More than 100 pastors, church planters, lay leaders, administrators and departmental directors gathered on the Gold Coast from 3–4 August for the inaugural Australian Union Conference (AUC) Church Planting Summit, hosted by the AUC Ministerial Department and Adventist Mission.
Participants attended from across Australia and New Zealand, representing both the AUC and the New Zealand Pacific Union Conference.
Themed “Equip. Connect. Multiply.”, the summit was the first national gathering of church planters and church-planting leaders in the history of the AUC. The event was designed to bring together those passionate about mission, disciple-making and the establishment of new faith communities across both countries.
Over two days, attendees participated in presentations, workshops, prayer experiences, networking opportunities and mission-planning sessions. The summit featured contributions from a range of local and international leaders, including Exponential founder Dave Ferguson, Exponential Australia CEO Tim O’Neill and South Pacific Division Adventist Mission director Pastor Wayne Boehm.
AUC president Dr Brendan Pratt, ministerial secretary Pastor Lyndelle Peterson and associate ministerial secretary for Adventist Mission Pastor Roy Kim also presented, alongside other practitioners involved in church planting and disciple-making ministry.
According to organisers, one of the summit’s primary objectives was to create a collaborative environment where leaders could learn from one another, explore church-planting practices and develop mission plans for their local contexts.
Pastor Kim said one of the summit’s key outcomes was “a growing sense of shared vision among leaders from across the two unions”.
Church planters, pastors and conference leaders exchanged ideas, explored mission strategies and strengthened networks to support church planting across Australia and New Zealand.
“In a nation where many churches are experiencing declining attendance, church planting continues to be one of the most effective ways of reaching new people and establishing vibrant disciple-making communities,” said Pastor Kim. “The summit provided a clear signal that the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Australia is committed to investing in church planting, leadership development and innovative approaches to mission.”
