MORE than 1000 young people, ministry leaders, teachers, parents, priests and religious from across Australia are preparing to converge on Redcliffe for the annual Ignite Conference from September 24 to 27.
Organised by Ignite Youth, a ministry of Brisbane’s Emmanuel Community, the Ignite Conference is the largest Catholic youth conference of its kind in Australia.
The theme for this year’s conference is “One”, symbolising both the boldness of the Gospel message and a call for unity in the Church.
“We are excited about the impact of this theme,” conference co-ordinator Luke Plant said.
“We believe it will be an experience of pursuing One faith and One purpose as part of One Church.”
The team is expecting 1500 attendees at this year’s conference, including 800 adults of all ages, 600 high schoolers and 100 children.
“While the conference has a strong focus on young people, no age group would be out of place at the conference with many parents, teachers and ministry leaders attending the Ignite Central adult stream,” Mr Plant said.
International guests include two leaders from Life Teen in the United States – Mission and Ministry vice-president Steve Allgeyer and events director Stephen Lenahan.
“Life Teen is one of the largest Catholic youth movements in the world, and we are pleased to have them join us for Ignite Conference 2015,” Mr Plant said.
In this Year of Consecrated Life, a key feature of the conference will be the Vocations and Ministries Expo featuring more than 40 vocations, movements and mission organisations and providing delegates with a wide experience of opportunities to respond to God’s call or get involved in mission in the Church.
This year’s keynote speakers also include Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge; Broken Bay Bishop Peter Comensoli; Sr Anastasia, from the Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia; and Fr Bony Abraham, from the Missionaries of God’s Love, who will join more than 70 other lay and religious speakers spanning the breadth of movements in the Church in Australia.
Early-bird registrations close on June 30. For full information or to register, visit www.igniteconference.com.au.
