RICE, a name that has become synonymous with outreach to Sydney's second generation Chinese, is about to undergo a face-lift as it heads towards its fourth birthday.
As organisers prepare for the multi-church ministry's third Big Day Out this Saturday, they says they are picturing a future where the evangelistic movement has as much relevance to Anglos as their Asian friends.
"While it will be predominantly Australian Born Chinese dominated due to the networks, it is very much open to all high schoolers of all backgrounds," says RICE director Steve Chong.
"It's not just bring your own chopsticks and rice " you can bring your steak and potatoes too."
One teenager who heard the call last year was Kevin Jiang from Westmead.
"The talks I heard and the very good Christian people I met at RICE made it seem like a good idea to become a Christian."
"I understood that when we become a Christian, we receive salvation and enter God's family."
The year eight student became a Christian and was baptised at Hebron Chinese Alliance Church.
The Fort Street High student is now inviting his non-Christian friends to the weekend events.
"RICE is very convincing for non-Christians because they teach the Christian message in a fun way."
And the message is clearly getting out.
Organisers are hoping to sell double the number of tickets of last year's event.
Mr Chong says RICE began by focussing on ABC youth networks but has grown so much that teenagers from all backgrounds are lining up.
"An ABC like myself has friends who are ABCs and Aussies. We want teens to bring all their friends, not just friends of Asian descent," Mr Chong says.
"It's not just come on down if you can join Chinatown," he says, laughing.
The theme for this year's RICE is "There's got to be more to life', which Kevin says is a great topic for introducing teenagers to Christianity.
"It's good for non-Christians to realise what their purpose is in life and what God has done for them."
More than 1500 youth from 36 Chinese congregations are expected to crowd the Bicentennial Park venue.
The Sydney Diocese is on-board with groups attending including Cabramatta and Carlingford Anglican churches.
Youthwork's Jodie McNeill is the big speaker for the Big Day Out, with KCC chairman Al Stewart headlining the follow-up evangelistic event on August 6 at Sydney Town Hall.
"RICE is a unique event because the youth leaders themselves run the event," Mr Chong says.
"We have a team of 300 leaders and each one of them is involved in running things at both of our events."
