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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

Men Equipped to Tackle Emotions Biblically at BASECAMP

We praise God that over two weekends in August, over 1,700 men from 286 churches gathered under God’s word at BASECAMP men’s conference. 

Men joined the event from across the state, with the largest groups coming from South-West Evangelical Church (Kingsgrove), St Matthew’s Anglican Church (Manly), Hebron Chinese Alliance Church (Westmead), Helensburgh Anglican Church (Helensburgh), and St Thomas Anglican Church (Moorebank). 

The livestream option also enabled men from outside of Sydney metropolitan areas to join the event, with churches tuning in from Orange, Kiama, Broken Hill, Canberra and Tasmania. 

Each year at BASECAMP, God’s word is preached around a theme that is relevant to men from all walks of life. In 2023, guest speakers Alasdair Groves and Peter Sondergeld spoke on the topic “Unravelling Emotions”, encouraging men to have a biblical view on emotions such as sadness, anger and shame; how to handle them well, and how to process the emotions with God and one another in community.  

  • Talk #1: Sometimes it’s Good to Feel Bad – Alasdair Groves (John 11:5-35) 
  • Talk #2: Shame and Anger – Peter Sondergeld (Genesis 3:1-13)  
  • Talk #3: Engaging Emotions – Alasdair Groves (Psalm 62:1-8) 
  • Talk #4: Responding to questions and moving forward – Alasdair Groves (Romans 12:1-21) 

For many delegates, BASECAMP 23 highlighted relevant and significant issues that have been overlooked or suppressed: 

“The topic of ‘Unravelling Emotions’ was spot on for where I am at right now. I was feeling pretty low and needing to hear a word from God and to feel His love and that is exactly what happened. I cried through almost every song.”

Andrew 

“The speakers were the best in years. What a fabulous topic to cover.  It dealt with a topic that has sat unresolved in my faith for the last few years, in a way that nobody has been able to do thus far.”

Grant

“Emotions are something that men generally really struggle with, so for you to tackle this issue was so worthwhile and beneficial.”

Brian

For others, BASECAMP gave them an opportunity to bond with men from church, and to deepen existing friendships through honest conversation. At a time where following Jesus can be a lonely pursuit, BASECAMP reminded many men that they are not alone in their faith:  

“BASECAMP opened up new conversations about deeper topics, for the mutual benefit of building each other up in Christ.”

Gerald 

“I really enjoyed the atmosphere of being in the company of so many brothers in Christ. The sound of so many men singing was truly uplifting.”

Wayne

“Joining together with so many men as well as the group from our own church is a highlight. This makes it clear that God is moving in men all over the place.”

Joly

Did you miss out on BASECAMP 2023? Our Livestream video is available On Demand until Monday, 11 September 2023. Register now to get instant access. 

BASECAMP Merch now available online!

If you missed out on grabbing BASECAMP merch, you can now buy it online! All profits will support the BASECAMP ministry. Stock is limited, so make sure you get in quick: basecampmen.com/merch

Save the dates for BASECAMP 2024!

BASECAMP will return in 2024 on the weekends of the 3rd (Sydney) and 9-10th (Mountains & Online) of August.  

Pastor, preacher and apologist Sam Allbery will be joining us to speak on the theme “Building Brotherhood (Life Together)”.  
 
Learn more on our website: basecampmen.com or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

We praise God that over two weekends in August, over 1,700 men from 286 churches gathered under God’s word at BASECAMP men’s conference. 

By Heidi Tai

July Discount: Bring 5 Friends to OneLove or BASECAMP and Save!  

BASECAMP men’s conference and OneLove women’s conference are coming up this August and we don’t want anyone to miss out! This is why we’re offering a July special for groups. Bring a group of 5 or more friends and you can get $10 off each ticket*. Be quick as this offer will end on Monday 31 July.  

*Available for tickets purchased in one transaction. Valid for in-person tickets only.

BASECAMP for Men

BASECAMP will be an unmissable event for men to strengthen their faith in the company of like-minded brothers. This year, guest speakers Alasdair Groves and Peter Sondergeld will teach on the topic “Unravelling Emotions”. BASECAMP will be held over two weekends at the following locations:  

  • BASECAMP Sydney: Saturday 5 August at the UNSW Roundhouse, Kensington 
  • BASECAMP Mountains: Friday 11 – Saturday 12 August at StayKCC, Katoomba  

Register now and save: https://basecampmen.com/  

Join us for BASECAMP 2023

OneLove for Women

OneLove gives women an opportunity to step away from the everyday, to invest in their walk with God and to hear great preaching from gifted female speakers! This year, award-winning author and Bible teacher, Jackie Hill Perry, will speak on the theme “Worthy of Trust: The God Who Sees Us”. OneLove will be held on Saturday 26 August at the Hillsong Convention Centre in Norwest. Register now and save: https://onelovewomen.com/  

Join us for OneLove 2023

Bring a group of 5 or more friends and you can get $10 off each ticket!

By Heidi Tai

International Evangelists John Lennox and Glen Scrivener to Speak at Oxygen 2023 

We are pleased to announce that international evangelists, John Lennox and Glen Scrivener, will be speaking at Oxygen conference as special guests.  

Returning this August, Oxygen exists to serve anyone in Christian ministry—to refresh them in their zeal for God and the work that He has called them to do. This year, Oxygen will return as a 4-day conference retreat in the beautiful Blue Mountains.  

Through bible talks, practical workshops and rich fellowship in a quiet and focused space, delegates will be invited to check their hearts and spiritual health for ministry.  

Meet Oxygen Special Guest: John Lennox 

John Lennox is the Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford, Emeritus Fellow in Mathematics and the Philosophy of Science, Pastoral Advisor at Green Templeton College, and former Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School. 

He has written extensively on the interface between science, philosophy and theology, with recent titles including ‘Can Science Explain Everything?’, ‘Where is God in a Coronavirus World?’ and ‘Cosmic Chemistry: Do God and Science Mix?’. John has also engaged in high-profile public debates with Richard Dawkins, Peter Singer and the late Christopher Hitchens.  

John Lennox will be joining us virtually, live from the UK for one of our evening segments titled ‘The Non-Negotiables of Christian Ministry’.  

Get a taste of his teaching here:  

John Lennox: Suffering & the God Question 

If we believe in a loving God, how can we explain the existence of suffering and evil in the world? Is there enough evidence to trust in God despite the problems we see in the world around us? 
 
In this Oxygen 14 talk, John Lennox explores both the practical and theoretical aspects of this question and suggests ways in which the subject can be approached with the events of Jesus on the cross in mind. This talk was part of the ‘Apologetics and Evangelism’ stream at Oxygen 2014. 

John Lennox – Who Created The Creator 

In this video, John Lennox addresses Richard Dawkin’s question: Who created the Creator?  

https://vimeo.com/97364808

Meet Oxygen Special Guest: Glenn Scrivener 

Glen Scrivener is passionate about people meeting Christ and equipping Christians to share their faith. He’s often found speaking at Churches and Universities, in the studio producing online media or in his office, writing books and other evangelistic material. Glen is married to Emma, and they have a daughter, Ruby and son, JJ. 

Glen will be presenting a pre-recorded short talk, reflecting on the current cultural dynamics that are at play in the world and how they can impact our hearts and shape the ministry and work we do. 

Get a taste of his teaching here: 

Glen Scrivener Introduces The Air We Breathe 

In this video, Glen Scrivener introduces his book “The Air We Breathe” and shares how our values such as equality, compassion and consent are “supernatural” for they have come uniquely and specifically from Jesus. To learn more, you can also read his article “Everyone You Know Is a Believer”.  

YouTube video

Easter Uprising – The Weekend That Made Our World  

In this short documentary, Glen Scrivener travels from London to Rome in search of a true appreciation for the cross and how the crucifixion has been understood over time. He argues that way we see the cross has been transformed, because the ‘Easter Uprising’ has transformed the way we see the world. Trigger warning: Historical violence described. 

YouTube video

Fuel your love for God in ministry at Oxygen! 

This August, we invite you to slow down and to invest in the crux of what drives you in ministry: your love for Christ. Be revitalised by God’s Word and invigorated for the gospel work He has called you to do.  

Paul Tripp and Zack Eswine will be teaching from the Bible, thoughtfully and prayerfully prepared just for you in ministry, joined by special guests Prof John Lennox, Glen Scrivener, Miroslav Volf, Sarah Irving-Stonebreaker, Kirk Patston, Anna Powell, Mal Gill, and Jonathan Dykes. 

Along with our fantastic line-up of workshop speakers, every part of the program has been carefully planned to expand perspective, offer guidance, and real, relevant experience to help enrich and strengthen you and your ministry. 

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to be with like-minded people in ministry in all its forms, and to sit under teaching, encouragement and fellowship that is tailored just for you! 
 
Standard rate tickets for Oxygen 2023 are available until midnight on Tuesday 18th July. Book your tickets today.  


 

Meet John Lennox and Glen Scrivener who will be speaking at Oxygen conference this August.

By Heidi Tai

Can Christianity be True and Good? Teenagers Empowered and Equipped with Answers at Onward 

Earlier this month, youth groups across the country gathered for Onward Youth to engage with an important question: True and Good – Can Christianity Be Both?  

Delegates across Sydney joined the conference in-person, while the livestream option welcomed youth from as far and wide as regional New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Canberra and even from Zürich in Switzerland!  
 
Through four short talks, guest speakers Alan Au and Dave Jensen explored the claims of Christianity to be “true and good”, and the tension that exists when following Jesus can feel painful or difficult. By looking into the life of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke, delegates were invited to consider how Christian love, justice, freedom and hope are both true and good—even if the claims of the Bible can sound judgmental. 

“God’s love on the cross is where true and good meet, and that the resurrection is the single most important event in human history because it means everything Jesus said and did is true.”

Theodore, Onward 23 Youth

“True freedom is freedom from sin.”

Jason, Onward 23 Youth

“My favourite thing about Onward is the warm and welcoming environment and being able to listen to new ideas about Christianity. I learned that Jesus went to great depths to provide love for us, and it is important to have.”

Beatrix, Onward 23 Youth

Onward 23 also featured a roundtable discussion where Christian teenagers shared their perspectives on the topic and some of the issues they face when engaging their friends with their faith. The roundtable highlighted the ways in which youth find Christianity offensive and unsettling, and that teenagers need to be empowered and equipped to share their faith with their friends. 

Missed out on Onward Youth? Access the Livestream!  

Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, Onward Youth is a one-night apologetics conference, aimed at equipping teenagers to observe current culture with a gospel lens, so that they are equipped to stand firm against issues that challenge their faith.  

There’s still time to catch up on the Onward talks! Our livestream is available on-demand until 22 July 2023. Register and get instant access to Onward here: https://www.onwardevent.com/   

Your invitation to Onward 2023

Youth groups across the country gathered for Onward Youth to engage with an important question: True and Good – Can Christianity Be Both?

By Heidi Tai

“I Regret Not Going in Previous Years”: Adam’s KYCK Testimony 

In this interview, Adam from Coffs Harbour Presbyterian Church shares how he met Jesus at his lowest point and how attending KYCK 23 challenged him to live like Jesus and to be proactive with his faith. He also shares why youth should “get off the fence” and just make the decision to go to KYCK this year!  

1. How many KYCKs have you been to and what was your favourite part?  

KYCK 23 was my first KYCK! Unfortunately, it was also my last due to my age, and I regret not going in previous years! My favourite part about KYCK was the ability to praise, connect with and learn about Christ, surrounded by thousands of people – an incredibly encouraging experience! 

2. How did KYCK23 challenge you in your faith?  

KYCK 23 has challenged me to not only live like Jesus, but to actively seek and read His word in the Bible, encourage others in reading His word and to back Jesus up when I’m being questioned. You just never know when He’ll enter someone’s life through you! 

3. Tell us how you became a Christian!   

I met Jesus when I was at my lowest. 2020 was a tough year for so many, and I was struggling with depression following the death of my grandfather and the isolation brought on by COVID. God used that time to build me back up, create a proper, almost unbreakable connection with Him and surrounded me with an amazing group of friends. 

4. How has meeting Jesus changed your life?   

Meeting Jesus has provided me with an incredibly freeing feeling, knowing that there will always be someone I can rely on who’ll ride the waves of life with me in a life that He prepared for me is amazing. 

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

I was once on the fence too, and for way too long. Just go! It’s the most amazing experience and you absolutely won’t regret it. You’ll meet new people, make new friends and may well find yourself connecting with Christ on a whole new level! 

KYCK 23 Early Bird Rate Ends This Week!  

KYCK challenges and equips teenagers to boldly live the Christian life.  

This 22-24 September, we invite youth groups to join us for one final weekend and to “Meet Jesus” in the Gospel of Mark. Early Bird tickets are still available until 30 June.  

Register now and save: https://www.kyck.org.au/register/   

Adam shares how he met Jesus at his lowest point and how attending KYCK 23 challenged him to live like Jesus and to be proactive with his faith.

By Heidi Tai

Meet the 9 Ministry Women Bringing New Perspectives to Oxygen 2023 

This year at Oxygen conference we’re thrilled to have a line-up of thoughtful and practical segments and workshops, brought to you by seasoned ministry women speaking from their experiences and expertise. 

Meet the 9 ministry women who will be speaking at Oxygen this August! 

Oxygen Plenary Sessions: Lessons from Life in Ministry 

Anna Powell and Sarah Irving-Stonebraker will join the main plenary sessions to share their personal experiences, giving a short talk as part of our segment titled “Lessons from Life in Ministry”.  

Anna Powell

Anna Powell is married to Morgan and they have two delightful daughters. They served for 13 years in South America with SIM, in Ecuador and Peru. In her talk “Seeing Clearly: How our Culture Deforms our Hearts for Ministry”, Anna will share how leaving Australia helped her to see how culture can leave a “non-Biblical imprint” on our understandings of ministry.  

Sarah Irving-Stonebraker

Dr. Sarah Irving-Stonebraker is the Associate Professor of History and Western Civilisation at Australian Catholic University. She was awarded her PhD in History from Cambridge University and held then a Junior Research Fellowship at Wolfson College, Oxford University. She will be giving a talk titled “How Historical Traditions of Spiritual Formation Can Help Us Reshape Our Hearts”.  

Eleasa Sieh

Eleasa is a Can-Aussie – a Canadian-born Chinese from Toronto and now working as a GP and GP counsellor in Brisbane. She is passionate about discipleship and Biblical counselling, having just finished the online MAC program through Westminster Theological Seminary. Eleasa will be one of our MCs at Oxygen. This will be her first Oxygen Conference and she is excited and privileged to be able to attend and serve in this way. 

Oxygen Workshops

Oxygen will also feature a range of optional workshops which focus on the heart requirements of life in ministry. These workshops will help you to understand the inner and outer challenges of ministry, as well as provide practical learnings to renew and revive your passion for the work God has called you to do.  

Meet the women leading our inspiring workshops:  

Valerie Ling

Valerie is the founder of the Centre for Effective Serving, as well as the Clinical Director and founder of the Centre for Effective Living, a group psychology practice dedicated to clinical excellence in mental health. As a ministry wife herself, Valerie has a particular passion to support gospel workers. Her workshop “Moving from a Reactive to Reflective Ministry: Leadership and Ministry Longevity in a Hectic and Troubled World” will be focused on helping ministry workers to manage burnout.  

Kerrell Ranucci

Kerrell together with her husband Andrew, spent almost three decades planting a church, a school and pioneering ministries to reach the lost and disciple them to Jesus. Kerrell is passionate about soul care, facilitating spiritual retreats, and walking with pastors to support them to develop a deep personal devotional life. Her workshop “Cultivating Our Life with God” will help delegates explore the role of spiritual practices in helping them to experience the presence of God in daily life.  

Susan Marcuccio

Susan is the National Supervision Director for Chaplaincy Australia and President of Australasian Association of Supervision. Susan is passionate about all those in the helping professions being able to access quality and confidential support and engage in transformational learning. Her workshop “Pastoral Supervision: Protecting Your Heart to Go the Distance in Ministry” will explain how pastoral supervision can enhance ministry, ignite passion, and protect your heart.

Rachael Litchfield 

Rachael has been involved in cross-cultural mission work in Thailand, Cambodia and Australia for the last 30 years serving in physiotherapy, community health, leadership and pastoral care roles. In 2020 she completed a doctor of ministry dissertation titled “A Spirituality for Transition Grief”. Her workshop “Spiritual Practices for the Grief of Transitions” will help delegates strengthen their capacity to craft meaning and move deeper into our life with God during unsettling transitions.

Miriam Chan 

Miriam Chan is an accredited mental health social worker, counsellor and supervisor. Miriam currently works as a counsellor at an Australian University and in private practice in Burwood at New Leaf Centre. Miriam’s workshop “Mental Health and Ministry” will explore a Biblical overview of mental and emotional wellbeing and explore practical ideas on how to best serve Jesus when we are feeling unstable. 

Kathy Thurston 

Five and a half years ago Dave and Kathy Thurston left Sydney and parish ministry to work in the Presbyterian Church of Queensland. Their brief was mentoring pastors and their wives, training other to be mentors, develop a post college training program as well as various other ventures. They now live in Blackheath on two acres where God willing they will build a Christian Retreat centre. Together with her husband, Kathy will lead a workshop titled “The Importance of Emotional Self Awareness for Healthy Ministry”.  

To see the full list of local and international Oxygen speakers, click here: https://oxygenconference.com/speakers/ 

Is it Time to Hit Pause at Oxygen?

Our recent Oxygen Christian Workers Survey revealed alarming levels of job dissatisfaction, loneliness, and mental health issues amongst Christain workers in Australia.  

In comparison to men, women were more likely to be experiencing or suspecting a mental health issue – 40 per cent compared to 25 per cent. In speaking of mental well-being, an Anglican Women’s Minister serving in a capital city says:   

“I think about burnout and wonder if I am already there and what to do about it. It is hard to find the energy to invest in people but my love for the Lord and his people continues. I often wonder if I am the right person for my job, which is not a question I had 5 years ago.” 

This is why Oxygen exists—to give ministry workers a space to reflect, think, pray and recharge under God’s Word.  

If you’re a woman in Christian ministry, we invite you to pause with us this 15-18 August at Oxygen. Learn more here: https://oxygenconference.com/ 

Meet the 9 ministry women bringing new perspectives at Oxygen 2023!

By Heidi Tai
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