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Ahead of Father's Day (Sunday 4th September), we'll be sharing stories of Christian fathers and how the gospel shapes their parenting. In this interview, Joe Koo shares the joys, challenges, privileges and responsibilities of being a first-time Dad. He also shares how becoming a Christian and being given a new gospel identity has reshaped his views on what it means to be a ‘good’ Dad.  Photo: Joe with his wife and son 1. Tell us a bit about yourself! I'm Joe, a new dad to my son Elijah. I'm married to my beautiful wife Edwina, and we also have a child in heaven called Nathan who we lost during our first pregnancy. I work in Digital Advertising Sales for Google (so you can thank me for the YouTube ads), and spend my free time either playing basketball, reading or playing games. Since becoming a dad, I haven't had much time to do many of those things! I attend Gracepoint Presbyterian Church and have been there since I became a Christian in 2010. 2. What are the joys and challenges of being a first-time dad? There is nothing that prepares you for being a dad. Despite people saying I would be “great” or “ready” because of my terrible Dad jokes and love for kids, I felt overwhelmed. Imagine hunting for your first job, and the requirement is for previous job experience, but you have none. This is 100% like parenting—learning on the job as you go. There are innumerable joys in being a first-time dad. Watching Elijah grow up and learning a new skill each week has been incredible. Nothing makes my day more than seeing him smile and laugh at random things. I am also humbled to see the growth and amazing servant heart of my wife as she embraces motherhood. Equally humbling are the challenges of being a first-time dad. It has been eye-opening and a shock to the system discovering how selfish I am. Having the internet is both helpful and unhelpful—with so many people sharing different advice, must-do's, must haves, and every ailment under the sun seems to have the same symptoms! For this reason, it's been easy to become overwhelmed with information, and with minimal sleep, to become cranky, short tempered and frustrated at my son and wife. 3. You did not grow up in a Christian family. How does knowing God the Father shape the way you parent, and how is this different to your own experience of a childhood without God? Knowing God and my new identity in Christ has completely reshaped and challenged my thought process in relation to how to be a good parent. I grew up in a household where independence, competence, and excelling at academics were always first priority. From learning a musical instrument, to going to tutoring and attending a Selective School, all aspects of my childhood were geared towards making me a "well rounded" person with a matching resume to earn a good job, good pay and have financial security. In my home, failure was not an option, and a hierarchy was established where parents had to be listened to and questions were not allowed. My preconceived notions and expectations of Elijah have already been challenged as I strive to raise him in the faith. Societal values change according to cultural trends, but the Bible provides an unchanging foundation of truth to use as a framework. Being grounded in my faith and knowing God's love for me frees me from the pressure of needing my son to be a high achiever. Because our security is found in Christ, we don’t need to find it in worldly possessions or achievements. Knowing that I am a sinful human also means that I will inevitably fail as a parent. I don’t need to be the perfect Dad because there is grace and forgiveness in the gospel. I know without a doubt that I will not get this right all the time, and there will be times that I fall back on the values that I was brought up with, assuming that this is how children are to be raised, but I trust that together with Edwina, we will strive to teach Elijah God's unfailing love for him despite the fact he is a sinner, and that there is abundant grace, forgiveness and mercy found at the cross. 4. What is something God has taught you since you've become a parent? I have been struck with the weight and responsibility that comes with being a dad and being called to account not only for my sins, but also the faith and sin of my household. It's daunting and humbling to think that God will call me to account one day as head of the household. In the Bible, there are many examples where God's wrath and judgement extends from generation to generation, but on the flip side, so too does his mercy and grace. While the world and culture will impact our children's upbringing, the responsibility and largest impact will come from the family. From the home, Elijah will pick up on what is most important to me and any hypocrisies relating to how we live and what we teach. We recently presented Elijah for baptism and as part of the preparation, Edwina and I read through the book Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children, which took us through the importance of and the reasons for baptising our children. One quote that stood out to me was how Charles Spurgeon's mother prayed; "Lord, Thou knowest if these prayers are not answered in Charles' conversion, these very petitions will have to bear witness against him in the day of judgement". This was such an incredibly confronting yet humbling reminder of my primary duty as a father: to steward my family and point them to the far greater Father who is deserving of all praise and worship. Enjoyed this read? Follow KCC for more!
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5 books recommended by the OneLove team and available for sale from The Wandering Bookseller.  The theme for OneLove women's conference this August is "Running on Empty: How God Works Through Our Emptiness, Not in Spite of It". To help our delegates further explore how God works through emptiness, we have partnered with The Wandering Bookseller to offer some of our top reads on the topic.
To purchase these titles or to see the entire OneLove 22 range of recommended books, visit The Wandering Bookseller website. 
Pastoral Counsellor, Jeremy Ward, will join the BASECAMP: Mountains platform this Saturday to address the struggle of busyness.
We are pleased to announce that Pastoral Counsellor, Jeremy Ward, will be joining the BASECAMP: Mountains platform this Saturday. Addressing the topic of busyness and its pervasiveness in our time-poor culture of hustle and hurry, Jeremy will help us to develop spiritual disciplines enabling us to slow down and rest in the Lord.
Delegates will be presented with a 6-step framework which Jeremy has developed for the church context. This unique resource will enable delegates to identify and handle the pressures and heart issues that keep them stuck and distracted by busyness. 
Pastoral Counsellor Jeremy Ward will be interviewed at BASECAMP
Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, BASECAMP is an annual conference for men who want to know God better. Each year, men from all generations and across denominations have taken the time to hear God speak. This year, guest speakers Malcolm Gill (Associate Minister, St Andrews Cathedral Sydney) and Jonathan Andrews (Clinical Psychologist, Heart in Mind) will speak on the topic “Called to be Sons: Living Under God Our Father”, inviting men to consider their calling to Sonship and what it truly mans to be a man who is confident in his God-given identity and purpose. Join us at BASECAMP this Saturday!
There is still time to join us for BASECAMP: Mountains, either in-person in Katoomba or via livestream from your location of choice. Visit our website for tickets and more info: basecampmen.com
Stay up to date with BASECAMP!
7 ways to prepare your head and heart for BASECAMP men’s conference this August.  1. Tune your heart for worship with the BASECAMP Spotify playlist Familiarise yourself with the BASECAMP song list by following our Spotify playlist here. Whether you’re looking for a playlist for relaxing, study or the commute to work, the BASECAMP playlist is filled with hymns that will tune your heart for worship. 2. Grab your BASECAMP merch We have a fresh drop of BASECAMP merch for 2022 including a classic long sleeve polo, black or navy BASECAMP socks, as well as a limited-edition BASECAMP beanie! These items will be sold exclusively on-site at our 2022 City and Mountains events, or you can order after BASECAMP on our website.  3. Secure your Online Conference Pack If you can’t join us in-person this year, you can join us for the BASECAMP Livestreamed event at a convenient location of your choice! Registrations will give you access to BASECAMP 2022 live and on-demand until 12 September 2022. Make sure you register before Thursday 4 August to secure your Online Conference Pack including a printed booklet and pen. Register now.  4. Pray for BASECAMP Please join us in praying for BASECAMP men’s conference!
5. Familiarise yourself with Scripture that will be preached on the day Prepare your hearts and heads for the topic of Sonship by reading the following passages that will be covered at BASECAMP 22:
6. Download the KCC One App to access FREE content after BASECAMP Download the KCC One App to access BASECAMP Local, a free 4-part video series that you can use to further reflect on the topic of Sonship, either by yourself or with your brothers at church. Download now. 7. Grab your last-minute tickets!
There’s still time for you and your friends to join us for a fantastic day, hearing powerful preaching with 1,300+ brothers! Grab your last-minute tickets here: https://basecampmen.com/registration/#rego
Nancy Guthrie to share how we can find life, love and joy at OneLove women's conference.
Lifeless. Loveless. Joyless. Empty. How can something that doesn’t exist feel so heavy, and take up so much space in our souls? Isn’t it amazing how much pain can be caused by something that isn’t there? While the world tells us that the empty places of our lives are our greatest problem, the Bible shows us that God doesn’t see it this way. In fact, Scripture is filled with stories of God transforming emptiness into opportunities. At OneLovewomen’s conference, Author and International Speaker, Nancy Guthrie will show us the ways in which God’s people experienced emptiness—the insatiable cravings of the Israelities in the wilderness, the thirst in the Woman at the well, and the rich young ruler in search of the one thing that money can’t buy. By unpacking these well-known stories, Nancy will show us the ways God filled their emptiness with grace and kindness; presence and purpose.
Nancy’s three talks are titled:
1. The Life We’re Hungry For 2. The Love We’re Thirsty For 3. The Joy We’re Looking For To learn more about Nancy and the program for the day, visit our website: onelovewomen.com/speakers Welcome to OneLove22 | Nancy Guthrie from kcc on Vimeo.
Only 5 Days Left to Grab Your Standard Tickets!
OneLove is back in-person in 2022! Join us on Saturday 20th August live at Sydney Town Hall for a wonderful day of encouragement and fellowship, or if you can’t make it there, join us online.
In-person tickets include access to the full-day conference plus a special OneLove attendee gift. Livestream tickets include access to the full-day conference livestreamed, On-Demand access for 30 days, and a OneLove online pack* posted to you. To grab your tickets, visit our website: onelovewomen.com/register *Australian addresses only. You will receive a digital pack if you reside outside of Australia.
Stay up to date with OneLove
Register for BASECAMP before 31 July and save $15 per ticket.
BASECAMP men’s conference is fast approaching, and standard rates will end at midnight, Sunday 31 July. Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, BASECAMP is an annual event for men who want to know God better. Since 1997, men of all generations and from across denominations have gathered at BASECAMP to hear God speak and renew their strength in Him.
For many men, BASECAMP reminds them that they are not alone in their faith, and to persevere, even if doing so goes against the grain of culture. "Sitting in a room with all these men with the same purpose encourages me to take my godliness more seriously. Consider how often men come together to talk about important spiritual topics. And yet it's something so important for Christians to do. I think KCC has really addressed this issue by organising BASECAMP." BASECAMP Testimony - Ivan from kcc on Vimeo. "Often as guys we don't open up about the struggles we face in life. At BASECAMP we have guys on stage talking to us, who are being real about it. We are a community of believers, and we need each other." BASECAMP Testimonial - Spiro from kcc on Vimeo. Each year at BASECAMP, God’s word is preached around a theme that is relevant to men from all walks of life. This year, guest speakers Malcolm Gill (Associate Minister, St Andrews Cathedral Sydney) and Jonathan Andrews (Clinical Psychologist, Heart in Mind) will speak on the topic “Called to be Sons: Living Under God Our Father”, inviting men to consider their calling to Sonship and what it truly mans to be a man who is confident in his God-given identity and purpose. Learn more from the promo video below: BASECAMP will be run across two weekends in August in three different formats. Choose the one that best suits your group:
Stay up to date with BASECAMP:
Over 200 youth groups gathered for Onward Youth conference to learn what God has to say about diversity and how to stand firm against issues that challenge their faith.  Onward Youth 22 Delegates This June, teenagers and youth leaders from over 200 churches across three states gathered for Onward Youth conference. Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, Onward Youth is a one-night apologetics conference, aimed at equipping young Christians to observe current culture through a gospel lens so that they are equipped to stand firm against issues that challenge their faith. I appreciate that Onward engages the youth on relevant topics that youth leaders may not have the experience and expertise to advise on. It provides a good foundation for further discussions to be had. - Onward Youth 22 Delegate Youth groups joined from across New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, with the largest groups represented by Frenchs Forest Anglican, Grace Chinese Christian Church, North Side Chinese Alliance Church, St Stephens Anglican Church Normanhurst and West Sydney Chinese Christian Church. Delegates unable to attend the conference in-person could choose the convenient option to tune in via livestream. Out here in Albury, we really appreciate the livestream. Last year and this year, we built a mini youth group camp around the event. So, it's a great addition to our program! - Onward Youth 22 Delegate  Onward Youth 22 Delegates This year, Onward Youth tackled the topic of ‘diversity’, with Apologists Dave Jensen and Amy Orr-Ewing joining the platform to address the question: Doesn’t Christianity crush diversity? In his first talk, ‘Diversity was God’s Idea’, Dave gave a biblical overview of diversity, helping delegates to see diversity in God’s creative design of humanity. He stressed that in contrast, it is humans who hate diversity—as seen in our history with war and destruction—and yet God has wonderful plans to bring complete and perfect unity in diversity one day.  Apologist Dave Jensen speaks at Onward Youth In his second talk, ‘How do we live as Christians in this diverse world?’, Dave shared practical tips for how young Christians can engage with people who are different to them today. Dave stressed that opposition to Christian faith is to be expected, and yet it is important for Christians to be known for their love and compassion. I learnt exactly what I was hoping from Dave's talk which was how to lovingly talk to others about Christianity by being curious and asking questions rather than getting defensive. - Onward Youth 22 Delegate  Amy Orr-Ewing speaks on 'How Does the Bible Lift Up Women?' In Amy Orr-Ewing's talk, ‘How Does the Bible Lift Up Women?,’ Amy shared how the Bible ascribes women worth and equal image-bearing value. She shared how the Bible highlights women with Heroic, Deliverer, and ministry roles, and that Jesus had female disciples who he committed to teaching—something that was countercultural in the ancient world. While many horrific things have been done to women in the Bible, Amy stressed that these events are not condoned, but they are recorded in the Bible because God believes that the suffering of women is worthy of being remembered. In addition to event access, delegates can also continue thinking about the topic of diversity with Onward Deep Dive—an exclusive resource designed to equip and empower youth groups well beyond the conference event. This year’s Onward Deep Dive also features the following resources:
 Onward Deep Dive Talks Missed out on Onward? Access the Livestream!Missed out on attending Onward Youth this year? Access Dave and Amy’s talks via livestream, as well as all the Onward Deep Dive content to use on our own or with your youth group. Tickets are $29 per person and can be purchased through our website: https://www.onwardevent.com/ Stay up to date with Onward Youth How Should Christians View Success, Anger, and Death? ‘Quick Questions’ Now Released on KCC One20/7/2022 Quick Questions provides “mic-dropping” answers to pressing questions, helping Christians to understand how theology intersects with everyday life.  'Quick Questions' available on KCC One ‘Quick Questions’ is a brand new, specially curated series addressing questions that Christians ask. Covering topics such as success, anger, gender and death, Quick Questions provides “mic-dropping” answers to pressing questions, helping Christians to understand how theology intersects with everyday life. The following Quick Questions are now exclusively available on KCC One in video, text and audio formats. Download KCC One to access Quick Questions today! 1. “What Should Christians Be Known For?” by Paul Tripp | Watch | Read | Listen "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35) Paul Tripp emphasises that above all things, Christians should be known for their kindness. Enjoy the whole talk on the app in KEC 21, "What Should Christians Be Known For?" 2. “How Can I Be Successful?” by John Lennox | Watch | Read | Listen "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:36) In this session of quick questions, John Lennox highlights what it takes to be successful. Enjoy the whole talk on the app in Evangelistic Talks, "Search For Success: Part 1." 3. “How Are Women Made in God’s Image?” by David Lancaster | Watch | Read | Listen "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27) In this session of Quick Questions, David Lancaster explores how women are made in the image of God. Enjoy the whole talk on the app in BASECAMP Build Up 16, "Women: Made in the Image of God." 4. “What’s the Difference Between Good and Bad Anger?” by Jeremy Dunne | Watch | Read | Listen "Be angry, but do not sin." (Ephesians 4:26) In this session of Quick Questions, Jeremy Dunne outlines the difference between unrighteous and righteous anger. Enjoy the whole talk on the app in BASECAMP 20, "Anger Disrupted: How to be Good and Angry." 5. “How Should the Reality of Death Affect Life Now?” by Kirk Patston | Watch | Read | Listen "It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart." (Ecclesiastes 7:2) In this session of Quick Questions, Kirk Patston looks at how the reality of death should affect how we live now. Enjoy the whole talk on the app in KEC 09, "The End of Our Time." 6. “What Does It Mean That God is Holy?” by Jackie Hill Perry | Watch | Read | Listen “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3) In this session of Quick Questions, Jackie Hill Perry unpacks what it means that God is holy. Enjoy the whole talk on the app in OneLove 21, "Holiness of God." Download the KCC One App to access thousands of talks and resources today!  Have you been blessed by our free KCC One App? Would you consider giving to the KCC One App Library Fund with a tax-deductible gift? By joining us in building KCC One, you will ensure that our library is updated with high-quality biblical content for you and future generations under Christ. Learn more about our ‘Sow For More’ fundraising campaign or sign up now to give a One Off or Recurring Gift! An invitation to witness God’s purposes and filling of emptiness at OneLove this August.  Depleted. Barren. Emptied. Have you ever felt this way, where life feels choked out by thorns and thistles? Your innocence was once crushed by a broken heart, or you currently face the silence of an empty womb. You dread the futility of the 9-5 or your soul feels parched by Death’s sting. Your dreams have been robbed by regret or you have found yourself at the very top—alone and unsatisfied. Futile. Aimless. Heavy burdened. Is God ashamed of our emptiness? Can He really work when our tanks are emptied? While the world may see emptiness as a great problem, the God of the Bible sees it as His greatest opportunity. This is because God does His best work despite our emptiness, and we see this in the Bible where He works powerfully, uniquely, and repeatedly in the lives of empty people. Over three sessions at OneLove women’s conference this August, International speaker and author, Nancy Guthrie, will open the Scriptures to show us profound emptiness experienced in the insatiable cravings of the Israelites in the wilderness, the thirst in the Woman at the well, and the rich young ruler who came to Jesus in search of the one thing money could not buy. In each of these stories, we will witness God filling emptiness with His grace and kindness; presence and purpose. If you are tired of filling your life with hopes and dreams that only leave you feeling parched and empty, join us at OneLove for a day of powerful preaching, refreshment, and fellowship. Learn how you can be “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:19)--a spiritual filling that promises to breathe hope into the empty places of your life. Be Refilled At OneLove 2022!  It has been three years since KCC women have gathered in-person, so OneLove 22 will be a truly special day filled with encouragement, refreshment, and fellowship!
OneLove 22 will return on Saturday 20 August at the Sydney Town Hall. Early Bird tickets are now available until midnight, 17 July for both our in-person or livestreamed options. For more information visit our website: https://www.onelovewomen.com/ 7 books recommended by the Onward Youth 22 team and available for purchase from The Wandering Bookseller.  This year’s Onward Youth event tackled the big question: Doesn’t Christianity Crush Diversity? In a world that sees Christianity as restrictive and harmful, Onward Youth served to help teenagers consider what the Bible says about diversity, and how we are to interact with our neighbours who may live differently to us. To help our delegates further explore what the Bible has to say about “Diversity”, we have partnered with The Wandering Bookseller to offer some of our top reads on the topic.
To purchase these titles or to see the entire Onward Youth 22 range of recommended books, visit The Wandering Bookseller website.
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