Katoomba Christian Convention - KCC - Blog

Dave Miers Helping Teens Wrestle with Questions About God and Faith in Hard Times

11/6/2021

Dave Miers (City On A Hill, Brisbane) is confirmed to preach two talks from the book of Habakkuk at the upcoming Onward Youth conference in June. These talks will not only help teens to trust God in suffering, but they will also walk away equipped to help others who are wrestling with questions about faith and God in hard times.

Dave Miers (City On A Hill, Brisbane) is confirmed to preach from the book of Habakkuk at the upcoming Onward Youth conference in June. The theme of the Onward is “The God of the Shadows”, with every element of the program designed to help teenagers to continue trusting God, even when times are tough.

We are pleased to announce that Dave will be preaching the following two talks from the book of Habakkuk:

Talk One: Lord, How Long Shall I Cry for Help?
Habakkuk 1-2
Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-11

In talk one, Dave will show us that it’s appropriate to cry out to God in times of suffering and that that Habakkuk is a good example of a man who expresses trust in God, even in pain and uncertainty.

Talk Two: Yet I will Rejoice in the Lord
Habakkuk 3
Reading: Habakkuk 3:16-19

In talk two, Dave will help us see how and why Habakkuk can continue trusting the LORD in suffering, and how this Old Testament book points us Jesus!

Dave’s talks will not only help teens in their personal walk with God, they will also walk away equipped to help others who are wrestling with questions about faith and God in hard times. You can get a taste of Dave’s preaching here.

Meet Onward 21 Speaker: Dave Miers from kcc on Vimeo.

Hear Dave preach at Onward 21!

In 2021, we're excited to bring you Onward Youth as an online livestream—and it will be bigger and better than last year! The one-night program will feature practical talks, God-glorifying worship with our friends from Whitefield, real-life personal testimonies, interviews and more.

Tickets are $29 per livestream viewer and includes:

Full access to Onward Youth LIVE
Digital Onward Youth Program Booklet

Instant access to our DEEP DIVE resource which includes 3 weeks of youth group Bible talks, discussions questions, resources, interviews, Q&A with Onward speakers and more!

For tickets or more information, visit our website: www.onwardevent.com

Stay up to date with Onward Youth:

12 Resources to Empower You in Holiness

10/6/2021

At OneLove women’s conference, Author and Bible teacher, Jackie Hill Perry will be addressing the theme “Made for More: Created to be Holy”. To get us thinking about the topic, we have curated a list of 12 resources that will empower you in holiness. With articles, podcasts, songs and videos on offer, there’s something here for everyone!

Articles

The Doctrine of Holiness

“OK, I get that God is holy. I'm not entirely sure how to define his holiness, but the Bible declares it to be true. So, what's next? How does this big doctrine impact my real life?"

In this article, Paul Tripp explains the ‘mind-blowing grandeur’ of God’s holiness, how it impacts us, and why it’s worthy of celebration.

Attributes of God | He is Holy

“We may hear the phrase, God is holy, and even nod our heads in agreement, but do we know what it means? Have we stopped and asked ourselves what exactly makes God holy?”

In this article, Lauren Chandler reflects on God’s holiness and asks us to pause to consider the weight that word holds.

Yes, Actually, God Does Demand Perfection

“...when we lower God’s expectations for his people, and de-emphasize the seriousness of his command for holiness, we actually cheapen his grace and lose sight of his spectacular promise.”

In this article, Kristen Wetherell encourages believers to take holiness seriously as it is a spiritual pursuit that magnifies God’s promises to us in Jesus.

Videos

Holy, Holy, Holy: A Quick Talk on The Holiness of God

How do we pursue holiness in the world that cares nothing about it and why should we be holy? In this 15 minute video, Jackie Hill Perry talks about the holiness of God and how we live in light of that.

The Bible Project: Holiness

This short video explores the paradox that God’s holiness presents to human beings. God is the unique and set-apart Creator of all reality and the author of all goodness. However, that goodness can become dangerous to humans who are mortal and morally corrupt. Ultimately, this paradox is resolved by Jesus, who embodies God’s holiness that comes to heal His creation.

Jen Wilkin on Holiness

In this 2-minute video, Jen Wilkin gives a quick summary on what God means when he says that we are to ‘be holy as God is holy’.

The Beatitudes: Blessed are the Pure in Heart with Mal Gill

In The Beatitudes, Jesus powerfully reminds us of the blessed life that God has called us to. Watch Day 6 of KCC’s video devotional series on The Beatitudes on the KCC One app. In this devotion, Mal Gill talks about how in a society of impurity, God sets apart his people to live in holiness and purity as they walk in step with the Holy Spirit.

Music

Only A Holy God - CityAlight

Produced by CityAlight, ‘Only A Holy God’ is a song that encourages us to behold and worship God in all His unique qualities.

Who is Like You? - Emu Music

Produced by Emu Music, ‘Who is Like You?’ is a song that encourages us to reflect on the perfect life and perfect love of Jesus.

Podcasts

Let’s Talk: The Holiness of God

Let’s Talk is a podcast for women from The Gospel Coalition Podcast Network. Join Jackie Hill Perry, Melissa Kruger, and Jasmine Holmes in this episode as they discuss our complicated relationship with holiness, and that if we fail to appreciate God’s holiness, we fail to know God as He really is.

Journeywomen: How Can We Image God?

What are some of the attributes of God that we should seek to take on? How has God instructed us to do that? What enables us to do that? In this episode, Journeywomen chats to Jackie Hill Perry about God’s holiness and His communicable attributes, specifically focusing on how we can reflect God’s character.

Risen Motherhood: Let’s Reset

Even when it seems like you've done everything right as a mum, inevitably, things won’t go as planned, leaving us wondering if there’s any point in trying. In this Risen Motherhood episode, Emily and Laura shares how our identity in Christ empowers us to continue pursuing holiness, even in our sin or when circumstances aren’t ideal.

Hear Jackie Hill Perry teach on holiness at OneLove 21!

What better way to dive deep into the topic of holiness than to open the Scriptures with Jackie Hill Perry at OneLove women’s conference this Saturday 21 August?

OneLove 21 will be a one-day online event for women of all ages and life stages who desire to gather for life-changing preaching, inspiring testimonies and fantastic fellowship. The program will suit both Christians and women with questions about God.

Registrations will open soon so make sure you mark the date in your calendar. You can also sign up to receive the latest updates via email on our website: www.onelovewomen.com

Stay up to date with OneLove women's conference:

How Should Christians Express Grief? Kit Barker to Address Suffering at Onward this June

8/6/2021

We are so pleased to welcome Kit Barker (OT Lecturer, Sydney Missionary & Bible College) to the KCC platform this Friday 25 June for Onward Youth conference. Joining a panel of varied and experienced speakers, Kit will answer the question of how God wants His people to express their sorrow and grief.

We are pleased to welcome Kit Barker to the KCC platform this Friday 25 June for Onward Youth conference. Joining a panel of varied and experienced speakers, Kit will share an instructional talk that answers the question of how God wants His people to express their sorrow and grief.

What do we do with suffering and pain as Christians? Why would God allow us to suffer? To help youth unpack these important questions, he will also contribute content for Onward Deep Dive, an exclusive new resource for Onward ticket holders.

To get a taste of what he’ll be sharing at Onward, check out this preview of Kit’s Deep Dive talk, “Different Ways of Facing Suffering”:

Different Ways of Facing Suffering - Kit Barker - Onward DEEP DIVE from kcc on Vimeo.

Kit Barker teaches Old Testament at Sydney Missionary Bible College (SMBC). When he's not at college, he's with his family on the Northern Beaches of Sydney where he spends his down time fishing and surfing. Kit also serves on the leadership team at Narrabeen Baptist Church.

You can get a taste of his teaching here:

1. SMBC Principal’s Hour – Psalm 88: A Psalm of Lament

In this talk, Kit unpacks Psalm 88 and shows us how it's a deep expression of faith in lament. The talk begins at 27minutes and 50 seconds.

2. Some Answers Podcast – Why the Heck Do You Believe in Jesus with Kit Barker

In this podcast interview, Kit and Samantha chat about coffee, the Psalms and how one small event changed everything for Kit and tested his faith in God.

3. Hannah’s Song - 1 Samuel 2:1-10

In this sermon from 1 Samuel, Kit unpacks the hope of God’s presence and promises as found in Hannah’s song.

Grab your tickets to Onward Youth this June!

In 2021, we're excited to bring you Onward Youth as an online livestream—and it will be bigger and better than last year! The one-night program will feature practical talks, God-glorifying worship with our friends from Whitefield, real-life personal testimonies, interviews and more.

Tickets are $29 per livestream viewer and includes:

Full access to Onward Youth LIVE
Digital Onward Youth Program Booklet
Instant access to our DEEP DIVE resource which includes 3 weeks of youth group Bible talks, discussions questions, resources, interviews, Q&A with Onward speakers and more!

For tickets or more information, visit our website: www.onwardevent.com

Stay up to date with Onward Youth

How Should Christians See & Experience Suffering? Equip Your Youth with DEEP DIVE

3/6/2021

How can we equip the next generation to see and experience suffering as Christians? Onward DEEP DIVE is a new and exclusive resource for Onward ticket holders. Designed for teens, it includes three weeks' worth of Bible talks, discussion questions and resources on the topic of suffering as it relates to isolation, sexuality and mental health.

The Onward Youth team are excited to announce the launch of DEEP DIVE, a new and exclusive resource for Onward 21 ticket holders.

Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention (KCC), Onward Youth exists to equip a new generation of Christians to be salt and light in the world and to engage with controversial themes and societal hot topics from a Christian perspective.

This year’s theme is “God in the Shadows: Finding God When Times Are Tough”. Through talks by Dave Miers from the book of Habbakuk, and interviews addressing mental illness, sexuality, and isolation, Onward will help teens to find joy and experience God—even when times are tough.

Onward DEEP DIVE has been designed to complement the conference, and includes three weeks of engaging and relevant talks from our speakers:

1. Experiencing Isolation – Greg Coles

Greg Coles (writer, speaker, and worship leader in Pennsylvania, U.S.A.,) shares with us his experience in sexuality and isolation as a Christian.  Get to know Greg here.

2. Seeing and Experiencing Suffering - Sam Wan & Lily Strachan

Sam Wan (Chairman of Onward) introduces suffering in our world and shows us that the Bible does talk about suffering. Lily Strachan (Chaplain at Robert Menzies College) helps us think through the experience of mental illness as Christians. Get to know Lily here.

3. Different Ways of Facing Suffering - Kit Barker

What do we do with suffering and pain as Christians? Why would God allow us to suffer? Kit Barker (Old Testament Lecturer, SMBC) unpacks for us 4 different ways we face suffering in our lives. Here’s a one-minute preview of the talk:

Each session comes with:

A ‘1 Minute Take’ where 1-minute answers are given to key questions

A Bible reading and discussion questions
Additional recommended resources and links to great books, videos and articles

In this video, you can hear from Sam Wan (Chair, Onward Committee) as he explains how to best utilise DEEP DIVE in your personal study or youth group program ahead of the conference. For more information, visit our website.

Join us at Onward Youth this June!

In 2021, we're excited to bring you Onward Youth as an online livestream—and it will be bigger and better than last year! The one-night program will feature practical talks, God-glorifying worship with our friends from Whitefield, real-life personal testimonies, interviews and more.

Tickets are $29 per livestream viewer and includes:

Full access to Onward Youth LIVE
Digital Onward Youth Program Booklet

INSTANT access to our DEEP DIVE resource which includes 3 weeks of youth group Bible talks, discussions questions, resources, interviews, Q&A with Onward speakers and more!

For tickets or more information, visit our website: www.onwardevent.com

Stay up to date with Onward Youth:

Why Keep Believing in God When You Feel Like Walking Away? Free Online Event with Apologist, Mary Jo Sharp

2/6/2021

In our upcoming 'KCC Conversations', Author, Apologist and previous Onward speaker, Mary Jo Sharp, will share why we should continue believing in God even when we feel like walking away. You can tune into this free interview on KCC’s Onward Facebook Page on Wednesday, 9 June at 12PM (AEST).

Earlier this year, Katoomba Christian Convention (KCC) launched ‘KCC Conversations’, an online series of free interviews on hot topics about life, work and faith. This month, we are excited to welcome Author, Apologist and previous Onward speaker, Mary Jo Sharp, to the KCC Conversations panel as she shares why we should continue believing in God even when we feel like walking away. You can tune into this free interview on KCC’s Onward Facebook Page on Wednesday, 9 June at 12PM (AEST).

A former atheist who came to faith, Mary Jo Sharp has experienced two worlds of American culture: the post-Christian culture of the Pacific Northwest and the evangelical culture of the Bible Belt. She first encountered apologetics in her own spiritual search while seeking answers.

Mary Jo is now an Assistant Professor of Apologetics at Houston Baptist University and the Founder and Director of Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry. She is the author of "Why I Still Believe: A Former Atheist's Reckoning with the Bad Reputation Christians Give a Good God.” You can purchase this title from The Wandering Bookseller.

We look forward to having you join us at the event next week. Feel free to invite your friends who would benefit from this free talk!

Catch up on previous KCC Conversations!

Did you miss our latest conversations? You can catch up on the talks through our Facebook pages below or watch them all on the KCC One app!

‘Understanding Power in the Church’ with Dr Diane Langberg (Author, Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church)
‘How to Experience Joy in Your Work in 2021’ with Andrew Laird (City Bible Forum)
‘How to Find Purity in a Sexually Broken World’ with Jay Stringer (Counsellor, Speaker and Author)

‘How to Take Jesus Public’ with Dan Paterson (Founder of Questioning Christianity, Pastor, Lecturer and Speaker)

Stay up to date with KCC Events!

Jackie Hill Perry to Empower Women in Holiness at OneLove Conference this August

28/5/2021

We are thrilled to announce that writer, poet, bible teacher and hip hop artist, Jackie Hill Perry, will be the guest speaker for OneLove women’s conference this August. Jackie will address the theme “Made for More: Created to be Holy” and encourage women to live full lives that are worthy of God’s calling to holiness.

We are thrilled to announce that Jackie Hill Perry will be the guest speaker at OneLove women’s conference this Saturday 21 August. Jackie Hill Perry is a writer, poet, bible teacher and hip-hop artist whose latest album, Crescendo, was released in May 2018. At home, she is a wife to Preston and Mommy to Eden, Autumn, and Sage.

Since becoming a Christian, Jackie has been compelled to use her speaking and teaching gifts to share the light of the gospel of God as authentically as she can. In her biography, Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been, she shares her story of finding wholeness in her experience of growing up in a fatherless home and struggling with gender confusion.

Jackie grew up abusing marijuana, loving pornography and embracing both masculinity and homosexuality. At the age of 19, Jackie came face-to-face with what it meant to be made new. It didn’t happen in church or through contact with Christians, rather God broke in and turned her heart towards Him.

At OneLove, she will be addressing the theme “Made for More: Created to be Holy”. By opening the Scriptures, Jackie will encourage women to live full lives that are worthy of God’s calling to holiness.

You can get a taste of her teaching here:

1. Let’s Talk Podcast

Let’s Talk is a podcast for women from The Gospel Coalition Podcast Network. On each episode, Jackie Hill Perry, Melissa Kruger, and Jasmine Holmes talk about a different topic and how to apply biblical wisdom to everyday life. Episode topics include people pleasing, taming the tongue, discontentment, and fighting sin.

2. The Gospel for the Fallen

A challenging and encouraging sermon from John 21 about the gospel for fallen followers.

3. How to Avoid Being an Intelligent Fool

If being a disciple means to be a student, can learning be the legacy you leave? In this talk, Jackie Hill Perry shares the significance of being a learner of God, so that one can teach what they’ve learned to the next generation.

4. Love is a Gospel Issue

Jackie Hill Perry discusses the urgency of showing love for the ‘least of these’ in light of the gospel and what’s at stake if we fail to do so.

5. Jackie Hill Perry on Poetry and Rap

In this video, Jackie Hill Perry describes how music and poetry can display the glory of God in unique and effective ways. You can tune into her latest Rap album, Crescendo, on Spotify.

Save the date for OneLove 2021!

OneLove will return on Saturday, 21 August 2021. This one-day event is for women of all ages and life stages who desire to gather together for life-changing preaching, inspiring testimonies and fantastic fellowship. The program is designed for both Christians and people with questions about God.

Registrations will open soon so make sure you mark the date in your calendar. You can also sign up to receive the latest updates via email on our website: www.onelovewomen.com

Stay up to date with OneLove

Suffering, Sexuality and Mental Health: 8 Recommended Reads for Today’s Youth

27/5/2021

The Onward Youth team have compiled a list of 8 recommended reads for Christian youth and the hot topics they face in today’s world. These book titles address the issues of suffering, sexuality and mental health, which will be explored further at Onward Youth conference this June.

Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention (KCC), Onward Youth exists to equip a new generation of Christians to be salt and light in the world and to engage with controversial themes and societal hot topics from a Christian perspective.

This year’s theme is “God in the Shadows: Finding God When Times Are Tough”. Through talks from the book of Habbakuk and interviews addressing mental illness, sexuality, and isolation, Onward will help teens to find joy and experience God—even when times are tough.

To help our youth think deeper about these topics ahead of the event, the Onward team has compiled a list of recommended reads which can be purchased at The Wandering Bookseller.

1. Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?

Big questions deserve good answers. This warm, reassuring and fast-paced book looks at what the Bible says to help kids aged 9-13 think through this big question for themselves. It puts the problem of suffering in the context of the Bible's big story, and encourages readers to see that whatever they're facing, Jesus is with them. Lively stories and illustrations make this book easy to engage with.

2. Suffering and Evil

In this short book, Scott Petty guides us through the Old Testament story of Job—a man who suffered excruciating pain and grief without ever knowing why. On the way through, Scott deals with some of the common questions people have about suffering and evil: Why do bad things happen to Christians? Does God cause suffering? Is God in control of suffering and evil?

3. Hope When It Hurts

Suffering is real. But so is hope. Authored by Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton, these thirty biblical reflections are full of realism about the hurts of life yet overwhelmingly full of hope about the God who gives life. This book will gently encourage any woman who is hurting and give hope for life both in and beyond suffering. Each chapter contains a biblical reflection, questions, prayers, and a space for journaling.

4. Why Am I Feeling Like This?

In his latest book, counsellor David Murray introduces readers to the personal stories of 18 teens who have dealt with different types of anxiety or depression, and the freedom they experienced through practical steps and tools. This book will not only explain common causes of anxiety, but it will also equip teens with keys to unlock the chains of anxiety and depression. By utilising these God-given truths and tactics, teens will experience new liberty, peace, and joy in their lives.

5. If I Were God, I'd End All the Pain: Struggling with Evil, Suffering and Faith

A child catches a rare brain virus and is affected for life. A father dies in a plane crash. A dictator murders millions. Why doesn't God do something about things like this? Why does he allow them to happen? In fact, can we still believe in God in the face of all the suffering and pain in the world? In this book, John Dickson looks honestly at these questions, and provides some compelling answers. He looks briefly at the alternative explanations for suffering provided by Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Atheism, before turning to what the Bible itself says about God, justice and suffering.

6. Teen Sex by the Book: A Call to Countercultural Living

Authored by renowned sex therapist and educator, Patricia Weerakoon, this book answers questions about teenage sexuality and relationships and explores topics such as sexual desire, falling in love, dating, cybersex, pornography, homosexuality and questions like, ‘How far is too far?’ This book will inform and challenge you to consider who you are and what you stand for, while helping you to discover God’s countercultural lifestyle which leads to healthy sex and satisfying relationships lasting a lifetime.

7. Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?

Christians are increasingly seen as outdated, restrictive and judgmental when it comes to sex before marriage, cohabitation, homosexuality, gender identity, or transgender rights. In fact, for many people, this issue is one of the biggest barriers for them considering Christianity. In this book, Author Sam Allberry (‘Is God Anti-Gay') sets out God’s good design for the expression of human sexuality, showing that God himself is love and that only he can satisfy our deepest desires. It is a great reminder of the Bible’s positive blueprint for love, sex, and marriage and ideal for giving away to people who may see this as a stumbling block for belief.

8. Tricky: The Hardest Questions to Ask about Christianity (and Some Answers)

In this book, Authors Michael Dormandy and Carl Laferton address nine hard questions about Christianity such as: 'Doesn't Jesus ruin your fun?' 'Why is there so much suffering?' and 'Don't Christians hate gay people?' Written for people of all backgrounds and beliefs, this book is short but not simplistic and clear but not condescending. Grab this book if you are struggling with these hard questions or want to learn how to answer them!

These book titles can be purchased from The Wandering Bookseller.

Grab your tickets to Onward Youth this June!

In 2021, we're excited to bring you Onward Youth as an online livestream—and it will be bigger and better than last year! The one-night program will feature practical talks, God-glorifying worship with our friends from Whitefield, real-life personal testimonies, interviews and more.

Tickets are $29 per livestream viewer and includes:

Full access to Onward Youth LIVE
Digital Onward Youth Program Booklet
Access to our DEEP DIVE resource which includes 3 weeks of youth group Bible talks, discussions questions, resources, interviews, Q&A with Onward speakers and more!

For tickets or more information, visit our website: www.onwardevent.com

Stay up to date with Onward Youth!

Greg Coles to Address Sexuality, Isolation and Joy in Suffering at Onward Youth this June

25/5/2021

We are so pleased to welcome Greg Coles (Author, ‘Single, Gay, Christian’) to the KCC platform this Friday 25 June for Onward Youth conference. Joining a panel of varied and experienced speakers, Greg will talk about his experiences with sexuality, isolation, and how to find joy in suffering.

We are pleased to welcome Greg Coles to the KCC platform this Friday 25 June for Onward Youth conference. Joining a panel of varied and experienced speakers, Greg will be sharing what it means for the Christian to continue having joy even in sadness and when things are not right.

He will also share his experience of his sexuality, and how even though faithfulness to Jesus means singleness and at times deep loss, he continues to seek to find joy. Greg will be interviewed at Onward Youth and share more in-depth content as part of Onward Deep Dive, an exclusive resource for Onward ticket holders.

Onward Youth 2021 - Gregory Coles from kcc on Vimeo.

Greg is a writer, speaker, and worship leader in Pennsylvania, U.S.A., though he grew up much closer to Australia on the island of Java, Indonesia. He's the author of two books: ‘Single, Gay, Christian: A Personal Journey of Faith and Sexual Identity’ and ‘No Longer Strangers: Finding Belonging in a World of Alienation’ which address Christian faith, sexual identity, and what it means to find belonging in a world where we don’t belong.

When he's not writing or playing piano, you will find him baking! He worked for several years at a bakery, where he specialised in buttercream icing, and he holds a personal record of making 137 kilograms of icing in a single day.

You can get a taste of Greg's teaching here:

1. Christian Sexuality – Interview With Dr Gregory Coles

A Christian Sexuality video compilation where Greg Coles shares his views and life experiences with faith and sexuality.

2. Article: In Which I Stop Saving Myself for Marriage

What’s the real reason for chastity? Greg writes: “We’re not meant to ‘save ourselves’ for the moment we finally belong to someone, so that our bodies can finally matter. Our bodies already matter; we already belong to someone.

3. Video: Gay, Christian, and Coming Out: Greg Coles

In this interview, Greg talks about faith, sexuality and coming out as gay. Greg gives some advice to Christian parents with gay kids and how to respond well when they come out. He also helps those who are wrestling with their sexuality to consider the right context, time, and person to come out to.

4. Blog Post: Your Gay Neighbour is Closer Than You Think

Greg writes: “I wish that people who shared pews with me in church talked about gay people the way they talked about diplomats and florists and concierges, as if we were just people. I wish they didn’t see us as the enemy camp of a protracted culture war. I wish they were more interested in my pursuit of Jesus than in who I was tempted to have sex with. I wish that Christians saw gay people not following Jesus and straight people not following Jesus as all equally in need of Jesus.”

5. Church Leaders Podcast: It’s Possible to Be Same-Sex Attracted and Fully Surrendered to Jesus

What does it mean to love someone in the LGBTQ community without compromising your beliefs? Should we use someone’s preferred pronouns? How should pastors explore these topics with care from the pulpit?

In this Church Leaders podcast with Jason Dayes, Greg Coles talks about LGBTQ experiences and the importance of language for marginalised groups.

6. A Culture Story Podcast

In this interview, Greg talks about third culture identity and his transition from the privileged white minority in Indonesia to the privileged white majority in the United States.

Grab your tickets to Onward Youth this June!

In 2021, we're excited to bring you Onward Youth as an online livestream—and it will be bigger and better than last year! The one-night program will feature practical talks, God-glorifying worship with our friends from Whitefield, real-life personal testimonies, interviews and more.

Tickets are $29 per livestream viewer and includes:

Full access to Onward Youth LIVE
Digital Onward Youth Program Booklet
Access to our DEEP DIVE resource which includes 3 weeks of youth group Bible talks, discussions questions, resources, interviews, Q&A with Onward speakers and more!

For tickets or more information, visit our website: www.onwardevent.com

Introducing Onward Youth 2021: God in the Shadows from kcc on Vimeo.

Stay up to date with Onward Youth

Lily Strachan to Address Hope in Mental Illness at Onward Youth This June

21/5/2021

We are so pleased to welcome Lily Strachan (Chaplain, Robert Menzies College) to the KCC platform this Friday 25 June for Onward Youth conference. Joining a panel of varied and experienced speakers, Lily will be interviewed on the topic of mental illness, the stigma associated with it and where hope can be found in the midst of it all.

We are pleased to welcome Lily Strachan to the KCC platform this Friday 25 June for Onward Youth conference. Joining a panel of varied and experienced speakers, Lily will be interviewed on the topic of suffering, mental illness and the stigma associated with it.

Lily is no stranger to mental illness, having been diagnosed with depression in 2003 and bipolar in 2008. She believes that Christians are not exempt from suffering and will share where hope can be found in the midst of mental illness.

You can get a taste of Lily’s interview content here:

Lily serves as the Chaplain to Robert Menzies College at Macquarie University and is writing a book about living with bipolar disorder and caring for those who struggle with it. Before studying theology, Lily worked as a corporate lawyer and before that she learnt to love coffee, big books and politics whilst studying at the University of Sydney.

She enjoys long lunches with family, hiking and the beach with friends and, most of all, talking about God’s goodness in all of life. She also happens to own the ‘cutest dog in the world’, a cavoodle named Ziggy.

Onward Pricing & Registration

In 2021, we're excited to bring you Onward Youth as an online livestream—and it will be bigger and better than last year! The one-night program will feature practical talks, God-glorifying worship with our friends from Whitefield, real-life personal testimonies, interviews and more.

Tickets are $29 per livestream viewer and includes:

Full access to Onward Youth LIVE
Digital Onward Youth Program Booklet
Access to our DEEP DIVE resource which includes 3 weeks of youth group Bible talks, discussions questions, resources, interviews, Q&A with Onward speakers and more!

Registration is opening soon, so stay tuned for more details. To receive the latest updates, join the mailing list on the Onward website: https://www.onwardevent.com/#updates

Introducing Onward Youth 2021: God in the Shadows from kcc on Vimeo.

Stay up to date with Onward Youth

Serving at KYCK a ‘Snapshot of Heaven’: Phil’s Volunteer Story

20/5/2021

It’s National Volunteer Week and we want to spotlight the people who make KCC conventions possible! In this Volunteer story, Phil shares how he became a Christian at KYCK 1999, why he chooses to volunteer on the KYCK committee and the ways in which the work has given him a ‘snapshot of heaven’.

“God has been gracious in growing my capacity to love and serve others. I volunteer because it is a joy serving our good God in whatever way He sees fit.”

1. When did your journey with KYCK begin and how has the ministry impacted your life?

My journey with KYCK began in 1999 when it was called Kyckstart. I was in Year 9 and 14 years old. It was there I began to understand grace. It was a lightbulb moment, realising that my best efforts don’t make me right with God, rather it is Jesus who makes me right and I can trust in His righteousness.

I prayed the prayer, but I was too self-conscious to go out the back or put my hand up, but the Lord knew that, and He still heard my prayer—praise God! I’m still a work-in-progress that will finish when the last nail is in my coffin, but by God’s grace He is changing me slowly by His Spirit!

2. Why do you choose to volunteer for KYCK?

God has been gracious in growing my capacity to love and serve others. I volunteer because it is a joy serving our good God in whatever way He sees fit. To me, it is largely about being a good steward of the gifts He has given us, so it is only natural to direct God-given gifts to the building of His kingdom and service of His people. As a musician it is natural for me to serve God in a musical capacity, but for now, the focus of my role is working with the KYCK Committee and other musicians.

3. What does volunteering for KYCK look like? What type of work is involved?

Volunteering on the KYCK committee comes with great responsibility. As the Music Director, I’m responsible for holding leadership conversations with the committee and band representatives around the kind of music we select, development of policy and procedures, logistics, contingency planning, and now entering the next phase of growing the KYCK family even more--for God’s glory and the building up of His church. With His help we hope to see success.

4. Share one highlight in your volunteering experience!

Every Saturday night session is a highlight! Watching young people acknowledging their sin and asking God to be their King is always emotional. It’s literally a miracle seeing someone cross over from death to life, and we rejoice with the angels in heaven! Everyone seems to sing a little louder those nights and it’s a little snapshot of heaven to hold on to until we’re there ourselves, joining the multitude in praise!

Join KCC’s Volunteer Family!

KYCK Volunteers

KCC events run and rely on the power of volunteers—from our convention committees to our ushers on the day, each and every volunteer helps to facilitate God's Word preached from the platform. We would love to hear from you if you are able to help!

Fill out the Volunteer Form and we’ll get back to you.

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