In 2025, we are so pleased to welcome Amy Townsend as the new chairwoman for OneLove women’s conference. In this interview, Amy shares how she came to faith, her deep appreciation for conferences, and what she hopes women will get to experience at OneLove this year.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
Hey there! I’m Amy, and I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the new Chairperson for OneLove. I’m married to Jesse and we have two little ones, Penny and Noah. During the week, I work as a Community and Student Care Worker at Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC), where I support students and foster Christ-centred community. I also serve as an Assistant Pastor at St Marks in Freshwater, where I have the privilege of guiding people toward Jesus. In my downtime, I love journalling, make jewellery, hitting the gym, and eating cheese. I cannot wait to connect with all of you at OneLove! I am praying for each and every person God intends to bring along. See you soon!
How and when did you come to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?
I did not grow up in a Christian home, yet I can’t remember a time when I didn’t believe in God. As I explored the world around me—God made sense! So, as a child in primary school, I eagerly participated in Scripture classes, memorising Bible verses and completing craft activities. But in many ways, my faith was centred on ‘getting it right for God.’ It wasn’t until I attended a Youth Camp in high school that I truly encountered the person of Jesus. This is when I first grasped the Gospel and came to understand that its not about what I can do for God, it is about what God has done for me in his Son, Jesus Christ.
On the final day of the camp, the speaker shared a song that traced the story of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. The last verse focused on His return, and I remember being overwhelmed by the reality of it. I thought, ‘Jesus is coming back! King of Kings and Lord of Lords! The trumpets will sound, the heavens will roar, and… I want to be on Team Jesus!’
That was a critical moment in my faith journey. Although, I have to confess, it still took many, many years for me to begin unpacking what it meant to live as a disciple of Christ. I found my time at university to be particularly difficult. In my early twenties, however, I moved out of home and, by God’s providence, ended up living with two Christian girls who were also at uni. It was through them that I saw what it truly meant to follow Jesus. I was struck by the way they prayed—bringing everything, big and small, before God. They loved Jesus! And found joy in following him. I will forever be thankful for these two beautiful role models, and my hope and prayer is that God might use me as a role model to others on their journey with Jesus.
What inspired you to come on board to chair OneLove?
I have a deep appreciation for conferences and the unique experiences they offer. Few occasions allow us to gather in such large numbers to collectively sing praises to God, sit under the authority of His Word, and engage in prayer. Conferences create a special environment for connection with God and with each other—providing opportunities to meet new people, encourage one another, learn, and grow in faith.
As the Chairperson for OneLove, it is my privilege to prayerfully consider the various elements of the day that will help us grow more and more into the image of Christ. It is my honour to pray for the OneLove community and to work diligently, under God’s guidance, to ensure that our time together is impactful for Christ’s glory, and our good.
What do you think are the greatest challenges facing Christian women in Australia today?
Life can feel overwhelmingly busy—with countless responsibilities and distractions vying for our attention every minute. Even when I carve out time to slow down and connect with God, I sometimes struggle to know where to start. I notice a tendency to crave productivity, stimulation…anything but ‘stillness’. And I know I’m not alone.
I believe one of the most significant challenges for Christian women in Australia is navigating the tension between the busyness of daily life and the essential stillness that nurtures our spiritual lives. Many women are juggling many things: working, supporting our families, engaging with our church communities, catching up with friends, and maintaining our health. All of these commitments are significant, yet they can crowd our lives and distract us from coming to the foot of the cross.
So, what does it look like to navigate these aspects of everyday life that, so often, feel in tension with our Christian lives? My hope and prayer is that OneLove will provide time and space for Christian women to commune with God, to be reminded of the supremacy of Christ, to reorient their hearts toward him, and to uncover new tools and new zeal to live like Christ in any and every context.
What is your hope for OneLove this year and why should women set time aside to come?
My hope and prayer for OneLove 2025 is that women of all ages and life stages will come and encounter the Risen Lord Jesus—that they will grow in their love for Him, deepen their knowledge of Him, and be stirred to follow, serve, and make bold life changes and sacrifices for Him. I pray that every woman who attends will leave OneLove encouraged, refreshed, and renewed in her journey with Jesus.
OneLove is an opportunity for us, as sisters in Christ, to commune with God and with each other. I look forward to seeing how God will move among us during this special event! Until then, this is my prayer for the women of OneLove: that God might fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:9-14).
OneLove women’s conference will return on Saturday 23rd August at the Hillsong Convention Centre, featuring international speaker Jackie Hill Perry. Tickets are now available from our website: https://onelovewomen.com/register/
Discounted tickets are also available for full-time students, interstate and regional delegates. More information available from our website: https://onelovewomen.com/register/#prices
