About Ignite Conference

The People

The Vision

The Elements

The Impact

PART I

Meet the
People behind
Ignite Conference

Who we are and why we do this

Since 2001, Ignite Conference has been the passion project of a small group of people who carried a vision for what a gathering of faithful Catholics and the unchurched would look like. With Brisbane’s Emmanuel Community as their foundation, the ministries that have sprung up since the beginning of the Conference are vital to making it happen.

Meet The Team:

Kym Keady

As Director of Ignite Youth, Kym carries the vision of Conference, creating new ways to encounter Jesus in mountain-top experiences.

Pat Keady

Pat leads Emmanuel Community to be a home of missionary discipleship. He has played a central role in Conference since its birth.

Luke Plant

Luke has coordinated the conference alongside Kym for 14 years, tackling the logistics and organisation, while serving as the Director of Mission Support for Emmanuel Community.

Ronan McGinniss

Ronan brings his wealth of experience from a ministry and corporate background to support our partnering organisations.

Roby Curtis

Roby is the Director of Emmanuel City Mission, an outreach to the homeless and marginalised in Brisbane Australia. His leadership has influenced Conference for years, holding a vision for worship and justice.

Peter Munns

Pete is the High School coordinator of Ignite Youth. He brings his enthusiasm and wisdom from working in a number of ministry settings to the team.

Chiara Leeds

Chiara is a leader in Emmanuel Worship and the Young Adult coordinator of Ignite Youth. She also over sees all our social media amongst her plethora of roles and and brings a joy and dynamism to the team.

The Vision of
Ignite Youth

Ignite Youth is dedicated to gathering, raising up and sending out a new generation of Catholics who are on fire for Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, formed in the faith and centered in the Eucharist – young people living their Catholic faith with dynamism and passion to reach out to their world with the life of the Gospel.

We believe in real-world evangelisation; revealing Jesus Christ through a ministry of authentic relationships. By engaging young people where they’re at and empowering them to use their God-given gifts, our goal is to see young people not just changed for a day but transformed for life.

Ignite Youth is a ministry of Emmanuel Community, drawing together a network of youth leaders, schools, groups and individuals who share a common vision to communicate the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. Using contemporary culture to engage their hearts and minds, our dream is to spearhead a new evangelisation of our nation and pave a way for the Church of the future.

Not just changed for a day

but transformed for life

WE ARE

Passionate

The experience of new life in Jesus is something that energises us to reach out to others with enthusiasm and dedication.

Innovative

Using contemporary methods and expressions in the arts, music and media, we communicate in a language that engages the emerging generation.

Catholic

As members of the universal Church, we live out our faith in the practice of the sacraments, commitment to Catholic teaching and mission to our world.

Authentic

Through a ministry of genuine personal relationships we meet young people where they are at with understanding, love and acceptance.

Animated
by the Holy Spirit

Central to our ministry is a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and an experience of the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit.

Home For Mission

Emmanuel underpins some amazing ministries that are making an impact around the country: Ignite Youth, Emmanuel Worship Emmanuel City Mission, and Impact Uganda to name a few.

Brisbane's Emmanuel Community was born in 1975 as part of a world-wide spiritual awakening known as ‘charismatic renewal’, which blossomed in the decades after the Second Vatican Council. Our origins came from a small handful of lay people responding to a radical call to commit themselves deeply to Jesus Christ and to one another.

Our vision is to grow contagious followers of Jesus and pave ways for the Church of the future.

Wholehearted Worship

Emmanuel Worship is a group of Catholics determined to bring wholehearted worship to the Church and the world. Our music is written and performed by people with a passion for Jesus, a passion for music and a passion for spreading the Gospel.

We have been writing authentic Catholic music and leading worship around the country and the world for over 15 years, driven by a vision of seeing the Church come alive in worship.

Our latest albums include ‘He Is Moving’, 'Ventus (Noise from Heaven)' and 'fifteen' which make up the soundtrack of Ignite Conference.

PART II

The Vision of
Ignite Conference

The heart and vision behind Conference

We believe in the potential of large-scale gatherings of Catholics to worship, receive powerful preaching and participate in the sacraments. Our vision is to see a Church transformed by an influx of young people who are truly on fire for Jesus because of their undeniable encounter with Him. Ignite Conference is that place of encounter.

Our dream is to spearhead a new evangelisation of our nation and pave a way for the Church of the future.

A Church passionate about discovering a real, present God and gathering a generation to be on fire for Jesus.

Every year, Ignite Youth hosts one of Australia’s most powerful Catholic youth conferences.

Ignite Conference draws together a network of high schoolers, young adults, ministry leaders, families, teachers, priests and religious from around the country, sending them out with a passion for mission and authentic faith in Jesus.

Experience four days of real-world formation, encouragement in faith, great people and powerful worship.

Ignite Conference is a
bold vision for the
future of the Church

The Vision

An explosion of the Spirit

Our Church is built on the ceaseless work of those in love with God and His mission. Through creativity, discipleship and a missionary heart, we the faithful of the 21st Century stand on the shoulders of those who pioneered a Church which gives everything for the mission of bringing the love of Jesus to the world.

Ignite Conference continues that legacy.

When we gather every year, we rely on the power of God to create life-changing encounters through worship, preaching and ministry. We rely on the mercy of Jesus to heal the hearts of those who are wounded. We depend on the power of the Holy Spirit to lift lives out of mediocrity, into their God-given potential.

Every year the God of abundance shows up at Ignite Conference, and lives are forever changed by Him.

Spearheading a New Fire

The fire of Pentecost burns brightly in the heart of our ministry, pushing us to envision new ways of telling the world about Jesus and His love for humanity. We seek to draw on the creative, missionary and innovative heart of the Church, to spearhead a new fire today. Ignite Conference has innovated and pioneered new ways for the Catholic Church to communicate its message to the faithful and to the unchurched.

The modern Church is a church that gathers across borders and boundaries to bring their gifts and talents, to bare their hearts and to be ready to encounter God. When we gather, something happens that is more than the sum of the people present. The Spirit explodes in a room of thousands, and lives are transformed from an undeniable, unforgettable experience.

Creative Excellence

We have always been a Church that meets Jesus' presence on earth with our own creative offering. Ignite Conference is a place where we learn how to honour God with our creativity in the 21st century. Through art, design, video, music, dance and performance we seek to evangelise by using incredible creative moments to inspire people's hearts, lifting their eyes to something greater - Jesus.

When our faith meets creativity, we bring our gifts as offerings to God. Just as the Catholics of history have devoted themselves to the very finest sculpture, painting and architecture, so too do we attempt to capture that spirit of commitment in delivering an exceptional experience at Conference. We're called to create a place where the soul can delight in the very best of the gifts God has bestowed on people. Our challenge is to meet people where they are at and find ways to communicate the timeless message of the Gospel.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

— Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

Innovative Communication

The message of our faith is eternal and unchanging. When delivered authentically and passionately, it impacts people to their core. Part of delivering the message of Jesus passionately is looking for new ways to communicate the unchanging truth of the Gospel. Whether it's using film, music, performance or preaching, our creative vision intertwines with the Good News, impacting the lives of people by speaking directly into their hearts. Young people today are saturated in the very best of creative media 24/7. The Church should be a place where they receive the message of Jesus in the best, most innovative and creatively inspired way possible.

Practical Discipleship

In the breakout sessions, people can make sense of God's calling on their lives, giving them practical ways of living out lives of faith and purpose. Without this input, huge moments of encounter in worship, adoration or prayer teams may slip away as people head back into their daily lives. Our mission is to create spaces where people can encounter God in huge, life-changing ways while also giving them a community to connect with, a vision for their life and a set of tools to live out their calling.

PART III

The Elements of Ignite Conference.

The way we evangelise.

Ignite Conference is a crafted experience. From the speakers, to the song choices, to the ministry offered, each day at Conference brings delegates on a journey of faith. Within each day, the elements of Conference are designed to be inviting, challenging and allow people to encounter a real and present God in their midst.

Huge Rallies

For many, the main auditorium sessions of Conference are the primary drawcard, where people have the strongest experiences and walk away changed. With worship, preaching and powerful ministry, we create a space for God to move, and He does the rest. It's a powerful visual presence of the Church gathered, both young and old proclaiming the name of Jesus and hearing words that speak His message. Each rally is specifically designed to take each participant on a journey, whether it is focused on the invitation of Jesus, reconciliation, prayer teams or going home transformed.

Spirit of Worship

The worship at Conference is electric. Driven to experiences that seek to invite God in powerful, transformational ways into our lives, worship is a key part of Ignite Conference. Our Church is hungry for authentic and intimate encounters with Jesus - to feel His presence, give Him praise and invite Him into our lives. Being led in beautiful, passionate worship by Emmanuel Worship is a primary element of Ignite Conference, as we raise up a new generation of worshipers to live out their lives hungry for God.

Prayer Teams

Prayer teams are a powerful way for a young person to experience Jesus in a deep and personal way. They consist of two experienced youth ministers whom delegates can approach for prayer. Prayer teams occur during certain rallies and these times are powerful and personal. As the conference grows, we believe prayer teams are a crucial element of Ignite Conference that will continue for years to come.

Prayer Experience

At each main session in the auditorium, there is a chance to respond to the message of the rally through prayer experiences. Each one is created with the principle of bringing young people closer to Jesus. Sometimes it’s as simple as writing out a prayer and placing it on the cross or taking home a token to remind them of their experience at Conference. Sometimes it is going to prayer teams, to the Sacrament of Reconciliation or sitting in Adoration or worship. Often these moments are the most impacting and long-lasting in the faith journey of the delegates.

Main Stage Speakers

To be able to deliver a simple yet powerful message to someone who has never been to Church before whilst also feeding the hearts and minds of practising Catholics is not an easy task. Yet every year, the preaching at Conference straddles these differing needs and main stage speakers deliver incredible passion and insight into scripture, faith and their relationship with God.

Our goal is to invite the most inspirational, relevant, exciting Catholic speakers we can find. In hosting the best, we are trusting in God working through the incredible, personal story of each person. Our speakers are hyper-aware of the needs of young people, of the flow of Conference and of a vision for a passionate, wellformed Church.

Streams

Workshops and Keynotes

Keynotes are the first breakout sessions of the day. After the morning rallies, delegates move to the keynotes they have elected to hear from leading voices in the Church on a range of topics including discipleship, leadership, social justice, worship, creative arts and Church teaching.

Workshops are in smaller groups where participants engage with the group and speaker to learn how to practically apply what’s been learnt at the conference.

The presenters we invite to speak at Ignite Conference are carefully considered and have been recommended by our conference team or one of our trusted partners.

Ignite Central

Adults 25+

Adult delegates attend keynotes from leading Catholic speakers on a range of topics around leadership, worship, mission, culture and discipleship.

Ignite YA

School Leavers - 25 years

A fresh batch of engaging speakers and exclusive spaces specifically crafted for young adults and university students in partnership with ACU Campus Ministry.

Ignite High

High Schoolers

Lively and relevant sessions for high school students presented by our youth ministry expert partners and Ignite Youth.

Ignite Kids

Primary Schoolers

Our incredibly passionate children's ministry team delivers the Kids stream, which is packed with music, games, creative arts and faith activities.

Sacraments

Sacraments are the cornerstone of our Catholic faith and we believe they should be celebrated authentically and passionately, in a way that teaches young people that these aren’t the "boxes we have to tick off", but how we can experience God in an extraordinary way. Sacraments occur through the Conference schedule:

• Mass celebrated on each full day.
• Sacrament of Reconciliation available in certain rallies and throughout the conference meal breaks.
• Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Friday night rally and throughout Conference in the Chapel.

We understand that those who attend Ignite Conference come from many different backgrounds, some familiar with the Catholic faith and others completely new to it. This is at the forefront of our minds when planning these aspects of the conference.

In the feedback we have received over the years it is very clear to us that it is in the Sacramental moments of Ignite Conference, Adoration in particular, that young people have powerful and significant experiences of Christ.

Outdoor Festival

The Festival area outside provides young people with the space to unwind, relax and connect with other participants outside of their usual circles. Here they can sit back, listen to live music from local artists, play games, hit the skate park or chat about what they are experiencing throughout the conference.

The Festival is an experience of the Church that might be different to what people normally expect. Giving young people a space where they want to spend their time plays a powerful role in the journey of evangelisation.

YA Hub

In partnership with ACU Campus Ministry, we’ve created an exclusive space for the young adults attending the conference. During breaks school leavers, university students and young professionals can connect with each other, grab a coffee and have a chat.

Small Groups

Delegates in the Ignite High stream are placed in small groups of the same gender and similar ages to offer the opportunity to connect with new friends in a deeper way, discuss their sessions, and share about their experiences. These Small Groups meet daily throughout Conference, led by one of our young adult leaders.

Leaders Lounge

Group leaders, presenters and partners have exclusive access to our Leaders Lounge where they can unwind and relax, or network with others in the Church and dream up big ideas.

PART IV

The Impact of Ignite Conference

The people impacted

The effect of Ignite Conference on delegates’ lives is powerful and far-reaching. There is a reason people come from across the country to experience four incredible days of Church life. Here are some of the testimonies and statistics that show the impact Ignite Conference is making on the Australian Church.

2024 Highlights

2024 was a monumental year for Ignite Conference, running in both Brisbane and Sydney. These highlight videos offer a snapshot of Ignite Conference through various lenses.

Statistics from 2024

1481

Brisbane

1203

Sydney

905

Adults 25+

462

Young Adults 18-24

1067

High Schoolers

250

Kids (Prep-Primary)

1217

Queensland

1242

New South Wales

133

Victoria

37

Overseas

18

ACT

4

South Australia

16

Tasmania

6

Northern Territory

11

Western Australia

“My highlight of Ignite Conference was growing more in loving Jesus and building my faith. Ignite Conference was the best 4 days of my life. I loved every minute of it. Amazing people with beautiful souls. I have never been to an event so inspiring and incredible before. It was the best.”

— Elizabeth, 18, Cairns

Delegate Feedback

The experience of Ignite Conference is a deeply personal one that transforms people in many different ways. These are the impact we have recorded from previous conferences based on delegate surveys.

96%

of delegates rated their experience of Ignite Conference as good or excellent.

82%

said Ignite Conference he;lped develop their faith.

81%

are committed to making changes to their life/lifestyle.

77%

committed to praying regularly.

“ “One foot in and one foot out” was a phrase that described my relationship with our faith, but Ignite conference truly transformed me into “going all in” and coming back home. ”

— Thea, Sydney