NURSES CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL/ PACIFIC EAST ASIA REGIONAL CONFERENCE
CULTIVATING CHRISTLIKE EXCELLENCE IN NURSING: TO CARE AND TO LEAD
It gives us great joy to invite you to join us in Sydney in October this year for the NCFI/PACEA Regional Conference.
The theme is
‘Cultivating Christlike Excellence in Nursing: To Care and to Lead'
After arriving on the 27th October, the first day offers four Preconference Workshops for you to choose from.
The following two days will feature international speakers, Bible exposition, papers, workshops and poster presentations plus Aussie entertainment and fellowship.
The conference is being held in the Blue Mountains at Katoomba Christian Convention Centre, KCC. Tickets include accommodation, meals and conference fee where appropriate. Please note that prices are in AUD. Rooms are subject to availability.
If you would like extra time for sightseeing, KCC has an extra night's accommodation available.
Tourist information is available online at Blue Mountains Information Centre: https://www.visitbluemountains.com.au/blue-mountains-visitor-information-centre-katoomba
We look forward to welcoming you to this International Conference at this beautiful UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.
PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATIONS CLOSE AT
12 MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER
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Preconference Workshops
Spiritual Care for All Nurses (SCAN): Gabrielle Macaulay, Georgina Hoddle and Diana Marshall
This 6-hour workshop has been designed from a Christian perspective, but intentionally and respectfully inclusive of other faith communities, indigenous culture and world views. Its purpose is to equip nurses at all levels and fields to gain a better understanding of the importance of including spiritual care within the context of person-centred care for their patients. Georgie, as she likes to be called, is a retired Registered Nurse who now volunteers on the pastoral care team of an aged care facility. She is one of the co-authors and trainers of the SCAN course together with other nurse educators from NCFA. Georgie is also the Saline Process TM Co-Ordinator for Nurses Christian Fellowship Australia and she works closely with the Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia on Saline Process TM courses in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding. Georgie has spoken at numerous national and international conferences. Her current interest is directed to compiled research on pastoral care for mental health. Diana Marshall , RN, RM, Ret’d, BN, Grad Dip Adv Nurs, MN, M Arts Chaplaincy, Dip Theology, Grad Dip Pastoral Care for Mental Health, Chairperson Nurses Christian Fellowship Australia Diana has enjoyed a career in nursing spanning almost 60 years. She has worked in a range of settings including midwifery, palliative care, aged care, community care, radiation oncology, pastoral care and teaching nursing students at TAFE and in the community. During Covid she was employed by the United Protestant Association caring for people in their homes. She has spoken at conferences and workshops in Australia and overseas. Diana first joined NCFA, then the Australian Nurses Christian Movement, in 1967 and is currently Chairperson of NCFA and a Volunteer Chaplain for the Mental Health Unit at her local hospital. She has a passion for professionalism in nursing, evidence-based practice, lifelong learning and pastoral care.
Saline Process™ Witness Training: Carol Rowley and Anne Biro
This 8- hour workshop is designed with the purpose of equipping healthcare workers to be witnesses for Christ in their clinical settings. The Biblically based teaching is relevant to different cultures and healthcare settings. Participants learn eight tools that can be put into practice with their patients and colleagues. After completing the SPWT , participants should be able to assess a patient’s attitude toward Christ and know how to respond appropriately, applying the ethical principles of permission, sensitivity, and respect. Carol Rowley RN, PhD Carol serves as Nurses Christian Fellowship International’s Global Saline Coordinator. Through this role she has the opportunity to promote whole-person care by helping equip Saline Process TM trainers among Christian nurses around the world. Through engaging those trained with content, coaching and community, many more nurses can be equipped and engaged. Anne Biro The first time Anne took the Saline Process course, she knew it was a course that she wanted to teach. Anne has been living and working internationally most of her life and recognized that because the Saline course is based on scripture, it was a course that could be taught anywhere in the world - regardless of the level of openness to Christians in healthcare or of the level of professional advancement. Anne is the President of NCFI. She also served as NCFI’s first Global Saline Coordinator (2014-2019).
Principles of Christ-Centred Faith Community Nursing: Dr Antonia van Loon
This 6- hour workshop is designed for nurses and other people who want to care effectively and compassionately for the people in their life and in their faith community. The course is taught from a Christian worldview, with a blend of biblical principles and using research-based best practice to assist your learning experience. Participants can use this course for continuing professional development for Nursing, personal spiritual growth, or as partial fulfilment toward the first topic of the Principles and Practice of Faith Community Nursing, which is an abbreviated version of the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing - the international standard for Faith Community Nursing preparation. Dr Antonia van Loon RN, BN, MN(Research), PhD Anne is a Registered Nurse with 2 decades of Nursing in the Emergency Department, a decade teaching Nursing at University of South Australia (SA) and Flinders Uni; a decade of health research with vulnerable populations for a community Nursing service; and a decade working with Baptist Care SA in a teaching role that supported churches to add a whole-person health and wellbeing focus to their pastoral care to develop thriving communities. In ‘retirement’ She is a Volunteer with Samaritans Purse - Disaster Response Assistance Team because the most authentic expression of our love for Jesus is to radically ‘love our neighbours’. She has have been actively involved with Faith Community Nursing for 30 years and remains passionate about equipping Christians to care compassionately and effectively for their neighbours, as if they were caring for Jesus. Married to Hugo, they have 3 wonderful adult children with 5 gorgeous ‘grandies’ and worship at Blackwood Hills Baptist Church, Adelaide, SA where she continues to be actively involved.
Care for the Caregivers (C4C): Ma. Stella Serafica-Osorio
This 8- hour workshop aims to equip and empower Christian caregivers for resilient, compassionate, and Christ-centred service. Aligned with the NCFI’s mission to equip and encourage Christian nurses to integrate Biblical principles in practice, C4C seeks to address the increasing emotional, spiritual, and physical burdens carried by healthcare professionals in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Ma. Stella Serafica-Osorio Stella is a well-rounded healthcare professional spanning nursing, pharmaceutical science, health policy, public health, and education. Her career began as an emergency nurse. She has been a consultant to several United Nations agencies and non-government organizations, such as the International Labour Organization for the operationalisation of the " Batas Kasambahay, & quot; UNICEF in the strengthening of the disaster risk reduction and management in health (DRRM-H); Novartis Foundation for the National Leprosy Program; and Guang Ming College on organizational development during its establishment. Stella held positions in the government and development sectors as well - at the Department of Health Central Office, supporting the development of the implementing rules and regulations for the landmark National Mental Health Act; with the World Health Organization (WHO), supported the strengthening the National Mental Health Program, where the Philippines is one of the first six countries globally to implement the Special Initiative for Mental Health – Universal Health Care. Her tenure at WHO also included strengthening the COVID-19 Response during the pandemic and contributing to the National Cancer Control Program. In 2023, Stella joined academia once again as teaching faculty and research coordinator at the Philippine Christian University. As a Christian tentmaker, her advocacy is the mainstreaming of spiritual care in Nursing and for nurses, no matter how strong we are – we also need caring. This 2026, her divine assignment is being the Global Coordinator of Nurses Christian Fellowship International’s (NCFI) Care for the Caregivers Program. Stella is a proud mother to her four children, Janiere, Jaz, Jeanne, and Shechina. She’s a bold witness of God’s faithfulness to the single mothers.
Speakers
Welcome Ceremony: Dr Alicia Banas, Philipipnes
B Science in Nursing, MA Health Professions Education, PhD of Education in Education management. Alicia is a woman of unwavering dedication, with a lifetime of service both in the healthcare profession and in mission work. She currently serves as the Associate Dean of the Philippine Christian University College of Nursing and Health Sciences, where she has been contributing her expertise since 2021. Her qualifications all underpin her extensive experience in academic leadership and healthcare education. Her professional journey spans decades, from her early years as a missionary with Medical Ambassadors Philippines, where she eventually retired as Executive President, to her involvement in international public health initiatives. She has led and conducted training in countries like Laos and Indonesia, which contributed to the establishment of Nurses Christian Fellowship Indonesia. Her dedication to global missions is further reflected in her role as Chairperson of Nurses Christian Fellowship International-Pacific and East Asia Region and her work in developing health programs and curriculum on holistic nursing. Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Bañas is deeply committed to her faith. She currently serves as Coordinator of Faith Community Nursing with NCFI-Global and is actively involved in Christian Education through her church. Her passion for blending healthcare with mission work and her dedication to empowering others have had a profound impact on both her local and global communities.
Bible Exposition: Rt. Rev. Chris Edwards, Australia
The Rt Rev Chris Edwards was consecrated Bishop on March 29, 2014 and commenced his position in the North Sydney region on May 5, 2014. Bishop Edwards worked as a marketing executive in the finance and banking sector before studying at Moore Theological College and entering the ministry in 1994 as curate at St George's Church, Engadine. Before being chosen as Bishop of North Sydney in 2013, he was part of the ministry team at Holy Trinity Adelaide. He led a team of people as the founding minister of Holy Trinity Adelaide Hills. He later led St Paul’s Anglican Church, Tervuren, Belgium and was chairman of its school as well as chairman of European office of African Enterprise. On returning to Australia, he took up the position of Director of Mission at Anglican Retirement Villages, ARV, in Sydney. Bishop Edwards is married to Belinda. They have two married children, a daughter and grandson living in Sweden and a son in Sydney.
Plenary Speaker: Gabrielle Macaulay, Australia
RN, RM, Grad Dip Mid, Grad Dip Theo, Rapid Response Chaplain, M.Min. Gabrielle has been nursing for over 30 years enjoying both highly technical areas of CU, CCU and ED in complex health care settings through to Primary Health Care in Rural and Remote areas where resources are scarce and health care facilities very limited. Gabi works clinically while also teaching at university in a variety of streams at all undergraduate levels. She has served on medical ships and spent last November in a PNG tribal highlands hospital teaching and working. Gabi has also trained as a Disaster Nurse and Rapid Response National and International Disaster Chaplain and been deployed in many different countries experiencing a range of disasters and bringing God’s gentle care and kindness to those before her. She served as NCFA President from 2017 till 2022. Gabi is passionate about infusing her faith and work believing that God has positioned us all in His time with His purpose and His deep love.
Plenary Speaker: Dr Anne Biro, Canada
Anne began her journey into leadership in high school when she was the President of the interschool Christian Fellowship. She has since served in a variety of different leadership roles - including that of President of her university's InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group, as an IVCF staff member at two Canadian universities, a church elder, a team leader for a small mission organisation, and within NCFI as the first Saline Process global coordinator. She then served as the NCFI VP before becoming President of NCFI in 2021. Anne has also taught nursing in Canada and Mongolia. In addition to being a leader, Anne has also been under the leadership of many people both formally and informally. She believes that any good leader must also be a good follower.
Closing Ceremony: Goh Swee Eng RN, Singapore
Swee Eng qualified as a registered nurse in 1976 in Singapore. She has worked in acute care, community hospital, hospice, homecare and nursing home in the areas of nursing administration, training and clinical experience. She did her theology in the Singapore Bible College (1981-1985). She was active with the Nurses Christian Fellowship (NCF) for many years serving both in local and regional NCF committees. From 2003 to 2010 yearly, as PACEA Regional Chair, she led a NCF regional project involving different teams of nurses to do community health teaching in West Kalimantan in partnership with an Indonesian Mission Foundation. The project facilitated regular connections with Christian nurses in Jakarta holding seminars and training in hospitals and in part assisted NCF Indonesia becoming a member of NCFI in 2010. Currently, Swee Eng is not working but spending her spare time to study the Bible, read, learn about natural health and teach “Foundational Course in Faith Community Nursing” as a volunteer under NCF International since 2021. Her interests include gardening. nutrition, integrating biblical truths and principles in mental health and ways of learning.
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