Blog Archives

Urban Missionary, Sam Chan will empower and equip youth for evangelism at Onward 2020

28/5/2020

Onward is returning in 2020 as an online Live Stream event and we're pleased to announce that urban missionary, Sam Chan, will return to address the theme 'Finding Your Crowd: Living in a World of Difference & Exclusion'. As Christians Jesus asks us to stand out in the crowd for Him, but how do we do that in a post-Christian world? Chan will give some tips on how we can stand out for Jesus for all the right reasons.

According to Sam Wan, Onward's Committee Chair, Onward exists to equip a new generation of Christians to be salt and light in the world, and to better engage the controversial themes and ideas of our society in a Christian way.

"I love how Onward equips a new generation of Christians to be salt and light in the world and to understand how to be wise in navigating what it means to contextualise, and walk between love and truth."

According to Shaddy Hanna, a Youth Leader from Merrylands East Presbyterian, Onward has served to encourage and equip his youth to be on mission in their schools and local contexts.

"Onward is for Christian teenagers to be equipped with the gospel, equipped with skills about evangelism that they can then take back into their schools, workplaces and other environments."

Onward 2020 will be held on Friday, 26 June at 7pm as an interactive online Live Stream event. We encourage youth to gather with us for a night of praising God, listening to what He has to say and wrestling with tough questions about life and culture today.

Meet Onward20 Speaker: Sam Chan

Sam Chan is back for Onward20! from kcc on Vimeo.

Sam Chan is an "urban missionary" for City Bible Forum and has experience speaking to high-schoolers, professionals, seminary students and academics. He was the Asian nerd in high school–short, bowl haircut, top class for maths, but bottom team for rugby, the mighty 13F's! In high school, the chaplain got him to read large chunks of the Bible, and that's when Sam realised that Jesus was perfect so that we don't have to be perfect. Which is just as well because Sam is hopeless at dancing, taking out the rubbish, and karaoke.

You can get a taste of his teaching on his blog Espresso Theology which gives readers a short, quick, buzz of theology by taking you from your world to Jesus in 60 seconds. Sam has a PhD in theology, is a medical doctor, and is the author of Evangelism in a Skeptical World which won Christianity Today’s book award for 2019.

Be equipped and encouraged by this short talk where Sam gives 3 tips for telling people about Jesus:

3 Things I Wish I’d Known About Telling People About Jesus - Sam Chan from kcc on Vimeo.

Tickets

Tickets for the Onward Live Stream will be $15pp and will help cover the cost of hosting a Live Stream event and to keep KCC running in 2021 and beyond.

Due to COVID-19 we have had to cancel all our events and are facing a $750,000 deficit. By honouring the request for registration you are enabling us to keep valuable Christian ministry happening, and helping us steward KCC well for the coming generations.

Stay tuned for registration details at: www.onwardevent.com 

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Meet OneLove Speaker: Kara Martin

21/5/2020

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We are so pleased to welcome Kara Martin as the guest speaker for OneLove women's conference. In this interview, Kara shares how a cartoonist inspired her conversion, the people who have spurred her on in the faith and the spiritual disciplines that helps her to stand firm in Jesus.

OneLove 20 speaker, Kara Martin. Photo: Mish Koh of Stories Worth Telling

1. What do you do with your time during the week?

My name is Kara Martin. I have a portfolio career–which means I'll take whatever opportunity God prompts me to take. I lecture at a couple of colleges and spend a fair amount of time preparing for talks or presentations. I am currently researching and writing book three of my Workship series: How to Shape Christians for the Workplace. I also have roles on boards and advisory committees locally, nationally and globally which involve meetings and reading. I also write blogs, articles, fortnightly devotions, and book chapters. I do some pastoral care with church and lots of mentoring, including coaching several social entrepreneurs with Seed. The other area of focus is my family, caring for them physically, emotionally and spiritually.

2. How and when did you come to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?

I was 11 years old and my non-church family had allowed me to go to a horse-riding camp with a couple of school friends. It was held at Teen Ranch in Cobbitty, outside of Sydney. There was a cartoonist (Graham Wade) illustrating stories about Jesus. He drew a picture inspired by Revelation 3:20 with Jesus standing at the door, and told us it was up to us to open the door of our hearts to him. I had liked what I heard about Jesus, so I asked him into my heart, and felt warmth and awareness of his presence that has never left me.

3. Who is someone who has inspired your walk with Jesus?

There have been so many! Madeleine L'Engle and C.S. Lewis shaped my theology through story. John Stott, J.I. Packer and F.F Bruce were early influencers through their writing. I have been mentored by wise women and men throughout my life: Margaret, Stuart, Peter, Jill, Isabel, Cathy, and Christine. I have had spiritual friends walk beside me: An-Magritt and Diane. Music has inspired my spirit. Creation has opened my eyes to wonder. Artists have given me new ways of looking. God has used every person I have encountered to teach me something about himself, myself and the world.

4. What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self to stand firm in your faith?

I have learnt the importance of spiritual disciplines to develop a deep intimacy with God, flowing out to authentic relationship with others. I have spent a lot of time at Bible college learning about God, but what sustains me is actually knowing God and being in deep relationship with him. Like any relationship, I do that through listening and questioning, and being in his presence by encountering him in his Word, prayer, a daily examination of my openness to him, Sabbath rest, as well as other habits.

5. What can delegates expect from your talks this year?

I will be continuing to seek God and pray as I prepare for OneLove, but the guarantees from my contribution are: laughter, opportunities to discuss with others, and the challenge to apply what you learn into the context in which God has placed you.

Kara's Recommended Reads

In this video, Kara explains why these seven books are important to her and how they have served to shape her spiritual life.

1. A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle
2. The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S Lewis
3. Issues Facing Christians Today - John Stott
4. Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Friendship & Direction - David G. Benner
5. The Courage to Teach - Parker J. Palmer
6. Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good - Amy L. Sherman
7. The Bible!

You can purchase these recommended reads from The Wandering Bookseller.

OneLove20 | Meet Speaker: Kara Martin from kcc on Vimeo.

Join us at OneLove 2020

OneLove is a one-day event for all women to gather under life-changing preaching and to 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. In 2020, guest speaker and author Kara Martin will be joining us to preach from God’s word. You can sign up for email updates from our website: https://onelovewomen.com/

Stay up to date with OneLove conference:

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Calum's BASECAMP Testimony: "My whole life was transformed"

12/5/2020

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In 2016, high-school graduate Calum Hood accepted an invitation to attend BASECAMP men's conference with other men from his local church. It was a life-changing experience that empowered him to return year after year and to even pursue full-time ministry. We thank God for the opportunity to hear and share his story!

Calum Hood (centre) with BASECAMP speaker Mal Gill (right) and Word of Life Youth Ministry Director Martin Garcia (left).

My name is Calum Hood and I currently attend Camden Haven Anglican Church. I first heard about BASECAMP in 2016 through my local church and attended as I wanted to spend a weekend focusing on God and his calling for my life, with hundreds of other like-minded men. Meeting in an old train yard and hearing the faithful preaching of Jesus compelled me to continue to come year after year, to be washed over with his word with a great crowd of faithful men alongside me.

Renewing my strength at BASECAMP is so fundamental to me as I can get away from normal life to spend the whole weekend focusing on Jesus. This conference has helped me to look at myself in the mirror of his word and to see myself as I really am - a broken man in need of daily grace. It has helped me to become a more faithful leader and to guide others to Christ.

Over the last 2 years, hearing Paul Tripp speak and being able to soak in the wisdom that he pours out is so amazing. I actually continue to listen to the sermons from previous years all the time. I think I have listened to each talk over 150 times as I continue to learn more each time.

At the 2018 BASECAMP, I broke down crying at the end of the last session and heard the calling of God on my life to step up into full time ministry, so the following year, I started my internship at Word of Life Youth Ministries. I praise God that I do what I do because of BASECAMP conference.

Honestly, if you are unsure about the conference, I couldn’t recommend it to anyone more, as my whole life was changed there. Even as a full-time missionary, BASECAMP is something that I will continue to go to every year. I prioritise the event because I see God working so much through it, speaking to all men in all walks of life. I cannot wait to see you there this year!

Renew your strength at BASECAMP

BASECAMP is an annual event for men who want to know God better. Since 1997, men of all generations and from across denominations have taken time out together to hear God speak. Each year, men have encouraged each other to run the race with their eyes fixed on Jesus. To register for the 2020 event visit www.basecampmen.com

Stay up to date with BASECAMP!

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10,000 High-Schoolers Served by KYCK Live Event

8/5/2020

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With the closure of churches across the nation leaving many Christian youth starved of encouragement and fellowship during COVID-19, the KYCK team came together to remind youth that even in social distancing, believers remain united in Christ. Viewers tuned in from as far and wide as Western Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, The United States and The United Kingdom.

For many of our delegates, KYCK Live was a timely event that provided much-needed encouragement and fellowship:

“The connectivity you created last night for so many kids feeling disconnected right now was such a blessing!” – Corinne

“I’m a Missionary Kid in Japan and was invited to watch KYCK Live. The worship made me cry my eyeballs out and made me miss being surrounded, encouraged and growing with a bunch of believers. There is something truly special about youth in Australia. Amazing how so many have come to gather.” –Anonymous viewer in Japan

“A massive thank you for KYCK Live! It was honestly the best live-stream service I’ve ever been to and the kids loved it. We are massive KYCK fans. This would have been my 15th year and it is without a doubt the highlight of our Youth Kids’ year. We are a small youth group, so it’s just not possible to pull off anything big with our group, so we love coming to KYCK.” – Lydia

KYCK Live with MC's Katie and Ben and speaker Brett Hookham.

Hosted by Katoomba Christian Convention, KYCK is an annual conference that attracts over 6,000 high-schoolers from across the state to gather around God’s word. With the postponement of three KYCK weekend events in April, the committee hosted ‘KYCK Live’, a one-night virtual event filled with singing, prayer, a Q&A and a Bible talk from one of the KYCK speakers Brett Hookham.

Brett preached from Hebrews chapter ten on the topic of perseverance. His talk reminded youth to approach God with sincerity, cling to hope and to continue meeting and encouraging one another on towards ‘love and good deeds’ even in the age of social distancing. The night ended with an after-show filled with youth group shout-outs and a live Q&A that addressed the following delegate questions:

How do we stay encouraged when there are not many people our age in youth group?
How do we continue to cling to God when we can’t feel him here with us?
What tips can you give to help me commit to prayer and bible reading in this time?
Why should we read physical Bibles over digital ones?

On behalf of Katoomba Christian Convention, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following people who made KYCK Live possible:

KYCK bands CityAlight and Gather
The tech and production crew led by Matt Goldman and Adrian Lee
The KYCK Committee led by Andy Stevenson
MC’s Ben Staunton and Katie Bosler
Leaders Ruth Lee and Ed Sowden
Narwee Baptist Church for hosting the event
Guest speaker Brett Hookham
Youth and youth leaders across the state who served the event

In these difficult times we are encouraged by the many hands that banded together to bring gospel truth in a world that’s hungry for hope.

KYCK Live is on the KCC One App!

The KCC One App has been designed to help you stay encouraged and connected throughout the year. Download the app to hear talks from past KYCK events and to stream the KYCK Live event for free! To download the app, simply search for ‘KCC One’ in your app store.

We're KYCKing on this Spring!

Whether we gather in-person or via live stream, we are committed to KYCKing on later this year! KYCK will return this Spring over three weekends: 25-27 September, 9-11 October and 16-18 October.

Guest speakers Brett Hookham, Pete Tong and Danny Mitchell will be joining us to teach from the book of Joshua on theme ‘Strong & Courageous’. Make sure you register to be reminded that even in times of uncertainty, we can be strong and courageous because we belong to a God who rules over all.

Register on our website: https://www.kyck.org.au

Stay up to date with KYCK:

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Meet OneLove Chairwoman: Madeleine Dudley

7/5/2020

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In 2020, we are so pleased to welcome Madeleine Dudley as the new chairwoman for OneLove women’s conference. In this interview, Madeleine shares how she came to faith, her highlights from attending OneLove, the unique struggles of busyness and burnout for modern-day Christian women, and the Lord’s promise of rest for the weary.

1. What is your name and what do you do with your time during the week?

My name is Madeleine Dudley, but most people call me Mads. During a more normal week, I work as a graphic designer at SBS, attend St Thomas' North Sydney and try to fit in a bike ride or two. During these abnormal weeks the routine has stayed mostly the same, there is just a bit more banana bread than usual.

2. How and when did you come to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?

I am very fortunate in that I grew up in a Christian family so I have always known the truths of the Gospel. In saying this, it was around the end of year 11 that I wholly committed my life to Christ. On a school trip, I spent a few months away from my family and my church. This challenged me to make sure my faith was my own and not a product of my surroundings. The Lord was very kind in shaping me over the course of the following year. He continues to do so.

3. What do you think are the greatest challenges facing Christian women in Australia today?

Christian women today are living in a unique time indeed. In some ways, our struggles are the same struggles as those who have gone before us. There really isn't anything new under the sun! In other ways I do believe we are facing new challenges. More than ever before, there is an expectation for a Christian woman to be a lot of things–a businesswoman, a church member, a family figure, a great friend, etc. Burnout, busyness and overcommitment are definitely a reality for many. Sometimes it's easy to forget God in the madness and that is a hard challenge.

4. When did you first attend OneLove conference and what made you return?

My first OneLove was four or five years ago. Full disclosure: for the first couple of years my mum buying my ticket was a big contributor to my attendance. For me, it can sometimes take a bit of a pep talk to replace a relaxing Saturday coffee with a conference but every year without fail, I am SO glad I have gone and walked out feeling refreshed and encouraged. There really isn't anything like worshipping God alongside hundreds and hundreds of women from all walks of life. I'd even go as far to say it ends up being one of the best Saturdays of the year–seriously!

5. Share a story of how God used OneLove to inspire your relationship with Jesus.

Women sharing their personal stories out the front is something that has always stuck with me. I think of Kathy Manchester, Nancy Guthrie and Anne-Sophie Rowcroft in particular. It has been a great encouragement to hear the raw and honest experiences that other women have had in their Christian walks. In each unique testimony, the Lord has shown His steadfastness in the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. This has really helped me understand the character of Jesus better and helped me to trust Him with my own life more deeply.

6. As of 2020, you took on the role of chairwoman for OneLove conference. Why do you think women should set aside time to attend women's conferences like OneLove and what can they expect if they join in 2020?

It goes without saying that this year has been a strange year. For many of you, 2020 has been a year of great stress and suffering. For others, you've probably felt like you've never had more time on your hands. Whatever circumstance you are in, the invitation from Jesus remains the same: "Come to me and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). I'd encourage all women to come along to OneLove 2020. I'd like to think that you'd walk away from the conference feeling refreshed, encouraged and with a better understanding of what Jesus’ invitation means for us at this moment in time.

Meet Maddie | OneLove Committee Chairwoman from kcc on Vimeo.

Join us at OneLove 2020

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BLOG

Urban Missionary, Sam Chan will empower and equip youth for evangelism at Onward 2020

Meet Onward20 Speaker: Sam Chan

Tickets

Meet OneLove Speaker: Kara Martin

Kara's Recommended Reads

Join us at OneLove 2020

Calum's BASECAMP Testimony: "My whole life was transformed"

Renew your strength at BASECAMP

10,000 High-Schoolers Served by KYCK Live Event

KYCK Live is on the KCC One App!

We're KYCKing on this Spring!

Meet OneLove Chairwoman: Madeleine Dudley

Join us at OneLove 2020

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ABOUT

BLOG

Urban Missionary, Sam Chan will empower and equip youth for evangelism at Onward 2020

Meet Onward20 Speaker: Sam Chan ​

​Tickets

Meet OneLove Speaker: Kara Martin

Kara's Recommended Reads ​

Join us at OneLove 2020

Calum's BASECAMP Testimony: "My whole life was transformed"

Renew your strength at BASECAMP

10,000 High-Schoolers Served by KYCK Live Event

KYCK Live is on the KCC One App! ​

We're KYCKing on this Spring!

Meet OneLove Chairwoman: Madeleine Dudley

Join us at OneLove 2020

Archives

Categories

events

support

ABOUT

Meet Onward20 Speaker: Sam Chan

Tickets

Kara's Recommended Reads

KYCK Live is on the KCC One App!