Ascend – Adventist Schools Australia Chaplaincy Convention logo

Adventist Schools Australia Chaplaincy Convention

"Set your minds on things above..."

Colossians 3:2 invites every chaplain to rise with Christ, renew their calling, and return to their school communities with courage, compassion, and heavenly perspective.

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Welcome

A higher calling, together.

Welcome to Ascend, a gathering shaped by the words of Colossians 3: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above.” This convention is an invitation to lift our eyes above pressure, routine, and fatigue toward the renewing presence of Jesus.

Over these days, we will worship, learn, listen, and share stories from the frontlines of school chaplaincy. May every session become a step upward: toward deeper faith, clearer purpose, and stronger pastoral care for the young people entrusted to us.

The Trail Map

Daily Program

We have arranged accommodation and breakfast at the Novotel Surfers Paradise, while workshops, the main program, and the majority of meals will be hosted at the Gold Coast Central Church.

Sunday

Arrival

Novotel Surfers Paradise · Gold Coast Central SDA Church

From 3:00 PM

Arrival

Welcome to the Gold Coast!

Arrive, check in, and settle into your room at the Novotel. Hotel check-in opens.

5:00 – 6:45 PM

Dinner

Mix, mingle & eat

Collect your registration materials and enjoy dinner with fellow attendees – Gold Coast Central SDA Church.

7:00 – 8:30 PM

Program

The Upper Room

Opening night program

An exciting and inspiring evening to officially kick off the conference.

Interactive Floor Plan

Floor plan of the conference wing showing the ground floor with Workshops 1, 2 and 3 plus foyer and kitchen, and the upper floor with The Upper Room

Conference Wing

Select a room to see details.

Conference Wing — Rooms

Convention Guide

Speaker Profiles

Dr Gifford Rhamie, an ordained pastor, is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theology and Ministry at Newbold College, UK, where, for more than twenty-five years, he has specialised in Biblical and Cultural Studies. He previously served as Newbold's Director of Field Education, equipping students to navigate the tensions between sensitive pastoral response and prophetic leadership amid the complex demands of contemporary church life and wider society. He was recently honoured with the University Teaching Excellence Team Award by Canterbury Christ Church University, complementing his ongoing supervision of doctoral researchers at several UK universities.

Alongside his academic and ministerial work, Dr Rhamie has served in a range of associate chaplaincy roles across hospitals, prisons and universities. Through Rockstone Consultancy Ltd, he also works as an organisational development adviser, researcher and consultant to public, private and third-sector organisations, including educational institutions, housing authorities, and His Majesty's Police, Prison, Probation and Security Services across England and Wales.

Dr Rhamie is also an internationally sought-after preacher, lecturer and educator, regularly teaching pastors, church leaders and laypeople. His work brings together biblical and theological scholarship, cultural analysis, pastoral practice and organisational insight, with a particular concern for how faith and leadership engage responsibly with the complexities of contemporary society.

Dr Quintin Betteridge is a pastor, preacher, and practical theologian focused on helping the church witness meaningfully in a post-Christian world. He serves as the Senior Pastor of Kingscliff Seventh-day Adventist Church in Northern New South Wales. His doctoral work focused on faith and culture, with particular attention to mission in secular and post-Christian contexts. He is passionate about helping the church understand the cultural moment, bridge generational divides, and engage spiritually curious, sceptical, and institutionally cautious people with the beauty and credibility of the gospel.

Peter Janetski is a highly experienced psychotherapist and couples therapy specialist with over 40 years of clinical experience, integrating applied neuroscience into practical frameworks for personal and relational change. He holds a Master of Social Science (Counselling) from QUT. From 2000 to 2017, Peter hosted nearly 700 weekly talkback radio programs addressing life challenges for individuals and families. He is a Clinical Member and Supervisor with PACFA and CCAA, and a Certified Member and Supervisor with the International Association of Applied Neuroscience (IAAN).

Leighton Heise is the Lead Chaplain at Central Coast Adventist School, bringing 25 years of experience in Adventist education — 18 of those in chaplaincy. Leighton is a gifted teacher, chaplain and pastor known for his engaging communication style, authentic relationships and gift for connecting biblical truth with everyday life. Throughout his ministry, Leighton has led a wide range of spiritual programs, worship experiences, discipleship initiatives and service projects, creating spaces where students are inspired to grow spiritually and make a positive difference in their communities.

Sarah is the Lead Pastor of Refresh Church in Queensland and a gifted communicator who is passionate about helping people encounter Jesus in authentic and meaningful ways. Known for her engaging, relatable and insightful speaking style, Sarah has a remarkable ability to connect biblical truth with everyday life, inspiring audiences to grow in faith, purpose and hope. With a background in pastoral ministry and chaplaincy, she brings warmth, authenticity and practical wisdom to every message.

Neil Redman is a respected pastor, chaplain and ministry leader with a passion for discipleship, education and local church growth. He currently serves as Ministerial Association Secretary for the South Queensland Seventh-day Adventist Church, supporting and developing pastors, chaplains and educators across the region. Previously serving as Chaplain at Northpine Christian College, Neil established the development of a campus church – Refresh, helping create vibrant pathways for faith, community engagement and disciple-making.

Jacob Ugljesa serves as Senior Pastor at Gold Coast Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, with a ministry built around helping people discover and follow Jesus. Drawing on chaplaincy and pastoral experience across South Queensland, Jacob is known for sharing the Bible in practical, relevant ways that connect with real life. His heart for children, families and community drives his commitment to creating welcoming spaces of belonging, hope and spiritual growth.

Marty is the General Manager of Mission for the NNSW Adventist Schools Company, where he leads the development and implementation of missional strategy, providing leadership and support across all NNSW Adventist schools. With 19 years of experience across two conferences, Marty has served predominantly in school chaplaincy, complemented by support roles in leadership. Marty is passionate about Adventist Education and cultivating Christ-centred learning environments where students, staff, and families grow in faith and purpose.

At a Glance

Workshop Snapshots

A brief glimpse of each session to help you plan your ascent.

WorkshopDr Quintin Betteridge

Bridging Generations

Chaplains sit at the frontline of a generational shift, ministering to students who are more spiritually curious than ever, yet deeply skeptical of institutions like the ones we represent. This workshop reads the cultural room your students actually live in and gives you practical tools for building the credibility and trust that turns curiosity into faith.

Plenary SessionPeter Janetski

Longevity in Ministry: Stewarding Yourself While Caring for Others

Explores how ongoing care demands impact the nervous system and introduces a simple framework for managing activation, recovery, and rest — equipping chaplains to remain present, effective, and engaged over the long term.

WorkshopPeter Janetski

Pastoral Care Under Pressure: Regulating, Responding, and Referring

A practical framework to recognise distress, respond appropriately, and know when to refer. Grounded in the Window of Tolerance and Polyvagal Theory to build confidence and sound decision-making under pressure.

WorkshopPeter Janetski

Walking Alongside in Crisis: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Pastoral Care

A trauma-informed, neuroscience-based approach to understanding distress and offering stabilising, attuned care while maintaining appropriate pastoral boundaries.

WorkshopPr Jacob Ugljesa

Discipleship Principles that Stick

Best practices for discipling students, families, and staff at every stage — helping them place their faith in Jesus and grow as lifelong disciples. For chaplains wanting to sharpen their disciple-making influence.

WorkshopPr Sarah Redman

From Information to Transformation

Great communication does more than fill heads with information — it moves people to action. It recognises that the moment someone hears truth isn't the finish line; it is the beginning of a journey. In this practical workshop, we'll explore how to shape biblical communication that takes people somewhere: from hearing the truth, to recognising why it matters, to imagining what could actually change if they lived it. Great biblical communication isn't about what people know when they leave. It's about what they're ready to do differently because of what they heard.

WorkshopPr Leighton Heise

Curating Service Culture

What if service became more than an activity — a genuine act of worship? This workshop explores service as a window to discipleship, and as we discover and communicate the why behind it to our students, something transformative happens. Join us as we explore how a "go" culture is cultivated, in this collaborative time together.

WorkshopPr Neil Redman & Marty Benard

Church and School Unite - Principles for a thriving church/school connection.

Chaplains and school leaders stand in a unique place — the conduit between school and church. It's a privilege. It's also not always obvious how to make that connection thrive. But get it right, and something powerful happens: churches and schools working in harmony reach further together than either ever could alone. Our goal: to create lifelong followers of Jesus — disciples who stay connected and invested in the life of the local church. In this workshop, Neil and Marty unpack principles for what builds a successful church-school partnership, relevant for campus churches and supporting churches alike.

National Chaplaincy Team

Pr Richard Reid, Australian Union Conference chaplaincy

Australian Union Conference

Pr Richard Reid

Pr Neil Redman, South Queensland chaplaincy

South Queensland

Pr Neil Redman

Marty Benard, North New South Wales chaplaincy

North New South Wales

Marty Benard

Pr Daron Pratt, Greater Sydney chaplaincy

Greater Sydney

Pr Daron Pratt

Pr Phil Yates, South New South Wales chaplaincy

South New South Wales

Pr Phil Yates

Simon Hutton, Victoria chaplaincy

Victoria

Simon Hutton

Adventist Schools Australia Chaplaincy Convention · Ascend

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