Get ready for SUTS 2023!
19 - 21 January 2023
Syndal Baptist Church, Glen Waverley
Conference tickets are still available! Get yours today by clicking the button below.
Wei-Han says, ‘The safest road is the one the Lord sets us upon.’ This is the Road Less Travelled—a life of mission-minded obedience to Jesus Christ.
Join us in January 2023! We have lined up four fantastic speakers for our Bible talks. Wei-Han, Claire, Michelle and Michael will speak on The Road Less Travelled, teaching from God’s Word and reflecting on their cross-cultural experiences.
Richard Shumack will help us better understand Islam for the sake of our gospel mission. Peter Sholl, the new International Director of CMS Australia, will also join us.
Six great speakers—six great reasons to join us for SUTS 2023.
We have various payment plans available for SUTS Adults, Youth, and Kids. Secure an early bird ticket now!
We need your help to run SUTS! If you're open to volunteering, please email us to discuss your strengths and how we can help you use them for the Lord. Email us at vic@cms.org.au.
Let’s get excited! At SUTS 2023, we will begin our journey on the Road Less Travelled together!
Mission & Ministry Leader's Day
Equipping your church to engage better with the community around us
A part of your SUTS Ticket, or opt-in for the day.
The lost in Melbourne come from far and wide, so we need to learn how to speak to people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Share your insights, as well as learn from missionaries and Mission experts about how the overseas experience can help us relate to parishioners here.
Click on the image to visit each section
Meet The Speakers
Richard Shumack
Richard lives in Sydney with his wife Judy and their four adult boys where they assist in the ministry at Springwood Presbyterian Church. Richard lived and worked for many years in Muslim communities where he developed his passion for helping Christians and Muslims speak constructively about faith and who Jesus is. Richards is Director for the Arthur Jeffery Centre for the Study of Islam at Melbourne School of Theology. His research specialty is philosophy of religion – with a sideline interest in the ethics of sport. This is because he also loves football, cycling and loves and hates golf.
Peter Sholl
Peter Sholl is the newly appointed International Director for CMS Australia and has been involved in CMS for over 20 years. He spent 12 years as a mission worker based in Mexico with his wife Sarah and three children and has worked as a regional mission director with the organisation since 2021.
Leonardo De Chirico
Leonardo De Chirico is the pastor of Breccia di Roma, a church that he helped plant in Rome in 2009. He is a lecturer of Historical Theology at Istituto di Formazione Evangelica e Documentazione in Padova, Italy. Additionally, Leonardo is the Director of the Reformanda Initiative, which aims to equip evangelical leaders to better understand and engage with Roman Catholicism, and the leader of the Rome Scholars & Leaders Network (RSLN).
Michelle Jackson
Missions in a highly secular, hyper-productivity-focused country like Japan has its challenges! The Jacksons were a CMS missionary family living in Kobe, Japan. For 13 years, Michelle focused on Bible teaching and evangelism with women, youth and children.
Wei-Han Kuan
Wei-Han is the Executive Director of CMS Victoria. With an academic research interest in evangelical history, Wei-Han is convinced that vital spirituality and complete obedience to Christ are the secret sauce to global cross-cultural mission.
Claire Livingstone
Claire is part of CMS Australia’s Development and Training Team based at St Andrew’s Hall. She trains our missionaries! Claire and Andrew previously lived as long-term cross-cultural workers in Switzerland with CMS.Their focus was on French-speaking and international student ministry.
Michael Collie
Michael, National Director of SparkLit, is passionate about raising up and resourcing Christian writers around the world. The Collies spent 16 years in Argentina with CMS, during which he worked to resource ABUA’s publishing ministry. Michael serves on our Branch Candidates Committee helping encourage and select missionaries for CMS Victoria.
SUTS in 2022
Promote SUTS 2023 at your church
Use these resources to promote Summer Under the Son 2023 in your church.
If you need any other promotional materials, please contact the Vic office. We would be more than happy to provide these for you!
Workshops
Friday 2pm
Opportunities for mission around the world
Peter & Sarah Sholl
Hear about opportunities, challenges, questions, and next steps for serving cross-culturally.
Communicating the Gospel to Catholics and people of Catholic background
Leonardo De Chirico
This workshop will give tips on how to effectively engage Catholic friends and neighbours with the gospel.
Friday 3.45pm
Bible Storytelling: an opportunity for missional conversations
Mavis Payne
God has stepped into history... told through Bible stories. Come learn how to confidently engage in Bible Storytelling.
Diaspora Mission: Multicultural Outreach in the Middle East
John & Deb
The harvest is very plentiful in multicultural Dubai. This workshop will consider why this is and what your role in it might look like
Collaborating in mission: Working in partnerships to increase the harvest
Chris & Grace Adams
How can we partner with others in mission locally, globally and sustainably? What is Christ’s vision for gospel partnerships and collaboration?
Saturday 11am
Cross-cultural Decision Making: Challenges & Opportunities
David & Prue Boyd
David & Prue will look at various dilemmas they encountered in Congo and discuss what to consider when making cross-cultural decisions.
Taking the Road Less Travelled: Steps along the way & possible destinations
Wei-Han Kuan and Rachel Williams
Am I ready to serve on mission? What might it look like? Where might I end up? Meet with Wei-Han Kuan & Rachel Williams and explore what the next steps in mission might look like for you.
Disability in mission: Telling the story of God’s power and weakness in mission
Nathan Grills & Andrew Livingstone
God displays his power through the weakness of his messengers, some of whom have disabling conditions. Come explore the opportunities and challenges of relying on God’s sufficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are there so many different ticket types? What’s the difference?
Ticket type | Who’s this ticket for? | What’s Included | What’s not included |
|---|---|---|---|
Full conference | Any adult attendee who doesn’t qualify for concession or isn’t in MENTAC/SIIM training | 1 x Person attendance to whole of SUTS in person 19th – 21st January and all meals*. Plus, access to all online talks | Kids tickets |
Half Day Ticket | Anyone wishing to come for a taste of the conference in person | Access to just a morning or just an evening slot of the conference | Kids tickets,
Mission & Ministry Leaders day
|
Mission & Ministry Leaders Day | For those leading in churches or ministry and trying to engage across cultures in their community | 1 x in-person ticket to partake in this interactive half-day on Thursday morning.
Included for free with every full conference ticket purchased. Remember to add this to your cart with your SUTS ticket | Doesn’t included any other SUTS Conference content unless you purchase Thursday Single day or Full conference |
Online Full Conference Ticket | Anyone wishing to attend only online, and does not qualify for concession | 1 x person attendance to whole SUTS Conference livestreamed and pre-recorded content | In person access to SUTS or any meals |
SUTS Kids Ticket | Any child from 3 years old to grade 6 in primary school | 1 x in-person ticket for your child to partake in the kids program throughout SUTS 2023. The program spans both days and evenings. All conference meals included* |
*Meals are not guaranteed for people who book less than 10 days before the conference
Do I need a ticket?
Yes, everyone can purchase a ticket via the website (below) or by contacting the CMS office.
Do I have to attend in person?
No, we are offering SUTS+, where you can enjoy the content livestreamed and on-demand from the comfort of your home.
Can I register and buy a ticket at the event?
Yes, we will have a ticket-purchasing booth at the conference. We can’t guarantee all meals provided for those purchasing last-minute tickets, so to ensure you have food included in your in-person ticket, be sure to book by 4th January 2023.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind about attending?
All bookings are confirmed upon full payment of registration. The in-person event is subject to COVID public health orders and restrictions. If the in-person event is pivoted to an online-only event due to COVID restrictions, in-person tickets will be changed to online tickets, and a partial refund will be issued to the value of the price difference between the in-person and online tickets. A full refund will be available if the ticketholder does not want to or is unable to attend online. The 50c TryBooking ticket fee is non-refundable. Please see our Terms & Conditions.
If the event is cancelled, how do I obtain a refund?
If we cancel the event you will be contacted to confirm the correct details so we can refund you.
I booked the wrong session; can I change my booking?
You can exchange your ticket by calling or emailing our CMS office. If the value of the new ticket is greater than the value of your current ticket you will be required to pay the difference.
Is SUTS catered this year?
Yes, we will provide morning, and afternoon tea, lunch, Thursday dinner and Friday dinner. This year, join us on Thursday and Friday nights for our community dinners before the evening main session.
I have children, how do I sign up for the in-person SUTS Kids program?
SUTS Kids is online OR in-person, You simply need to add the SUTS Kids ticket to your order before checking out. If you’re unsure if you’ve registered, please email vic@cms.org.au. There is a SUTS Facebook community that we would love you to join and connect with other SUTS attendees if you’re attending online. Search ‘SUTS Community’ on Facebook.
I can’t pay by credit card; is there an alternate payment method?
Yes, we have a range of payment options. If you would prefer to pay by bank transfer or make time to pay in person cash at our office, please call or email us direct. We also have payment plans and subsidies available so if you want to come but a not sure your budget will stretch to cover the cost please don’t hesitate to reach out.
I can’t pay for everything up front, do you have payment plans or support?
We also have payment plans and subsidies available so if you want to come but a not sure your budget will stretch to cover the cost please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can apply for a payment plan and/or subsidy via our form at tfaforms.com/4993901
For those with mobility issues
If you are entering the church from the bottom floor (carpark level), you may wish to use the lift to get to the upper floor (to access the Auditorium). It is to your left when you walk in the doors through the playground.
One of our Connect team will be nearby to help you use it.
You can also access the top floor via the ramp to the entrance on High Street Rd, but this is best used in the case of being dropped off by someone who parks elsewhere, as this ramp needs to remain clear in case of emergencies.
The auditorium itself has plenty of space for wheelchairs and the Connect team will help get you settled if needed.
Audio Loop
For those with hearing aids, we have an audio loop situated in the section directly in front of the sound and media desk (which is in the centre back of the room).
If you sit here, you should be able to hear amplified sounds more clearly.
Dietaries / Allergies
We have a nut-free conference site and will try to accommodate all dietaries that are disclosed to us as part of ticket purchases prior to the conference. Any other needs or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at vic@cms.org.au.
How can I attend workshops?
Attend in-person every afternoon at Syndal or you can join one of our Zoom workshops the week after SUTS.
Is there parking and where?
Yes, the carpark is located at the rear of our building and can be accessed via Tricks Ct. There are marked spaces for seniors, the disabled and for parents with prams at the top of the carpark. If you arrive and the carpark is full, there is also car parking behind the Chinese restaurant on the other side of Blackburn Rd, or further down Blackburn Rd, there is parking at the Palms Food Court.
Accommodation/ Where to stay?
Accommodation is not included in your ticket, but if you need some support or wish to be in touch with someone in Melbourne who has a spare room, please reach out to us at vic@cms.org.au.
Dress Code?
Come as you are! Wear what you will feel comfortable in during the potentially hot summer days of the SUTS conference. We recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent so you’re picnic-ready and can enjoy our online spaces at lunch. This year we will have a marquee area to encourage everyone to enjoy the great outdoors.
Where do I find out more program information?
Call us at the office or email us at vic@cms.org.au