NEXT

Here’s another person coming from pretty far away…and by “pretty far away” we mean “Australia.”

I talked to Summer Williams, who lives in Australia. Check out the interview.

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Name?

Summer Williams

Where do you live?

I live in Mansfield, a small southern suburb of Brisbane, on the east coast of Australia.

What are some of the challenges Christians in your city face?

Like most western countries we are heavily distracted by defining ourselves by what we own/have. There are so many functional saviours out there that people resort to, rather than turning to Jesus for delight and purpose. This is personally challenging to me.

My personal perspective from working in a womens health area is that we are plagued by problems related to the family unit breakdown, abortion, and sexual lifestyles that don’t honor God.

How did you hear about Next?

I have followed Sovereign Grace ministries interestedly for a few years. I first became interested in the “follow-on” of Joshua Harris’ zealous call-out to honour God with your whole life (not just your love life) in “I Kissed Dating Goodbye.” And with that came the ministry of C.J. Mahaney, Josh’s blog, Humble Orthodoxy, Covenant Life sermon downloads…see it snowballed from there!

Have you been to Next before?

I have never been before–but have followed the sermon series online and read how others were changed. (That was a great idea to have testimonies!)

What made you decide to come all the way out to Next this year?

It’s a God-coincidence! Partly I wanted to show a deliberate elevation of the priority of my Christian walk, seeing as I was all too quick to head off to work-related conference at the drop of a hat, which were also quite expensive. I wanted to show my deference to God speaking into my life, just as much as the professors and professionals did.

I also believe that the advertised video message of Next 2009 was very personal, and the timing precise. All I can say is it was no accident I was granted leave to attend by my workplace and that finances came through!

What are you most looking forward to this year at Next?

I am keen to stand shoulder to shoulder with like-minded believers and to sing my heart out, or silently mull over a teaching, and to be delighted by sitting under some Christian leaders who, through their example, I know God is using to profoundly affect our generation. I hope to meet kindred spirits that I can encourage (and vice versa) for many years to come.