The History of RICE

The beginning...

In 2002 five youth groups combine to run a bush dance held at Chinese Presbyterian Church Surry Hills.

The second outreach event themed “I Just Don’t Get It” is held at CPC Surry Hills with Steve Chong speaking.

RICE 2003

12 youth groups combine for a fete held at Concord Public School.

Speakers: Steve Chong, Andy Chung and David Yu.

The second event is held at CPC Surry Hills with James Fong speaking on “Fate”.

RICE 2004

23 churches unite for RICEfest at Concord Public School.

Speakers: Josh Apieczonek, James Fong and Charles Gajus.

“Where is the Love?” is the theme for the second evangelistic event held at Willoughby Civic Centre with speaker Ian Powell.

RICE 2005

34 churches unite for RICE Big Day Out at Bicentennial Park Homebush.

Speakers: Robin Gan, Marty Kemp and Jodie McNeill.

Al Stewart speaks at the RICE Rally held at Sydney Town Hall on the theme “There’s Gotta Be More to Life”.

RICE 2006

38 churches unite for RICE Big Day Out “The Challenge” at Wentworth Common, Homebush. Speakers: James Fong, Mike Paget and Pete Tong. Ray Galea speaks at RICE Rally held at Sydney Town Hall on the theme “Lost”.

RICE 2007

46 churches unite for RICE Big Day Out “RICEspace – God’s space, not myspace” held at The Overflow, Sydney Olympic Park.

Speakers: Pete Ko, Ian Powell and David Skirving.

Sam Chan speaks at RICE Rally held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on the theme “007: The World is Not Enough”.

RICE 2008

48 churches unite 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.

RICE Revolution 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.

RICE Regenerate holds an information evening on June 30 in the lounge room of the Lum Mow’s. Keith Condie speaks to a group of 64 people keen to see a generation of uni students and workers have a desire for God and to see renewal in their lives. RICE Regenerate officially launches on August 23 with Mark Driscoll speaking on “10 Things I wish I knew about ministry when I was 25”. RICE Regenerate Rally is held at the Eastern Avenue Auditorium, Sydney University on October 18 with Mike Raiter speaking on the theme “Taste and See”.

RICE Youth Brisbane launches in May with 6 churches on board. With the theme of “Heroes” RICE Big Day Out sees 200 youth gather with speakers Michael Choi and Liam McCourt while RICE Rally sees 180 youth gather to hear the news of Jesus through speaker Steve Chong.

RICE 2009

RICE as a whole is restructured to accommodate for its growth.

A RICE Operational Council is formed consisting of the Directors of each arm of RICE to help manage and strategise the RICE movement.

The RICE Youth arm becomes official with RICE Youth Sydney and invites Matt Chandler as the speaker at the Rally event, RICE Revolution and RICE Youth Brisbane falling under the leadership of a RICE Youth Director.

RICE Regenerate moves into 3 teams: Regenerate PRAISE, Regenerate RALLY and Regenerate MARRIAGE. Each team has its own Director while also falling under the leadership of a RICE Regenerate Director.

en:trust launched with the aim of raising up and mobilising a new generation of leaders and church planters for the ministry and mission of Jesus by identifying, equipping and sustaining them for life-long ministry. 30 guys were selected to be part of this new arm of RICE and launched with a dinner with Matt Chandler and Mark Dever on August 24.

RICE 2010

SURGE Conference launched in February with their first conference at Stanwell Tops. Al Stewart and Steve Chong

RICE Youth Sydney Rally has our Director of RICE, Steve Chong, as the speaker. RICE Regenerate saw a great attendance at their events - Marriage, 'Still' Praise night and 'Glory' Rally with Paul Dale along with introduction of Regenerate Bar Nights. RICE Revolution grows into it's own and moves venue to the UNSW Science Theatre The year finished with the 'Life of Jesus' screening with Greg Clarke and John Dickson.

RICE 2011

2011 kicked off with Regenerate Marriage with the Condies followed by SURGE Conference at Stanwell Tops with Justin Moffatt. RICE Youth Sydney Rally is held once again at the Sydney Entertainment Centre with Sam Chan sharing the gospel to 3,500 youth. Bob Kauflin, who was in Australia for the Twist Conference, speaks at RICE Regenerate's 'True Worship', held at the Wesley Conference Centre. RICE Revolution evolves into a prayer and worship session with incredible growth in the 7am and 4pm Prayer gatherings in Martin Place and Hyde Park. We even had an opportunity for a women's night with Noel Piper when she and husband John Piper were visiting Sydney for the Oxygen Conference.

RICE 2012

So far this year we have seen our next generation of young leaders bring to life RICE Zone and 4pm Prayer. The team is currently in prep mode for our August youth RICE Rally with Dave Miers and the Regenerate event in October.

To see more past RICE photos check out our Facebook Timeline.