What a great time to be alive as a leader! With many churches adding services and experiencing growth, there have been pleasing stories of more baptisms, new ministries and ministers, and increasing congregation sizes. What a joy it is to serve Jesus’ work.

Alongside it, of course, there are certainly clear challenges and understandable anxieties. These are felt in global conflicts, international politics, and also in everyday life with cost-of-living increases. However, God calls us to look beyond what we see with our natural senses and to inspire those around us.

As we take our fears to God this year, we are choosing to stare down giants – those problems and pitfalls that He empowers us to conquer. May our 2025 be the year of breakthrough and freedom as we step into all that God has for us. May we become increasingly … Fearless!

In 2 Timothy 1:7, we famously hear the reassurance that we have not been given a spirit of fear but of power (God to us), love (us to God and others), and a sound-mind (us and others in greater discipleship). The fear opposed here is timidity and the antidote, then, is a courage-filled faith.

Join us this May as we explore the enjoyment of fearless self-leadership, team leadership, and overall impact.

We trust that you will enjoy a fabulous program that will stimulate ideas and innovation to equip you to multiply your effectiveness.

We are pleased to welcome Richard Black from New Zealand as our special guest who is known to many of us, having worked with many of our churches in the past.

Richard Black BA, BD, BTh (Hons), MCouns (distinction), MNZAC

Richard Black was the founder and director of Mind Health, an organisation empowering churches and church leaders to make a greater Kingdom difference. He has always had a heart for the growth and wellbeing of churches, their leaders, and their people. He was part of the team who set up Forge, which provides training and support for missional endeavours, and is developing a new venture called Thriving Churches HQ, providing training, workshops and one-on-one support with a wide range of online resources designed to support individual and church health.

Richard is a counsellor and communicator, and has been involved in people work for over 25 years. He holds a Masters in Counselling and has just completed his Bachelor of Theology Honours dissertation. Richard has been involved in pastoral ministry for many years and understands the everyday struggles that people face and the demands on church leaders. He has the knack of being able to communicate complex issues in a way that is practical and easy to understand.

Richard is the creator of significant courses on Pastoral Transformation and Leadership Transformation. Richard’s ‘Here’s a Thought’ segment is broadcast each week on New Zealand radio. He is passionate about seeing churches fulfil their God -given purpose and has authored two books: Centred: Knowing who you are in an off-balanced world, and There’s a Happy Moon in My Side (children’s book). Richard is married to Jennifer, and they have 3 adult children.