G&T 2026: CONNECTED

THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER

YOUTH NIGHT — 6:30–9:30 PM

Our Youth Night is designed especially for young people, with a series of short, practical talks addressing some of the key relationship challenges facing Christians today.

Topic 1: CONNECTED: What Anchors Your Life? - Anchored in Christ when life, plans and relationships change.
Speaker: Hilmer Jagersma

Topic 2: DISCONNECTED: Lost in a Connected World - Why being connected to everything can disconnect us from what matters most.
Speaker: Steve McAlpine

Topic 3: CONNECTED: Your Friends Are Forming You - How your friendships are forming and shaping who you're becoming.
Speaker: Tim Terpstra

Topic 4: CONNECTED: The Battle for Purity in a Pornified Culture - Purity, attraction and honouring God with someone you like.
Speaker: Emma Buist

Topic 5: CONNECTED: You Can’t Choose Your Family - Loving and honouring the people God has put closest to you.
Speaker: Mark Powell

Topic 6: CONNECTED: When Christians Let You Down - Dealing with church hurt without walking away from Christ.
Speaker: Tom Richards

FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER

PART I — CONNECTED IN CHRIST: WHO AM I?

God’s design and redemption for identity, purpose and belonging

Friday evening begins with a fundamental question: Who am I?

Before considering how we relate to others, we need to understand our identity, purpose and belonging. These sessions will explore the instability that comes when we attempt to construct our own identity, and the security and fullness found in Christ.

Topic 1: CONNECTED: CREATED, KNOWN AND LOVED

Finding our identity, worth and purpose in the God who made and redeemed us. (Speaker: Hilmer Jagersma)

Topic 2: DISCONNECTED: FROM GOD, FROM OTHERS, FROM OURSELVES

The cost of self-created identity in a cynical and sceptical age. (Speaker: Steve McAlpine)

Topic 3: CONNECTED: SINGLENESS BY DESIGN

Purpose, devotion and fullness in Christ. (Speaker: Tom Richards)

SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER

PART II — CONNECTED TO ONE ANOTHER: HOW SHOULD WE LIVE?

God’s design and redemption for our relationships

Saturday turns from the question “Who am I?” to “How should we live?”

We’ll explore God's purposes for some of the most important relationships in our lives—romantic relationships, marriage, family and church. Along the way, we’ll consider the reality of sin and brokenness, and the grace God gives us to live faithfully within imperfect relationships.

Topic 4: CONNECTED: DATING BY DESIGN

God’s purpose and grace for romantic relationships. (Speaker: Tom Richards)

Topic 5: CONNECTED: MARRIAGE BY DESIGN

God’s purpose and redeeming grace for covenant love. (Speaker: Mark Powell)

Topic 6: CONNECTED: HOME BY DESIGN

God’s purpose and grace for family life. (Speaker: Steve McAlpine)

7. CONNECTED: CHURCH BY DESIGN

God’s purpose and redeeming grace for life together. (Speaker: Mark Powell)

8. RECONNECTED: BRINGING BEAUTY OUT OF BROKENNESS

Forgiveness, reconciliation and the grace to begin again. (Speaker: Hilmer Jagersma)