Content note: This story includes themes of grief and the sudden loss of a parent.
Raised in a Christian home, Crystal came to know and follow Jesus from a young age, but her journey has not been without doubt, grief, and moments that tested what she believed. Spark was not only a place to build new connections, but also a moment to be reminded of the call to pursue holiness, carry God’s name with intention, and share her faith with boldness.
1. Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your faith journey.
Hi, my name is Crystal Azocar, I go to NewLife Anglican Church in Oran Park and I’m 20 years old.
How did I come to know Jesus? Well, by the grace of God I was brought up by two loving born-again Christian parents, who taught me and raised me to know and love Jesus. When I was 7, I decided to take my faith seriously and my mum walked me through ‘two ways to live’ by Philip Jensen. I decided that life sounded a whole lot better with God by my side and became a committed follower of Jesus that day.
I decided that life sounded a whole lot better with God by my side and became a committed follower of Jesus that day.
Teen years were tricky dealing with friends and family who suffered with mental health ups and downs as well as facing doubts of my own with my faith. I faced one of the hardest moments of my life when I was 16 and found my dad deceased. I walked outside to meet the ambulance and, in a moment I can’t fully explain, I went from crying and raging at God telling him that if this was real, that I would hate Him forever, to praising God for how good He is and thanking him for the ability to have had so many amazing, memorable years with my dad. Turns out, it was a heart attack that took him but I ultimately learnt that when our clock runs out it’s time to go.
I got baptised in Year 12 and once I graduated high school I went to Year 13 Youthworks for my gap year where I learnt so much about God, His love and the expectations He has for the way we live our lives. Our mission trip to Fiji taught me so much and helped heal some aspects of my relationship with God and reaffirmed to me that life truly is a whole lot better sticking by God’s side.
2. What made you want to attend Spark?
I was so excited to attended Spark because I had gone to my first KYCK in Year 12 and was sad that there was nothing like it for my young adult years. When I found out that KCC was going to launch a Young Adult version called Spark, I literally squealed and jumped for joy!
I was also very excited to hear that Jackie Hill Perry was coming to teach because I love how approachable her style is for new, not-yet and also mature believers. I was also just keen to meet new brothers and sisters in Christ and meditate on the theme of holiness especially since I felt that word kept popping up for me last year. I brought along with me my sister Megan and our friend Aaron from church.
3. Describe your Spark experience! What was a highlight for you?
My Spark experience was awesome! My sister and I had always wanted to sit in the front so we arrived early every session and managed to get front row the whole conference (an absolute dream come true).
We enjoyed the morning tea breaks chatting with new and old friends while looking at the different stalls set up and planning hangouts with other new attendees for the breaks. The band was so great leading us in worship in such a humble way that made it about God and not themselves. My sister had been to OneBodyWorship nights before but Spark was the first time I had experienced them.
A highlight for me was hearing Jackie Hill Perry’s testimony and the way she spoke about how all our testimonies start with the garden.
4. One main takeaway from the weekend?
One main takeaway: Don’t let sin become normal and godliness be strange. Sin makes us believe that our ‘wisdom’ should lead our lives instead of God.
5. How have you been living differently after Spark?
Two things I could say is: Carrying my ‘family name’ with respect and acting like them (there was a theme about God’s family name – the name we carry as God’s children and that we should respect it and act accordingly). I believe that I’ve been trying to do this more.The other is being more proactive with evangelising with the people around me, the friends and family I have in my life (they spoke about our mission field being the people and places around us in our immediate life). Two friends I’ve been chatting and praying for since then have come to our church now! So thank you God.
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We live in a world that tells us to create our own meaning. But so often, chasing success, relationships, experiences, or approval leaves us feeling exhausted, confused, and still wanting more.
At Spark 2026, we’ll explore why our culture’s promises fall short and how the good news of Jesus redefines what a truly meaningful life looks like.
Together, we’ll consider how life can be deeply purposeful and secure, both now and forever, in Christ. Register here.
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