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Filling The Oxygen Tank

12:32pm Monday, 25th July 2011

Joshua Maule

It is a big moment for KCC (Katoomba Christian Convention) as they organise their first conference away from the usual leafy surrounds of the Blue Mountains. Having locked in two international speakers - John Piper and John Lennox - as well as one of Sydney's largest venues, staff are working to get systems in place for Oxygen in late August. Designed as a gathering for those in church service, registrations for Oxygen are "well on their way" to reaching 2500. Organisers are banking on an influx of "last minute" Sydney registrations.

Mark Boyd from KCC says, "We're feeling very blessed and hoping it will be beneficial for people who need to be fired up for Christian ministry.

"It's been said lots of people in Christian service in Australia lack that passion - or maybe it's not as evident here as in other parts of the world."

That's why Piper - renowned for his energy in the pulpit - was enlisted. "We've told him what the purpose of the event is, and who he'll be speaking to, and he's come back to us with some suggestions of what to speak on. They've been refined very slightly."

KCC hope Piper will "inspire" while Lennox will "invigorate".

More than 700 people have signed up from interstate and overseas, while more than a thousand from NSW are coming. Delegates hail from just about every denomination. So far Anglicans are the largest group (with more than 500), followed by Baptists (337), para church groups (230) Presbyterians (183), and Churches of Christ (100). Both Uniting and various Pentecostal denominations have 50 registrations a piece. Institutions including Moore College and Sydney Missionary Bible College are halting regular lectures during Oxygen.

There's no doubt the founder of Desiring God ministries is well-loved by some. But is he too divisive? "John Piper," says Boyd, "is more attractive to a larger group of Christians in Australia than maybe any speaker we've had before. He has great appeal with Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians. He's a Baptist. He's part of the well-trusted Gospel Coalition in the United States."

While Piper hasn't spoken in Australia for 15 years, Boyd believes it will be his last time here before he retires.

Other appearances

Both John Piper and John Lennox will speak at the Sydney Entertainment Centre for a night titled 'One'. In a sense it will be a joining of Christian heart and mind. Already it has proved 2000-tickets-more-popular than Mark Driscoll's 'Burn Your Plastic Jesus' in 2008.

Piper will also speak at two 'Engage' weekends for young workers in the Blue Mountains with West Australian uni pastor, Rory Shiner. Both weekends are sold out.

In the midst of the Sydney tour he will head to Brisbane for a conference at the Great Hall, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.