THE “dream to expand” Ignite Youth has become a reality.
This weekend at Ignite Conference in Brisbane archdiocese, more than 1500 participants and supporters welcomed the announcement of a second conference to align with Ignite Youth’s national “flagship event”.
From 2019, Ignite Conference will expand into Sydney archdiocese, answering the need to house a “bursting at the seams” crowd.
“We’re entering into a time of growth,” Ignite Youth director Kym Keady said.
“When I took on the role as director, in March, I felt like God said, ‘Ignite is not yet, all that it can be’.”
Ignite Youth’s broadening outreach is supported by Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge and Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher, with plans underway for some time.
“We had dreams of expanding the conference and, when discussions began with Sydney, it seemed like the next step,” Mrs Keady said.
“The two locations, from next year, have happened without glitch or difficulty.
“We’ve met with many who support our vision and the most exciting part of it is that we can reach twice as many people as we do now.
“It feels like God has placed this in our lap.”
Mrs Keady said the formula of keynote speakers, dynamic worship, daily Mass, Adoration, the opportunity for the sacrament of Penance, as well as workshops and small groups would be replicated “as the same conference run twice”.
Keynote speakers would form a wide base of local, national and international contacts, she said.
Ignite Youth is a ministry of Brisbane’s Emmanuel Community and among them is a sense of stepping out in faith.
“While we have dreamt of it, we haven’t tried to run Ignite Conference away from home before … (but) now is the time to grow,” Mrs Keady said.
“Our tag line is ‘not just changed for a day, but transformed for life’.
“Ignite is our flagship event that brings this together and now we will be solidifying that even more.”
Ignite Conference in 2019 will run from September 26-29 in Brisbane and October 3-6 in Sydney, continuing annually as aligned events.
Sydney’s conference will be at Freeman Catholic College, Bonnyrigg, west of Sydney city, and Brisbane’s at Mueller College, Rothwell, north of Brisbane.
Pick up next Sunday’s Catholic Leader for detailed coverage of the September 27-30 Ignite Conference in Brisbane as well as more details of Ignite Youth expanding into Sydney.
More details can also be found at www.igniteyouth.com.au
– Selina Venier
