Church members from across the North New South Wales Conference (NNSW) and interstate gathered at Stuarts Point Convention Centre from February 3 to 5 for a weekend of prayer and revival at the annual NNSW Prayer Conference.
In its eighth year, the event exceeded expectations with a record attendance of 650 delegates—three times more than the average of 180 in previous years.
According to NNSW prayer coordinator Charissa Torossian there were many highlights over the weekend. “Record attendance, beautiful weather, spiritual and powerful messages, fellowship, amazing testimonies of answers to prayer, powerful and uplifting singing. Everything was such a blessing—even the food,” she said.
Main guest speaker General Conference associate ministerial secretary Pastor Pavel Goia explored the event’s theme—”Lift Him Up” —emphasising the importance of developing a closer relationship with Jesus.
“God calls us to have a relationship with Him and to serve, but we cannot do that through human power. We cannot change ourselves, we can’t change others and we can’t grow the church. Without God’s power through the Holy Spirit, we can’t finish the work. So God is calling the church to revival, to pray for the latter rain, for the Holy Spirit,” said Pastor Goia, adding he wishes “there were more events like this, focused on prayer and revival”.
Speaking at the event was also Australian Union Conference personal ministries director Pastor Nicu Dumbrav. Worship was led by Sabbath Singalong ministry creator Sandra Entermann. The event also featured a children’s program run at Yarrahapinni Adventist Youth Centre for 90 kids aged 5 to 14.
Themed Prayer Warriors, the program was run by the NNSW children’s ministry team with the support of volunteers who helped to incorporate prayer into fun activities for the little ones.
“We focused on making them pray more intentionally by combining fun activities from their routine with prayer—praying with legos, dice and Jenga—things that they could continue to do at home with their families,” said NNSW children’s ministry director Colleen Savage.
