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For this KEC regular and her family, Easter isn’t complete without time in Katoomba. In this story, Rachel reflects on what made KEC 25 unique: everything from conversations with teenagers over dinner, to learning how to love others extravagantly, to praying ‘kingdom prayers’ after a speaker’s challenge. 

1. What made you decide to come to Easter Convention this year?  

My family love it so much—it would take a lot for us to decide not to come! It’s been a yearly highlight and special way to celebrate Easter for many years. 

2. How many times have you been to KEC?  

We aren’t exactly sure, but we think it’s been about 13 years now. We usually come away with 2 other church families. This year we enjoyed the same: fun times with the families spending time together, rich teaching and encouragement. This year was different because there were extra boyfriend/girlfriends who stayed with our families, because one of our daughters served on the KEC junior high teams, and because it wasn’t so cold or wet—each of those were blessings! 

This year we enjoyed the same: fun times with the families spending time together, rich teaching and encouragement.

3. What was a highlight or moment from the weekend that really stuck with you?  

I always enjoy Kirk Patston’s presentations and this year his prayer stuck with me. Hopefully I am remembering correctly, but I think Kirk prayed the same prayer at the start of his sessions. Something along the lines of God being the mystery or riddle that haunts us, the truth we seek, and the truth that finds us and fills us with wonder. I think that would be a beautiful way to live. 

4. Was there a particular talk or speaker that encouraged or challenged you? How so?  

I thought all the speakers did an excellent job this year. Something that Philip Ryken mentioned that I thought was challenging was that we should have a full-blown, contagious case of Jesus—not just a mild case of Christianity. He reminded us that God has embedded us in unique communities and that we should keep sharing the Gospel with them while we still have time. He gave an example of a gentle way to engage in conversation where there might be disagreement. ‘I disagree—it’s probably because I’m a Christian, but I’d love to hear your perspective on that’.

Phil reminded us not to make it harder than it needs to be, but to just let them know you are a Christian and help them see your life through a Christian lens.He also mentioned that God loves to answer Kingdom prayers, and he challenged us to choose a country to consistently pray for. I love KDramas so it was an easy choice and I’ve been covering North and South Korea in my prayers since his talk. 

…we should have a full-blown, contagious case of Jesus—not just a mild case of Christianity.

5. How did you see God at work during your time at KEC?

I really needed to hear Anna Powell’s talk on the Sunday night about loving people in extravagant ways. I had been stuck in a loop over-analysing my experience in supporting someone with a significant mental health issue over time and had been struggling. It was obvious that Anna had life experience in this area, and she provided Biblical, practical, helpful and encouraging thoughts. It gave me a helpful framework to keep in mind, lots to think on and it was very timely for me. 

6. What was it like attending KEC with your family and friends?

So much fun!! We are one of three families staying together in a house. There’s lots of noise, laughter & good food. It’s a pleasure to have time to linger over conversations, and it’s great to discuss the talks of the day over our meals. This year I really enjoyed the depth of conversation that we had with the teenagers in our group—it was special to see that they have matured in their faith. 

It’s a pleasure to have time to linger over conversations, and it’s great to discuss the talks of the day over our meals.

7. Did anything surprise you about the weekend? 

The tap dancing was unexpected! We also bumped into a few more Central Coast Christian people this year which was fun! Also, the great idea behind Lending Hands Mortgage Brokers.

8. What would you say to someone considering coming to KEC for the first time next year? 

Definitely come! And bring your family or friends. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Easter. You will enjoy a feast of rich Biblical food and fellowship with your extended Christian family and will be encouraged, inspired, challenged and fuelled. 

You will enjoy a feast of rich Biblical food and fellowship with your extended Christian family and will be encouraged, inspired, challenged and fuelled. 

9. How has KEC impacted your walk with Jesus as you return to everyday life?

Like going to Church and Bible Study each week, attending KEC is one of my planned yearly rhythms —propelling me onwards in my Christian walk and reminding me to let God’s Word be the biggest influence in my life. KEC talks always add to my knowledge and appreciation of Jesus, and the challenges put forward push me in my journey towards greater obedience. It also always introduces me to new resources that impact my walk with Jesus positively. After KEC I started listening to Glen Scrivener’s Speak Life Podcast and I have really enjoyed his practical ideas and thoughts about how to talk with others about Jesus. 

… attending KEC is one of my planned yearly rhythms —propelling me onwards in my Christian walk and reminding me to let God’s Word be the biggest influence in my life.

10. In three words, how would you describe your KEC 2025 experience?

Rich, fun, precious.

Fear has become a significant part of everyday life for many people. Despite our technological advancements, rise in living standards, and increases in lifespan, there always seems to be more to fear every day.

One of the most repeated commands of God to His people is “Fear Not!”. Are Christians meant to take this command seriously? If yes, then how do we do it?

Life can be full of challenges, threats, struggles and griefs. Some are over quickly; others can last a lifetime. So how do we handle those in a way that honours our Lord: trusting and obeying Him through our fears?

Only the truth of God—revealed in His word and the life, death and resurrection of His Son—speaks to life as it really is. It speaks not just to fear and pain, but to promise, hope and the victory of light over darkness.

Join us next Easter for what will be, God willing, a powerful encouragement to trust Almighty God more. Registrations are OPEN.

For this returning attendee, Katoomba Easter Convention isn’t a decision—it’s a rhythm. After more than five years of attending, Rylea now calls KEC a “non-negotiable” part of her year. Amid major life changes, a new job, new degree, and an upcoming wedding—KEC 2025 became a moment to pause, reflect, and surrender afresh.  

1. What made you decide to come to Easter Convention this year? 

Since my first year attending, Easter Convention is now a non-negotiable. Nothing really makes me ‘decide’ to come because it’s simply a habit now. Easter is such a grounding and resetting time of the year to reflect on my walk as a Christian. Every year I am re-motivated to re-centre my life around Jesus, and having this one long weekend is a perfect “spiritual reset” to remember what is truly important amongst the busyness of life.  

Every year I am re-motivated to re-centre my life around Jesus, and having this one long weekend is a perfect “spiritual reset” to remember what is truly important amongst the busyness of life.  

2. You’ve been to Easter many times. How was this year different?

Easter did feel quite different this year. In my personal life, I’m in the midst of a big year of change; a new job, a new degree, getting married, and all the things that come with that. I felt a much more emotional response to the talks this year, and I don’t know if it’s simply because of my personal circumstances, or the rawness of the speakers this year.  

Each speaker was very honest about where they have lacked, where they have fallen short, and where they still needed to grow. There is always a focus on how we live our lives outwardly, but this year I really felt a shift in my convictions around my perspective, and inner life. How do I view others? How do I truly turn to God first over things or my own might? What is my natural heart posture? Seek First the Kingdom had such a focus on a total surrender of your life and that really spoke to me this year, as I am stepping into so many unknowns, it is comforting to know I don’t need all these extra things, but just one thing: surrender. 

3. What was a highlight or moment from the weekend that really stuck with you?  

My highlight this year was Kirk Patston’s talks. They were so wonderfully confusing. I often find myself feeling like when I hit a point of God that I don’t understand, I simply need to dig deeper, pray more, ask for a revelation, etc. which are all good things. However, Kirk really opened my eyes to the mystery that is our God. He is so big, and so outside of us that there are things I can never understand, and that’s okay. What a joy it can be to believe in a God that we can never fully know! A constant reminder that God is God and I am not. 

4. Was there a particular talk or speaker that encouraged or challenged you? How so? 

Definitely Kirk. His honesty through his own struggles, his lack of fear to provide us with riddles and show us all that we do not know, his willingness to leave things unanswered as we grapple with our own thoughts and convictions. It was a unique way of looking at the Bible and discovering more of God’s character that has really changed the way I approach diving deeper into my faith and into the Word. 

5. How did you see God at work during your time at KEC? 

KEC is such a beautiful time to see God at work through his Spirit. New understandings from old passages, testimonies from other visitors, little whispers during talks. It can be overwhelming to be in a room with thousands of Christians and you may expect to hear such a loud and clear word from God, but I find that in those loud and busy times, God is still in the whisper. He’s in the quiet times after the talks, in your thoughts as you dwell on a word or point from the day. KEC for me is a time when God has already been at work in people’s lives, and KEC is often the final piece of the puzzle for them to connect. 

It can be overwhelming to be in a room with thousands of Christians and you may expect to hear such a loud and clear word from God, but I find that in those loud and busy times, God is still in the whisper.

6. What was it like attending KEC with those you came with? 

I attended with my fiance and a few friends. It is so encouraging to attend with the people close to me. It was one friend’s first time and one friend’s second, and to see how the weekend refreshed them and enriched them, and their faith was wonderful. It is a wonderful thing to be able to spend 4 uninterrupted days with the people you care about, and to be prompted to have deeper, more insightful, faithful conversations is something I am thankful for each year. 

It is a wonderful thing to be able to spend 4 uninterrupted days with the people you care about…

7. Did anything surprise you about the weekend—either practically or spiritually? 

I was surprised by the spiritual impact KEC had on me this year. I was really encouraged to have a whole perspective shift into what it means to truly Seek First the Kingdom and to surrender all parts to God. I feel like this has been a deeper step I’ve yet to take, in truly understanding what that means, and whilst I’m by no means perfect, I find myself more equipped to look not into my life and where I can fit God, but into what God is already doing, and how I can be a witness for Him there, surrendering my plans for the plans of the Kingdom. 

8. What would you say to someone considering coming to KEC for the first time next year? 

Come! Do not hesitate. It’s an investment in your faith; it’s an investment in your future. It’s a weekend away in beautiful Katoomba (with amazing food if you stay at Mountain Camp!), but also, if you let it, it can be such a foundational weekend of your year. I cannot imagine a better way to spend Easter than truly reflecting on all that Jesus has done for me when He died on that cross.  

It’s an investment in your faith; it’s an investment in your future. It’s a weekend away in beautiful Katoomba (with amazing food if you stay at Mountain Camp!), but also, if you let it, it can be such a foundational weekend of your year.

9. How has KEC impacted your walk with Jesus as you return to everyday life? 

KEC exposes me to so many new ways of thinking and reading the same passages I have read before. With the wide variety of speakers that attend it’s almost impossible to leave without a new perspective. It’s a constant reminder that there are always ways to grow, and that helps me to turn inwards every day, to look at how I can grow in Spirit, grow in fruit, and really show the God I claim to follow through my daily actions, not just through my words. 

10. In three words, how would you describe your KEC 2025 experience? 

Refreshing, impactful, life-changing.

Fear has become a significant part of everyday life for many people. Despite our technological advancements, rise in living standards, and increases in lifespan, there always seems to be more to fear every day.

One of the most repeated commands of God to His people is “Fear Not!”. Are Christians meant to take this command seriously? If yes, then how do we do it?

Life can be full of challenges, threats, struggles and griefs. Some are over quickly; others can last a lifetime. So how do we handle those in a way that honours our Lord: trusting and obeying Him through our fears?

Only the truth of God—revealed in His word and the life, death and resurrection of His Son—speaks to life as it really is. It speaks not just to fear and pain, but to promise, hope and the victory of light over darkness.

Join us next Easter for what will be, God willing, a powerful encouragement to trust Almighty God more. Registrations are OPEN.