Katoomba Easter Convention 2026
Go Together.
Grow Together.
An Annual Retreat for Everyone.
KEC 2026
Dates: 3–6 April 2026
Venue: StayKCC, Katoomba
Speakers: Jim Samra, Mark Stephens, Nancy Guthrie,
Anna Brotherson, Mal Gill, Jonathan Dykes
About KEC
Katoomba Easter Convention is an annual retreat for all ages to spend Easter sitting under God’s Word and growing in your faith together.
Enjoy mornings being refreshed with Bible talks, Christian testimonies and worship. Spend afternoons relaxing with friends and family before settling in for more in the evening sessions together. Bring friends, family, children and grandchildren – we have specific programs for everyone from toddlers all the way up to adults
First time at KEC? Read up on our FAQs and first timers guide to KEC to help you prepare.
My last year in the senior high program proved to me how special KEC is, particularly the incredible encouragement from those within my discussion group. It really prompted me to think deeply every day and to praise God for the amazing opportunities we have.
Sophie, KEC Attendee
2026 Theme
“Fear Not!”
Fear has become a significant part of everyday life, for many people.
Despite our technological advancements, rise in living standards, increases in lifespan, there always seems to be more to fear, everyday.
At the same time, our culture has adopted an increasingly pessimistic outlook on the future: there is more to fear, and less to hope for. Staying ’safe’ is now of paramount importance.
The tension for us is that the world is dangerous, and human beings are vulnerable. That makes it very difficult — impossible? — to be safe from everything, all the time.
So what difference does being God’s child — a member of His family — make to living in this kind of world?
One of the most repeated commands of God to His people in the Bible is “Fear Not!”. Are Christians meant to take this command seriously? If the answer is “Yes!”, then how do we do it? Life can be full of challenges, threats, struggles and griefs. Some of them are over relatively quickly; others can last a lifetime. So how do we handle those in a way that honours our Lord: trusting Him and obeying Him through our fears and the darkness life can bring?
Only the truth of God — revealed in His word and the life, death and resurrection of His Son — speaks to life as it really is. It speaks however, not just to the fear and pain, but to promise, hope and the victory of light over darkness.
Please join us next Easter for what will be — God willing — a powerful encouragement to trust Almighty God, more.
2026 Theme
“Fear Not!”
Fear has become a significant part of everyday life, for many people.
Despite our technological advancements, rise in living standards, increases in lifespan, there always seems to be more to fear, everyday.
At the same time, our culture has adopted an increasingly pessimistic outlook on the future: there is more to fear, and less to hope for. Staying ’safe’ is now of paramount importance.
The tension for us is that the world is dangerous, and human beings are vulnerable. That makes it very difficult — impossible? — to be safe from everything, all the time.
So what difference does being God’s child — a member of His family — make to living in this kind of world?
One of the most repeated commands of God to His people in the Bible is “Fear Not!”. Are Christians meant to take this command seriously? If the answer is “Yes!”, then how do we do it? Life can be full of challenges, threats, struggles and griefs. Some of them are over relatively quickly; others can last a lifetime. So how do we handle those in a way that honours our Lord: trusting Him and obeying Him through our fears and the darkness life can bring?
Only the truth of God — revealed in His word and the life, death and resurrection of His Son — speaks to life as it really is. It speaks however, not just to the fear and pain, but to promise, hope and the victory of light over darkness.
Please join us next Easter for what will be — God willing — a powerful encouragement to trust Almighty God, more.
KEC 2026
2026 Speaker Lineup
Jim Samra
Jim Samra is a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, husband to Lisa and dad to four children. He has served as the senior pastor of Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan for the past twenty years. His main responsibility is listening to the Lord to guide him in shepherding the church.
Jim worked for several years as a mechanical engineer, but now he spends his time doing two of his favorite things: talking to God about people and talking to people about God.
Jim is the author of God Told Me; The Gift of Church; James, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude (Teach the Text Commentary Series); and Being Conformed to Christ in Community. He also authored the prophetic parable, Passage to the House of Power, the first book in the Scroll of Remembrance series. Access to Jim and Lisa’s work can be found at olivesandcoffee.com.
Mark Stephens
Mark lectures in New Testament at Sydney Missionary and Bible College. Prior to coming to SMBC, Mark taught the Bible to performing artists at Wesley Institute and Excelsia College, before serving a two-year stint as a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity. He has written books and articles on the book of Revelation, humour in the Bible, as well as a book on how to think with humility and hospitality. Mark lives in the north-western suburbs of Sydney with his wife Linda, a children’s pastor, and their three children. They attend St Paul’s Anglican Church, Castle Hill where Mark serves as a preacher. Mark has also been an avid Parramatta Eels fan for the last 40 years.
Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie (MATS, Reformed Theological Seminary) teaches the Bible at her home church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as at conferences around the country and internationally, including through her Biblical Theology Workshop for Women. She is the author of numerous books and the host of the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast from The Gospel Coalition. She and her husband founded Respite Retreats for couples who have faced the death of a child, and they’re cohosts of the GriefShare video series.
Anna Brotherson
Born and bred in Tasmania, Anna has spent her adult years living in Canberra, Sydney, and a Southeast Asian mega-city. Now back in Sydney, Anna is thrilled to be teaching Biblical Greek at Sydney Missionary & Bible College, and pursuing research in Greek linguistics through a Fellowship with Mary Andrews College. Besides these happy pursuits, Anna spends her days taking care of her family (husband Derek and three school-aged kids), writing fiction and non-fiction, and doing as much walking and swimming in nature as possible. Anna and her family are members of City Light Church, Balmain.
A Snapshot of 2025
KEC 2025 Highlights
Check out some of the highlights from this year’s Easter Convention. We can’t wait to welcome you in 2026!
Mailing List
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What some KEC attendees are saying
Read a range of testimonials from people who’ve attended Katoomba Easter Convention in recent years.
“My last year in the senior high program proved to me how special KEC is, particularly the incredible encouragement from those within my discussion group. It really prompted me to think deeply every day and to praise God for the amazing opportunities we have.”
– Sophie, KEC Attendee
“We were encouraged by the range of speakers all speaking on a coordinated program. Hearing the range of testimonies and other ministries gave great insight into what the wider church is working hard at. It encouraged us to do our best where God has planted us, knowing our brothers & sisters in Christ are working hard around the world.”
– Joanne, KEC Attendee
“It was good to be reminded of God’s master plan and how His Word makes so much sense in our fallen world. It also challenged me to share the good news with others again. God is good even in the midst of pain. That God’s word will go out to accomplish what God intends.”
“My husband, 16 and 18 year old sons have been encouraged to read God’s word even more. They all really enjoyed KEC.”
– Kristina, KEC Attendee
“KEC is an opportunity for a family get together with a gospel centred focus. Our children in the past and now our grandchildren love the children’s program and are encouraged and fed in their walk with the Lord and enjoy fellowship with KEC friends. Adults likewise are encouraged and challenged to continue to serve the Lord.”
– Gaye, KEC Attendee
We support Christian communities, churches and individuals around the world who face persecution and discrimination because of their faith.
To find out more about how you can help and pray go to:
www.barnabasaid.org
Thanks to our 2026 Ministry Partners
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Barnabas Aid stands with our suffering Christian brothers and sisters, channelling assistance from Christians through Christians to Christians, seeking to meet both practical and spiritual needs. We fund projects developed by local Christians in their own communities; encouraging and strengthening the presence and witness of local churches and Christian communities.
School holidays are better with CRU Camps! CRU Holiday Camps run fun and safe experiences for kids in Kindy to Year 12. Campers make unforgettable memories with friends, try exciting outdoor activities, are supported by Christian leaders who genuinely care, and engage in Christian Discovery times to think about life, faith and Jesus in an open and fun way.
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Quiz Worx exists to share Jesus with kids everywhere. We do that through performing live puppet shows in schools and by training creative, faithful workers for a lifetime of sharing the Good News.
Vision Christian Media shares biblical truth through radio, podcasts, devotionals, and digital platforms, helping Australians grow in faith and stay connected to God daily.
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School holidays are better with CRU Camps.
With camps for Kindy to Year 12, you’ll make unforgettable memories, try new experiences and find your next adventure on a. CRU Camp!
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