Encouragement and learning at the 2026 SRE Conference
Reflecting the growing demand for SRE teacher development, this year’s Youthworks SRE conference was held across a record 10 locations in Sydney, Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and country NSW. Around 1,350 SRE teachers and coordinators came together at various church venues in person and in living rooms via the livestream to learn, share experiences and be encouraged. What’s more, there were over 100 new SRE teachers registered for the Module 1 training, which is the first step required to become a trained SRE teacher.
Youthworks College Principal Mike Dicker taught from Acts 1:1-11, challenging participants to consider their role in God’s kingdom and whether they sometimes think they need to do God’s work for him. A highlight was Mike leading the crowd at the Barney’s venue in a rendition of Colin Buchanan’s ‘Jesus is the mighty, mighty King’ to reinforce the idea that Jesus, not us, is in charge of establishing and expanding God’s eternal kingdom.
Because God’s kingdom is everlasting, unlike any earthly one that, although once glorious, has now disappeared, SRE teachers can show assurance to their students who are growing up in an anxious world. Mike reminded SRE teachers that they are all part of God’s mission strategy to ‘be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8) Note to all SRE teachers – if you’re not persuasive or good at debating or answering curly questions – God can still use you!
Mike’s talk was a wonderful reminder for SRE volunteers that God uses everyday people, giving them the gift of the holy spirit so they can do his work in the world – in every single SRE classroom they enter.
According to Youthworks children’s ministry trainer Adam Jolliffe, “an SRE class may be the only place where some students will hear about Jesus, at a time in their life when they are forming their world views.” His helpful SRE workshop unpacked the Universal Design for Learning framework, presenting a proactive approach in lesson planning to offer effective learning experiences for every student, no matter how different each one is.
One brand new teacher at the conference was Victoria Rich, Waverley parish children's pastor and swim school manager. She says,
“I realised that I could combine my various community interactions to step into a classroom as a trusted face in the community and bring those kids SRE.”
What a privilege it is to be God’s witnesses in classrooms across NSW public schools each week! Please join us in praying for each child and young person who has the opportunity to hear about Jesus through SRE, that their hearts may be open.