gospel-based church community.
By Heidi Tai
On Learning Love & Patience as a Girl Dad: Chester
In this interview, Chester shares the joys and challenges of being a ‘Girl Dad’ and how God has used his daughters to grow him in love, patience, and prayerfulness. Having grown up in a non-Christian home, Chester also shares how knowing God the Father has influenced his parenting decisions and spiritual disciplines as a family.
Photo: Chester with his wife and girls
Please introduce yourself!
My name is Chester Wong, and I’ve been married to Ka for 19 years. We have two daughters: Ava, who’s 15 (yes, I’m in the teenage stage), and Jemma, who’s 11. We attend Auburn Anglican Church, a great place for our girls to see that God’s Kingdom is wonderfully diverse, with people from all over the world—perfect for a city like Sydney.
When I’m not ‘babysitting’ the kids (though they’ll tell you they’re too old for that), you can find me in lycra; cycling around Sydney or glued to the TV watching Formula 1. As our girls get older and more independent, they might not need us for every little thing, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need us. Sometimes, just being there—like now, as I’m sitting on Ava’s bed while she studies for exams—makes all the difference.
2. What has been the greatest joy and challenge of being a ‘Girl Dad’?
Being a ‘Girl Dad’ has been a crash course in hair conditioner, hair dryers, and mastering the art of JoJo Siwa bows. One of the biggest challenges? Learning how to do plaits—let’s just say I’m still in training. I’ve also had to figure out how to be gentle and soft. Growing up with a brother, we were always roughhousing, but with my girls, I’ve had to learn to use loving and encouraging words, and to keep my voice down. The joys? They love cuddles, and they’re always up for teaching me the latest TikTok moves.
3. How has coming to know God, the perfect Father, influenced the way you father your girls?
Growing up in a non-Christian home, I’ve had to rely heavily on prayer and to seek wisdom and guidance from other godly fathers to help me keep Jesus at the center of our family. God has really shaped my character, especially my temper. Early in my fatherhood, I noticed I was quick-tempered, much like my own dad. But as I look to Christ, I’ve been reminded that this isn’t the way to raise my girls in a loving and patient manner.
4. How has God used fatherhood to grow and sanctify you?
Fatherhood humbles me every day as I constantly question whether I’m doing enough to nurture my daughters in Christ and provide for their needs. I keep coming back to the truth that it’s God who ultimately shapes their hearts. Our hope is that they will genuinely love Christ and choose to follow Him.
5. What is one piece of advice that you would give to new Dads this Father’s Day?
Pray for your children often and pray with them every night. Before I tuck my girls in bed, even my 15-year-old, we read the Bible and pray together. This is our nightly anchor—a time to stay rooted in God’s word and prayer as a discipline. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to chat, play random games, and share a laugh.
Chester shares the joys and challenges of being a ‘Girl Dad’ and how God has used his daughters to grow him in love, patience, and prayerfulness.
By Heidi Tai
On the Joy & Grief of “Letting Go” of Adult Children: Eugene
Ahead of Father’s Day (Sunday 1st September), we’ll be sharing stories of everyday Christian fathers and how the gospel shapes their parenting. In this interview, Eugene Hor shares the joys and challenges of 24 years of fatherhood and celebrates how God has remained faithful to his children into adulthood. He also shares the difficulty of “letting go” of his adult children and how older fathers can continue to serve, lead and glorify God in their families.
Photo: Eugene with his family members Ashleigh, Pauline and Joshua.
Please introduce yourself!
I’m Eugene and I’ve been married to Pauline for 29 years. We’ve got two young adult children. My daughter Ashleigh’s 22 and my son Joshua’s 24. I’m currently the pastor at GracePoint Presbyterian Church in Sydney, a church we planted in 1999.
I’m not sure if I have hobbies. Pauline always says I have many interests that come and go, from archery to model cars to remote control cars to smoking meat to crossfit. The list is endless. My current interest right now is growing superhot chili peppers and making superhot sauces with my variety of reapers, scorpions and ghost peppers.
I’m finding myself in what an older pastor once called our third season in life and ministry. In our first season we’re learners and we’re making all our mistakes. In our second season, we’re practitioners and worked out what to do because we’ve learnt from our mistakes. In our third season we’re teachers trying to work out what we can really pour into and what foundation we can leave behind for the next generation.
I think we’re in our third season of life and ministry, and with our son getting married next year and our daughter possibly the year after, we’re trying to work out how we can best serve the gospel in the coming new season.
What has been your greatest joy and challenge as a father recently?
More recently my greatest joy as a father has been seeing both our children speak of GracePoint as their church, a church they love and want to continue serving at. They’ve approached disruption taking place in our church community with a maturity and love that I’ve been incredibly thankful for. That was always a worry for me when they were growing up, as church wasn’t always a place they wanted to be. There were seasons where church was boring, or they didn’t have peers and so didn’t want to go. But if you’re a pastor’s kid it’s not that easy bailing out on Sunday church growing up. I’m thankful it didn’t make them resentful, and I’m thankful that God kept them all these years.
I remember on our way to church one Sunday in the car when Joshua, who was in year 8 at the time, said, ‘I don’t want to go to church, it’s boring, it’s not fun.’ I remember using it as a teaching moment, asking him if he wanted to be a boy or a man one day. He said he wanted to be a man, and I remember saying to him that boys only want to have fun, but men do hard things. When things are no longer fun, they bail or run away.
Men take responsibility and do what’s good and right, even if it’s hard and boring, like Jesus. Men take responsibility and serve others, even when it’s hard and boring, like Jesus. Men take responsibility and care for others, even when it’s hard and boring, like Jesus. I told him that if all you want to do is have fun, you’ll never grow up to be a man. And church isn’t always going to be easy or fun, but we go because it’s good and right, and we go because we care and want to serve others like Jesus. I don’t know if he fully understood, but when I asked him again if he wanted to be a boy or a man, he said he wanted to be a man. That’s been a real joy for me seeing both our children do hard things when it comes to church and life, in being committed to loving and serving others like Jesus.
Church isn’t always going to be easy or fun, but we go because it’s good and right, and we go because we care and want to serve others like Jesus.
In terms of a challenge as a father, I think it’s challenging to let go as your kids get older. I’m certainly finding that hard. Pauline keeps reminding me that they’re independent young adults who will ask me for help if they need it. I still over-function as a dad and feel the need to do things for them even when help is unsolicited. Ashleigh recently said to me that she is informing me that she is going to Korea later this year for holidays, rather than asking me, as she knows what my response would be if she asked.
That’s challenging for me as I still see them as children who need my help and protection. I suspect they do, but not as dependent children, but as independent young adults. It’s challenging for me to make that shift. Part of making that shift is to recognise that I won’t always be able to be there for them as they leave home, but they will always have a heavenly Father who loves them and will care for them much more than I could ever do. I need to entrust them to his providential care and protection, and they need to look to him even more so as young adults.
How has knowing God the perfect Father shaped the way you fathered your own children?
Knowing God as a perfect Father has shaped the way I’ve fathered my children in two ways.
Firstly, it’s recognising that I’ll never be a perfect father to my children. I’m not just finite but also flawed and sinful. I might not be the perfect Dad and I can’t always be there for them, but they’ll always have a heavenly Father who’ll be there for them, and who’ll never fail them or disappoint them. So even as a Dad I always want to point them to their heavenly Father, a father who’ll always love them and be there for them. It was my practice all through high school when we dropped them off at school or when they caught the bus, to send them a SMS with a verse from the Psalms or a bible verse to let them know I’d be praying God’s presence, promises or truth for them, reminding them that they were never alone. It was my way of saying, ‘Daddy can’t always be there with you, but your heavenly Father will always be there for you, look to him and trust him.’
Secondly, it’s given me a better understanding of what it means to be a father the way God has been a perfect Father to me in two ways. He’s been a perfect Father who has loved me unconditionally and completely in the giving of his Son for me. That’s a reminder to me that I will always be loved even when I’ve failed. He’s also been a perfect Father who has powerfully overcome the one thing that can destroy me forever in the raising up of his Son over death for me. That’s a reminder to me that I’ll always be safe even when life is uncertain.
So even as a Dad I always want to communicate those two things to them as children.
I wanted them to always know that ‘Daddy will always love you and Daddy is always here for you even when things are hard.’ Practically this meant being physically present and available. Ashleigh certainly knew that and often took advantage of that as she would sometimes call me in the middle of my work meetings, knowing I would always pick up if she called – often to ask me if I could get her Krispy Kreme donuts on the way home. My kids have always grown up knowing that I will always be present and available for them.
I might not be the perfect Dad and I can’t always be there for them, but they’ll always have a heavenly Father who’ll be there for them, and who’ll never fail them or disappoint them.
Your children are now young adults. How can fathers of older children continue serving and leading their family for God’s glory?
I think as a father to adult children one of the ways we can continue serving and leading our families for God’s glory is to keep modelling to them the grace of the gospel in our lives and inviting them to walk with us the way we’ve walked with them growing up.
When they’re small they see it lived out in the way we serve and relate to others. As they grow into adulthood, we should be able to share more with them, and we should be able to invite them to walk with us in our personal challenges and ministry. When the kids were small, we would pray for them and instruct them. While we still pray for them and we give them unsolicited instruction as parents do, we also now share more with them, and we often seek their prayer and counsel in life and ministry. One could say that we need to see our children as partners in the gospel as they grow up.
God has blessed you with two children who have remained faithful in the Lord. What is one piece of advice that you would give to new dads this Father’s Day?
God has been gracious, and I don’t think we’ve done anything special that has led to our children remaining faithful to the Lord. We have, however, been committed to God’s ordinary means of grace for his people.
I would say this to any new Dad: Give yourself to regular prayer for yourself and for your children. Open the Bible and regularly read the word to your children. Help them know and understand God’s promises to them in the gospel. Teach and instruct them in living out God’s truth. Make Sunday worship with God’s people a priority as a family. Don’t deny them the sacrament of baptism as they’re children of God’s covenant community. Don’t deny them the promises of the gospel in the sign and seal of baptism. Give yourself to serving God’s people at church and involve them in serving with you.
Model for your children what it means to be a father who loves unconditionally and protects, the way your Heavenly Father has been a father to you in Jesus. More than anything else, recognise that you won’t always be a perfect Dad, but your children will always have a heavenly Father who has loved them in Jesus, and who wants to and will always be there for them. Always point them to him.
Eugene shares the joy and grief of "letting go" of adult children, and how older Dads can continue to serve, lead and glorify God in their families.
By Heidi Tai
On Balancing Work and Parenting as a Toddler Dad: Joshua
Ahead of Father’s Day (Sunday 1st September), we’ll be sharing stories of everyday Christian fathers and how the gospel shapes their parenting. In the first of the series, Joshua Fernandez shares the joys and challenges of fathering a high-energy toddler, how he strives to model God’s character as a Christian dad, and learning to balance family duties with work in a male-dominated Trades Industry. We hope you are encouraged by his story!
Photo: Joshua and his son, Leon.
Hi Josh! Please introduce yourself!
My name is Joshua Fernandez, and I am the husband of Katherine and father to Leon. I attend Fellowship Baptist Church in Lalor Park and have been there since I was 6 years old. My trade is a Security Technician, where I provide security and access to commercial and residential buildings through CCTV cameras, automatic doors, FOB access, alarms, etc. My hobbies include exercising, watching anime, playing video games, and throwing my son around the room because he enjoys flying and being upside down.
What has been your greatest joy and challenge in being a new father so far?
The greatest joy and challenge so far in being a new father is the shaping and moulding of the character of my son. It’s the greatest joy seeing Leon grow and learn new things, discovering his likes and dislikes, figuring out the limitations of his current physicality, and trying to understand where his “off” button is because he seems to have endless energy. The challenge is keeping up with his endless energy, keeping calm when he has a tantrum, and trying to feed him when he’s hungry but also doesn’t want to eat at the same time, just to name a few.
Finding balance when it comes to providing material things is another challenge. Growing up in an Asian and financially strict household has caused me to just buy the things my son wants (namely Monster Truck and Hot Wheels). It’s my way of making up for the things I missed out on when I was younger. There’s no greater feeling than making your child happy and seeing him fall asleep in the pram, holding a Hot Wheel car. The other side of that coin is also the challenge of making sure Leon understands that life isn’t always going to go the way you want it to. We aren’t going to be happy all the time, and we aren’t always going to get a Hot Wheel every time we ask for one.
How does knowing God, the perfect Father shape the way you parent your son?
My goal as a father, and obligation as a God-fearing man, is to emulate God the Father and his character so that Leon might see God in me. In doing so, I hope he can look to do the same for his life, as he grows to understand God and Christianity.
We, as sinners, can’t live to the standards of God all the time but we can continually and daily strive to live as God wants us to live. So, I daily strive to show God’s love, patience, and understanding, so that Leon may grow up knowing and understanding the right way to live, as well as who God is, and His position in my life. By showing my own failings and weaknesses to Leon and helping him understand why Papa still gets mad and makes mistakes, I can put God and His characteristics as the highest and perfect standard for Leon to strive for.
You work in a male-dominated Trades Industry that isn’t always friendly towards fathers who want to prioritise home duties. Can you share examples of how you have tried to be a witness in this culture?
I have been blessed and fortunate to not have experienced too much of this firsthand. There is only one instance where I was guilt tripped into coming back to work right after my son had just been born, but it ended as a non-hostile conversation, and it ended with me going on parental leave 2 weeks earlier than the dates I had applied for. My current co-workers are all about family, so it’s been easy to prioritise home and family before work, without being degraded for it.
As a Tradie, I make an effort to continue putting my family first, despite work and the deadlines that come with it. By putting family first, I can show those around me that life is more than just work, but a means God gives to us to provide for our families and to exercise creativity, practicality and problem solving outside of family.
If you could share one piece of advice to new fathers this Father’s Day what would it be?
The one piece of advice I can share would be to be more proactive within the home, help your wife out where you can and be mindful of how your wife and children are feeling. Doing the little things count. Washing baby bottles, folding laundry, loading and starting the dishwasher, preparing dinner. All these things help even if only a little bit.
Don’t get me wrong – you can make time for yourself and your hobbies, but don’t let your time come before your wife and child’s needs. There will be difficult days where it seems like everything you do is for everyone but yourself, but your wife will appreciate all that you do, and your children will see how present their father is.
Our duty as fathers isn’t just to physically provide for our families but to provide, sustain, and nurture the mental and spiritual aspects of our families. With God’s grace and strength, we have the ability to do these things and more.
Joshua shares the joys and challenges of fathering a toddler and learning to balance family duties with work in a male-dominated Trades Industry.
By Heidi Tai
Why OneLove?
OneLove women’s conference is happening this Saturday, 24th August! From dedicated time to sit under God’s Word, a prayerfully thought-out program, to wonderful worship and all the extra things that make a conference day out special – there is something for everyone to benefit from.
Here are just a few of the things attendees last year had to say:
So many times l have missed out but this year l was fortunate to hear in time to attend. It was my first time and have never experienced such a wonderful gathering … l am still learning about the love of God and his wonderful gifts to his faithful. It was an awesome experience to be part of a gathering of Christian women.
I always find it very encouraging, and taking time to stop and listen with 3 small children is hard. I also really appreciate that it’s a women’s conference that doesn’t feel hyper feminine or too “pink” and allows space for lots of different expressions of womanhood.
I was able to invite my Mum along (young in her faith) for the day, without it being too daunting for her to come. The talks were so, so good! All the segments were fantastic, including live and video testimonies! It was great to be together with so many believers – all one in Christ Jesus.
I loved that OneLove broke the mould of a women’s event and actively ensured a diverse range of speakers from backgrounds, faiths, ages presented.
I’ve spent the last 12 months serving every Sunday in my home church and this weekend meant that I got to be served and shown love. I haven’t been in a space of worship like I was on Saturday for the longest time. So thank you! It’s reignited a lot for me!
OneLove gave me a renewed love for Jesus and fresh perspective of studying His Word. The event ran so smoothly and was well structured to keep energy high and the audience engaged. I was concerned about sitting all day but found I could have easily sat through the night!
Don’t miss out this year! It’s not too late to get tickets (or join us online if you can’t make it in-person!)
OneLove women’s conference is happening on Saturday 24th August at the Hillsong Convention Centre. Grab some friends, and get your tickets from our website: https://onelovewomen.com/register/
OneLove women’s conference is happening this Saturday, 24th August! From dedicated time to sit under
By Mary Jung
6 Ways to Get Ready for BASECAMP 2024
BASECAMP Men’s Conference is happening this weekend and next weekend (it’s not too late to get your ticket)! Here are six ways to prepare your head and heart before you come.
1. Tune your heart for worship with the BASECAMP Spotify playlist Familiarise yourself with the BASECAMP song list by following our Spotify playlist here. Whether you’re looking for a playlist for relaxing, study or the commute to work, the BASECAMP playlist is filled with hymns that will tune your heart for worship.
2. Grab your BASECAMP merch We have a fresh drop of BASECAMP merch for 2024 including our new long-sleeved tee, crew jumper and beanie, plus much loved cap and socks! These items will be sold exclusively on-site at our 2024 City and Mountains events.
3. Secure your Online Conference Pack
If you can’t join us in-person this year, you can join us for the BASECAMP Livestreamed event at a convenient location of your choice! Registrations will give you access to BASECAMP 2024 live and on-demand until 11 September 2024. Make sure you register before midnight Sunday 28 July to secure your Online Conference Pack including a printed booklet and pen. Register now.
4. Pray for BASECAMP
Please join us in praying for BASECAMP men’s conference!
Pray that men’s ministry in local churches will be strengthened as a result of BASECAMP 2024.
Pray that God will speak powerfully through our speakers, Sam Allberry and Jonathan Andrews.
Pray for God’s work in our delegates. Pray for His will to be done and that our delegates will be reminded of their purpose as brothers in Christ and hear His word with open ears, minds and hearts.
Pray for event logistics and AV and that everything will run smoothly on the day. Pray for our unbelieving friends, that they will hear and respond positively to God’s word being preached.
5. Familiarise yourself with Scripture that will be preached on the day Prepare your hearts and heads for the topic of Brotherhood by reading the following passages that will be covered at BASECAMP 24:
Mark 3: 22-35
Ephesians 6:10-20
Mark 5:21-36
1 John 1:1-10
6. Grab your last-minute tickets!
There’s still time for you and your friends to join us for a fantastic day, hearing powerful preaching with 1,400+ brothers! Grab your last-minute tickets here.
It’s not too late to get your ticket!
BASECAMP men’s conference is running over two weekends in three different formats:
BASECAMP Sydney (3 August 2024) – A one-day recharge held at the UNSW Roundhouse in Kensington
BASECAMP Mountains (9–10 August 2024) – An overnight retreat held at StayKCC in Katoomba
BASECAMP Online (9–10 August 2024) – An online livestream of BASECAMP Mountains that can be aired from your church hall, lounge room or shed!
Special discounts also apply for students, interstate and regional delegates. Click here for more information.
BASECAMP Men’s Conference is happening this weekend and next weekend (it’s not too late to
By Mary Jung
6 Quotes Challenging Our Complacency
One of the biggest dangers of our modern culture today is that our everyday can lull us into a false sense of security – we go with the flow but don’t realise we are drifting slowly, but surely, in the wrong direction. Here are some Bible verses and quotes to reflect on and be challenged by so we can be intentional and proactive in how we live out our lives in Christ.
1. "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." - Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)
2. "Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain." - A.W. Tozer
3. "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth." - Revelation 3:15-18 (NIV)
4. "We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behaviour." - John Stott
5. "People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated." - D.A. Carson
6. "Our primary problem as Christian women is not that we lack self-worth, not that we lack a sense of significance. It's that we lack awe." - Jen Wilkin
Overcome Complacency at OneLove 2024!
Our lives are shaped by routine – from workplaces to home life, from fitness classes to even church services. With this, the beauty of the gospel risks becoming over-familiar, leading to complacency and indifference. Despite our best efforts to reignite the passion we once had, time and time again we find ourselves slipping back into our schedules, where our faith becomes just another part of our daily lives. I wonder if you know this cycle well?
OneLove24 will be an opportunity to pause, to reflect and rediscover the sheer joy of being known and loved by the Father. Through songs, shared stories and Biblical talks, we will seek to know Him better, his boundless Love for us and the joy that it brings. Our prayer is that you’ll leave the conference with a fresh view of what it means to be a child of God and how it shapes everything you do. We hope you will join us!
OneLove women’s conference is happening on Saturday 24th August at the Hillsong Convention Centre. Tickets are now available from our website: https://onelovewomen.com/register/
Discounted tickets are also available for full-time students, interstate and regional delegates. More information available from our website: https://onelovewomen.com/register/#prices
One of the biggest dangers of our modern culture today is that our everyday can
By Mary Jung
5 Reasons Not to Miss BASECAMP 2024
BASECAMP men’s conference is just around the corner, with BASECAMP City kicking off next Saturday at the Roundhouse in UNSW. It’s not too late to grab a few mates and join (get your tickets before this Sunday 28th July to avoid the Last Minute ticket rates!)
Here are five reasons not to miss it:
Challenging talks to move you in your faith
Take the opportunity to really focus and listen to God’s Word, and move yourself out of your everyday routine. Sam Allberry and Jonathan Andrews will be speaking on how to build brotherhood, looking at Jesus as our inspiration and model.
Prayerfully thought-out program that isn’t boring
The BASECAMP team are excited to be bringing you a men’s conference that speaks to your real life and faith, and more to enrich and complement the talks you’ll be hearing on the day: heartfelt worship of our Father; real, down-to-earth stories of faith lived out; practical tips for living out what you hear; and lots of laughs along the way.
Back in 2020 we met Keith Lord, a farmer from the Riverina region of NSW. In his interview, Keith mentioned his Christian mate Steve and the importance of their friendship – especially during tough times. We’re looking forward to interviewing Steve and Keith at BASECAMP this year, and exploring what Christian brotherhood means to them.
Full-day catering to fill your physical ‘soul’ (your belly!)
No brown bags here – BASECAMP means business when it comes to keeping you nourished and well-fed. Enjoy full-day catering with morning tea and a hot lunch, along with hot drinks to keep you warm in the winter.
Easy venue, easy parking
Whether you’re coming up to the Blue Mountains for the weekend, or dipping into the one-day event in Sydney, it couldn’t be easier to come along with your group. See more venue information here!
Broaden your perspective with fellowship and our ministry partners
With men from all over gathering for the conference, you have a precious opportunity to fellowship with other Christian brothers – as well as those you came with! Have a chat with our ministry partners too; they do some amazing work out in the world and closer to home.
Don’t miss out – register today!
BASECAMP men’s conference will be held over two weekends in three different formats:
BASECAMP Sydney (3 August 2024) – A one-day recharge held at the UNSW Roundhouse in Kensington
BASECAMP Mountains (9–10 August 2024) – An overnight retreat held at StayKCC in Katoomba
BASECAMP Online (9–10 August 2024) – An online livestream of BASECAMP Mountains that can be aired from your church hall, lounge room or shed!
Make sure you purchase your tickets before 28 July (AEDT), before Last Minute ticket rates apply!
Special discounts also apply for students, interstate and regional delegates. Click here for more information.
BASECAMP men’s conference is just around the corner, with BASECAMP City kicking off next Saturday
