We’re excited to announce the final line-up of speakers for CONNECTED 2026: Living God’s Design for Relationships.

From identity and singleness to dating, marriage, family and church life, this year’s conference will explore what it means to live in the relationships God has designed—and how the gospel brings hope and redemption when those relationships are damaged by sin.

Joining us in Launceston this October are six speakers, bringing together pastoral experience, theological insight, cultural commentary and practical ministry experience.

OUR SPEAKERS

HILMER JAGERSMA

Hilmer is a pastor of Fellowship Church in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. He is passionate about preaching and teaching God's Word and seeing lives transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

At CONNECTED, Hilmer will speak on:

  • CONNECTED: Known, Loved and Secure — finding our identity, worth and purpose in the God who made and redeemed us.

  • RECONNECTED:When Relationships Break — forgiveness, reconciliation and the grace to begin again.

STEPHEN McALPINE

Stephen McAlpine has previously pastored and planted churches in Australia. He is now a cultural commentator, author and public theologian, as well as the Movement Director for the Australian Christian Lobby.

At CONNECTED, Stephen will speak on:

  • DISCONNECTED: From God, From Others, From Ourselves — exploring the cost of self-created identity in a cynical and sceptical age.

  • CONNECTED: Home by Design — considering God's purpose and grace for family life.

MARK POWELL

Mark has served as a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Australia for more than 25 years, including ministry in outback NSW and cross-cultural ministry in Sydney. He currently serves as the teaching elder at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Hobart, Tasmania.

At CONNECTED, Mark will speak on:

  • CONNECTED: Marriage by Design — God's purpose and redeeming grace for covenant love.

  • CONNECTED: Church by Design — God's purpose and redeeming grace for life together.

TOM RICHARDS

Tom is the pastor of Three Crosses Church in Western Australia and a sessional lecturer in theology at Trinity Theological College in Perth. Before returning to Australia, he spent nine years serving in theological education, church planting and pastoral ministry in Vanuatu.

At CONNECTED, Tom will speak on:

  • CONNECTED: Singleness by Design — discovering purpose, devotion and fullness in Christ.

  • CONNECTED: Dating by Design — God's purpose and grace for romantic relationships.

EMMA BUIST

Emma is a Christian counsellor, primarily assisting Christian communities and helping women navigate difficult circumstances. She also serves as Women's Pastoral Care Coordinator in her local church, the Free Reformed Church of Legana.

At CONNECTED, Emma will speak at our Youth Night on:

  • CONNECTED: The Battle for Purity in a Pornified Culture — thinking about purity, attraction and honouring God in relationships.

TIM TERPSTRA

Tim serves in youth ministry at Riverbank Christian Church in Tasmania. He is passionate about youth work, training leaders and mentoring the next generation to personally know Jesus.

At CONNECTED, Tim will speak at our Youth Night on:

  • CONNECTED: Your Friends Are Forming You — considering how our friendships shape who we are becoming.

We hope you'll join us for three days of TEACHING • ENCOURAGEMENT • FELLOWSHIP as we consider what it means to live God's design for relationships.