Empower Ministerial Convention 2023
The Empower Ministerial Convention will be held Feb 7-11, 2023 at Avondale University, Cooranbong NSW. This is an Australia-wide minister’s convention that takes place every 5 years (the last Empower was in 2018). Avondale will be buzzing with over 620 ministry leaders coming together for equipping, networking and being empowered for the ministry God has called us to.
The convention will include time to recalibrate, resource launches, inspiring plenaries, worship environments and workshops that focus on discipleship including spiritual refreshment, theological engagement, mission and leadership. Registrations will open in September (minister’s will be sent the registration link from their conference Ministerial Association Secretary).
Travel to and from Avondale
Funding your travel to the event (getting to Avondale University, Morisset Station or Newcastle Airport) is the responsibility of your Conference. Arranging it is your responsibility. Check with your conference in terms of their guidelines for travel expense /arrangements and what they will cover including if your conference covers your spouse to travel or not.
Shuttle Service from and to Morisset Station and Newcastle (NTL) airport
Incoming Shuttle services have been arranged to meet known flights and trains on Wednesday 8th. If you have enquiries/ changes to arrangements please contact Jacqui Wall at jacquiwall@adventist.org.au.
Outgoing Shuttles to Morisset Station and Newcastle airport will operate as below:
• FROM Morisset station and Newcastle airport on Tuesday 7th,
• TO Morisset station only on Saturday evening 11th from 8:30pm,
• TO Morisset station and Newcastle airport on Sunday 12th as arranged via the Empower information desk.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to accommodate early arrivals or late departures. If you require extra accommodation before or after the convention please contact Avondale directly.
If your arrival or departure is outside of these times you will need to make your own arrangements to get to/from Avondale.
Accommodation
If you are staying on-site at Avondale you may be required to have a room-mate. If you have a preference for who you would like as a room-mate please enter their names on the registration form.
More Information available on the WHOVA Event Mobile App
An event app will be made available in September 2022 along with further event details. For information on how to use the app, visit the User Guide page at https://whova.com/pages/whova-app-user-guide
We look forward to growing, sharing, connecting and being empowered with you.
NOTE: In January and February Avondale often experiences an unusual number of mosquitoes. You may wish to pack insect repellant or insect bite products.
Frequently asked questions FAQ
Q. ARRIVAL – What if I’m arriving early or leaving late?
A. Unfortunately we’re unable to accommodate early arrivals or late departures. If you require extra accommodation before or after the convention please contact Avondale directly.
We will only be running shuttle service from Morisset Newcastle airports on Tuesday 7th, Saturday evening 11th and Sunday 12th. If your arrival or departure is outside of these times you will need to make your own arrangements to get to Avondale College.
Q. BEDDING – Do I need to bring any?
There is NO need to bring any – Linen, pillow and towels are provided in the dorms.
Q. CHECKOUT Sunday Morning 11th
A. The convention closes at 8:30pm on Sabbath evening on Feb 11. Accommodation is provided on Saturday night for those who have booked in to stay on until Sunday 12th. Breakfast will also be available on the Sunday morning – 12th. Checkout time for all rooms is by 11am Sunday morning 12th.
Q. CHILDREN – Why can’t they come to Empower?
A. While one of the Ministerial Association’s focus areas is the pastor’s family (clearly reflected in Empower workshop content), unfortunately Empower will not be able to progam or cater for children. It would be nice to have an Australia-wide pastors family camp, however Empower fills a different space as a professional development event. While spouses are invited to join you at Empower, logistics and the nature of the event mean you will need to make arrangements for your children to be looked after if you both choose to attend. We are at full capacity in terms of accommodation and meals and so cannot accommodate children in the dorms. We have made some exceptions, in individual circumstances, where mothers are feeding their babies. Please talk to us if you fit into this category.
Q. FOOD INTOLERANCES/ ALLERGIES – IMPORTANT
A. Generally, meals will be OVO-LACTO (Vegetarian, including milk/ milk products and eggs). If you have indicated on your registration form that you have a food intolerance/ allergy, PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ALSO INDICATED WHETHER THIS IS SEVERE OR LIFE THREATENING ALLERGY. If you are unsure if you have done this, please advise Jacqui Wall of this via email ASAP at jacquiwall@adventist.org.au.
PLEASE NOTE: Requests for vegan food cannot be catered for without medical reasons for same as we are not able to cater for preferences, only intolerances and allergies.
Q. INFORMATION DESK HOURS – College Church Foyer
A. The Information desk will be in the University Church Foyer and open 8-9am, 10:30 -11am, 7-7:30pm and 9-9:30pm. For general questions ask one of the Empower Ask Me team wearing the red shirts or visit aucministerial.org/empower.
Q. LOST PROPERTY
A. If you find any Lost Property please hand it in at the information desk or give it to a staff member. Any Lost Property received will be available for collection at the Information desk will be in the College Church Foyer and open 8-9am, 10:30 -11am, 7-7:30pm and 9-9:30pm. For general questions ask one of the Empower team (wearing event shirts) or visit http://www.aucministerial.org/empower.
Q. INTERNET
A. Connect your device to the “Conference” wifi network. Login details will be available to registered participants via the Events App – FAQ section.
Q. MEAL INFORMATION
A. Lunch each day – apart from Sabbath, will be in meal packs. Sabbath lunch will be in the cafeteria. Evening meals Wed-Fri are in the cafeteria in two sessions as below.
WEDNESDAY
5pm: Session 1 – NNSW, NA, SA, SNSW, SPD, GSC
6pm: Session 2 – VIC, WA, SQLD, AUC, TAS Partners in Ministry tea, 5pm, Ladies Chapel.
THURSDAY
5pm: Session 1 – WA, NA, SNSW, SQLD,VIC, SPD
6pm: Session 2 – AUC, GSC, NNSW,TAS, SA Women in Pastoral Ministry tea, 5pm, Ladies Chapel.
FRIDAY
5pm: Session 1 – AUC, NNW, NA, SA,TAS, GSC
6pm: Session 2 – SPD, WA, SNSW, SQLD, VIC
Sabbath evening’s meal (Saturday evening) will be in a meal pack.
Q. MEALS – PURCHASING (non registered guests)
A. For those who are not registered but would like to purchase meals, this can be done online at $22.50 (TBC) per meal.Visit <www.avondale.edu.au/onlinestore> and select tickets, or simply click the link below
insert new link <http://avondaleaustralia.spiffystores.com/collections/tickets/products/dinner-meal-tickets>
Q. MEDICAL SERVICES – CONTACT INFO
A. In case of Emergency – dial 000
Waratah Medical Services 02 4978 1100, 89 Dora St, Morisset NSW 2264
Cooranbong Pharmacy 02 4977 1757, 2/563 Freemans Dr, Cooranbong NSW 2265
Wyong Public Hospital 02 4394 8000, Pacific Hwy, Hamlyn Terrace NSW 2259
Q. RECREATION and FITNESS
A. SPORTS – Tennis, squash and sports on the oval are available for use. Tennis and squash racquets and balls plus soccer, rugby and balls are available from the information desk. Please remember to sign borrowed equipment out and back in.
FITLIFE GYM – Your FitLife gym membership has been paid for during the convention. Please remember your lanyard for entry. Gym is open 6am-9pm Tues-Thurs, and 6am-5pm Friday.
POOL – The pool is part of the FitLife gym facility. The pool will be open Tues 6am-9pm, Wed & Thurs 6am-11pm and Friday 6am-5pm.
Q. SUNNYSIDE HISTORIC HOME & SOUTH SEA ISLAND MUSEUM
A. Sunnyside (home of Ellen White while on Cooranbong) is only a short walk from the end of girls walk at 27 Avondale Rd. It will be open Wed 2pm-4pm and Sabbath 2pm-4pm.