The 2023 Australasian Youth Conference in Adelaide (AYC 2023) is planned to be held between Saturday April 15th and Sunday April 23rd, 2023, God Willing and pre-registration is now available in the lead-up to bookings opening for the Youth Conference on Monday January 3rd.

Youth Conferences play a significant role in the development of the faith of any young person and they are some of the most inspiring and spiritually uplifting weeks a young person can experience. For this reason great care and prayerful consideration has been given by the committee to the plans and preparation for this activity.

Above all our plans for activities, games, fun, friendship and experiences at the Youth Conference the committee holds a singleminded focus on the Spiritual Core of this Conference. Our attitude and spiritual focus as a committee drives the culture of this Conference. The aims of this Conference week are all underwritten by principles of our Faith and the Commandments of Christ. At every moment of our planning our desire is to inspire young people in their journey of faith towards the Kingdom of God.

With a spiritual focus at the centre of our planning the committee aims to create a Conference week that changes the lives of the attendees and provides young people with memories, tools and friendships that will support and strengthen their faith for a lifetime to come.

We appreciate the great value this Conference provides to brothers and sisters and young people that it unites from different ecclesias across Australasia, causing us to learn about each other and grow in our faith together. Young people who will come from across the world, from Ecclesias, though diverse in members, location and organisation brought by our autonomy, that are united by our common biblical beliefs, bringing a wonderful unique fellowship. As the psalmist says ‘Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity’ (Psalm 133:1).

 

Youth Conference Plans

Adelaide Youth Conference 2023 (AYC 2023) will be held between Saturday April 15th and Sunday April 23rd, 2023, God Willing, at “The Retreat” venue which is part of the West Beach Parks Resort complex. The venue has capacity for approximately 400 young people as well as support personnel including hosts and cooks for the Conference week.

The Conference will be based around the study topic of “The Story of the Exodus” taken from Exodus chapters 1 to 15, with the spiritual theme carefully selected by the committee as “Stand in Wonder” – a summation of the events contained in these chapters. Our aim is to further develop each young person’s understanding and appreciation of one of the cornerstone events of the scriptural narrative to further their faith in the inspired word of God and His personal work of Salvation in the life of men and women of faith.

Have you ever put yourself there with the children of Israel, seeing all that they saw, experiencing all that they experienced in the early chapters of Exodus?

Stark reminders that God remembers His people, that with God – all things are possible! The story of the Exodus is a timeless message as we prepare for the greater type in our own discipleship: overcoming Egypt, stepping into roles within the work of the Truth, getting to know God, trusting in a future deliverance.

We worship a changeless God who operates under changeless principles – and God willing we will see ourselves in this story of the Exodus. Like the children of Israel, we are instructed to be prepared – with our shoes on our feet, our staff in our hand, prepared to leave Egypt behind. As we prepare for an incredible week at AYC 2023 through the use of this study, we prepare for what’s just beyond us as we walk together towards Zion. Even so, come!

 

The Youth Conference Objectives

• Spiritual – Encourage young people to develop personal relationships with God and to take individual responsibility for the spiritual growth of themselves and their peers. (Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 10:22-25, 11:6)
• Environment – Create an environment for young people to get together that is safe, Godly, welcoming, friendly, encouraging, fun, outreaching and inclusive of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
• Relationship – Provide young people with support and opportunities to develop strong, positive friendships in the gospel. (Ephesians 4:29, Philippians 2:2)
• Culture – Create a positive culture of discussion and focus on the study of the word of God and its application in our lives. (Colossians 3:23, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Peter 2:15-16)
• Focus – Provide a spiritual focus to all activities we plan for the Conference. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

 

Spiritual Activities and Focus

The week will be first and foremost focused on spiritual content. We hope with God’s blessing to achieve these aims through a series of studies on the Topic by the Conference Keynote Speaker Brother Stephen Macfarlane from the Book Road Ecclesia in Ontario, Canada as well as meditations, workshops, practical activities and much more.

 

Study Guide & Aids

To aid with preparation for the week we are producing a Study Guide for Conference attendees to help them to understand what the Story of the Exodus is about and its impact for their own lives. A sub-committee was formed in mid 2020 for the study and production of this Guide and it is planned to be distributed in the middle of 2022 to all those who have booked in for the Conference. It will be a relevant and achievable set of Study Notes and will be supplemented by a series of articles on specific themes and concepts from Exodus 1-15 that will be available on the Conference website. These articles will go into greater depth on various topics and provide a useful resource for further study. Links to these will be emailed out regularly to encourage people to progress through the study. The Study Guide will also be available electronically and additional copies will be made available for Ecclesias so that, if desired, it can be used to assist with the Bible Class program or Sunday School content.

The Study Guide will also be complemented by a series of Study Workshops planned to be held, God Willing, in the six months leading up to the Youth Conference both in Adelaide, interstate and overseas. These workshops will assist the young people in completing their study in preparation for the Conference and in particular prepare them to involve themselves in the Discussions Groups that will be held during the week.

In addition to these study aids an audio podcast, titled the Stand Still Podcast, is also released on a monthly basis to encourage and inspire young people in their preparation. The podcast hosted by Brethren Elliot Wigzell and Joshua Dangerfield interviews guests regarding various Bible based topics and provides updates on the planning and activities associated with the Conference. The podcast is available via regular channels for accessing audio podcasts.

 

Youth Conference Requirements

A deposit of $50 is required in order confirm a Young Person’s booking. Pricing has also been determined and full details are available on the Conference website with a lower price available for High School students in an effort to make the Youth Conference as accessible as possible. The Conference is open to Young People who are aged 16 or over at the commencement of the Conference (April 15th, 2023).

 

Conclusion

Youth Conferences have the power to change young people’s lives forever and we know that the Young People who attend Adelaide Youth Conference in 2023 will, God Willing, walk away with memories and friendships that will aid their time of preparation for God’s Kingdom to come. The committee is available to discuss any questions regarding the Conference and these can be sent to hello@ayc2023.com or via the Conference website.

On behalf of the committee and Young People across Australia and further abroad we thank you for your support of the Conference and pray that if Jesus Christ has not returned, that the Conference will have an impact on the lives of our dear young people as they prepare for the Kingdom we all hope for.

With love from your Brothers and Sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ,

Adelaide Youth Conference 2023 Committee