Adoption 19-26 Jul 2026
Theme 2026: Adoption
Adoption is one of the Bible’s most breathtaking gospel truths. God does not merely rescue sinners from judgement. He brings them into His household, gives them His name, and teaches them to live as His people.
In the Old Testament, God takes Israel as His son, bringing them near by covenant love. As the story progresses, Scripture presses us forward to a greater fulfilment. In the New Testament, adoption shines with full clarity in Christ and is seen in the Church, a new covenant people gathered from every tribe and tongue, living as sons and daughters who call God “Father.”
This theme matters deeply for the life of the church. When adoption is assumed but not understood, assurance weakens, prayer grows distant, obedience turns weary, and church life becomes thin. But when adoption is grasped through the Bible’s storyline, Christians grow steadier, churches grow healthier, and the gospel becomes clearer in how we live together.
What is CTC?
Creation to Consummation (CTC) is the Biblical Theology conference in Malaysia for the strengthening of Christ’s church in Klang Valley. We gather to be trained in reading the whole Bible as one unified story, from creation to consummation, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Biblical Theology helps the church handle Scripture with greater clarity and confidence. It teaches us to see how the gospel shapes every part of Christian life and church life, not only what we believe, but how we worship, pray, disciple, endure suffering, pursue holiness, and live together as God’s people. CTC is part of GGF’s commitment to Learning to Learn God’s Word, so that Christians grow in biblical literacy, and local churches grow in wisdom, stability, and faithfulness.
CTC is for university students, young adults, working adults, seniors, and church ministers. If you want to understand the Bible more deeply, love the church more faithfully, and grow in settled confidence in Christ, this week is for you.
Biblical Theology unlocks Christ’s wisdom for His church.
Programme Highlights
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Prelude Sermon (by Dr. Trevor J. Burke)
No Longer Slaves, but Sons: Adoption — Our New Identity in Christ -
4 Night Talks (by Dr. Trevor J. Burke)
Night Talk 1 - The Biblical and Cultural Background to Adoption to Sonship
Night Talk 2 - Adoption, the Spirit and the Moral Obligation for God's Children
Night Talk 3 - Sonship and Suffering: The Role of God's Children in Rescuing of the Cosmos
Night Talk 4 - Adoption to Sonship: Another Key Salvation Term for Paul - 3 Behind The Scenes sessions (by Rev. Robin Gan)
- Building Healthy Churches session
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Postlude Sermon (by Dr. Trevor J. Burke)
Adopted into God's Family: What it Means TO/BE Church
Dr. Trevor J. Burke
Speaker for Night Talks
Dr. Trevor J. Burke is a New Testament scholar, author of Adopted into God’s Family: Exploring a Pauline Metaphor in the New Studies in Biblical Theology series, and former Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. In addition to his ministry at Moody, he has also served in seminaries in Nigeria, the Fiji Islands, and the UK.
His published works include Family Matters: A Socio-Historical Study of Kinship Metaphors in 1 Thessalonians, The Message of Sonship: At Home in God’s Household, and several edited volumes, including Paul as Missionary: Identity, Activity, Theology and Practice.
Trevor’s work is marked by careful, text-driven scholarship written for the good of the church. At CTC, he will help us trace adoption as the Bible teaches it, locate it within the storyline of Scripture, and show why it matters profoundly for assurance, holiness, and the health of the local church.
Rev. Robin Gan
Speaker for Behind The Scenes
- Founder, Gospel Growth Fellowship (2006)
- Founding Elder, Christ Evangelical Reformed Church (2008-Present)
- Deacon, Anglican Diocese of Malaysia (2006-08)
- Curate, St. Andrew’s Cathedral (2005)
- Curate, St. Paul’s Kogarah (2004)
- Curate, FOCUS UNSW (2002-03)
- Bachelor of Divinity & Diploma of Ministry, Moore Theological College (2002-05)
- Ministry Training Strategy under Philip Jensen (2000-01)
- Regional Marketing for Sony Asia Pacific (1997-99)
- Youth and University Work Leader in Adam Road Presbyterian Singapore (1997-99)
- Bachelor of Commerce, UNSW Australia (1996)
Since 1997, Robin Gan has been ministering to students and adults from a wide variety of churches. His concern is for the gospel to grow churches in Malaysia through faithful ministry of the Word of God. To that end, he founded the Gospel Growth Fellowship. He also planted and currently pastors Christ Evangelical Reformed Church with the goal of raising a new generation of Christians who are committed to Jesus' mission.
- Grace Alone by The Modern Post
- How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin
- Christ The True And Better by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa
- Christ Is Enough by Hillsong
- Rejoice by The Modern Post
- Made Alive by Citizens
- Image by Emu Music
- Your Words Of Life by Sovereign Grace Music
- Look And See by The Village Church
- When We See Your Face by Sovereign Grace Music
- Yes And Amen by Shane & Shane
- By Faith by Keith & Kristyn Getty