Please select the branch you would like to give to. This refers to the CMS branch that will process your donation.
NSW & ACT
QLD & NNSW
SA & NT
TAS
VIC
WA
Australia
Please select the branch you would like to give to. This refers to the CMS branch that will process your donation.
NSW & ACT
QLD & NNSW
SA & NT
TAS
VIC
WA
Australia
Please select the branch you would like to give to. This refers to the CMS branch that will process your donation.
NSW & ACT
QLD & NNSW
SA & NT
TAS
VIC
WA
Australia
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NSW & ACT
QLD & NNSW
SA & NT
TAS
VIC
WA
Australia
Please select the branch you would like to give to. This refers to the CMS branch that will process your donation.
NSW & ACT
QLD & NNSW
SA & NT
TAS
VIC
WA
Australia
We have an exciting program that will prepare you uniquely for mission, whether at home or in another culture altogether. What does that look like? We’re glad you asked…
Friday January 5 – Wednesday January 10, 2024
Mt Tamborine Convention Centre
237 Beacon Rd, North Tamborine, Queensland
Download our provisional program.
Register
Register here for the children & youth program, on-site accommodation and meals ahead of Summer School. You can also register for the day ahead of time as well!
You will still be able to register via the website or in person for day pass to the main program during Summer School. Morning sessions start at 9 am and evening sessions at 7pm.
Bible Speaker
Andrew Shead is the Head of Old Testament and Hebrew Old Testament at Moore Theological College in Sydney. He divides his time between teaching, preaching, and writing about the Old Testament. He sits on the NIV committee for Bible Translation and partners with theological educators across the world. Some of his research interests include the Book of Jeremiah, Psalms and Hebrew poetry.
International Speaker
James Wong is the Anglican Archbishop and Primate of the Indian Ocean, and Bishop of Seychelles. He was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1983, and afterwards held positions as Archdeacon of Mauritius and Rector of St Thomas’ Beau Bassin. He was elected the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of the Seychelles in 2009. In 2017 he was elected Archbishop of the Province of the Indian Ocean at the provincial synod held at St Andrews Church, Quatre Bornes, Mauritius. He lives in Victoria, Seychelles.
Serving in Nepal
Gordon and Ruth are completing their final home assignment after serving for 11 years as CMS missionaries. Ruth led INF’s Palliative Care services and Gordon advised on various building projects. They were also both involved in the ministries of their local Nepali church. We are looking forward to hearing them share as they reflect on their service.
Serving in Papua New Guinea
Keith and Marion Birchley are involved in student ministry and leadership training at the university of PNG. They run and attend Bible studies where they connect with and help grow the student Christian network there. We are eager to hear from them about a new generation of leaders they have trained there.
Peter and Sarah Sholl are former CMS missionaries who served in Mexico for 12 years, along with their three daughters. Peter oversaw the work of MOCLAM, a Bible course developed in Australia and translated for use in the Spanish-speaking world while Sarah encouraged and trained women as she read the Bible with them. Before becoming the International Director of CMS in 2023, Peter was a Regional Mission Director from 2021.
CMS short-term worker in Cambodia
Ruth Sutcliffe is a CMS short term worker who teaches at the Phnom Penh Bible School in Cambodia. She uses her theology training and tertiary theology experience to equip Christian leaders and ministry workers.
Mentac Trainee
Daniel is currently participating in CMS’s Mentoring Across Cultures (Mentac) program. With one year left in his training, we are looking forward to hearing Daniel’s experience in working across cultures in Sydney. Find out more about Mentac here.
What do you get when you combine a hill, plastic sheets, detergent shampoo, and water? An epic waterslide! Bring your swimmers, sunscreen and towel and join the young and young-at-heart on Saturday afternoon.
Children aged 9+ can take the challenge of the Vertec Adventure Ultimate Tree Climb on Monday afternoon. If racing against a friend up a 28-metre tree using a knotted rope sounds like fun, then register your interest when you book.
You will have the opportunity to explore the local sights with friends and family, or sit in on an elective.
It’s on again! Start your training and pull a team together for this fun event for the whole family on Monday afternoon.
Books and resources about mission, Christian living, ministry and more. Purchase something to read in the sunshine in your free time.
We need you! Summer School could not happen without nearly 150 volunteers and youth leaders each year. And the truth is, they love it! It’s such a blessing to be part of a team of helpers, and a great way to get to know people better. If you are interested in volunteering, please indicate during the registration process. All volunteers must agree to our Code of Conduct and some need a current blue card. After registration closes and rosters are put together, volunteers will be contacted with further details. For more information, please contact the CMS office on (07) 3171 3020 or qnnsw@cms.org.au.
We invite you to help us tell the rest of the community about Summer School so that no one misses out! Download resources to share at your church, youth group, study group, school or across social media:
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Children aged from creche to grade 12 should come to Summer School! Why?
Age-specific programs are designed to ignite interest in mission and encourage interaction with the Bible, all while having fun with new and old friends. Young people will enjoy food, games, friends, learning, chill time, staying up late (sorry parents!) a giant plastic-sheet waterslide, and an option to take on a ‘thrill’ challenge (for higher grades). Add to this a focus on following Jesus and understanding world mission, and you will find the program builds beautifully on the Biblical teaching you are doing at home.
All children aged 3+ will meet missionaries, hear about their unique lives and have the opportunity to interact with them and understand how all Christians can be active in world mission.
Mornings: age-appropriate Bible teaching, small group discussions and games.
Afternoons: free time to spend with family, exploring local attractions, playing with new friends or attending electives with parents.
Evenings: indoor and outdoor activities aimed for maximum fun and friendship.
Many leaders have grown up attending Summer School and can’t wait to share their passion for Jesus and missions. All leaders have Working with Children checks and have completed safe ministry training.
Age/Grade groups, based on their 2024 school year:
We strive to provide a place for every child at Summer School. This means ensuring the right ratio of supervision, well-equipped spaces, safety precautions and catering. It means spaces are limited, so be sure to book early. If spots sell out, we have a waiting list so you can be notified if any places open up.
For Summer School 2024 onsite accommodation, you can choose to camp, or you can choose to stay in one of four fully catered cabins: WEC, Panorama, CMS Centre and Camp Tamborine.
If you camp, you can either self-cater, purchase meals onsite, or do a mixture of both. If you stay in cabins, all meals are included, self-catering is no longer available.
If you already know what accommodation & meal options you want, you can download this spreadsheet to tell you the total costs. Or find out more details here:
Can I register for CMS Summer School the day the conference starts?
Registration will remain open up to and during the conference, January 5-10, 2024. However, registration for accommodation, meals and the children & youth program will close after December 4, 2023. The children & youth program may close earlier, if maximum numbers are reached.
When does check-in open?
Check-in for day visitors is from 8:30am daily. If you have booked accommodation or camping, the check in and check out times are on the Information Sheet.
How do I get to Summer School?
Most people drive to the venue, as there is no public transport. The nearest train stations are either Beenleigh (followed by a 40-minute taxi/Uber) or Helensvale (followed by a 30-minute taxi/Uber). People who do not drive should arrange their own transport with friends, family, or other attendees.
What does a typical day at Summer School look like?
We will aim to get the finalised program out as early as we can, however this is a typical day:
8:30am – Day visitors need to register and check-in
9:00am – Bible talk (children & youth program)
10:30am – Morning Session starts (children & youth program)
11:00am – International speaker or mission session (children & youth program)
12:30pm – Lunch
2:30pm – Electives, activities and free time. Explore the beautiful surrounds, catch up with friends or just have a rest.
5:30pm – Dinner
7:00pm – Evening program (children & youth program)
8:30pm – Fellowship and book look.
Download our provisional program.
What should I bring?
Has the cost of coming to Summer School increased?
The increase in cost was a difficult but necessary decision for CMS to make due to the increase in costs from suppliers across the board. CMS has tried its best to minimise the on charge of price increase to our supporters.
If you want to come to Summer School and are experiencing financial difficulties, please indicate that on the registration (we have a section about Receiving help) or please reach out to CMS by phone on 07 3171 3020 or email qnnsw@cms.org.au. We would love to see how we can help.
Is there mobile reception
Mobile reception is patchy. Any urgent emails for guests may be sent to qnnsw@cms.org.au
This will be checked intermittently during the day. However, we cannot guarantee we are able to pass on any messages.
Can I bring a pet?
Pets are not allowed. Only assistance dogs are allowed. Please indicate you are bringing an assistance dog to Summer School on the registration. We require a copy of the current handler identification card showing the details of the handler and the dog.
I have food allergies, how will they be catered for?
As part of the booking process, you will be asked about the allergies you have. There is a range of different diet options. If your allergy requires that you carry an Epi-pen, you will be asked to email CMS QNNSW a copy of your ASCIA plan. For people staying at WEC and CMS there is a ‘No nuts’ policy.
What happens if I am unwell at Summer School? Covid symptoms in the lead-up to Summer School?
If you become unwell at Summer School and could be contagious, please consider not attending the main Summer School program and wear a mask.
For more information, download this information sheet.