Topic: Collective Memory

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​Tim Beilharz is the Children’s Pastor at Soul Revival Church in Sydney and lectures in Children’s and Intergenerational Ministry at Youthworks College. He is curious about how the intersection of theology, sociology, and child development can help kids know, love and obey King Jesus. Tim lives in the southern suburbs of Sydney with his family, where they don’t have much, but they do have books.

Miriam Jessie is an interdisciplinary Lecturer in the School of Theology and School of Education. She lectures in Reading the Bible, our Postgraduate Certificate in Theology for educators, Formation, and Tūmanako. Miriam Jessie’s first qualifications are in teaching and she has taught in Aotearoa, Australia, and the UK, in state, Christian and Māori contexts. Miriam Jessie is also a textile artist, poet and performer and her research work and outputs reflect these intersections.  She has published two books for whānau and tamariki Adventing: A journey to Christmas, a book for families with simple, biblical, and meaningful activities each day of Advent and God’s Great Story: Your Great Story, a picture book for children tracing the narrative arc of Scripture. She regularly preaches in a variety of churches, presents at conferences—most recently the American Academy of Religion—as well as appearing on podcasts, interviews, in art exhibitions, and writes creative liturgies whenever the opportunity arises.

Topic: The Power of Story

Trevecca Okholm has served the church as children and family pastor in the Presbyterian church (PCUSA) and the Anglican tradition (ACNA/C4SO) for over forty years. She spent nearly a decade teaching practical theology at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. Trevecca’s passion for ministry and teaching has always focused on the role of parents – and more recently, grandparents – in the faith formation of children; as well as how the church might more effectively connect generations in living the faith together. Although retired from full time work in the church and the academy, Trevecca continues to serve the church as a family ministry coach and consultant, speaker for parent groups and retreats, and as a trainer/facilitator for Worship & Wonder models of faith formation. She has been married to her partner in ministry, Dennis, for fifty-two years and counting. They have two married children and three grandchildren.