HBC Gathered Conference

October 9 - 11 2026

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This October, our Hills Baptist Church family will come together across every campus and every generation to spend time in God’s presence and celebrate what He’s doing in and through us as a church. 

Gathered is more than an event we attend; it’s a place to refocus on God, reconnect with one another and rediscover the mission He’s called us to.

We'll share in extended times of worship, teaching from our guest speakers, prayer gatherings, and topical elective sessions designed to equip and strengthen us. There will be plenty of time to fellowship with others over great food and coffee, as well as an engaging Kids Program so the whole family can be part of the experience.

Join us as we gather as one!

What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

1 Corinthians 14:26

Speakers:

Rev. Michael Hands is a committed follower of Jesus, husband to Sarah, father of three and Lead minister to the Newlife Family of Churches. Passionate about renewal, Michael believes in the power of discipleship and Holy Spirit-led ministry to renew and re-fresh the decline of the Western church. Newlife Family of Churches is a movement of five (currently) Churches across South-East Queensland committed to seeing more people more like Jesus by planting and leading local, thriving churches. Michael loves reading, exercising, and having wild adventures with his family. 

Dave Shepherd is the Senior Pastor of Hills Baptist Church. With a heart for boldly proclaiming the truth of the Gospel, Dave is passionate about raising up the next generation of leaders and planting churches that plant churches. He also has a strong desire to see the global church united in worship and prayer, regularly ministering beyond Hills Baptist to encourage the wider church to return to a life of true worship and a posture of prayer. Dave is married to his wife Jo, and together they have three children: Bailey, Mabel, and Benji. 

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Electives:

Our electives are designed to create space for us to engage more intentionally in areas of faith, life, and leadership. Whether you’re looking to grow spiritually, learn something practical, or be challenged in a new way, these sessions are a chance to lean in and be equipped. 

Everyone will have the opportunity to attend one of ten elective sessions on Saturday afternoon, with selections opening closer to the event. 

We’re excited to launch with a handful of electives, with more to be announced soon, so keep an eye out as we continue to build out the program. 

Awaken! This is for those hungry to have a white-hot faith, wanting to connect deeper with God and with others over prayer, exercise, food and the living word of God. This Gathered elective will be a mini preview of the course which we will be running early next year which will be kick-started with a Bootcamp, followed by 4 Saturday mornings where we meet early for 3 hours. Come along and see what it is all about! 

Mental health is an area where many Christians experience deep shame, confusion, and helplessness. If we have been raised with Christ and live in hope and presence of new creation, why do we still struggle with poor self-image, anxiety, depression, ongoing emotional burdens, or besetting sins? Is it simply a matter of weak faith, or is the reality more complex?

In this workshop we will consider how a healthy trust in Jesus intersects with the burdens of everyday life, and how we can cultivate both spiritual maturity and healthy mental wellbeing. The aim is to equip participants with a biblical framework, practical wisdom, and renewed confidence that Christ meets us in our weakness as we await the fullness of his new creation.

We undeniably live in a digitally saturated world. How do we navigate it as followers of Jesus? Based off his brother's PHD research, Nick will lead the group in exploring how digital technologies are geared towards forming us - our minds, our habits, even our worship, re-making us in its own image - the imago-tech. We will lean into discovering ways to resist the formational powers of digital technology, reorient ourselves towards our reality and our creator, that we might reclaim our identity as God's image bearers - the Imago-Dei. Disclaimer: No AI has been used in the creation of this low-tech workshop.

Schedule:

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Kids & Youth:

Whether it’s crèche, offsite activities for kids, or our Friday night Youth Takeover, there’s a place for every young person at Gathered!

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“It was a fantastic experience. I felt so blessed by the entire weekend I didn’t want it to end. I’m looking forward to other events that bring all campuses together. It is wonderful to know and see that we are all working together to bring Christ to the lives of people in the Hills. The genuine love of Jesus was evident everywhere and faith conversations were being had so easily with one another.” 

Catering:

Throughout the weekend, food and drink will be available from the Gathered Hub - a central space to relax, connect, and share life together. You'll be able to make your food & beverage selections closer to the event or feel free to bring your own.

Friday
Coffee and cake available 

Saturday
Breakfast before the first session (egg and bacon rolls)
Shared picnic lunch (included in registration) 
BBQ dinner before the talent show (gourmet sausage dogs)
Coffee available throughout the day

Sunday
Coffee available 

There will be some Gluten Free and Vegan options available throughout the weekend.

Talent Show:

Saturday night at Gathered brings one of the most anticipated moments of the weekend - HBC’s Got Talent! 

This all-age talent show is packed with fun, creativity, and plenty of laughs. Whether it’s music, dance, comedy, magic, or a completely unexpected hidden skill, it’s your chance to get involved and be part of the action. 

Come ready to cheer on your friends, celebrate each other, and enjoy a relaxed, joy-filled night together as a community. 

Applications for acts will open closer to the event but start thinking now about what you could bring and who you might team up with! 

FAQs:

Gathered October 9-11, 2026, will be hosted at our HBC Campus in Verdun, South Australia. The address is Hills Christian Community School (HCCS), 14-16 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Verdun. 

There are a few ways to be part of Gathered, depending on your age and how you’d like to engage:

  • Adults can attend the Main Program or serve in the Kids Program
  • Youth can attend the Main Program or serve in the Kids Program
  • Children can attend either the Kids Program or stay with their parent/guardian in the Main Program
  • Children under 5 can attend our Creche Program

There are no partial registrations but both Friday night and the Sunday sessions are free to attend. 

HCCS is conveniently located just minutes off the South-Eastern Freeway. It is about a 25-minute drive from the Adelaide CBD and roughly 5 minutes from Hahndorf. There is plenty of carparking including accessible spots for those with mobility needs. 

Regular Adelaide Metro public buses run through the Adelaide Hills. Participants can disembark on Onkaparinga Valley Road or nearby Verdun stops, then walk a short distance to the venue.

This year's conference will be an in-person experience only. We will record the messages from the Main Sessions, and they will be made available after the conference. Why not consider joining us in-person for all or part of Gathered? We'd love to see you!

Yes! Gathered has programs tailored to all ages. Please see our Gathered Kids & Youth page for more information. Linked here. 

Gathered Registration Form linked here.

Your registration fee includes admission to all sessions and activities hosted on the Saturday of Gathered (both Friday night and the Sunday sessions are free to attend). Lunch on Saturday is also included. 

The registration fee for the Kids Program includes admission to all sessions and activities hosted on the Saturday of Gathered (both Friday night and the Sunday sessions are free to attend). No food or drink is included. 

While we won’t be offering any specific discounts, we'd love our entire HBC family to be with us for Gathered. If finances are an issue for you or anyone you know, please reach out to us at office@hillsbaptist.com and we'll assist you from there. 

Changes to your registration can be made at any time. Please contact office@hillsbaptist.com 

Cancellations with full refunds can be made up to 48 hours before the event. 

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