The Bible is filled with women who could have said no. These women could have stayed in their shame, fear, or comfort zones, but instead showed remarkable courage. Here’s a look at 5 women who lived unhindered in their response to Jesus.
1. The Woman at the Well
John 4
She came to draw water but left carrying living water.
Unhindered by her shameful past, she boldly shared Jesus with her town. Jackie Hill Perry preached on this in 2023. Watch a snippet below or watch the full video on KCC One!
2. The Woman Who Walked Away from Safety
Ruth
Ruth wasn’t obligated to follow Naomi into a foreign land, but she did. She wasn’t hindered by loss, uncertainty, or leaving behind the familiar. Her faith and loyalty positioned her in God’s redemptive story!
3. The Woman Who Prayed Through Her Pain
Hannah (1 Samuel)
Though her heart was heavy with grief and unanswered prayer, she came to the temple and poured out her soul to God. She wasn’t hindered by disappointment, delay, or being misunderstood by others. She was seen and heard by God and her faith bore fruit through her son, Samuel!
4. The Woman Who Chose Better
Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:38–42)
While her sister Martha was busy with preparations, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened. Mary wasn’t hindered by expectations, distractions, or the pull to do more. Mary chose what was better and Jesus didn’t push her away.
5. The Woman Who Worshipped
Luke 7:36–50
She wasn’t invited but she came anyway. In a room full of judgment, she poured perfume and tears at Jesus’ feet. It was an act of costly devotion. She wasn’t hindered by her reputation, onlookers, or the weight of her past. Jesus affirmed her faith and forgave her sin.
Let these stories remind you that you don’t need a perfect past or the right credentials to come to Jesus.
Living unhindered is about having confidence in the God who sees, calls and uses ordinary people like you and me.
What does it look like to run the race of faith unhindered?
Join us at OneLove 2025 as we uncover what it means to live free from the distractions, doubts and sins that weigh us down.
If you haven’t registered, it’s not too late to join us. Register here.
The Bible is filled with women who could have said no. These women could have
By Patrizha Yeomans
5 Ways To Prepare for OneLove
OneLove 2025 is almost here! We’re so excited to gather with over 1,500+ women to sit under God’s Word and fix our eyes on Jesus. Whether this is your first time or your tenth, a little preparation can help you make the most of the day.
Here are five simple ways you can get ready in the lead-up:
1. Familiarise Yourself with the Songs
Worship is a beautiful part of the OneLove experience. Get to know the songs ahead of time so you can engage fully on the day. We’ve made it easy with our official OneLove 2025 Spotify playlist. Listen here
So whether you’re doing the dishes or driving to work, let these truth-filled lyrics shape your heart in the lead-up to the event.
2. Start Praying for OneLove
As we prepare to hear from Jackie Hill Perry, Valerie Ling, and Rachel Ciano, let’s also prepare our hearts in prayer. Pray for softened hearts, smooth logistics, powerful teaching, and deep fellowship.
We’ve put together 4 weekly prayer points to guide you below.
3. Figure Out Your Transport
Planning your transport early will save stress on the day. While there’s plenty of parking onsite, we’d love to encourage carpooling with your friends!
You can also consider public transport options. It’s a 3 minute walk from Norwest Metro Station or short bus trip from Blacktown or Parramatta Stations.
4. Pack Smart for the Day
While OneLove will have food, books, and merch available, it’s a good idea to bring a few basics:
A water bottle
Your favourite pen to take notes
A physical Bible
5. Invite Someone to Join You
You never know who might say yes.
Whether it’s a friend from church, your sister, a neighbour or a coworker, OneLove can be a life-changing experience for someone who’s never been.
OneLove 2025 is almost here! We’re so excited to gather with over 1,500+ women to
By Patrizha Yeomans
“It’s a Privilege and a Joy”: Why Carla Attends OneLove
For Carla, attending OneLove has become a deeply cherished rhythm in her walk with Jesus. Having attended almost every OneLove over the years, Carla shares how this annual day of teaching, worship, and stories has shaped her decisions, encouraged her faith, and reminded her of the joy and freedom we have to gather as Christian women.
1. Introduce yourself and how long you’ve been attending OneLove!
Hi, my name is Carla Matthews, I live in the outskirts of Sydney, in the Hills District with my husband. We have 4 great adult children, 4 wonderful in-laws and 3 sweet grandkids. I’ve been to almost all of the OneLove conferences.
2. What have been some of the highlights of attending OneLove? Do you have a favourite memory?
I’m always encouraged to sit in a room with hundreds of other Christians. The talks over the years have always impacted my faith and life in a positive way. A highlight was the talks from Genesis 16 (two years ago), exploring Hagar’s story. The reminder that sometimes God calls us into very difficult circumstances was both challenging and impactful.
3. How has OneLove encouraged your faith?
Sitting with hundreds of other Christian women is an encouragement, it’s a visceral experience. This alone encourages my faith.
Sitting with hundreds of other Christian women is an encouragement, it’s a visceral experience. This alone encourages my faith.
4. Is there a particular talk, Bible passage, or moment that really stayed with you?
I’m not great at remembering the nitty gritty of sermons or even the Bible passages but the overall experience helps guide my walk with Jesus. I make choices and make decisions because of what I’ve learnt and heard at events like OneLove.
In the same talks I mentioned above, we were encouraged to lead with our humanity and be curious about cultural context. Both ideas have challenged me to think outside the safe Christian bubble we can choose to stay in in Sydney.
5. Why do you think women should set aside time to attend conferences like OneLove?
Because we can, we live in freedom and are able to worship, there are thousands of sisters in Christ around the world that face daily persecution and death because of their faith in Jesus. We are free to worship, free to pray and sing aloud to our good God. It’s a privilege and a joy.
We are free to worship, free to pray and sing aloud to our good God. It’s a privilege and a joy.
6. What would you say to someone who’s thinking about coming to OneLove for the first time?
Be excited for what God may speak to you on the day. Be ready to be challenged by Bible teaching, to laugh and cry as you hear the stories of fellow Christian women and what God has done in their lives. It’s a joyful day.
Register for OneLove 2025!
A one-day conference to inspire women through preaching, testimony and fellowship. We’re excited to welcome back Jackie Hill Perry as our keynote speaker!
This year, we’re talking about what it means to live unhindered.
We find ourselves limping. Tired and distracted. But what if God wants us to run—not limp—into life and faith that’s full of joy, endurance, and freedom in Him?
For Carla, attending OneLove has become a deeply cherished rhythm in her walk with Jesus. Having attended almost every OneLove over the years, Carla shares how this annual day of teaching, worship, and stories has shaped her decisions, encouraged her faith, and reminded her of the joy and freedom we have to gather as Christian women.
By Patrizha Yeomans
“A Reminder We Are Not Alone”: Zoe’s OneLove Testimony
In this interview, Zoe shares why she has continued to attend OneLove over the last 5 years and the impact that the teaching and fellowship has had on her faith and ministry. She also shares her sermon takeaways from this year, and the impact of being able to gather with like-minded Christian women at events like OneLove.
OneLove delegate, Zoe Dumbrell
1. How many times have you attended OneLove, what made you attend this year?
I love attending OneLove and have been coming almost every year since I was in year 10, which means I have attended, online or in person, about 5 times! I came along this year because of how great the previous years had been! I also love the book ‘Gay Girl Good God’ by Jackie Hill Perry, so was keen to hear from her.
2. What was a highlight of this year’s conference?
This year’s conference highlight was hearing a multitude of women singing praises to God. It always gives me goosebumps. So thankful for the ability to worship our great God and for the great musicians to lead us in that.
3. What was something that struck you about the talks?
Something that really stuck me in the talks was the sheer power of God. I often forget His authority in the world, but the talks were a helpful reminder of how God has been working and is working in our lives. It was awesome to look at how he works all things for His glory and that nothing we do can stuff up the plan of God. What a relief! He knows us and yet uses us to bring about His purposes! What a powerful God!
4 How has OneLove encouraged your faith?
OneLove talks encouraged my faith, reminding me that despite being a sinful person, God chose to save me, and even more so, he decides to use me for his ministry. We are fragile jars of clay, but he made us ambassadors for Christ. He called us to spread the love of God with the world and he gives us the power of His son through the Holy Spirit. When there is great news like that, how could I not go out into the world to tell people about Jesus?
5. Why should women attend OneLove in the future?
Women should come to OneLove because it is a GREAT day that encourages and challenges you to live every day for God. The day serves as a reminder that we are not alone in the ministry of God. The world may persecute us but a conference like OneLove shows us that there are so many other Christians who are going through the same thing; working together for the same purpose of growing God’s kingdom. We are united in Christ; sisters in Christ. We are not alone in the Christian walk because we have a Christian family and, most of all, we have God!
Early Bird tickets now available for OneLove 2024
OneLove is a one-day event for all women to gather under life-changing preaching and enjoy fantastic fellowship. Whether you have been a Christian for many years or are still seeking answers about God, join us and be encouraged, refreshed, and renewed for the journey ahead.
Early Bird tickets are now available and include access to the event, a printed booklet, morning tea, lunch and a conference gift. Secure your tickets today: https://onelovewomen.com/
Zoe shares the impact that OneLove has had on her faith and ministry.
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
Can We Really Trust God?
Who do you trust?
A loving and supportive parent?
A leader with integrity?
A friend who has been loyal over time?
Is there anyone who is worthy of all your trust—with absolutely everything? Or has time proven that even the best of human relationships can fail or disappoint, and that trusting someone comes at a level of risk?
While some of us have a long list of trusted confidants, others are more cautious and skeptical, choosing to trust in only themselves. However, even the most self-sufficient person has limits—in strength, resources and wisdom. A life independent from others can feel lonely and exhausting.
After all, humans are interconnected and dependent beings—from young we crave attachment and relationship. But if the people around us are limited and finite, who exactly can we trust with all our needs and desires—both today and into eternity?
At OneLove this year, guest speaker, Jackie Hill Perry will preach on the theme “Worthy of Trust: The God Who Sees Us”. Guiding us through Scripture, Jackie will refresh our eyes to the goodness and beauty of God while empowering our hearts to put our entire trust in Him:
“If God is holy, then it means He can’t sin, and if God can’t sin, then it means He can’t sin against me, shouldn’t that make Him the most trustworthy being there is?” – Jackie Hill Perry
Jackie Hill Perry will teach at OneLove 23
The Christian is called to trust God, but what makes Him worthy of our trust?
What if God doesn’t always feel very loving, supportive, loyal or righteous?
Is God even aware of our circumstances or understand the details of our lives?
If you have doubts about God’s character, feel abandoned in sorrow, or unseen in suffering; or if you want to be further strengthened in the trust that you already have, then OneLove is for you.
Join us on Saturday 26 August, to be refreshed and inspired to live wholeheartedly for a holy God who truly sees, loves, and can care for you—both today and eternity. Bring a group from your church, play group or Bible Study, and make it a special day of encouragement and fellowship!
