What are we actually living for?
At Spark 2026, more than 1,400 young adults gathered in Katoomba to wrestle with that question. Across three days of talks, worship, conversations and Deep Dives, we explored why this world ultimately leaves us wanting and where true meaning is found.
“The talks were both a great encouragement and challenge to think about where we seek meaning apart from God and how Jesus is the only place we will find true satisfaction. I really enjoyed the different perspectives that the three speakers brought, each distinct in their own style yet so cohesive to the overall theme.” – Liz
“I really appreciate that KCC has started a conference like this for young adults, because it is really important for this age group to hear about what God has in store for them from older believers and to share in fellowship with other young believers.” – Kalea
OneBodyWorship returned to lead attendees in lifting their voices to God, with optional extended worship sessions at the end of every evening. Check out the photos below for highlights from the weekend, the recap video on Instagram, and listen to Spark 2026 Spotify playlist here.
“The worship and praise is always a huge highlight for me. There’s something really special about worshipping alongside so many other young adults, and it genuinely feels magical every year. OneBodyWorship are an absolute blessing and joy!” – Sophie
Day 1: The Things We Chase Are Fleeting
Kirk Patston kicked off Spark by asking us to picture a helium balloon: it’s fleeting, and it’s hard to control.
Ecclesiastes describes life in a similar way, like a vapour or a breath that disappears. So what do we actually gain from all our toil under the sun? The things we chase for ultimate meaning can never deliver what we are searching for.
“You’re not going to produce anything new or lasting. You’re not going to produce a profit. Your little achievements along the way are going to be like a helium balloon — short-lived and hard to control.” – Kirk Patston
But Kirk didn’t leave us in despair. If the things under the sun cannot offer lasting meaning, where should we look? He reminded us that as Christians, we are people of the resurrection.
Watch a snippet of his talk below.
“The first sermon Kirk delivered. It was confronting but beautiful. He really shone a light on lots of different things from a different perspective and now I see the world a little bit differently in the way of realising I stress way to much about things that at the end of the day are just “mist in the wind”.” – Caleb
Day 2: Christ Is the End of Meaning
Saturday was packed. We heard teaching from both Kirk and Arnaldo, spent the afternoon diving into big questions during our Deep Dive sessions, and had plenty of time in between to hang out and build community.
In the morning, Kirk returned to Ecclesiastes and challenged us to ‘have a go’ and live with ‘carefree generosity’. He connected this to Jesus’ parable of the talents where one servant chose to bury what he had been given rather than put it to work. Kirk reminded us that while we don’t know what tomorrow holds, that is no excuse to stand still: Share the kind gifts that God has given you with as many people as you can.
“I was encouraged that living a holy life doesn’t preclude us from having fun, and in having a go we can honour God.” – Jacob
“I’ve been struggling to remember that God gives us gifts for us to enjoy in life, and I’ve been really focused on having to do everything right. It was so good to hear that God has given us all of these earthly things as gifts, that they are not designed to be gains but gifts for enjoyment and to point us back to God.” – Chloe
Saturday afternoon also gave everyone a chance to tailor their time with our Deep Dive seminars, tackling big topics around real-world faith and discipleship. With 11 different sessions to choose from, nearly 600 seats were filled with the most popular topics being: Loving God with All of Our Mind and Real Faith in Hard Places.
As the afternoon wound down, everyone gathered for Spark Under the Stars for a Mexican feast and live music, before heading back inside for our evening session with Arnaldo Santiago.
Arnaldo brought us back to the question at the heart of the weekend: What is this all for?
He reminded us that we were created for deep meaning and purpose. This life matters, but the world in its current state cannot satisfy our deepest desires. Ultimately, Christ is the end, Christ is the goal of our lives.
“Appearing with Him in glory is why you exist.” – Arnaldo Santiago
Watch a snippet of Arnaldo’s talk below.
The day closed with communion, prayer, and a powerful symbolic moment as attendees physically laid their burdens at the foot of the cross.
Day 3: Meaning-Filled Mission
On our final day together, we heard Erica Mandi Manga on what it looks like to share Jesus with those around us and gathered for our fireside Q&A.
She helped us think about what it means to live out our purpose among the people God has placed around us and to pay attention to the lives of our friends. Erica challenged us to pay attention to the lives of our friends. What questions are their lives asking?
- What gets them most excited?
- Where do they spend their money?
- Where do they invest their time?
- What do they talk about most?
- What do they fear?
If Jesus is the source of meaning, then our lives aren’t just about finding that meaning for ourselves. We’re sent to share the good news with others.
And when it comes to talking about Jesus, honesty is better than perfection. We don’t need to have every answer or present ourselves as people who have everything together. We can be honest about our own lives, our struggles and still point to our hope in Jesus.
Watch a snippet of her talk below.
The weekend kept bringing us back to the same truth: we were made for something more than what this world can offer.
We were made for Christ.
“SPARK IS SUCH A GREAT EVENT. God was truly working. There were so many little things that happened right as I needed them. Whether it was a song lyric that responded to the line of prayer I was praying or something I needed to hear this weekend. It was all just evidence of a God in control of the little moments.” – Lauren
Save the Date: Spark 2027
We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
Spark 2027
27-29 August.
All Spark talks now on KCC One!
SPARK Talks are now live on KCC One! Subscribe today to watch and be encouraged.
Subscribe today: https://www.kccone.org.au/subscription
