Tag Archive

Articles Tagged: christian event australia

Meet Our KEC24 Speakers

We are so pleased to introduce our speakers for Katoomba Easter Convention (KEC) next year. In 2024, John North, Matt Sparks and Tim Blencowe will join the KEC platform to preach on the topic “Conquering Worldliness: Resisting the Gravitational Pull of the World”. Together, they will open God’s word to help believers hear God’s warning against worldliness while encouraging them to stay true to the course God has set before them. 

Meet John North

John North was born in India to Australian missionaries and loves to teach God’s word in a penetrating way that changes people’s lives. He is the Director of EvangelismSHIFT International and the National Director of Ambassadors for Christ International (AFCI) in Australia. For 30 years he has helped AFCI to build a team focused on accelerating the spread of the gospel through local churches.  

John wrote GrowthWorks, a book to help you get back on the path of spiritual growth. He is on Hope 103.2 radio each morning in Sydney with the Time With God devotional spot.  John is married to Lois and they have four children. In his free time, John rides his mountain bike, plays games with his family, and reads. 

John will be giving the four main morning talks across the KEC weekend. 

Meet Matt Sparks

Matt is married to Tash, and they have three kids, living in Sydney’s eclectic Inner-west. In 2014, they took a leap of faith and planted Anchor Church in their small two-bedroom apartment with a team of 17 people praying for a powerful move of God. Today, Anchor is a growing movement of churches committed to planting vibrant, missional churches that form people into the image of Christ. He is passionate about the local church, the glory of God, and the Parramatta Eels! 

Matt will be giving three main evening talks across the KEC weekend. 

Meet Tim Blencowe

Tim and his family are part of the international community of Macquarie Baptist Church, where he serves as senior pastor and as a chaplain to Macquarie University. Tim was raised in a missionary family, has a background in high school teaching, and enjoys helping people embrace a living faith that integrates the whole of life. 

Tim will be giving four short morning talks across the KEC weekend. 

Go Together. Grow Together.

At KEC, hearing and responding to God’s word is the priority. At a time where we and our children are bombarded by secular messages, values and ideals, KEC will help your family to start the year well, rooted in God’s word.   

As always, the program will feature empowering Bible talks, inspiring Christian testimonies, uplifting worship in song, and breaks for relaxation and fellowship. With age-specific programs for everyone from toddlers to adults, all are welcome to join us this Easter.     

Book your Family Package by 31st December 2023 and get FREE online access over the long weekend added to your booking (normally $60 in value). For more information visit our website: https://easterconvention.com/special-offer/  

Meet our 3 speakers confirmed for Katoomba Easter Convention 2024!

By Heidi Tai

On the Value of Child-Like Faith in Ministry by Zack Eswine

In this talk “Recovering Our Ambition” from Oxygen 2023, Zack Eswine encourages ministry leaders to consider the value of growing a “child-like faith” in ministry. Opening Psalm 131, Zack helps delegates to see that although the world celebrates leaders who are ambitious and powerful, the Bible esteems kings and leaders who are humble and dependent before God.  

Video: Recovering Our Ambition by Zack Eswine

Key Quotes: 

“Child-like faith is advanced Christianity.”

“In each area of our life, the great provision of God is that we grow to become like a weaned child.”  

Oxygen 23 Talks Now Available on KCC+ 

This talk is part of our KCC+ November collection, “Shaping Our Hearts for the Work We Do”, available exclusively for subscribers. The collection includes 18 talks from Oxygen 23 including:   

  • 3 talks by Paul Tripp – “The Heart of a Ministry Leader”, “The Ultimate Ministry Leadership Model”, and “Ministry Leadership & Spiritual Warfare”  
  • 4 talks by Zack Eswine – “Recovering Our Humanity in Ministry”, “Recovering Our Wisdom for Ministry”, “Recovering His Love”, “Recovering Our Ambition”  
  • “The Non-Negotiables of Christian Ministry” short talks by John Lennox and Miroslav Volf   
  • PLUS more by Malcolm Gill, Kirk Patston, Jonathan Dykes, Kathryn McCarthy, Anna Powell, Sarah Irving-Stonebreaker, Russell Schmidt and Glen Scrivener   

Access this and much more from only $4.99 / month (on an annual KCC+ subscription). Learn more: https://www.kccone.org.au/     
 

Zack Eswine encourages ministry leaders to consider the value of growing a “child-like faith” in ministry.

By Heidi Tai

“A Life Changing Event”: Lucy’s KYCK Testimony

In this interview, Lucy describes the “indescribable impact” of KYCK conference, how Jesus is her hope with ongoing health issues, and why she wants everyone to experience what she has over the last 7 years at KYCK. We hope you are encouraged by her story!  

1. How many KYCKs have you been to?  

KYCK 23 was my 7th KYCK, and I have loved every single one—right back to KYCK 17 when the theme was “Standing for the King”. 

2. What is your favourite part about KYCK?  

The best part about KYCK is the people. A few thousand of us get together, and despite never meeting before, we are in the same place for the sole purpose of getting to know Jesus better and to praise him as one church. There is something uniquely incredible about hearing thousands of joyous voices raised together in worship of one King—all sharing the same hope and so loudly you can barely hear your own voice. It’s a feeling I will never forget.  

3. How has meeting Jesus changed your life?  

Throughout my life, I’ve had underlying issues with health. In the past few years especially there’s been a sizable escalation, to the extent of which my everyday life has become very difficult. A lot of the time I feel like I’ve lost hope, or that I have no worth or purpose in this world, but those feelings are often short lived. That’s the wonderful thing about Jesus, he gives hope in even the direst of situations, and he brings light to the darkest of nights. 

Even though my life is harder now, I wouldn’t change anything, because God has used my experience in miraculous ways. I’m able to understand and empathise in ways that wouldn’t have been possible without my struggle, and being able to serve the people around me is worth every bit of it. I’m able to survive my experience because I have the God that created everything on my side.  

As Jesus brings me so much joy, I’m able to love people with a kind of love that comes from him: “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). That’s the other amazing thing about Jesus, he’s a relational God. He cares for me, as an individual. He doesn’t care about all the terrible things I’ve done in my life; he loves me as myself, deeply flawed as I am. 

Jesus has changed how I look at the world and how I can relate to it and has filled my cup with so great a hope and joy I can pour it freely without worry into the lives of every person I encounter. I am not perfect, but my God is. And that is more than enough.  

4. What would you say to someone on the fence about attending KYCK? 

The joy found in that hall – and even on the dreaded hill – is something extraordinary and infectious, something I wish every person would be able to experience.  

For almost every person I’ve talked to about this, KYCK has been a life changing event, and for me personally, the impact this conference has had upon me and my journey with Jesus is indescribable. Each year, KYCK reminds me just how incredible our God is, and how kind, loving, and servant hearted his people strive to be.  

At KYCK 2022, I had a medical issue in the hall just before one of the sessions, and a group of youth I’d never met before came and found me afterwards to make sure I was okay and give me a card they’d made. I still have that card, and I carry the love those people gave me everywhere I go. They gained nothing from seeking me out, but they still did without any hesitation or prompting. 

It’s rare, I think, to gather with a group of thousands, and have every single one of them care about you personally, and yet, this has been the case for all 7 of the KYCKs I’ve been to. Whether you’re a Christian or not, KYCK is something I think every person should have the chance to experience. It’s an awesome way to meet Jesus for the first time, for growing in your faith, and for anyone who’s simply considering Jesus. 

Save the dates for KYCK 24!

Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, KYCK is an annual event that challenges and equips teenagers to boldly live the Christian life. Over the years, KYCK has become a treasured space for teenagers to explore and deepen their faith with like-minded company. Delegates are invited to hear and respond to God’s word through powerful Bible talks, uplifting worship in song, inspiring testimonies, and fun youth-appropriate activities.   

KYCK will return in 2024 across the following weekends:   

  • Weekend 1: 12–14 April  
  • Weekend 2 & Online: 19–21 April  
  • Weekend 3: 26–28 April  
  • Weekend 4: 27–29 September  

The theme will be ‘In the Beginning’ with guest speakers preaching from Genesis 1-3. Tickets will go on sale Tuesday 7 November, 9.30am AEDT and will be available until sold out.  To sign up for the latest updates, visit our website: https://www.kyck.org.au/ 

YouTube video

Lucy describes the "indescribable impact” of attending KYCK conference over the last 7 years.

By Heidi Tai

Free Online Access for KEC 24 Family Package Bookings  

Registrations are now open for Katoomba Easter Convention (KEC) 2024, with a bonus offer of free online access* (valued at $60) available for Family Package bookings secured by 31st December 2023. Attending all sessions with young children isn’t always possible, so this add-on will give families flexibility to access sessions missed at KEC. 

Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, KEC is an annual event to help delegates grow in their relationship with God. For many families, KEC has become an important family tradition (here’s 5 reasons why)—a way for parents to communicate the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection, and the prioritisation of spiritual growth each year. 

At KEC, hearing and responding to God’s word is the priority. At a time where we and our children are bombarded by secular messages, values and ideals, KEC will help your family to start the year well, rooted in God’s word. 

Each year, KEC invites gifted Bible teachers to preach on relevant topics. In 2024, the program will be built around the theme: “Conquering Worldliness: Resisting the Gravitational Pull of the World”, with delegates invited to consider how they can remain faithful as Christians in an increasingly secular world.   

As always, the program will feature empowering Bible talks, inspiring Christian testimonies, uplifting worship in song, and breaks for relaxation and fellowship. With age-specific programs for everyone from Keenites (toddlers) to adults, all are welcome to join us this Easter.   

For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit the website: https://easterconvention.com/  

To receive the latest KEC updates including updates on 2024 speakers, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.   

A bonus offer of free online access is available for KEC Family Package bookings secured by 31st December 2023

By Heidi Tai

6,400 Youth, 485 Recommitments and 122 Conversions: A Huge Year for KYCK  

KYCK 2023 officially ended in September, with over 1,400 delegates committing their weekend to ‘Meet Jesus’ in the fourth and final KYCK weekend. We praise God that this brought the total number of KYCK 2023 attendees to 6,400 from over 240 churches.  

Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, KYCK is an annual event that challenges and equips teenagers to boldly live the Christian life. This year, guest speakers Seth Fellows (AFES), Josh Hayward (Christ Church St Ives), Dave Jensen (EV Church), Nathan Lee (Trinity Grammar), Ed Sowden (Bathurst Presbyterian) and Jonnie Wintle (Seaforth Anglican) invited delegates to ‘Meet Jesus’ in the Gospel of Mark. 

The talks aimed to demystify the person of Jesus and to show teenagers his powerful yet loving rule. We praise God that because of hearing God’s word preached, a total of 122 teenagers decided to follow Jesus for the first time, 485 recommitted their lives to him, and 130 left the conference wanting to learn more. 

“My favourite thing about KYCK was having the privilege to see God work in kid’s hearts and minds, and the encouragement when they came back into the hall on response night was electric.”

– Youth Leader, KYCK 4 Attendee 

“KYCK is a pivotal part of our year as a Youth group. This year, two of our youth committed their lives to Jesus for the first time and we all sat and cried with joy and praise to God.”

– Youth Leader, KYCK 4 Attendee 

Over the years, KYCK has become a treasured space for teenagers to explore and deepen their faith with like-minded company. Delegates are invited to hear and respond to God’s word through powerful Bible talks, uplifting worship in song, inspiring testimonies, and fun youth-appropriate activities.  

KYCK typically runs through three weekends in April (KYCK 1, 2 and 3) and one weekend in September (KYCK 4). KYCK 4 was added to the KCC calendar to give churches more flexibility for youth camps in warmer weather, and to encourage more involvement among junior students while seniors are studying for final exams.  

KYCK will return in 2024 across the following weekends:  

  • Weekend 1: 12–14 April 
  • Weekend 2 & Online: 19–21 April 
  • Weekend 3: 26–28 April 
  • Weekend 4: 27–29 September 

The theme will be ‘In the Beginning’ with guest speakers preaching from Genesis 1-3. Tickets will go on sale Tuesday 7 November, 9.30am AEDT and will be available until sold out.  To sign up for the latest updates, visit our website: https://www.kyck.org.au/

YouTube video

We praise God that 6,400 youth and leaders attended KYCK conference this year!

By Heidi Tai

Conquering Worldliness: Secure Your Spot at Katoomba Easter Convention 2024 

Registrations are now open for Katoomba Easter Convention (KEC) 2024.

Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, KEC is an annual event aimed at encouraging people to rest and grow in God’s word each Easter. For many families with children, KEC has been adopted as a family tradition; a way for parents to communicate the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection and prioritisation of spiritual growth each year.

Katoomba Easter Convention 2023 Highlights

Since 1962, God has used KEC to transform entire families, with children growing up through the children’s programs, and graduating as men and women who are convicted to live for Jesus alone: 

“Through the Kid’s program, I was annually fed with engaging and solid Bible teaching, which allowed me to thank Jesus for what he has done in every stage of life. KEC has been a major influence in the way I know Jesus and express my faith today.” 

Anna, KEC Delegate and Volunteer

“KEC is an opportunity for a family get together with a gospel centred focus. Our children in the past and now our grandchildren love the children’s program and are encouraged and fed in their walk with the Lord and enjoy fellowship with KEC friends. Adults likewise are encouraged and challenged to continue to serve the Lord.” 

Gaye, KEC Delegate

In 2024, the program will be built around the theme: “Conquering Worldliness: Resisting the Gravitational Pull of the World”, with delegates invited to consider how they can remain faithful as Christians in an increasingly secular world.  

The program will feature empowering Bible talks, inspiring Christian testimonies, uplifting worship in song, and breaks for relaxation and fellowship.  

With age-specific programs for everyone from Keenites (toddlers) to adults, all are welcome to join us this Easter.  

For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit the website: https://easterconvention.com/ 

To receive the latest KEC updates including updates on 2024 speakers, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.  

Registrations are now open for Katoomba Easter Convention (KEC) 2024

By Heidi Tai

6 Observations from Jackie Hill Perry About Women’s Ministry 

At OneLove women’s conference, Jackie Hill Perry shared a talk “Ministry to Women at Wells” from John 4:1-42, to teach and empower women onto the mission field, for according to Perry, “if God has saved us, He’s also sent us”. Opening the familiar story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well, Perry highlighted the ways in which Jesus ministered with authenticity, humility, cultural sensitivity and curiosity. In doing so, Jesus was able to highlight the spiritual condition of her heart and reveal the God who can quench her spiritual “thirst”.   

Jackie Hill Perry preaches at OneLove 23

Here are 6 notable quotes from her talk:  

  1. “Most of us would like to be saved, but not also sent. But what a privilege it is to suffer with Christ out of commitment to His gospel.” 
     
  1. “In your ministry to anybody, you need to embrace the fact that you are a human being, that you cannot be God, and that your weaknesses as a human being are not hindrances to God’s glory, only if you understand them as opportunities to experience God’s power.” 
     
  1. “We all have to fight a God complex that tempts you to believe that you need to be more than who you are to be useful in God’s kingdom.”  
     
  1. “You can only discover the context of their family, beliefs, needs, framework, and worldviews by being discerning, and by being curious. A lack of curiosity can really hinder your ability to reach people where they are at. Because without curiosity, without taking the time to get to know people…all you have are your judgements and assumptions—where you end up preaching to a need that doesn’t exist.”  
     
  1. “Self-righteousness will make you a spiritual bully, where when people are around you, they are more aware of their sin and their failure, and the places where they fall short, instead of God’s grace and Christ Jesus. It is the Spirit that gives us balance—where we preach the truth but in love, where we are accurate but gentle, where we are kind but direct.” 
     
  1. “If we just tell people to stop doing what they do, but not also cultivate a love for God’s word, not also train them how to fast, not train them how to pray, not also stir up faith and obedience in Jesus, they will just lay down one idol and replace it with another because you never trained them how to seek Him.”  

Stream Jackie’s OneLove talks and more with KCC+

“Jackie demonstrated a wonderful model of turning to scripture for answers to our deepest questions and is a beautiful example to other women of what it looks like to take theology seriously and handle the bible joyfully, skilfully and carefully.”    

We have had such overwhelming demand for Jackie’s talks from OneLove that we have fast-tracked them to the KCC+ content offering for September!  

Subscribe to KCC+ to access Jackie’s talks PLUS many more including: ‘Unbound: To Love God and Others’ talks from BASECAMP 2021, ‘Living Proof’ talks from KEC 2010, and ‘Mastering Money’ talks from KEC 2008.  Subscribe today. 

6 quotes from Jackie Hill Perry's OneLove talk, “Ministry to Women at Wells” from John 4.

By Heidi Tai

5 Notable Quotes from Jackie Hill Perry on Trusting God in Suffering 

At OneLove women’s conference, Jackie Hill Perry shared a talk “The Suffering Servant & The Seeing God” from Genesis 16:1-15.  

Praised as “phenomenal” and “a goldmine of gospel content”, Perry shared a familiar story of Abram, Sarai and Hagar to demonstrate that in all circumstances—waiting, suffering and otherwise—all God requires is our trust. 

Jackie Hill Perry preaches at OneLove 23

Here are 5 notable quotes from her talk:  

  1. “Misplaced hope will get you into all kinds of mess. She [Sarai] clearly knows God’s name, but the confession of it does not trigger faith…Time and waiting on God will lead us to formulate all kinds of strategies and idols instead of trust.”  
     
  1. “We can sing the songs, and do the devotionals, and go to the conferences, and read the Scriptures, know all the things, and know God’s name, and still doubt His nature.” 
     
  1. “What if you remembered that God doesn’t need old strategies to give you new power? What if Sarai remembered that God didn’t need her power to bring about His promise? All He requires of us, is trust.” 
     
  1. “Suffering in God’s hands is always redemptive. Your suffering does not have the power to keep you from God, as long as Jesus has rose from the dead.”   
     
  1. “God ‘seeing’ you doesn’t mean that your circumstances will be easy. God ‘hearing’ you doesn’t mean that your tribulation won’t hurt. What it means is that the hard things won’t keep you from God unless you let them. He is a very present help in times of trouble.” 

Stream Jackie’s OneLove talks and more with KCC+

“Jackie demonstrated a wonderful model of turning to scripture for answers to our deepest questions and is a beautiful example to other women of what it looks like to take theology seriously and handle the bible joyfully, skilfully and carefully.”   

We have had such overwhelming demand for Jackie’s talks from OneLove that we have fast-tracked them to the KCC+ content offering for September! Subscribe to KCC+ to access Jackie’s talks PLUS many more including: ‘Unbound: To Love God and Others’ talks from BASECAMP 2021, ‘Living Proof’ talks from KEC 2010, and ‘Mastering Money’ talks from KEC 2008.  Subscribe today. 

5 notable quotes from Jackie Hill Perry's talk "The Suffering Servant & The Seeing God" from Genesis 16.

By Heidi Tai

“An Absolute Gold Mine of Gospel Content”: 1700+ Women Transformed by Phenomenal Preaching at OneLove 

We praise God that over 1,700 women from 300 churches across Australia and New Zealand gathered under God’s word at OneLove women’s conference. 

Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, OneLove is an annual one-day event, designed to inspire women in their relationship with Jesus. Through powerful Bible preaching, inspiring testimonies, and uplifting worship in song led by CityAlight, women were invited to rest under God’s word and to consider if they truly trust the God who sees every detail of their life.  

Award-winning author, Bible teacher and Hip Hop artist, Jackie Hill Perry joined the platform as the keynote speaker to preach on the theme, “Worthy of Trust: The God Who Sees Us”. In her first talk, “The Suffering Servant and The Seeing God”, Perry opened Genesis 16 to reveal a story of two suffering women, and their responses to God in the face of infertility, abuse, and the loss of status and security.  

By sharing Scripture and testimonies of Christians who have faced trauma—including her own—Perry emphasised that faith in God does not make one immune to suffering, and that having “right theology” of God does not automatically lead to right worship of God in the face of suffering.  

While Sarai had faith in God’s sovereignty over her womb, having the “right theology” led to discouragement, not comfort. For Sarai, the call to “wait on God” did not lead to deeper trust in God, but rather, to taking matters into her own hands through disobedience, idolatry and sinful strategies.  

Sarai’s disobedience results in the abuse of Hagar—an insignificant Egyptian slave girl, who was forced to bear her a child. Yet despite Hagar’s abuse and absence of “right theology”, she was seen, sustained and redeemed by God, and responded to Him with obedience and praise—which according to Perry, is an example of suffering being redemptive:  

“God seeing you doesn’t mean that your circumstances will be easy. God hearing you doesn’t mean that your tribulation won’t hurt. What it means is that the hard things won’t keep you from God unless you let them. He is a very present help in times of trouble.”

Jackie Hill Perry, OneLove 2023

By contrasting Sarai’s disobedience to Hagar’s obedience to God in suffering, Perry highlighted some important questions to believers in the room:  

  • How is your vision of God being influenced by your suffering?  
  • Do you over-identify with your trauma so that you forget your new identity in Christ?  
  • In suffering, do we trust in God or idols; God’s promises or personal sinful strategies?  

In her second talk, “Ministry to Women at Wells”, Perry opened John 4:1-42 to teach and empower women onto the mission field, for according to Perry, “if God has saved us, He’s also sent us”. Opening the familiar story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well, Perry highlighted the ways in which Jesus ministered with authenticity, humility, cultural sensitivity and curiosity. In doing so, Jesus was able to highlight the spiritual condition of her heart and reveal the God who can quench her spiritual “thirst”.  

Perry emphasised that while readers are often focused on her “many husbands”, the details of her relationship history aren’t specific because the story isn’t primarily about the woman’s sin. Rather, John 4 spotlights Jesus’ divine knowledge—that “even if she doesn’t know Him, He knows her”. This is significant because when ministering to unbelievers, we need to be wary of “over-focusing on struggles and sin”, because the primary goal of mission is leading people into seeking and finding Jesus.  

For many delegates, Perry’s “phenomenal” preaching was the highlight of the day, with many walking away comforted and challenged to respond to God with love, faith and obedience.  

For others using OneLove as a mission and ministry opportunity, the highlight was seeing friends and family members respond to God’s word:

“OneLove gave me a renewed love for Jesus and fresh perspective of studying His Word. My best friend who is not a believer came as support for me and I saw a significant change in her heart and openness towards God in our chats later.” 

“The teaching was absolutely outstanding! My 19-year-old daughter is so on fire for Jesus after the conference.” 

“We had 13 teens from our church, from years 8-12 and they LOVED it. 3 of them have been up and down about Jesus and yesterday was transformative for them. These are the things as mums we have been praying for our daughters, so it was particularly significant for us.” 

Jackie Hill Perry was an absolute gold mine of gospel content delivered authentically and richly and I loved how she drew out that we are seen by God. I brought two people on the fringe of church community and the conversation on the way home was amazing.

“Jackie demonstrated a wonderful model of turning to scripture for answers to our deepest questions and is a beautiful example to other women of what it looks like to take theology seriously and handle the bible joyfully, skilfully and carefully.”  

OneLove conference will return on Saturday 24th August 2024.  The Livestream is available On Demand until 24 September 2023.

Stream Jackie’s OneLove talks on KCC+ 

We have had such overwhelming demand for Jackie’s talks from OneLove that we have fast-tracked them to the KCC+ content offering for September! Subscribe to KCC+ to access Jackie’s talks PLUS many more including ‘Unbound: To Love God and Others’ talks from BASECAMP 2021, ‘Living Proof’ talks from KEC 2010, and ‘Mastering Money’ talks from KEC 2008.  Subscribe today.

Jackie Hill Perry empowers 1700+ women to trust in God's word at OneLove conference.

By Heidi Tai

Christian Leaders Refreshed, Reconnected and Refocused for Ministry at Oxygen 2023 

We praise God that in August, Christian leaders across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore gathered at Oxygen Conference to be refreshed and reinvigorated in their work for the gospel. This comes in light of the 2023 Oxygen Christian Workers Survey revealing alarming levels of loneliness, burnout and mental health issues amongst Christian workers in Australia. 

Although Christian workers dedicate their lives to teaching, encouraging and serving their churches and non-profits, survey results showed that many are in dire need of personal encouragement and refreshment. This is why Oxygen exists—to encourage Christian workers to come up for breath, and to take a break from leading, teaching and pastoring others.  

Over four unrushed days, Christian workers were served with a program designed to renew the mind and refresh the heart. Delegates were pastored by a range of renowned Bible teachers and experienced workshop presenters who planned content around the 2023 theme: “Reshaping Our Hearts for the Work We Do”. 
 
Quoting Ashley Null, Glen Scrivener reminded delegates that: “What the heart loves, the will chooses, and the mind justifies”. At a time where Christian workers face varying and complex pressures, Oxygen served as an important reminder to “guard the heart” and to continue serving with godly motivations, with hearts centered on Jesus:  

“The Holy Spirit worked through the humble and honest leadership of conference presenters and speakers, united us and called us to honour Jesus together. I have returned home with less focus on my performance and more on resting in the arms of our faithful Lord Jesus.”

“I was encouraged to consider the state of my heart and reflect deeply on my posture towards my work. I found that through great teaching and fellowship God revealed to me the selfishness of my heart and cleared the way for great joy in the job that I get to do ministering to people in His spirit.”

“The whole program was great. I loved just sitting under the wisdom and care of the speakers and being fully refreshed for ministry.”

Through Bible talks, testimonies of faith, Q&A, live-cross interviews, and practical workshops, delegates were encouraged to guard their hearts with gospel-centred courage, joy, vision, wisdom, conviction and faith.  

Oxygen speakers included international Bible teachers Paul Tripp, Zack Eswine, Miroslav Volf, John Lennox and Glen Scrivener; and local teachers Malcolm Gill, Kirk Patston and Jonathan Dykes.  

Talk titles included:

  • The Heart of a Ministry Leader (Ezekiel 14:1-8) by Paul Tripp 
     
  • Ministry Leadership & Spiritual Warfare (1 Peter 5:6-11) by Paul Tripp 
     
  • Recovering Our Humanity in Ministry (Ecclesiastes 10:5-14) by Zack Eswine 
     
  • Recovering Our Wisdom for Ministry (Proverbs 1:22) by Zack Eswine

Workshop presenters included experienced Christian psychologists, counsellors, and ministry supervisors who taught delegates how to maintain long-term spiritual health, and to get help for burn out and mental health issues.  

Workshop titles included:  

  • Mending the Broken Hearted: Trauma Informed Pastoral Ministry by Tim Dyer  
     
  • Serving Confidently Amidst Strain, Uncertainty and Change by Grant Bickerton  
  • Moving from a Reactive to Reflective Ministry: Leadership and Ministry Longevity in a Hectic and Troubled World by Valerie Ling
     
  • The Importance of Emotional Self Awareness for Healthy Ministry by Dave & Kathy Thurston 
     

While the teaching and workshops were the highlight for some, for others, it was the refreshment that came from being surrounded by like-minded people who understand the unique pressures and challenges of ministry.  

This meant that leaders and pastors had the opportunity to share their hearts and burdens with others, and to be served with wisdom shaped with empathy and prayer. With isolation and loneliness being a common struggle for many Christian leaders, Oxygen served as an important reminder to persevere, for they do not labour alone:  
 

“The uplifting tone to the whole event really held space for us to breathe, find grace for weakness, find common ground in tiredness and burnout without wallowing in it, find space for heart and emotion without over emotionality, and look to the Lord for His provision in all of our lives rather than just to soldier on blindly.”  

“The fellowship is great. Like-minded people gathering to encourage and support one another.” 

Is it time you Hit Pause in ministry? Oxygen livestream is now available On Demand!  

Whether you missed out on attending Oxygen full-time, or know a Christian worker who would benefit from the conference material, you can now register to access Oxygen On Demand until midnight 17 October.  

Full-time in-person delegates can add On Demand access for $39pp. 
Online and day-ticket delegates can add On Demand access for $59pp. 

Visit our website for more information: https://oxygenconference.com/register/  

Christian leaders across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore gathered at Oxygen Conference to be refreshed and reinvigorated in their work for the gospel.

By Heidi Tai
Back 1…456789 Next

Stay Updated

Receive KCC updates in your inbox.

Subscribe

Conventions

BASECAMP Katoomba Easter Convention KYCK NextGen OneLove Oxygen Spark

Resources

KCC One App

Support

Contact Donate Volunteer

About KCC

Our vision to see our nation transformed by Jesus Christ through the powerful preaching of the Bible.

All One in Christ Jesus
Since 1903

KCC Office Hours

Monday – Friday
9.00am – 5.00pm

Contact

1300 737 140

info@kcc.org.au

StayKCC

119 Cliff Drive,
Katoomba NSW 2780

PO Box 62,
Katoomba NSW 2780

Head Office

Suite 3, Level 1,
28 Burwood Rd
Burwood NSW 2134

PO Box 156, 
Burwood NSW 1805

© 2025 Katoomba Christian Convention

Privacy Policy