Keynote Speaker: Mark Russell
In 2006, at the age of 31, Mark Russell was appointed as Chief Executive of Church Army. He is best known for his passionate commitment to issues facing young people and social justice. He has been a contributor to various TV and radio shows and has addressed major Christian gatherings all over the world. Mark grew up in Northern Ireland and read Law at Queens’ University in Belfast. In 1999, Mark was awarded the ‘British Gas Tomorrow’s People Award’; presented to him for his cross-community work, bringing Catholic and Protestant young people together across Northern Ireland in the run up to the Good Friday Agreement. In 2000, he was appointed as a Youth Minister in South West Hertfordshire. Mark is a member of General Synod and has been elected to the Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. He is a member of the Archbishops’ College of Evangelists and an Honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral. He is also a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. Based in Sheffield, Mark loves to travel and keep fit in his spare time and has a strong social media presence, particularly on Twitter (@markrusselluk).
Keynote Address - Our Plans and God's: Doing Something Useful with our Lives
Ask a lot of people of the streets of our towns what they think of church and they will invariably say, boring. Yet we know that following Jesus Christ is the most incredible, inspiring and life changing experience. When we read the story of Jesus it is incredible, inspiring and life changing. Because God always wants the best for us, and he wants us to be the very best versions of ourselves. In this keynote address, Mark will explore how we can make an even bigger difference, using the gifts God has given us, so we can join him in his mission to change the world and turn the church inside out.