RICE History

• 2002

  Five youth groups joined forces and ran two combined outreach events. The first was a bush-dance social while on the following week, Steve Chong (Pastor, Kogarah Presbyterian Church), presented a clear, sharp and direct message on the idea of “I Just Don’t Get It” – looking into the essence of Christian belief.

• 2003

  The event expanded to 12 youth groups, and in the process, adopted the name RICE. The event featured an outdoor fete held at Concord Public School. The following week, James Fong (Youth Advisor at Anglican YouthWorks) spoke on the theme “Fate” – about the fate that awaits every single one of us. 

• 2004

  RICE grew yet again to involve 23 churches across Sydney. RICE kicked off with a huge Fete (RICEFest) attended by over 1000 people. The following Saturday, Ian Powell (Senior Minister, St Barnabas’ Broadway) challenged the audience in answering the question: “Where is the Love?”

• 2005

  The year of 2005 saw RICE grow to encompass 34 churches. RICE 2005 kicked off with RICE Big Day Out at Bicentennial Park, Homebush, attended by over 1200 young people The following Saturday, RICE Rally was held at the Sydney Town Hall with Al Stewart (Bishop of Wollongong and Chairman of the Katoomba Christian Convention) taking a look at this world and challenging the young people that: “There’s Gotta Be More To Life”.

• 2006

  With a partnership of 38 youth groups, this formed a RICE leadership team of 280 youth leaders, embarking on RICE Big Day Out: The Challenge; to challenge the youth with the Gospel through activities, games and three short Gospel talks. The event drew 1500 high school students from all across Sydney. The following week, RICE Rally was once again held at Sydney Town Hall, with speaker Ray Galea (Senior Minister, St Alban’s Multicultural Bible Ministry) exploring the theme “Lost” – the significance of life without God. Well over 2000 high school youth attended, completely filling Sydney Town Hall, to hear the message of the Gospel.

• 2007

  Increasing to 46 youth groups and with a team of 300 leaders, RICE 2007  kicked off with RICE Big Day Out – “RICEspace: God’s space, not my space”. The event was held at The Overflow, Sydney Olympic Park where 1600 youth were challenged that day through the fun activities, live music and Gospel talks presented by Peter Ko (CCC Milsons Point), David Skirving (Youth Minister, Dalkeith Perth) and Ian Powell (Senior Minister, St Barnabas’ Broadway). At the second event, 3000 youth attended RICE Rally “007: The World Is Not Enough” and completely packed out the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, with speaker Sam Chan challenging them to reconsider the things they value in their world.

• 2008

   48 churches united for “What are you waiting for?” held once again at The Overflow, Sydney Olympic Park. Speakers: Steve Chong, Eugene Hor and Sam Low. RICE Rally is moved to the Sydney Entertainment Centre with the theme “Waiting on the World to Change”. Mark Driscoll speaks to a crowd of 3800. In 2008 RICE Revolution was is launched on July 26 at CPC Surry Hills. Speakers Eugene Hor, Steve Chong and Naomi Chong gather with 167 youth to encourage them to be taking the gospel into their schools.

• 2009

 51 churches came together to run RICE Youth Sydney 2009 Events: RICEfever & RICErally. RICEfever became a stage focussed event featuring acts by Playjerise, New Empire and Jayesslee, and evangelistic talks by speakers Steve Chong and Nathan Sandon. At our new location at The Downs Pavillion, Sydney Olympic Park the gospel was preached to over 2000 youth, challenged by the theme “The Torn Identity - You Are Not Who You Think You Are”. 

RICErally was again at the Sydney Entertainment Centre with the night centered around the theme “The Torn Identity - You Are More Than Who You Think You Are”. Matt Chandler preached the gospel to a crowd of over 3900. The highlight of the night was that our rooms (allocated for youth who responded to the gospel on the night) overflowed out onto the foyer of the Entertainment centre, and three calls were made out to the auditorium for more Youth Leaders, Pastors and Ministers to go out to counsel youth!