Easter Madness 2026: A place to belong
At Easter Madness 2026, young people from across Queensland gathered to explore belonging through worship, community, and transformative encounters with God
April 22, 2026
Earlier this month, around 170 young people gathered for four vibrant days at Easter Madness 2026, a Uniting Church youth event held on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Through singing, dancing, worship, games and conversation, participants explored a theme that resonated powerfully across the weekend: Belonging.
Each day unpacked this theme through a different lens: belonging to Jesus, belonging to God’s family, belonging to the Body, and belonging to God’s mission. Together, these threads wove a compelling invitation for young people not only to understand belonging intellectually, but to experience it personally and communally.
A highlight of the gathering was the contribution of key leaders from across the Church. Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli shared a sermon on belonging to Jesus and to one another, before leading a time of prayer and inviting young people to respond to God’s call in their lives. Beyond the stage, she spent time listening – hearing directly from young people about their experiences of faith, identity and belonging. Many expressed a longing for authentic community, safe spaces, and meaningful discipleship.
Queensland Synod Moderator Rev Bruce Moore brought a message at the Sunday rally centred on belonging to the family of Jesus “as you are”. He reminded young people that they are enough, encouraging them not to “carry shame as [their] name”. It was a message that resonated deeply; affirming that through Christ, each person is loved, accepted, and continually renewed for a life of service to God, others and self.
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Other speakers, including Sheryl Scanlan, added further depth, each offering unique and engaging reflections that helped young people grasp the richness of belonging in the life of faith.
Throughout the event, there was a strong sense that young people were not merely attending, but actively participating: leading in worship, engaging in prayer, and stepping forward in faith. The impact of intentional mentoring relationships, was clearly visible. These relationships, grounded in trust and presence, are helping nurture a new generation of leaders.
As one leader observed, young people consistently value those who walk alongside them – who listen, invest, and create space for growth. Easter Madness reinforced that discipleship is deeply relational, and that faith is often formed in the context of authentic, supportive community.
Voices from the gathering captured the spirit of the event. UAICC’s Kym Korbe reflected on the powerful witness of young Aboriginal participants: “It blew me away to see our young Aboriginal people confidently embracing the service, bravely taking steps to the front for prayer, and happily supporting their friends… It was the day the LORD had made for sure!”
Easter Madness organiser Fernando Torres described the event as a living expression of the Body of Christ, where each person contributed something unique and valuable. Reflecting on the theme, he said, “Belonging is one of the strongest desires and needs in human existence… Through the witness of the Word and the Spirit at Easter Madness 2026, we were reminded that we were born already belonging – we are and were never alone.”
He recalled a powerful moment at the Sunday rally, when young people were invited to respond to the call to belong more deeply to Jesus. “I was absolutely overcome… when I saw four young girls come forward and decide to kneel… tears flowing like a river, their hands outstretched to heaven in a clear sign of surrender and love for Jesus”.
Moments like these underscored the deeper movement at work, one of spiritual openness, courage and transformation.
Easter Madness 2026 also reflected key priorities of the Uniting Church Assembly. It supported a renewed focus on discipleship and faith formation, encouraged the raising of emerging leaders, and demonstrated the importance of intergenerational mentoring. Above all, it embodied the Church’s commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive community where young people truly belong.
The event offered a hopeful sign of spiritual renewal, a reminder that the Church’s future is already taking shape in the lives of young people who are responding to Jesus, growing in faith, and stepping into leadership.
In a world where many experience disconnection and uncertainty, Easter Madness proclaimed a different truth: that in Christ, we all belong – to God, to one another, and to a shared mission of love and service.
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