On behalf of my fellow officers of the Greater Sydney Conference I welcome you to Inspire09, our Conference-wide Big Camp weekend for 2009. This year the planning committee has organised our second Inspire weekend around the theme, Created 4 Community. Inspire09 brings you ideas, insights, worship and presentations focused on building community. This year we have in excess of forty workshops with thirty presenters from around Australia and New Zealand.

The development of meaningful relationships, where every member carries a significant sense of belonging, is central to what it means to be the Church. This intensive training weekend is designed to inspire our local church members to reach their communities in a meaningful and successful way for Jesus Christ.

In the past Sydney has missed out on a Big Camp experience. Inspire09 will provide an opportunity for our churches to reconnect with the wonderful Adventist tradition of camp meeting with a strong emphasis on training and equipping church members for ministry.

I trust that all of our members will take advantage of this uplifting and inspiring weekend and rejoice as we see the Holy Spirit performing His miraculous grace amongst His church.

When we come together as people from different backgrounds, ages, and social status we are a testimony to community. If there is to be a place in this fragmented world where people can come together with a common purpose and a common love, it is the Church. “Christ directs sinners to the Church, which He has made a channel light to the world.” Ellen G White, Acts of the Apostles, p122.

Pr David Blanch - President Greater Sydney Conference