"The Challenge Conference has been a great inspiration to people at our church to serve Jesus. Outside of our church camp, it is the only conference we heavily advertise and encourage people to go to."
"Challenge was so encouraging.. I don’t think I’ve ever been surrounded by so many faithful, knowledgeable Christiana in my life.. it reassured me and gave me hope for the future of Tasmania."
"It was a fantastic time to feast on Gods word and be united in a vision for Gods kingdom in Tasmania. I went home encouraged and spurred on to love and good deeds."
"At Challenge, I chatted with someone serving in the same area at a different church - and found we shared the same challenges in our teams! We bonded over this and mused on some solutions together."
"A professionally run conference, making attendees feel at ease and focused to learn. The ministry one to ones were a particular highlight."
"Thanks for a great chance to connect with other leaders. The ability to network and share together is so encouraging."
"Challenge is a great time of refreshment in faith and ministry as well as a blessing in networking with the Tasmanian churches. I am thankful for it each year."
"It's so valuable to me to meet other Tasmanian church and parachurch leaders. The networking and sharing of ideas at Challenge - both in sessions and in the break times between - are such a boost to ministering well in our unique region."
"Going to Challenge is a must for anyone serious about raising and stirring up gospel ministry workers for our Lord's eternal cause in their church. It just works brilliantly, because God is at work, using the organizational gifts of those on the Challenge Conference committee to make these 2 days so worthwhile."
"High quality, Godly, impactful and thought-provoking Bible teaching. Great opportunity to meet Christians from different churches and denominations from around the State and hear about people's pathways into ministry. A fantastic opportunity to take time out to consider what God may be saying about how I am / you are serving Him now and in to the future."
"Leading a team of volunteers at church, Challenge Conference was so helpful in terms of helping me see how to lead that team better and help them serve more effectively."
"Every year without fail, Challenge Conference gives me the much needed boost that I need in the middle of the year to continue persevering in ministry. It reminds me of the gospel. Of the very reason why we serve and provides me with a sense of confidence (in God), hope and joy to continue serving Jesus where he has placed me."
"I felt encouraged to build my relationship with God and to love others more. :) Felt very encouraged to protect the Gospel for myself, others and the future generations."
"Our ministry team had a great weekend at Challenge, and we'll be back again next year! We were spiritually refreshed and inspired to think about how we can best serve the Lord in the years ahead."
"Challenge Conference is exactly what we all need regularly... a couple of days in God's word and with other passionate believers to be reminded that there's nothing better to give our lives to than serving Jesus."
"Coming to Challenge with a few others from your local church really enhances the encouragement you gain from Challenge. Being able to leave Challenge having heard the same teaching enables you to grow in your vision and mission as a Church together."
"The conversations I have at Challenge conference each year help me refine my ideas. As you chat, you learn from others who are facing similar joys and challenges in their local churches."
What is Challenge?
130+ servant-hearted Christians, from across generations and denominations will be gathering on the 6th-7th August 2027 at Kingston Christian Reformed building, Kingston
We meet to encourage each other in nourishing, raising and multiplying those who are faithfully and courageously seeking to see churches across Tasmania moving forward in serving the gospel.
Challenge 2027: Love and Fear
The Shape of Our Service
Who's Speaking?
Greg Lee is the Lead Pastor of Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle, Australia, where he has served and taught for over two decades. Greg is passionate about helping people encounter Jesus through the gospel and training the next generation of Christian leaders.
Greg serves as the Chairman of the Ministry Training Strategy (MTS) and collaborates closely with national networks like Reach Australia to equip pastors and ministries across the country. Greg lives in Newcastle with his wife, Emma, and they have three children.
Here's a taste of what we saw last year
More info to come in the new year
All-in Ministry Seminar
Coming straight-out of the theme out of the Sermon on the Mount we’ll explore the place of good works and Christian behaviour in the Christian mission. How does and doesn't it relate to the work of the gospel? What does it mean for us personally, the ministries we are part of and our church’s vision and practice as we engage in local and global mission.
The Main Sessions
Electives
This is one of the great opportunities we have for investing in the members of our church and increasing our ability to minister effectively to the church and the world. But it is hard to do well. In this elective we will look at some of the values and habits that create a healthy culture for leaders and volunteers in our churches and ministries.
Since 2024, Victor has been a regular guest for the Tricky Conversations segment on ABC Hobart Breakfast radio 936AM. Along with Queer philosopher Louise Richardson-Self from UTas, Victor discusses questions profound and mundane, personal and prosaic. As well as answering tricky questions, the segment aims to model constructive conversation across ideological differences. In this elective, Victor will look under the bonnet of how he answers questions, what he has learned and hopefully equip you for navigating tricky conversations with friends, colleagues and family members.
How do you discern when it’s time to start something new—and how do you lead it well? This elective explores some biblical convictions, practical frameworks, and leadership instincts needed to initiate and grow new gospel opportunities within your church and ministries. From launching a second Sunday gathering, to shifting from roster-based to team-based ministry, to planting entirely new ministries like a youth group. Mike along with his co-leader (forthcoming) will consider how to recognise growth opportunities, steward them wisely, and act with grace and clarity.
Healthy ministry flows from healthy leaders. This elective will explore three biblical characteristics of healthy gospel leadership - leaders who are Christlike in character, trusted in conduct, and courageous in faithfulness - and invite you to reflect on your own formation. Through Scripture, personal stories, practical examples, and guided self-assessment, we’ll consider what it looks like to grow as leaders who are Christlike, trusted, and courageous, and how we can cultivate those same qualities in the people we train and lead. Whether you're serving in ministry now or preparing for future leadership, this session will help you identify areas for growth and think intentionally about the kind of leader God is shaping you to be.
What would it look like for mission to shape your church’s culture, not just as a priority but as part of everyday church life? This elective is designed to stir fresh conviction about seeing people come to know Jesus, clarify a simple framework for building a healthy mission culture, and help us take meaningful next steps in their context. Rather than promoting one evangelistic method, we’ll explore the deeper principles that shape people, pathways, and priorities. Though stories, discussion, and hands-on-work, we’ll consider what it takes to build a whole-church culture of mission, create clear and workable mission pathways, and measure what actually reflects gospel fruit.
What to look forward to
One-to-One Ministry Conversations
Half an hour intentional chat with a ministry leader or peer. Unique to Challenge is the opportunity to sit down with someone outside of your circle to discuss 'what serving the Lord in your life looks like'. The one-to-one ministry conversations are an informal but intentional chat designed for all ages and stages. They provide the chance to think about current and future ministry and how you can grow in your service to God.
Prayer at Challenge
Prayer for the raising up and growing of leaders is an important part of our responsibility. We want to express our dependence on God for the multiplication of disciples in Tasmania and beyond. During our time we pray for key areas of service and ministry across our state.
Ministry Pathways & Network Meetings
A casual and dedicated time of meeting people in shared areas of ministry, discussing ideas, getting informed and exploring opportunities for serving the kingdom in Tasmania and beyond.
- 1. Taking steps toward global mission with Scott and J
- 2. Figuring out Traineeships (MTS): the who, what, why and how? with Paul Kupke
- 3. Multiplying Tasmanian churches with Mike Hall
- 4. Prime Time Ministry: serving in the ‘second stage of life’ with Carmel Vincent
- 5. Women leadership development with Jess de Jonge and Ettiene de Wilzen
- 6. Meet those in your ministry areas self organise with others and find a spot
Challenge Kids
Kinder – Grade 6 | Saturday 8th August only | Limited spaces At Challenge, we're passionate about helping young hearts, not just older ones, grow in active faith - faith marked by joyful service to King Jesus. We'd love for your children to join us, as we work together to raise the next generation of gospel-hearted disciples - whether in everyday life or vocational ministry. Challenge Kids is a full-day program packed with fun and faith-building activities: games, songs, Bible talks, small group discussions, craft, and even a movie. The program is led by trained and screened leaders from local churches, and coordinated by the Jono Thomas, Families Minister at Lindisfarne Anglican. Starting at 9:30am with sign-in from 9.00am. Children will start in the 1st main session, going to their program after the time of singing and rejoin us at 5:15pm for the end of final session.
Challenge Creche (0 - 3 years)
Although Challenge doesn’t offer an official Creche across the Conference, there will be a space with a small selection of toys and activities for you to care for your youngest attendees. You won’t be out of place rocking a pram back and forth during the sessions, making use of the playground or popping in and out as you need - You are most welcome.
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