Story by Geoff Folland
I’m always energised by our conferences and the way we come together, sharing a love for Jesus and a desire to share that love with others.
I believe our winter conferences go a long way to adding depth to relationships and making the Power to Change community more robust.
This year’s events in WA, VIC and the combined NSW/QLD, were no exception. This is where our tagline of ‘connecting people to Jesus and each other is honed and nurtured before being taken back into our everyday lives.
I was in Western Australia for its gathering and then travelled to Victoria to speak at the Anglesea event.
And while these were quite different from each other, the reality for both was being able to be together, hanging out and coming alongside one another in the community – something that’s been missing for the last couple of years because of COVID.
In fact, I would argue that the winter conferences are Power to Change’s most important events, as they have the deepest impact on the greatest number of people.
People aren’t just seeing each other during their working hours or only at church. These are relationships that go beyond the one-dimensional level.
Our students see each other in a different locations – they sleep in the same bunk rooms, eat meals, listen to talks, and play games together.
They connect more with each other as well as with Jesus.
During the conference, most of our time and energy reflected the Great Commission and was devoted to training and equipping Christians in disciple-making. Our ultimate aim is for people to learn how to do that at these events and then take that back to their individual campuses, churches and communities.
Community and the bible talks are often what people highlight, but I believe the training is where the real difference can be seen.
People take away from Winter Conference what they’ve learned about Jesus and what stories have encouraged them – applying these in their work and their lives.
And though they may not realise it, our students often set the foundations for new and lasting friendships. Or renew existing ones.
The Lord’s work never ceases to amaze!
