Youth Alive Church, New South Wales

about us

Reach

Youth Alive facilitates large events across the nation varying in attendance from 100 to 10,000. Our reach rallies are dedicated to reaching people with the good news of Jesus with the intention to connect them to a local youth ministry where they can find a home and one day share the good news with others. These events host an array of appealing elements from guest artists, BMX stunt riders, powerful speakers, live bands, and more. These events operate in regions across NSW and the ACT.
Raising leaders is a significant part of what Youth Alive does. We have a state-wide leadership gathering every year on the Central Coast in February that exists to equip and empower youth and young adult leaders in their ministry spaces. The Youth Alive Academy is another leadership stream we facilitate. The academy is an eclectic mix of Higher Education study, specialising in youth culture, and plays a significant role in developing students’ worldviews. Upon year 1 graduation, you receive a High Diploma in Leadership.

Raise

Resource

Youth Alive is committed to supporting the local church and local youth and young adult ministries. We resource the local Church through the YA Academy, events, leadership coaching, and development, the YA connect network, and other practical support offered.
Youth Alive Church, New South Wales, Australia
Youth Alive Church, New South Wales, Australia
Youth Alive Church, New South Wales, Australia
Youth Alive Church, New South Wales, Australia

meet the team

State Team

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

State Directors

Matt & Beck Wilesmith

Matt (Wiley) and Beck Wilesmith have been in youth leadership for the past 19 years. They are passionate about raising young leaders and seeing teenagers saved. They are the youth pastors of Hope Unlimited Church and oversee 6 campuses.

Wiley is a trained PDHPE Secondary Teacher and speaks in high schools all over Australia on respectful relationships. Beck has a Bachelor of Communications and has worked in politics and in the not-for-profit sector. She currently works for Micah Australia in the aid and development sector. They have 2 kids, Jack and Alfie.

Youth Alive Academy Director

Chris Klum

Klummy, as he’s affectionately known, pioneered the academy in NSW about 8 years ago. He’s the kind of leader every leader wants on their team. There’s not much Klummy can’t do, and if you say he can’t, he will more than likely prove you wrong! Klummy pastors the Port Stephens campus of Hope Unlimited Church. He was formerly a youth pastor for 12 years and is a trained PDHPE secondary teacher. Under his leadership and guidance at the academy, our students are in the safest yet most challenging environment to stretch, grow, and learn.

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia
Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

YAYA State Leader - YA Young Adults

Joel Mitchell

Joel is the Executive Pastor at Celebration Church and has grown incredibly fruitful youth and young adult ministries. Not only has he grown significant ministries, but he has successfully transitioned them into health and further fruitfulness. The mark of every great leader is their ability to reproduce leaders, and Joel does this effortlessly. He is a fountain of wisdom and knowledge and is a gift to the Kingdom. With years of experience, Joel is building a strong network of Young Adult leaders in NSW and the ACT.

Sydney Region Academy Coordinator

Aywan Suleiman

Aywan Suileman is our Sydney YA academy coordinator. He is a gifted connector, he is continually making people feel seen and known. Aywan has helped countless people find family in the kingdom of God by connecting the unconnected into the Youth Alive network. He is the youth and young adults pastor at Revival Church alongside his wonderful wife Sophia. They have years of youth ministry experience and are an incredible asset to team NSW.

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia
Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

Hunter Region Academy Coordinator

Jess Bruce

Jess is our Hunter/Central Coast YA academy coordinator. She’s a trained Primary School Teacher and is our most experienced minister. She has been pastoring for over 20 years and has ministered across the globe. Jess is currently pastoring the Maitland campus of Hope Unlimted Church alongside her husband Steve and when it comes to ministry there isn’t much she hasn’t done. From kids ministry to teaching SRE, from youth ministry to any event or community outreach that exists, Jess has probably led or been a part of it. She’s a passionate teacher and leadership coach; being under her mentorship is the biggest blessing.

academy.hunter@youthalivensw.com.au

Operations & Administration

Zoe Cameron

Zoe is the fuel in the Youth Alive vehicle. She keeps everything running behind the scenes and is exceptional. If you have questions regarding anything youth alive, Zoe will have the answers. Outside of youth alive she’s EA to Ps Mark and Darlene Zschech at Hope Unlimited Church and is heavily involved in the HopeUC youth ministry.

admin@youthalivensw.com.au

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

Regional Team

The primary responsibility of our regional leaders is to build strong relationships in their region. The health and strength of a region is determined by the health and strength of the relationships within that region. We seek to build unity between Churches and denominations, we’re just better together! Our regional leaders have a plethora of experience in ministry and are available to coach, support, and resource youth and young adult leaders if they’d like. Other responsibilities include facilitating region-wide leaders and youth events and working to ensure no youth or young adult pastor is alone.

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

Aywan & Sophia Suileman

Sydney South-East

aywan@youthalivensw.com.au

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

Jesse and Jordan Burrell

Mountains

jesseb@strongnation.church

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

Nick and De Diomis

Sydney South-West

nickd@c3newhope.com

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

Joel Mitchell

South Coast

joel@celebrationchurch.com.au

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

Tristan and Caitlyn Paquay

North Coast

tristan@lifehouse.net.au

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

Sam Gates

Western NSW

samuel.gates@generocitychurch.com

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

Newman and Mel Peeauake

Sydney Central

newman.peeauake@revive.online

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

Austin Ward

Central Coast

austin.ward@hopeuc.com

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

Danny and Skye Gwynn

ACT

danny.g@lifeuc.com.au

Team members of the Youth alive church in new south wales, australia

Matt Rau

Greater Western Sydney (GWS)

matt@inchurch.com.au

from the beginning

History

Our Story

Youth Alive is a Christian organisation founded by the Australian Christian Churches (ACC) that operates in every state in Australia. The concept for Youth Alive was formed in 1982 at a camp in Victoria. It was birthed out of genuine concern and passion for reaching young Australians with a positive message. This concern was being felt in a similar fashion in every other state, and in June 1986, youth leaders from around the nation met in Melbourne to discuss plans to make an impact on this issue. Out of this meeting, Youth Alive was formed with its first national director, Mal Fletcher. Not a week goes by without the media reporting appalling statistics regarding the youth crisis in Australia today. It’s statistics like these that drive the heart of every member of Youth Alive. Our young people are the future of our nation, and we believe that this is a future worth living. Therefore, it is our purpose to bring a message of hope and encouragement to those in need and then go beyond this by providing genuine support through local youth groups to help teenagers realise their potential.

Igniting hope in young hearts since 1986, reaching every corner of Australia.

Join us at our vibrant events to experience uplifting spirits, inspiring speakers, and a welcoming community where you can connect, grow and thrive.