Leadership Conference 2025
Leadership Conference 2025
Scripture Union and Power to Change are proud to bring you Winter Con 2025 (formally Leadership Conference Blue Mountains).
This is a conference that helps young people connect their faith with their lives. Helping young leaders to develop character and conviction that flows into their everyday life.
Whether you are a High School student leading a lunchtime group, a youth group leader, or a univiersity student seeking to know how faith fits on campus, this conference is for you!
Date: 7-11th July, 2025
Price: $425 – $500 (depending upon registration)
Rego Closes: 6th June, 2025
Location: Youthworks Waterslea Conference Centre (439 Koloona Dr, West Cambewarra NSW 2540)
Join us for this brand new initiative!
What to Expect?
Power to Change and Scripture Union NSW are coming together to provide a conference for both youth and young adults. Both organisations desire to see young people (high school and university aged) grow in their love for Jesus, in their conviction to live for Him, and in their development to lead others closer to Him.
In the past, both SUNSW and PTC have run conferences at a similar time with a similar focus. By working together, joining our resources, networks, and efforts, this event stands to make an even greater impact among young people. With our united heart, we believe this conference will better empower young people to go back to their contexts and live out the Story, Jesus’ story.
Throughout the 5 days we will be receiving talks from Grant Bickerton asking us the question, “What are you living for?” (Check out the Speaker tab to learn more about Grant)
Each day will provide an opportunity to engage directly with the Bible and prayer, exploring different ways to do it.
Power to Change and Scripture Union NSW are coming together to provide a conference for both youth and young adults. Both organisations desire to see young people (high school and university aged) grow in their love for Jesus, in their conviction to live for Him, and in their development to lead others closer to Him.
In the past, both SUNSW and PTC have run conferences at a similar time with a similar focus. By working together, joining our resources, networks, and efforts, this event stands to make an even greater impact among young people. With our united heart, we believe this conference will better empower young people to go back to their contexts and live out the Story, Jesus’ story.
Throughout the 5 days we will be receiving talks from Grant Bickerton asking us the question, “What are you living for?” (Check out the Speaker tab to learn more about Grant)
Each day will provide an opportunity to engage directly with the Bible and prayer, exploring different ways to do it.
Workshops
There will be multiple workshop electives that you will be able to choose from including:
Understanding Mental Health as a Christian
It is safe to say that each one of us will somehow be touched by mental health struggles somewhere in our lives – either someone very close to us or ourselves. This seminar will seek to simply explain the most commonly occurring mental health conditions in Australia and offer a perspective of understanding from a Christian Psychologist.
Purpose and Vision of Ministry
As we learn the purpose and vision of ministry, we are better equipped to adapt, to be flexible, to lead others well, to ask better questions.
Reaching out further to others
How do we handle people’s hard questions? How do we help others, and ourselves, make sense of the good and bad of Christianity?
Starting to reach out to others
From how do we use our own stories to using the story of the gospel
Reaching out further to others
How do we handle people’s hard questions? How do we help others, and ourselves, make sense of the good and bad of Christianity?
Navigating transition
Making any kind of transition is hard, and these can really affect our spiritual lives. How do we navigate these times well? Whether thats moving from School to Uni or Uni to Work.
Musical Jams
Want to just have some time to jam or to explore how faith can be expressed through music?
Technology and our faith
Technology is a part of our lives whether we like it or not. How does my faith impact how I relate with technology? Is it something to be avoided or something to be embraced?
Speaker
Grant Bickerton has over 25 years’ experience working with Power to Change, and is also a registered psychologist. After working in an on-campus role overseas and in Sydney, Grant now lives in Melbourne and works in the Development and Well-Being department of Power to Change applying findings from his PhD research at Western Sydney University in missionary development and well-being.
Costs & Payment
Cost for conference is the following:
- $500 for adults (non-high school, participants and volunteers)
- $450 for high school students
- $425 for second child applicants (2nd child from the same family)
All payments will need to be made by bank transfer. The banking details are below.
Bank Account name: Power to Change
BSB: 063 197
Account number: 0090 1526
Reference: WinC [First Initial] [Last Name]Example: WinC J Smith
What to Bring
Essential:
- Clothes for cool/wet weather (including a warm jacket as it can get very cold at night)
- Bible and journal (if you have one)
- Medicare card (if you have one)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Bedding (sheets, sleeping bag/blanket, pillow)
- Umbrella
Optional Items:
- A power board or double adapter for all those electronic devices
- Card or board games to play during free time
- Musical instrument if you play/have one
- Enclosed shoes if you would like to play outdoor sports during flexi time
Transport
For University students:
- You will need to make your own way to the conference.
- In your registration form please indicate whether you can drive and take people so we can help organise car pooling.
For non-university students:
- You will need to make your own arrangements to arrive on site and depart from site.
Check-in for the conference starts at 4pm and runs till 6pm on Monday the 7th.
If you think that you will not be able to arrive in that window please contact: Stuart Brownscombe ([email protected]) or David Krebs ([email protected])
FAQs
I’m currently not at university or in school, can I still come?
How is it going to work with youth and young adults?
We’re definitely aware that youth and young adults bring different dynamics and by bringing them together there are a number of things that we’ve considered.
There is great value in people of similar life stages and age being able to engage with their peers. Exploring and applying faith with those who are on similar journeys is powerful. There is also great value in wisdom and experience being shared from those who are just a little further down the road. This is our desire in bringing together young adults and youth on this conference. What an amazing opportunity to learn alongside peers and engage with those who are just a little further on.
Built into the program are times where we will be gathered separately as high school and uni-aged, and times where we will all be together. We’ve designed it in this way so that you can get the most out of learning amongst your peers as well as from a broader scope.
We also recognise the dynamics around applying safe ministry practices with children and adults interacting together. Power to Change and Scripture Union (SUNSW) are committed to the safety and well-being of all within our programs and to providing an environment where all participants including children and young people and adults feel safe, respected, and empowered to actively participate in decisions that affect their lives. Both Power to Change and SUNSW have safe ministry policies: Power to Change Safe Ministry Policy & SUNSW Safe Ministry. We are committed to the physical, emotional & spiritual welfare of people. We have zero tolerance for any form of child abuse.
If you are between 15 and 23, regardless of whether you are in school or at university you are welcome to come! We would love to have you.
If you are unsure whether this conference is right for you please talk with the SU or PTC worker you know best. If you do not know any SU or PTC workers, please reach out to one of the directors: James – PTC University, Stu – PTC Youth, David – SU NSW, our contact details are in the contact section.
What do I register as?
- If you are high school aged please register as a high school participant.
- If you are out of high school and 18+ please register as a university participant
- If you are a student leader with Power to Change please register as a volunteer (this is to ensure that you have completed Safe Ministry Training)
- If you work for SUNSW or PTC please register as staff
I don’t know if I can afford to come, what can I do? Are there some discounts?
We don’t want finances to ever be a reason why someone could not attend the conference. If you are unsure about being able to make payment for the conference please contact the PTC or SU worker you know best and have a conversation with them.
You can also contact:
James – for university applicants
David or Stu – for youth applicants
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to any of the Directors for Winter Con 2025.
David Krebs – Scripture Union NSW
[email protected]
James Woollett – Power to Change Campus Strategy (University)
[email protected]
Stuart Brownscombe – Power to Change Youth Strategy (Youth)
[email protected]