Sometimes being a part of God’s people can get a bit difficult and messy. Sometimes Christians can lose their focus on Jesus Christ. Sometimes things just go pear-shaped.

What do you do when church seems more of a battle than a blessing, when it’s hard to love your Christian brothers and sisters, and when Christian fellowship seems to be falling apart?

At Summer School 2011, we’ll get real about the struggles (and the joys) of being the body of Christ in a sinful world where broken relationships are the norm. We’ll visit a church that’s gone pear-shaped: God’s people in the big, bustling Greek city of Corinth in the first century after Jesus walked the earth. And by delving into the history of God’s people as revealed in God’s word, we’ll get some perspective and learn some lessons in loving one another – and in keeping Jesus at the centre of our lives, our churches, and our mission.

IN THE MORNINGS

Hugh Palmer is Rector of All Souls Church, a large evangelical church in the heart of London. His vision is to use All Souls as a platform for growing an international community of believers to reach out to one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities for Christ. Hugh became a Christian while studying Law at Cambridge. He completed his theological training at Ridley Hall before serving in parish ministry in Sheffield, London, and Norfolk, where he was also the diocesan Chaplain for Mission and Training. An internationally-renowned Bible teacher, Hugh will be opening up the book of 1 Corinthians in the morning talks at Summer School 2011.

IN THE EVENINGS

The key speaker for the evening sessions at Summer School 2011 is Mark Strand. In 1991, Mark and his wife Rene went to Shanxi Province with Finn and Sandy Torjesen to explore the possibility of establishing a Christian ministry in China. What started as a three-month trip turned into three years of language study and the beginnings of Evergreen China, an openly Christian public benefits service. In 1994, Mark assumed the role of Medical Team Leader, and by 2001 his team had grown to 18 expat and Chinese medical workers who together provided medical care and education to 5000 local people a year. Three years ago, Mark became China Director for Evergreen.

Pre-registering is the quickest and easiest way to secure your spot at CMS Summer School 2011. Parents who wish to pre-register their children in Youth and Children’s program must do so online.

Pre-registration opens 15 September – A link will be made available here on that date, so come back then to secure a spot for you and your children at Summer School 2011.

The very popular Youth and Children’s program provides excellent Bible teaching and an exciting mission focus for all young people at Summer School. The program caters for children in crèche all the way through to youth in year 12, with eight different age-based programs running alongside the Summer School morning sessions from Sunday to Friday. The Youth and Children’s program is run by an experienced team of leaders who have a passion for ministering to young people and for global mission.

You must pre-register your children online here to secure their spots in the Youth and Children’s program. Pre-registration opens on 15 September, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Gen:Mission is a strand for 18-25s at Summer School aiming to raise up a generation of young mission-focused and servant-hearted Christians. Gen:Mission gives you all the best of the Summer School program – with a twist. As well as the Summer School morning and evening sessions, Gen:Mission offers specialised training, targeted missionary sessions, opportunities to get serious about mission, and lots of social events.

Gen:Mission is a vibrant community committed to world mission, so come be a part of it at Summer School 2011! Check out www.facebook.com/genmission for more info, and make sure you tick the Gen:Mission box when you register for Summer School. Accommodation for Gen:Mission attendees is available at the Katoomba YHA; email Celia Toose at for more details.

CMS Summer School 2011 will be held at KCC, Cliff Drive, Katoomba. The opening session will begin at 3pm on Saturday 8 January 2011.
For more information email