I’m so excited to introduce you to our new committee members for Onward Youth Conference, I know that they will bring so many new ideas and wisdom as we prepare for the 23rd of June! We’ve already had a few meals of Charcoal Chicken and garlic sauce together (and hopefully many more!).
Meet Jonnie!
1. Where did you go to High School and what was your favourite thing?
I went to School at Hinchley wood in London, then moved to Barker College in Hornsby.
I loved English and Drama.
2. What was a really impacting moment during your teenage years that God used to grow you?
I became a Christian when I was 17, although looking back I can see God working throughout my whole life.
A potent moment for me was when there was a death at my school, and I was left to face my mortality and wonder what all of this life meant.
That moment acted like a fulcrum in my thinking that began a train of thoughts that led me to seek God.
3. Why did you bring your youth to Onward?
Because the world is complex, and simplistic answers are not enough. Onward creates a place to think through and explore complex ideas not only for our own thinking but so we can lead others too.
4. What are you excited about at Onward 2023?
I am excited to explore the goodness of faith, that Christianity isn’t emotionless, barren truth, but is a vibrant garden of wonder and goodness where we get to walk with and enjoy God in the ordinariness of our life.
Meet Kim!
Kim teaches music and is a youth leader at Gluestick Youth at WSCCC.
1. Where did you go to High School and what was your favourite thing?
I went to Conservatorium High School. My favourite thing was attending the lunch time Christian group as it allowed me to take a step out of the craziness of school life and re-centre my focus on God.
2. What was a really impacting moment during your teenage years that God used to grow you?
In Year 7 I attended my first church youth camp. God really grew me through the friendships I built during the weekend and it was there I decided to own my faith in Jesus.
3. Why did you bring your youth to Onward?
I’ve brought my youth to Onward in the past because it’s been a great opportunity for them to be further equipped by insightful speakers on how to continue living out their faith as a high schooler.
4. What are you excited about at Onward 2023?
For Onward 2023, I’m excited to know more about the implications of how I relate to my non-Christian friends, considering that following Jesus really is good and true.
Meet Olivia!
1. Where did you go to High School and what was your favourite thing?
I went to Cheltenham Girls High School for 6 years! My favourite thing at school was always history. I loved it so much that I am now going to be a history teacher!
2. What was a really impacting moment during your teenage years that God used to grow you?
I grew up in a non-christian family and I started going to youth group as a young teenager. I always had so many questions and looking back I can see that God was working through my life by surrounding me with such a loving community that I was able to see God’s love and realise that I can trust God even if all my questions weren’t’ answered!
3. Why did you bring your youth to Onward?
I bring my youth group to Onward because it is such a great event that deals with the big questions that teenagers are asking. Onward helps youth to grapple with their faith and equips them to respond to the world around them and stand firm in God.
4. What are you excited about at Onward 2023?
I am excited for Onward this year because it is so exciting to see so many young people come together to engage with Gods word and praise God together! The topic this year will also challenge youth to think about how they can trust that God is good when the world says otherwise!
Meet Ruth!
1. Where did you go to High School and what was your favourite thing?
I went to school at Leftwich High School near the northern English town of Northwich and in all honesty my favourite thing was not being there. It was a big school with 2,000 kids and I was the dumpy nerdy kid so I didn’t really have a crowd.
2. What was a really impacting moment during your teenage years that God used to grow you?
None of my family were Christian apart from my great aunt who lived alone in the Shetlands. She was a strong Christian but her church was also her community. When I was a teenager, I got to know her well on a weeks’ holiday and 15 years later, in Australia in a new suburb, I knew that going to church was a place to find community. It was there that I heard the gospel. That was just one of the seeds I look back and see that God planted in my teen years to prepare me for meeting him.
3. Why did you bring your children to Onward?
I bring my kids to Onward because the real-life issues are not theoretical things they need to take the time to think about – they are facing these issues right now. So I need to help them be equipped right now as well. Onward deals with these real life issues head on. It doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations but deals with them in a way that is appropriate and useful for my kids.
4. What are you excited about at Onward 2023?
I’m excited for the topic this year. My kids are 11 and 13 and so are hearing and seeing all these alternate things that they can put their “faith” in and so this is a confusing time for them. Onward will help them to find some clarity and confidence. Last year was also really exciting because the venue was packed and the atmosphere was amazing!
We have so many exciting things planned for Onward Youth this year, and look forward to having you on the journey with us!
Sam Wan – Onward Committee Chair
