In a season where it can feel easier to conform to the world than stand out for Christ, gathering with over a thousand other young adults encouraged Matt to keep living wholeheartedly for Jesus. Read how Spark challenged and reminded Matt that what unites Christians is far greater than what divides them.
1. Please introduce yourself!
My name is Matt West, I’m 28, I grew up in a Christian family, but decided to follow Christ myself at a CMS Summer School camp in 2011, currently attending Padstow Baps.
2. What made you want to attend Spark last year (2025)?
I was always a big fan of KYCK, but once I saw the Perry’s would be speaking at Spark, I was convinced. More importantly, I think it’s never been harder to be a Christian young adult. I’m passionate about seeing young adult lives changed and committed to Christ.
3. Describe your Spark experience!
There seems to be so much expectation to conform to worldly things right now and as a Christian, it’s easy to feel different or isolated. After high school, all I wanted was to fit in. I went to uni, thinking that was the ‘right thing to do’. After just 9 months, I dropped out and became a tradie, which was a turbulent environment for a Christian to say the least. Everyone around me seemed to have their life together, and I just didn’t. Over the last few years, I have realised that fighting to be like the world will only lead to disappointment. Spark was an amazing reminder that I’ll always be a part of a huge community of people, and that being united together in Christ is FAR better than anything the world has to offer.
“Spark was an amazing reminder that I’ll always be a part of a huge community of people, and that being united together in Christ is FAR better than anything the world has to offer.”
4. A takeaway from the weekend?
I remember being convicted by Mitch’s message to not live out a ‘lukewarm’ faith, but to be sold out for Jesus.
5. How have you been living differently post-Spark?
1 Corinthians 12:12. “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”
Perhaps the thing I’ve wrestled with the most in recent years is “why are Christians different?”. Some people like their worship loud, some like it soft. Some like their church to have pews, some want IMAX level recliners. We all come from different churches, studying different degrees and working different jobs… and that’s a good thing! Spark reminded me that ultimately, we are united by so much more than what divides us. Because of God’s gift of grace, through the blood of his Son shed on that cross, we are all ONE in Christ Jesus. God loves us all the same, regardless if we’re a lawyer or an electrician, if we’ve been to Bible college or if we’re new to our faith. What a comfort that is.
“Spark reminded me that ultimately, we are united by so much more than what divides us.”
6. What would you say to someone who’s on the fence about coming?
Just come, it’ll be mad.
It’s not too late to join us!
Every day the world tells us to look within ourselves, work harder, achieve more, and create our own purpose. But what if meaning isn’t something we have to invent?
At SPARK, we’ll explore why the promises of our culture so often leave us wanting more and how Jesus offers the life we were truly made for. Register here.
