About THRIVE 2010

Thrive! Jesus promised abundant life. Can the poor have abundant life? Can the rich have abundant life? How can we, and all of God's creation, thrive?

THRIVE is the National Conference of TEAR Australia. Convened every second year, TEAR invites one or more international guests to participate in our National Conference - some are development practitioners from our project partners, others are respected Third World theologians and Bible teachers. Also, there's always a great range of local speakers and TEAR staff as well.

30 July - 1 August 2010, Stanwell Tops, NSW

Download a brochure here or register on-line using the link above.

Slum Survivor @ Thrive

1 Billion people live in slums, could YOU?

Participants will arrive on the Friday afternoon and build their own slum house which will be home for the entire weekend. All meals, sleeping and challenges will take place at the slum along with workshops and daily devotions. Sounds easy? Click here to find out more.

Applications for Slum Survivor have now closed, but make sure you visit the participants during the conference.

 

Sorry, accommodation for THRIVE is now booked out. Day registrations only are still open. For day registration turn up to The Tops Conference Centre on the day which you would like to attend and visit our registrations desks.

Speakers and Guests

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Keynote Speakers

Ron Sider

Ron Sider is Professor of Theology, Holistic Ministry & Public Policy at Palmer Seminary at Eastern University in the US and author of over 30 books including his 1977 ground-breaking book, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger.

CB Samuel

Over the last 26 years TEAR Australia's good friend and highly valued partner has been many things to many people: husband and father, Bible teacher, pastor, theologian, mentor, CEO of a major Indian Relief and Development NGO, missiologist, evangelical leader and passionate advocate for the poor.

Neville Naden

The Rev. Neville Naden is the pastor of the Far West Indigenous Church in Broken Hill. He is an Aboriginal Christian leader who works at the local level in outreach, training and community empowerment and at the national level through various national Indigenous bodies.

Workshop Presenters

including:

Arbutus Sider

Dave Andrews

Jonathan Cornford

Lea Davis

Ralph Reilly

Dr Reginald Zahiruddin

Tim and Kama Trudgen

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Program and Elective Workshops

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Download a full program

Keynote Addresses:

CB Samuel: Abundant life for the poor?

Ron Sider: What is abundant life for the rich?

Neville Naden: What is abundant life for Australia's indigenous people?

Festival Time:

Lots of alternative teaching, music, forums, project displays and information, advocacy, conversations, adventure activities and more.

Outdoor adventure activities

If you want to get outside for a while you can try abseiling, rock climbing, giant swing, high ropes, archery, veritcal cluster, cart racing. Needs pre-registration and additional cost applies (see registration).

Youth night - Friday evening

7:00pm - 10:00pm on the friday ngiht.

The youth night is open to youth groups from right across Sydney along with conference participants.

How and Why shoudl we respond to injustice?

During the evening we will explore some issues facing our brothers and sisters living in poverty. We shall reflect on what it means to be a disciple and we will explore ways of responding to these issues as a young person.

Special guest speaker, Jon Owen from Urban Neighbours of Hope

Click Here fro more info.

Pre-Conference Seminar

Friday afternoon pre-conference seminar with key speakers. 1-5pm at St John's Church, Sutherland (5 min from train station).

1pm Ron Sider: Thinking Biblically about Politics

2.15pm Arbutus Sider: The Bible as a Cosmic Drama: A Biblical Foundation for Gender Equality

3.45pm CB Samuel: God is Back, and He is Different

Afternoon tea and transport to main conference centre provided. See http://www.stjohns.org.au/contact-us/maps/ for a map.

Childrens Program

What is Sustainability? How does how we live affect us here in Australia? In developing countries? The childrens program will be looking at the topic of sustainability, what it is, how our living effects other’s around the world, the ways in which we can help take care of the planet, and how God fits into all of this. The program will be interactive, with the children participating in hands on activities to assist them in exploring how they can make a difference to the world in which they live.

Creche

As well as having a Childrens program, we will also be providing a creche service for those pre-school aged and younger.

Music

Perth's Paul Gioia, One of Western Australia's foremost blues and roots pianists.

Adelaide's Josh Spier. A regular festival performer whose music seamlessly permeates the soul.

Fair Trade Cafe

Enjoy fair trade coffee and other fair trade products at your leisure.

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Register for THRIVE 2010

Registrations for THRIVE Conference have sold-out, but in case you missed out, you can still come and register on the day.

> Day registration information

Useful Information

Location & How to Get There

The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops, NSW

The Tops Conference Centre is located 1 hour south of Sydney, NSW. Offering a peaceful environment and magnificent views, The Tops is situated on 200 acres of pristine bushland overlooking the Illawarra's northern coastline.

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Food

Catering will be provided for conference attendees who are staying on-site. Those not staying on-site will be able to bring their own food or there will be opportunities to purchase food from on-site vendors. We will be operating two cafes where you can purchase fair trade expresso coffee.

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Accommodation

What bedding and other linen is provided at The Tops Conference Centre?

When staying at The Tops you will be provided with a doona and pillow only. This means that you will need to bring your own pillow case, doona cover, bath towel and toiletries. Alternatively, you can pay $12 per person and The Tops will then be able to provide you with a pillow case, doona cover and bath towel for your stay.

Onsite accommodation is dormitory style with 5 or 6 per room. If this does not suit your style or budget there are a range of alternative options. These include: local motels; caravan parks; billeting; and church hall accommodation.

For a list of alernative accommodation options contact Josh Bleyerveen at josh.bleyerveen@tear.org.au or call (02) 9212 4499.

Volunteers

The role of volunteers at TEAR is highly valued. If you would like to help make THRIVE 2010 a success, please contact John McKinnon at nsw@tear.org.au or call (02) 9212 4499.

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FAQ

> Read answers to frequently asked questions