This year's Katoomba Youth Leader's Convention (KYLC) is remaining at the cutting edge by equipping participants for the upcoming World Roman Catholic Youth Day.
The Rev Ray Galea, leader of the Multicultural Bible Ministry at Rooty Hill, is running seminars on Roman Catholicism during this year's KYLC.
"I want to educate and equip youth leaders to best take up opportunities with Roman Catholic friends in light of the upcoming World Catholic Youth Day," Mr Galea says.
During the seminars Mr Galea will share his experience of growing up in a Roman Catholic Maltese home and coming to understand Jesus Christ and his crucifixion.
Mr Galea, who recently authored the book "Nothing in My Hand I Bring' which examines Roman Catholicism, will also look at the four solas " Faith alone, Grace alone, Christ alone and Bible alone " and will use Mary as a test case for discussion.
"I want to encourage the youth leaders to be Jesus-focused, not anti-Catholic, when ministering to people with Roman Catholic backgrounds. The aim is to take people to the Bible and let God do the speaking," he says.
"With the World Youth Day many questions will naturally arise regarding what Protestants and Catholics have in common and what is different. It's important to examine our understanding of what is the largest Christian denomination in the world."
Hundreds stay committed to leadership
KYLC coordinator Alicia Barnes, who oversees the two weeks of KYLC running from January 14 to 18 and 21 to 25, says over 750 youth leaders are attending the conventions this year.
"It's a blessing to have hundreds of people take time out from their busy schedules to study God's Word," Mrs Barnes says.
The speakers are the Dean of Sydney Phillip Jensen, national director of Ministry Training Strategy Ben Pfahlert and Chinese Christian Church, Milsons Point assistant pastor Peter Ko.
Dean Jensen will expose the wisdom of the world for what it is and look at the wisdom that comes from above. Mr Pfahlert and Mr Ko will both speak on the book of James and teach on how to be a godly Christian.
Mrs Barnes says this is the first time at KYLC that the morning talks will follow a systematic teaching rather than traditional biblical theology structure.
"We look forward to seeing how Phillip Jensen will challenge us all," she says.
