Every year, Aboriginal Christians gather at Morrow’s Farm in Katherine, NT, to hear the Bible read and explained. Very few have access to a whole Bible in a language they understand; many have just small portions. This year’s convention, held one weekend in early May was based on the theme: “Life Changing Words – Stories from Jesus”.

Many first-timers took the stage testifying to Christ’s life-changing work at the 46th annual Katherine Christian Convention.

The men’s choir

Among them was a men’s choir from Lajamanu and Kalkaringi, former Baptist missions in the Northern Territory. The men not only sang, they acted out the Bible reading from Luke 16:19-31; the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

Former Northern Territory CMS missionary Rev’d David Woodbridge gave the Bible talks and encouraged people to respond to God’s grace in Christ Jesus.

Hundreds of children sat at the very front to get a good view of around 50 community presentations in song, dance and drama. Scripture Union, BCA and CMS provided staff to help run children’s and youth programmes throughout the weekend as well.

KCC is also a place to meet with people from different communities, share ideas and encourage one-another in their faith.

Duku, from Sudan, meets Revs Carol and Andrew Robertson

This year, the Most Reverend Philip Freier, Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, came with a group of Sudanese refugees to Katherine. Some are studying at Ridley College and looking for ministry opportunities for the future. The visitors blessed the crowd by singing a song in Arabic, further enhancing the multi-cultural feel of KCC.

At the conclusion of the conference, aboriginal leaders make themselves available to pray with people who wanted to respond to the gospel. It is always encouraging to see the fruit of long-term, committed ministry in the north as more leaders come forward to take up the challenge in remote-areas.

Please pray for the KCC committee as it considers how to best serve the needs of ‘Top End’ Christians into the future.

Want to read more about KCC? Eternity writer Josh Maule attended KCC in 2012. Read his series of reflections on the conference here:

• From the Top End: Arriving at KCC
• From the Top End: Day 2 – the drunk who became a Bible translator
• From the Top End: Katherine Christian Convention Sunday wrap
• From the Top End: importance of ‘heart language’ misunderstood