Seminars
Monday
Michael Shaw: Setting Priorities in Marriage
Faith & Family: Mainstage Left
God designed marriage for our flourishing and His glory. But what does a marriage that honours God look like in practice? In a culture offering competing and often contradictory visions of married life, this seminar returns to the Biblical foundations. We’ll look at God’s purposes for marriage and how this shapes communication, conflict, and other practicalities of life as a married couple. Whether you are engaged, newly married, or simply want to think carefully about what the Bible says about this most fundamental of human relationships, this seminar is for you.
Rick Hill: The Quiet Revival: Over-hyped or offering Hope?
Church: Overflow 1
How can the church ready itself for revival? In response to recent ‘Finding Jesus’ research and disputed claims about a ‘Quiet Revival’, what does this look like on the island of Ireland? This seminar will explore how the church can reach out at time of openness and ready itself to respond to those who are exploring faith. How can we join what God is doing and disciple those He is bringing to himself?
Gilbert Lennox: Truth and Beauty: The Bible, Creativity and the Arts
Arts: Young Adults Hub
During the week there will be opportunity to explore the arts, to set the scene join Gilbert Lennox as he presents the Biblical basis for creativity and the arts. Exploring Genesis and the Psalms, Gilbert will use photography to illustrate his presentation.
Steve Midgley: Responding wisely to the struggles of life
Biblical Counselling: Cromore
Through suffering on the cross Jesus achieved our salvation. Perhaps it should not surprise us, then, if the trials and struggles of our own lives are used by God to achieve his purposes. Yet our suffering hurts and change and growth can be so hard to see. This opening seminar will explore the Bible’s teaching about the connections that exist between the trials we face, and the growth God achieves.
Global Recordings, Reach Mentoring & Samaritans Purse: God is on the move
Missional Living: Overflow 2
This seminar is primarily about telling the story of how GOD has been moving in the different contexts in which your organisation works.
Through Reach Mentoring, God is on the Move in communities, schools and in the hearts of young people. In the ABC and Mid-Ulster Council Areas, the Father Heart of God is impacting the lives of over 800 young people, showing them that their story is important, has worth and has value beyond what they can imagine, as it is clearly evident that the small details of each transformation story matters to Him.
Tuesday
Dr Tim Huey: Grief: Living after Loss
Faith & Family: Mainstage Left
The death of a loved one changes life profoundly, and grief can often feel lonely and overwhelming. This seminar will explore how we learn to live honestly with loss, adjust to life after bereavement, and slowly move forward without forgetting the person who has died. Together we’ll consider how Scripture speaks compassionately into grief and the lasting hope believers have in Christ.
Panel: Ken Robinson, David Leech, Gilbert Lennox, Steve Auld: Discerning the call to full-time ministry
Church : Overflow 1
Stepping into full-time ministry is a life-changing decision. This engaging panel brings together those in fulltime ministry to delve into their personal journeys, challenges, and joys in answering the call. Together, they’ll explore how to discern God’s leading, balance spiritual passion with practical realities, and navigate implications of ministry life. Whether you’re feeling a gentle nudge or a strong pull toward serving full-time, this conversation will offer wisdom, encouragement, and honest insights to help you prayerfully consider your next step.
Roy Warke: Addiction: Recovering Together
Culture: Bann
With compassion and clarity, Roy will offer insight and wisdom on this challenging topic; for those walking alongside loved ones in their battle, encouragement for those facing the struggle themselves, and guidance for the church as it seeks to respond with grace and wisdom. This will be a time of honesty, biblical hope, and practical help, a conversation that matters for us all.
Ross Wilson & Andrew Roycroft: Bearing Witness: How creativity speaks to us and through us.
Arts: Young Adults Hub
This session will examine the role and power of creativity to communicate to us as human beings. One of God’s common graces is his decision to speak to us through what He has created and what others continue to create. Taking the perspective of fine art and literature, Ross and Andrew will guide attendees through how works of art speak to us and how our own creativity can be used by God to speak to others. The session will celebrate artistic endeavour from a variety of sources, Christian and non- Christian. Ross and Andrew will also share something of their own creative life and practice, while encouraging everyone to think through how they can use their gifts to speak to the world about the beauty, truth and goodness of the God who gives us these things.
Steve Midgley: Disappointment and growth
Biblical Counselling: Cromore
Disappointment is a kind of loss. A dream is dashed, a hope extinguished and our hearts ache because things we had hoped for will now never be. Disappointment all too easily makes a heart bitter, but can it do otherwise? This seminar will explore how we can bring our disappointments to a gracious God and find that he meets us, and even grows us, in the very midst of our sadness.
Michael Ots & Andy Bannister: Conversational Evangelism
Missional Living: Overflow 2
Wednesday
Alan and Pauline Wilson: The Golden Years
Faith & Family: Bann
Christopher Ash has described the years between 55-70 as ‘not old, not young, not done’. So, what does life look like when the bus pass kicks in and the family spread their wings? In this seminar Alan and Pauline, who have recently entered the stage of ‘semi-retirement’, will help explore some aspects of what might be known as ‘The Golden Years.’
Alan and Pauline have been involved in Christian ministry for several decades, both in church pastoral work in NI and Switzerland, and, more recently in Bible College teaching and itinerant preaching (Alan), and counselling and retreat leading (Pauline).
Gareth Black: The Wonder of Work: Discovering the eternal significance of our everyday responsibilities
Church: Overflow 1
In this session, Gareth Black invites us to explore the enduring value and eternal significance that God places on our everyday work and responsibilities. Drawing on key New Testament passages, we will challenge the false dichotomy between “Christian ministry” and so-called “secular work”, as well as consider what it truly means to pursue God’s call for our lives, and the unique and vital role our work plays in fulfilling that calling. Reflecting on his own journey from “full-time Christian ministry” into the civil service, Gareth will help us discover not only the remarkable value God places on our daily work, but also how our faithfulness to the often unseen and unglamorous grind of our everyday responsibilities carries eternal significance, shaping both who we will be and what God will entrust us with in the New Creation.
Andy Bannister: Artificial Intelligence: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Culture: Mainstage Left
AI is everywhere and many of the questions it raises go much deeper than just technology. What does it mean to be human in an age of thinking machines? Can AI be conscious? Are we in danger of forgetting our own dignity and worth? And what does the Bible have to say about all of these questions? In this wide-ranging seminar, Dr. Andy Bannister will help us explore the issues, unpack the questions, and even show how the topic of AI can open surprising doors to sharing the gospel with our friends.
Steve Midgley: Limitations and growth
Biblical Counselling: Cromore
The apostle Paul’s strange paradox declares his conviction that ‘when I am weak, then I am strong’ (2 Corinthians 12: 10). But how does that work? What does it mean to embrace our limitations and weaknesses? We are attracted by the prospect of ‘all surpassing power’, but much less enthusiastic about the ‘jars of clay’ that contain it (2 Corinthians 4:7)? This seminar will explore the ways God takes and uses our weaknesses for his own glory.
Voice of Persecuted Christians & Open Doors: Do you want to be bolder in sharing Jesus?
Missional Living: Overflow 2
Join us in learning from and journeying with those who willingly speak out with courage and joy despite the cost!
Thursday
John and Audrey Palnoch: From Pain to Hope: A Compassionate Church Response to Divorce
Faith & Family: Overflow 2
Divorce and separation bring deep pain, loss, confusion, and isolation, yet too many people suffer silently within the church. From Pain to Hope: A Compassionate Church Response to Divorce is a seminar designed to help churches respond with the heart of Christ through compassion, understanding, pastoral care, and practical support. Together, we will explore how the church can become a safe place of healing, grace, and hope for individuals and families navigating the difficult journey of separation and divorce.
Anita Conkey, James Nelson & Kathryn Beck: Encouraging and Equipping you to welcome those with Neurodivergence into your church community
Church: Overflow 1
This seminar on Supporting Neurodivergent Individuals in Church Communities aims to encourage and equip church leaders, members, and ministry teams to engage with and care for children and adults who are neurodivergent within our congregations.
Kathryn Beck and James Nelson (ASD in church) with Anita Conkey (SUNI) want to help you understand the needs of neurodivergent individuals and their families, foster inclusive and compassionate environments and explore practical ways to encourage meaningful engagement and supportive relationships.
Nathaniel Jennings: Seeking First the Kingdom of God- part 1
Culture: Bann
‘Seeking First the Kingdom of God’
Our society and world continues to become increasingly fractured and polarized. On one side we have the so called ‘woke’ agenda and on the other the rise of Christian nationalism. Churches risk being divided by ideologies from the left and the right.
We will be exploring how in these times we can have our identity, allegiances and lifestyles rooted in Christ and his kingdom.
Jonny Rea: In the Beauty of Holiness - Music, Worship and Singing
Arts: Young Adults Hub
This seminar will consider the function of music as a gift from God to the worshiping church. Many of us rarely consider why singing is so vital in church life – so this session by Jonathan Rea hopes to give leaders, musicians and “normal” church members some practical perspectives that will give you renewed purpose when you spend time singing God’s truth in your church services.
Steve Midgley: Depression and growth
Biblical Counselling: Cromore
Like the darkest of clouds, depression has the capacity to cloak every part of a person’s life in gloom. Sources of pleasure no longer bring any joy. Future possibilities evaporate and even the simplest of tasks seem overwhelming. This seminar will explore some of the ways that we can bring the hope of the gospel, to ourselves and to others, even when the darkest fog of depression has descended.
Steve Auld: Walking closely with our Triune God. How to cultivate deeper fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Missional Living: Mainstage Left
How well do you know God? Let’s focus that question a little more sharply, how well do you know the Triune God? In this seminar we will explore how we can move from a vague feeling that the doctrine of the Trinity is somehow true to a deeper enjoyment of each of the persons of the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Friday
Peter Wright: Armageddon or Age of Opportunity?
Faith & Family: Mainstage Left
How do we parent in a way that is faithful, gracious and biblical throughout the teenage years? What does the Bible call us to as we seek to parent with wisdom, compassion, clarity and care? In this seminar we will be thinking about how we can parent and disciple teenagers in such a way that helps them navigate the tightrope of adolescence with gospel hope and confidence. We will think both theologically and practically about this stage of life and why it can be a wonderful age of opportunity for deepening relationships and spiritual development.
Steve Auld & Rafael Manzanares: Planting, Revitalising and Shepherding the Local Church
Church: Overflow 1
In every community, the local church is a living testimony of God’s presence, a place where faith takes root, hope blossoms, and lives are shepherded with care. This seminar is designed for all who are worshipping locally and desire to see their church flourish.
Through practical teaching, heartfelt encouragement, and biblical insight, we will explore how to plant with vision, revitalise with passion, and shepherd with wisdom. Whether your congregation is newly formed, in need of fresh life, or seeking to deepen its pastoral care, this gathering will equip you with tools, strategies, and spiritual encouragement to nurture a thriving, Christ-centred community.
Nathaniel Jennings: Seeking First the Kingdom of God- part 2
Culture: Bann
‘A Different Story’
Our media, in all its forms, are dominated by outrage, fear and division. However, as always, away from the loud, proud voices and headlines God is at work through his ministry of redemption, reconciliation and restoration.
Join us to meet and hear from individuals from different cultural backgrounds who Christ has brought together in himself.
Ross Wilson, Andrew Roycroft & guests: Creativity in Conversation
Arts: Young Adults Hub
Creativity, defined by Albert Einstein as “intelligence having fun”, is highly prized in contemporary culture. But what does this look like in everyday life, work and in Christian witness? Does it apply only to “creatives”? Are creative people born or made? And what is meant by the ‘creative process’? Poet and writer Andrew Roycroft, together with artist Ross Wilson and invited guests will discuss these issues and more, providing opportunity for audience questions and participation.
Steve Midgley: Loneliness and growth
Biblical Counselling: Cromore
God intends us to live in community. It wasn’t good for Adam to be alone (Genesis 2:18) and it still isn’t good for us to be alone today. Our dependence on other people is not a bug in the system, but an essential part of God’s good design. As we conclude this seminar series, we will ask how our churches can become the communities of grace and mutual growth that God intends.
Monday
Jason B and Dale Burnett
Young Adults Hub
Living as Sent Ones:
The Great Commission not The Great Suggestion
Paul Coulter
Overflow Two
A Good Death?
Responding Faithfully to Assisted Dying
Stephen Shaw
Overflow One
Family Feuds and Sibling Rivalry
Tim Huey
Cromore
When Words Build or Break…
Gospel Centred Communication in Marriage
Tuesday
Jonny Pollock and Alan Wilson
Young Adults Hub
Navigating the Highs and Lows of the Leadership Journey
Philip and Hilary Shepherd
Cromore
United in Christ:
Navigating Marital Conflict with Biblical Wisdom
Mel Lacey
Overflow One
Singleness in Christ:
Redeeming the Narrative
Stephen Shaw
Overflow Two
Dealing with Doubt:
Faithful Care in Seasons of Spiritual Crisis
Wednesday
Clare Williams
Overflow One
How can we Talk about Jesus?
Mel Lacy
Cromore
Raising Resiliant Disciples (Pt.1)
Strong Roots in Shifting Sands
Sara Stevenson
Overflow Two
Public Witness or Private Faith?
Alanzo Paul
Mainstage Left
The Logical Problem of Evil and Suffering
Children of the Nations
Young Adults Hub
Known by Name:
The Gospel Call to Care for Children Near and Far
Thursday
Alanzo Paul
Overflow One
Where is God in My Hurt?
Andrew Collins
Mainstage Left
Forgiveness:
The Why, the How and the Challenge
Clare Williams
Overflow Two
Hasn’t the Church done more Harm than Good?
Peter and Heather Lyle
Cromore
More Than We Hoped For:
A Pastoral Conversation on Infertility and Faith
Sara Stevenson
Young Adults Hub
Critical Thinking and Education
Friday
Mel Lacy
Cromore
Raising Resiliant Disciples (Pt.2)
Forming Hearts in a Digital Age
Allen McCluggage
Overflow Two
Studying the Bible
One to One
OCCA
Overflow One