The Cross goes up to God, out to man and into me. Listen here for Chad's Monday session.

Whether it be leading NFL players and their families in daily devotionals, overseeing a retreat of over 300 young adults, or spending time with his family across the globe, Pastor Chad M. Johnson is always on the go!

Pastor and Professional Sports Chaplain, Chad M. Johnson has experienced the ups and downs that life as we know it can bring, but he hasn’t allowed that to stop his ministry.

At the young age of 17 while attending a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Camp, it became clear to Chad that his purpose in life was far different than others his age. It was at this moment that he came to the realization that Christ placed him on this Earth to impact the lives of thousands. Igniting a passion within him, Chad returned from this camp, and immediately took to sharing The Gospel of Christ!

In the beginning stages of his journey, Pastor Chad began sharing the Word by leading team chapel services for local high school area sports programs. From there, his career skyrocketed! In 2002, he pioneered the first citywide urban youth retreat, “Camp Elevate” that is now nationally recognized and continues to meet annually. His ministry continued to reach new heights in 2002 when he was asked to serve in the NFL as the Arizona Cardinals team chaplain. During his time with the Cardinals, his duties included and still include; mentoring and pastoring thousands of professional athletes. After his departure from the Arizona Cardinals, Chad went on to continue his ministry with the Pittsburgh Steelers in which he currently works for Athletes in Action. For the past 6 years he has also served as the spring training chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chad’s heart for the young men in the sports industry is evident as he has worked with over 100 professional athletes. His heart’s desire is to see athletes become the men that God has called them to be. In 2006, Chad started “Elevate International”, a non-profit organization that serves urban youth and families worldwide. To date, there have been fourteen consecutive camps for youth between grades 6 and 12, named Camp Elevate, and seven retreats for young adults age 18-35, named Elevate Remix.

Chad’s educational background consists of a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministries from Arizona Christian University in Phoenix. He also spent time at Kings University; immediately following completion of his undergraduate career, Chad began making an immediate impact within the inner city. One of his main areas of expertise is working with “at risk” youth and families. This has been demonstrated as he has served in various capacities such as: Youth and Children’s Pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Executive/Student Ministries Pastor at Church for the Nations, leading discipleship discussion, outreaches, and service projects, organizing and attending missions to the community and to other countries worldwide.

Listen here for Chad's Sunday morning session at Festival One 2019.

Whether it be leading NFL players and their families in daily devotionals, overseeing a retreat of over 300 young adults, or spending time with his family across the globe, Pastor Chad M. Johnson is always on the go!

Pastor and Professional Sports Chaplain, Chad M. Johnson has experienced the ups and downs that life as we know it can bring, but he hasn’t allowed that to stop his ministry.

At the young age of 17 while attending a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Camp, it became clear to Chad that his purpose in life was far different than others his age. It was at this moment that he came to the realization that Christ placed him on this Earth to impact the lives of thousands. Igniting a passion within him, Chad returned from this camp, and immediately took to sharing The Gospel of Christ!

In the beginning stages of his journey, Pastor Chad began sharing the Word by leading team chapel services for local high school area sports programs. From there, his career skyrocketed! In 2002, he pioneered the first citywide urban youth retreat, “Camp Elevate” that is now nationally recognized and continues to meet annually. His ministry continued to reach new heights in 2002 when he was asked to serve in the NFL as the Arizona Cardinals team chaplain. During his time with the Cardinals, his duties included and still include; mentoring and pastoring thousands of professional athletes. After his departure from the Arizona Cardinals, Chad went on to continue his ministry with the Pittsburgh Steelers in which he currently works for Athletes in Action. For the past 6 years he has also served as the spring training chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chad’s heart for the young men in the sports industry is evident as he has worked with over 100 professional athletes. His heart’s desire is to see athletes become the men that God has called them to be. In 2006, Chad started “Elevate International”, a non-profit organization that serves urban youth and families worldwide. To date, there have been fourteen consecutive camps for youth between grades 6 and 12, named Camp Elevate, and seven retreats for young adults age 18-35, named Elevate Remix.

Chad’s educational background consists of a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministries from Arizona Christian University in Phoenix. He also spent time at Kings University; immediately following completion of his undergraduate career, Chad began making an immediate impact within the inner city. One of his main areas of expertise is working with “at risk” youth and families. This has been demonstrated as he has served in various capacities such as: Youth and Children’s Pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Executive/Student Ministries Pastor at Church for the Nations, leading discipleship discussion, outreaches, and service projects, organizing and attending missions to the community and to other countries worldwide.

Wondering what the pro's and cons of the art world are? How to work with international clients? How to get clients? How to create that Social Media Presence??? How to be a guy-boss, girl-boss, own boss? Jeremy shares from his experiences, lessons learnt and the attitude to have! 

Jeremy Kyle is an International Artist, working in watercolour and ink mixed media. His paintings are known for their splatters and intricate line-work, creating highly detailed and dynamic pieces of art which immediately capture the attention in the room. Jeremy’s creativity and artistic skill are sought after on international levels, having been commissioned to make paintings for world names including the Chicago Bulls, The New York Times, The History Channel and the United Nations

God with you at work. Jeremy's story of how God opened up doors for him in the international art world.

Jeremy Kyle is an International Artist, working in watercolour and ink mixed media. His paintings are known for their splatters and intricate line-work, creating highly detailed and dynamic pieces of art which immediately capture the attention in the room. Jeremy’s creativity and artistic skill are sought after on international levels, having been commissioned to make paintings for world names including the Chicago Bulls, The New York Times, The History Channel and the United Nation

IN THE BONDS OF LOVE WE MEET, WHO IS "WE"?

If you’ve ever asked yourself why this conversation between Māori and Pākeha still exists, or struggled to understand why this should be important to the church, then this session is for you. Hosted by Te Waka McLeod. Hear from our Maori and non-Maori panellists.

Galatians 3:28-29 Grace and Not Race. Race, rank and sex. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, Slave nor Free, Male nor Female.

Ngati Pukeko and Ngati Tuhoe descent. Chairman of Runanga - Maori Council for Laidlaw College. Kaiako for the Indigenous Theology Programme, Laidlaw College.

TANGATAWHENUA AND GOD

"KO TE ATUA TOKU PIRINGA KAPUTA KA ORA" Psalms 43:1 (For God is my strength and real saviour in times of need)

Sonny is an Elder of Ngati Haua. He has been researching and telling stories of tribal histories for over 30 years in the wider Waikato region. His influences came from Kaumatua mentors over this time who were staunch christian followers as was the epitomous ancestor Wiremu Tamehana. Ngati Haua have two histories: pre 1858 as a tribe unto itself and post 1858 as a part of a confederation of tribes under the King movement.

A father and daughter share their family’s story of lives turned upside down by addiction and alcoholism, their experience of the miracle of recovery and God’s place in their healing.

Dad and daughter openly share the story of how their lives were shattered by addiction and alcoholism. As they came to learn, these are issues that affect families at all levels of New Zealand society – including church families.  But because of the shame and stigma attached; these struggles are often hidden away and usually misunderstood.  Chris and Katie have come to Festival aiming to shine a light and share something of what they have learned on the road to recovery.  

God upholds all Creation in a wonderful whole - but how does He uphold you when it hurts? He promises peace but how do I hold on to Peace Now, when life is far from perfect? How do we maintain a life giving faith, and a life giving community, in the middle of difficulties? As a disabled person, John will speak from Scripture and his own experience about holding on to your peace when you feel far from peaceful.

Dr John Fox has a PhD in English Literature from the University of Auckland. He has been an academic, worked in family and community restoration, public policy, and children’s and youth work. He is the uncle and brother of adopted children, a son, a disabled person with spastic hemiplegia, a human being, and an Anglican deacon in the Diocese of Christchurch. He specialises in good coffee, teaching adults to read, music, and slow food.

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Poverty, environmental crisis, human rights abuses - there's so much to work on and set right in the world that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or that its hopeless.   How can we be part of bringing wholeness out of brokenness - to the world, without burning out or succumbing to despair?

As National Director of World Vision in New Zealand, Grant is confronted almost daily with the great needs in the world. Despite this he counts himself as a prisoner of hope, constantly inspired by the people he works with and for.  Grant lives in the burbs of Auckland and has a wife, four teenage children, 100,000 bees, 5 chickens and 1 dog. His previous roles have included Executive Director of Amnesty International, and CEO of national law firm Duncan Cotterill.

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