Josh's Conference Story

My first experience of Onelife was when I was 14 when I came to a conference, but that was my only involvement until four years later.

During my gap year I played football for the same team as Onelife legend Jack Lowe, and he invited me to join the Onelife team at that year’s conference. That was when my Onelife journey reignited.

I’ve been back every year since then – simply because I love the people, I love the vision and I want to play my part.

Even as a team member the conferences are an opportunity to learn and grow and be challenged. The Onelife team have invested so much in me as a leader, and even though we’re all there to serve the delegates, I’ve been put in positions to challenge me and give me a chance to develop as a leader myself. At the last two conferences I’ve been privileged to have been given the chance to host some of the sessions, which I have loved. It’s pushed me out of my comfort zone and been an investment in an area of my life I am keen to develop.

As much as my story with Onelife has been about investing in my leadership journey, there have also been amazing spaces for personal vulnerability and growth. Last year I had the opportunity to share my personal story of faith – a testimony I hadn’t yet shared publicly. It was the Onelife people and the Onelife environment that enabled me to share so willingly.

Through my journey with Onelife I’ve learned that growth is often uncomfortable. It’s strange thinking back to how nervous and apprehensive I felt the first time I was on team. Now, whenever I find myself feeling apprehensive, it’s a helpful reminder that anxiety and apprehension don’t last but growth, development and the work of the Spirit do.