Dates: November 29 – December 1, 2024

Location: Belgrave Heights Convention Centre in Melbourne, Victoria (3 Convention Ave, Belgrave Heights VIC 3160)

International Guest Speaker: Pastor Shmuel Aweida from Beit Eliyahu Messianic Congregation, Israel

 

Our Simcha conference is now sold out for the full conference and Individual Day Passes, but you can still register for the Saturday Messianic Worship Concert at 7:30pm.

Join us for our annual Simcha (“a joyous occasion”) national Messianic conference from November 29th to December 1st at the Belgrave Heights Convention Centre! This year’s theme will be: “One Messiah, One People: What Does Peace in the Middle East Look Like?”

Experience a unique weekend filled with inspiration and empowerment as we seek the Lord for peace in Israel.

Now Discounted! Join us for Saturday, 30 November from 7:30 to 9:30 PM, for a special Messianic Worship Concert for just $25 per Adult (previously $40). Discount already applied at checkout, no code required.

 

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER

Shmuel Aweida

Shmuel Aweida is an Arab Israeli pastor, overseeing Beit Eliyahu Messianic Congregation in Haifa, Israel. He was born and raised in Haifa, in a believing family of Zionistic Arabs who upheld the Messiah of Israel and God’s plan for His people. He holds two Masters degrees in Theology, Leadership and Ministry. Since 1979, he has been the pastor of Beit Eliyahu and serves as chairman of Hagefen Publishing and The Ebenezer Senior Citizen’s Home. Shmuel also teaches at youth and soldier conferences and various congregations in Israel. We are thankful to have Shmuel come visit us in Australia so we may hear his unique perspective on recent events in the Middle East.

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SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER

Mark Leach

We are excited to have Mark Leach join our Simcha conference. Following the events of October 7, Mark co-founded “Never Again Is Now”, a national movement to make antisemitism unthinkable by hosting rallies throughout Australia to stand against antisemitism. Mark is an Anglican minister, whose mother was Jewish, father Catholic, and brother Muslim. He will share his story of God’s work in his life and how we all can respond at this time to show love and solidarity with our Jewish friends and neighbours.

 

Prepare for a transformative time of worship and teaching. This family-oriented event will kick off with a joyous Shabbat dinner on Friday, November 29th, uniting the body of Yeshua from across Australia.

 

Register for the Saturday Messianic Worship Concert:

We can’t wait to celebrate Simcha with you!

If you experience any issues during your booking process, contact our office at [email protected] or + 61 3 9563 5544.

 

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Belgrave Heights Convention Centre

 

3 Convention Ave, Belgrave Heights VIC 3160

Simcha 2024 will be located at Belgrave Heights Convention Centre, a Christian-owned centre just 40km east of Melbourne in a beautiful setting of gum trees, bush and ornamental trees on 8-hectare grounds.

 

 

Accommodations on-site at Belgrave Heights Convention Centre no longer available.

 

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Conference Schedule

This is a tentative schedule that is subject to change.

Friday 29 November
2:00pm	Bus departs from Tullamarine Airport
4:00-5:30pm	Registration
6:00-6:30pm	Shabbat Candle Lighting & Prayers
6:30-8:00pm	SHABBAT DINNER
8:00-9:30pm	Session 1 by Shmuel Aweida
9:30-10:00pm	Supper
Saturday 30 November
7:00-8:00am	Morning Prayer Meeting (Welcome for all to attend)
8:00-9:00am	Breakfast
9:00-10:30am	Shabbat Shacharit Service Session 2  by Shmuel Aweida
10:30-11:00am	Morning Tea
11:00am-12:30pm	Shabbat Family Service Session 3 by Mark Leach
12:30-1:30pm	Lunch
2:00-3:00pm	Workshop 1 “Understanding the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict”	Workshop 2 “Making Antisemitism Unthinkable” by Mark Leach	Workshop 3 “Host Israelis and ZulaRoo”	Workshop 4 “The Messianic Training Centre” – Sharon Dingjan and Paul Cohen
3:00-3:30pm	Afternoon Tea
3:30-4:30pm	Workshop 1 “Understanding the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict”	Workshop 2 “Making Antisemitism Unthinkable” by Mark Leach	Workshop 3 “Host Israelis and ZulaRoo”	Workshop 4 “The Messianic Training Centre” – Sharon Dingjan and Paul Cohen
4:30-6:00pm	Free Time
6:00-7:00pm	Dinner
7:30-9:30pm	Worship Service Session 4 by Shmuel Aweida
9:30-10:00pm	Supper
Sunday 01 December
8:00-9:00am	Breakfast
9:00-10:30am	Session 5 by Shmuel Aweida
10:30-11:00am	Morning Tea
11:00am-12:30pm	Session 6 & Lord’s Supper by Lawrence Hirsch
12:30-1:30pm	Lunch
1:15pm	Bus Departs to Tullamarine Airport

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

• Will Simcha 2024 sessions be livestreamed?

No, sessions will not be livestreamed. Session will be recoded and you will be notified after the event how you can access them.

 

• Where should I stay during Simcha 2024?

You may choose to stay on-site at Belgrave Heights Convention Centre with their Hope Centre, Budget Lodges, or camping options. You may also coordinate your own accommodation off-site. Accommodation on-site has sold out and is no longer available.

 

• How do I get to Belgrave Heights Convention Centre?

There are a number of travel options.

If you are coming from interstate, fly into Tullamarine Airport. You can take a taxi or rideshare directly from Tullamarine to Belgrave Heights, approximately an hour’s drive. You can also rent a car for the weekend if you want to do some travelling around Melbourne. Alternatively, you can take the Sky Bus from Tullamarine to Southern Cross Station, take the train from Southern Cross Station to Belgrave Station, then the 697 Bus to Stop “The Crescent/Colby Dr”. It is then a 6 minute walk to Belgrave Heights Convention Centre. Finally, if there is enough interest, we may coordinate a shuttle service from Tullamarine Airport to Belgrave Heights Convention Centre. To express your interest in this service, please mark it in your booking. Our shuttle service has sold out.

Parking – Parking is available on the Convention grounds. To maintain good relations with the neighbours DO NOT park in the street outside the Convention property. For those staying on-site, you may park at the Convention Lodge Car Park. If you only have a Day Pass, you may park at the Day Visitor Car Park.

Disabled Access – Vehicle access for disabled drop-off is located next to the auditorium on the left of Convention Avenue for drivers with disabled passengers. This is not a parking space, but cars can be parked across the road.

 

• What times should I book my flights for that weekend?

You should arrive to Belgrave Heights after 3 PM on Friday, November 29, and may leave any time from Belgrave Heights after lunch (approximately 1:30 PM) on Sunday, December 1.

If you intend to use our shuttle service, the shuttle will leave Tullamarine Airport at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 29 to go directly to the Belgrave Heights Convention Centre. The shuttle will leave at 1:15 PM on Sunday, December 1 to return to Tullamarine.

 

• Are meals included in the registration cost?

Meals are an additional cost on top of your ticket, unless you stay in the Hope Centre or Budget Lodges. You will be able to add meals during the booking process.

 

• Are linens provided in each room?

Linens are an additional cost on top of your ticket, per Belgrave Heights Convention Centre policy. Should you opt to pay the extra cost, Belgrave Heights Convention Centre will supply you with linens (Flat sheet, Fitted Sheet, Pillow, Pillowcase, Doona in cover, Towel, Bathmat). Otherwise you will need to bring your own. Note this service is only available if you stay in the Hope Centre or Budget Lodges.

 

• Will there be free time during the weekend?

If you would like to do some sightseeing around Melbourne, we suggest getting to Melbourne early or giving yourself time at the end of the weekend before going home. We have a packed schedule from Friday afternoon to Sunday early afternoon.

 

• Do I need to book tickets for each day of the conference?

You will have the option to book a full conference ticket, which will give you access to all three days of the conference. Alternatively, you can select “Day Pass” where you can select one day to attend. You may also book two days back-to-back if you are also booking accommodation. If you would like to attend two days with no accommodation, you will need to make two separate bookings.

 

• Will there be a shuttle service for attendees coming interstate?

This will depend on demand. You will be given an opportunity in the booking form to let us know if you will require a shuttle service should we provide one. The shuttle service has sold out.

 

• Will there be a separate Youth Camp like Simcha 2023?

No, youth will have their own sessions tailored to them on-site during the main sessions. They will stay with you in your accommodation on-site or off-site.

 

• Will there be childcare at Simcha 2024?

There will be a children’s program during all sessions of the conference, including a Creche Room for toddlers. A “Nursing Mums Room” will be available during all sessions except the breakout sessions on Saturday.

 

• When should I arrive at Belgrave Heights Convention Centre if I am attending the full conference or Friday dinner and evening session?

You may arrive after 3 PM on Friday. Note that the property will be closed prior to 3 PM. Registration will open at 4 PM. The Shabbat Dinner will commence at approximately 6:30 PM.

 

• Can I attend for only one or two sessions?

You may choose to book for just the Friday evening session or Saturday evening session. Please note only tea and coffee are included, and meals are an additional cost. If you would like to book both sessions, you must make separate bookings.