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For Sebastian, BASECAMP has become a decade long rhythm of slowing down, worshipping with thousands of other men, and returning to everyday life more grounded in faith. He shares why BASECAMP is a highlight of his year, and why sometimes the most important step is just showing up.

1. Tell us a little about yourself!

I’m Sebastian married to Mervat and we have 2 beautiful children. Timothy who is in Year 12 and Leah who just commenced Year 10. We attend Oran Park Baptist Church and have done so since it was planted 10 years ago (We are about to celebrate our 10th Birthday in Feb). I am part of the Leadership team at The Refuge and we were part of the founding families with Pastor Dean.

2. How many times have you attended BASECAMP and how has it encouraged your faith?

I have attended BASECAMP 10 times, and it is definitely a highlight on the calendar each year. I very much look forward to attending, and it’s really encouraging for me because it creates space to just slow down, reflect, and be reminded of what really matters. Being surrounded by thousands of other blokes who are open about their faith, struggles, and growth helps normalise conversations that don’t always happen in everyday life. Just being in a room, worshiping together, is something that needs to be experienced. The teachings are always grounding, practical, and challenging too.

Going back to “real life” afterwards is probably the most difficult part — in particular, the contrast: work pressures, routines, and distractions that come rushing back — but I feel more intentional about how I respond to them.

Being surrounded by thousands of other blokes who are open about their faith, struggles, and growth helps normalise conversations that don’t always happen in everyday life.

3. Can you share a highlight from BASECAMP?

I thought BASECAMP 2025 was brilliant, both Zack (Eswine) and Peter (Sondergeld) spoke well and where easy to connect with. I was particularly encouraged by one of the sessions last year from Zack when he spoke about meekness.

4. Why should men set aside time for conferences like BASECAMP?

I think blokes should set aside time to attend conferences like BASECAMP because they create intentional space away from everyday pressures to reset, reflect, and be challenged. It’s an opportunity to step away — even if it’s just two days — and allow God to speak into our lives.
As well as hear honest stories, and be encouraged by other men who are walking similar journeys.

…they create intentional space away from everyday pressures to reset, reflect, and be challenged.

I believe this helps us men reconnect with our faith, gain perspective, and return to everyday life more grounded, purposeful, and intentional — not just for themselves, but for our families, workplaces, churches and communities.

5. What would you say to someone who might be on the fence about attending?

If you are on the fence about attending, I’d say you don’t have to have it all together to come — you just need to be willing to show up. If you’re on the fence, that’s probably a good sign it’s worth it. BASECAMP is a chance to step away from the noise, be real, and be encouraged by other men who are figuring things out too. You’ll walk away with perspective, not pressure, and something practical you can carry back into everyday life.

BASECAMP is a chance to step away from the noise, be real, and be encouraged by other men who are figuring things out too.

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Register today!

As Christian men, many of us know what we believe—but the real question is this: do we live it when the pressure is on? Courage is easy in theory. It’s much harder in the moment, when convictions collide with fear, desire, pride, or self-preservation. This theme asks a simple but confronting question: how do we develop courage under fire?

To be resolute is not to be perfect, but to be formed into men whose courage is shaped by the cross—and strong enough to carry it when it counts most. Register here.

After a decade of running both our one‑day Sydney event and our Mountains overnight weekend, we’ve made the decision to focus our energy and resources solely on the weekend experience in Katoomba.

This wasn’t a quick or easy decision. Since COVID, we’ve seen a noticeable decline in attendance at the Sydney one day format, and that pattern has continued even as other parts of life have returned to normal.

As a ministry we’re always conscious of how we steward the limited resources we do have, and we believe the wisest decision is to cease our one-day BASECAMP Sydney event as of 2026.

What this means for our BASECAMP delegates:

• BASECAMP Sydney will no longer run, as of this year.
• Same quality program. A transformative men’s weekend in Katoomba that will encourage and challenge you deeply in your faith, over two days of powerful preaching, worship and community.
• Stronger community. When men step away for a full weekend, conversations go further, walls soften, and the impact lasts.
• An event format designed for maximum impact. Intentional, unrushed and deeply relational, with plenty of room for reflection, connection and meaningful conversations over meals, breaks and the beauty of the Blue Mountains.

We know many people have appreciated the convenience of the Sydney one‑day event, and we don’t take that for granted. But we’re committed to ensuring the Mountains overnighter will absolutely be worth the distance and time.  The men who show up for the weekend consistently tell us it changed something fundamental—and that’s the experience we want to deliver every single time.

We already have new ideas brewing to strengthen and grow BASECAMP in the coming years. We’d be grateful for your prayers as we seek God’s wisdom to continue serving men with a ministry that is solid, meaningful, and needed.

Join us in Katoomba this August.