Hillsong United to 'Encounter' U.S. in 2009

Hillsong United will "encounter" the United States next year during what will be their most extensive visit to America to date.

The world renowned worship band announced recently its plans to kick off the 2009 Hillsong United Encounter event with a two-day opener in Miami that will start April 17 and feature speaker presentations, teaching and concerts.

The Miami Encounter conference, which is designed for pastors, youth leaders, worship leaders, musicians and students, will focus on the subjects of worship and justice and equipping young people to bring both to their local communities. Seminars will demonstrate how young people can transform churches and communities. Some of the breakout sessions will teach the art of worship songwriting; building great worship teams and youth ministry programs; and building the next generation of worshippers.

“Learn that true heartfelt worship and justice are inseparable,” the event’s promoters say.

“Soak up teaching from Phil Dooley, Joel Houston and Hillsong Church Senior Pastor Brian,” they add.

Aside from the Miami Encounter conference, what is known is that a final Encounter event is expected to take place in Los Angeles in August. Details related to Hillsong United's additional U.S. appearances will reportedly be announced in the coming months.

Tickets, meanwhile, are available for purchase through IntegrityLive.com. Those who register before Dec. 31 qualify for a 50 percent discount.

Source

Hillsong United to 'Encounter' U.S. in 2009

Hillsong United will "encounter" the United States next year during what will be their most extensive visit to America to date.

The world renowned worship band announced recently its plans to kick off the 2009 Hillsong United Encounter event with a two-day opener in Miami that will start April 17 and feature speaker presentations, teaching and concerts.

The Miami Encounter conference, which is designed for pastors, youth leaders, worship leaders, musicians and students, will focus on the subjects of worship and justice and equipping young people to bring both to their local communities. Seminars will demonstrate how young people can transform churches and communities. Some of the breakout sessions will teach the art of worship songwriting; building great worship teams and youth ministry programs; and building the next generation of worshippers.

“Learn that true heartfelt worship and justice are inseparable,” the event’s promoters say.

“Soak up teaching from Phil Dooley, Joel Houston and Hillsong Church Senior Pastor Brian,” they add.

Aside from the Miami Encounter conference, what is known is that a final Encounter event is expected to take place in Los Angeles in August. Details related to Hillsong United's additional U.S. appearances will reportedly be announced in the coming months.

Tickets, meanwhile, are available for purchase through IntegrityLive.com. Those who register before Dec. 31 qualify for a 50 percent discount.

Source

Integrity To Release New Hillsong Kids Follow You CD, DVD & Digital Songbook

Integrity Music announces the January 27, 2009 release of Follow You, a new CD, DVD and digital songbook from the critically-acclaimed Hillsong Kids product line created by the children's ministry of Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia.

The Follow You live worship CD and DVD were created specifically for children with fun, kid-friendly versions of popular praise and worship songs that encourage children to be devoted to Jesus. The 13-track CD includes the title track, "Take It All" and "Trust and Obey" plus other songs popularized by Hillsong's Live and United worship albums.

The Follow You DVD takes the viewer right into the action as thousands of children enthusiastically worship Jesus. The DVD features the same song list as the CD but is divided into three episodes, each with live songs, music videos, memory verses and interactive teaching. Special features include accompaniment tracks, dance instruction and a behind-the-scenes interview.

In addition, the Follow You digital songbook is the perfect companion resource for children's ministers and teachers.

Source

Hillsong rocks Zambia

Lusaka. — Watching Australia's rock and worship band, Hillsong United, perform live-in concert last week, it was evident from the start that Zambians have been getting a raw deal from some local and international artistes who have performed in front of them.

Despite being a mid-week ministry concert held in the capital, Lusaka, on a showery Tuesday evening, hundreds of youths filled the open spaces of the showgrounds to attend what can now be easily described as among the best concerts ever held on the Zambian soil in recent years.
As advertised, the one-off show began a few minutes after 18:00 hours, with impressive performances from local gospel artistes, Stan Chipuma and Ephraim Mutalange, the recent winner of the Inaugural Christian Gospel Arts promotions (Chapro) 2008 awards.
However, it was Hillsongs, an 18-member band that sent the crowd screaming when they stepped onto the stage. For any fan of live-performances, judging by the massive stage and equipment, it was easy to tell, that the sound was going to be like nothing ever heard in Zambia before.

And finally, when the stage was lit into bright reds, blues and greens, the drums struck, and the guitars started strumming, blended by soulful voices, the atmosphere was simply mesmerising.
For an audience, whose only experience with rock gospel music has been on radio and television, it was interesting to see the locals bouncing around to the music.

Unlike past performances by any other international artiste, the lyrics, especially to the popular songs 'All I need is you", 'Look to you', 'Hosanna' and 'what the Lord has done in me', provided on the projectors, ensured that the spectators were completely engaged in the music, singing to every song.

It was no wonder that even when Hillsongs Youth Pastor Chrishan Jeyaratman, gave a sermon, every one seemed attentive. His message on 'Love' and a call for people to 'engage' in helping those that are unfortunate was timely. read more

Hillsong united concert “rocked” !

WORLD acclaimed award-winning music group, Hillsong United, this week put up a larger than life performance at the Lusaka Showgrounds where thousands of Christian faithfuls braved the showering evening for four hours of praise and worship.

The K20,000-per-head show, initially scheduled to run from 18:00 hours to 20:00 hours, started around 19:00 hours and went on and on until a few minutes before mid-night, as fans kept shouting for more from the band that has distinguished itself as an all-encompassing gospel group.

The venue was filled to capacity with only small portions remaining at the far end of the field, where it was darker.

Literally, every available space was taken up, and just a few minutes after the start of the show, the VIP gate was closed and patrons that had initially bought the tickets in advance had to end up using the main arena gate.

During the show, the group belted several popular tunes such as Everyday, We look to You, Hosanna, and Amazing Grace.

The audience danced their lungs out, raised hands in adoration and bowed knees in worship as the song leaders churned out one tune after the other.

It was an all-inspiring night that did not need one to know the lyrics of the song in order to sing along. read more

They of the Jesus Belt

THEY may be used to performing at church services but that didn't stop Glenwood-based band 11:59 from winning the Macarthur Clash band competition last month.

The band, whose members met during their studies at religious college Hillsong, play outside Villawood Detention Centre every Sunday morning.

Their electro pop beats proved popular at the Clash final, held at Ingleburn RSL, but keyboard player and singer Stu Hawkins said the win was unexpected.

``It took us completely by surprise,'' he said.

Hawkins, like two others from 11:59, is from Britain and has lived in Australia for the past three years. One band member also moved here from Canada.

``We like to think we're a Brit pop band that lives in Australia,'' he said. ``We seem a little different certainly to the bands we see in pubs.''

But 11:59 are no stranger to the Sydney pub circuit. They have played around Manly and at the Annandale Hotel.

The prize included having their songs recorded, a filmed music video clip and marketing and promotional material. read more

Creation Festival Concludes First-Ever Tour

The first-ever Creation Festival tour came to a close this past weekend after hitting more than 30 cities across the Northeast, Midwest and South.

Patterned after the Creation Festival, the nation’s largest Christian music festival, the tour featured some of the top names in Christian music as well as local outreach.

“What an incredible opportunity to be a part of this tour,” exclaimed Joel Bruyere of Thousand Foot Krutch earlier this month.

“The sense of community, enjoying each and every set (that I get time to watch), Bob [Lenz]’s intense message, executed with prose and perfection, and the chance to meet and hang with new faces. I know a lot of the blogs have touch on these points,” he wrote on the special blog for Creation Fest. “I just can’t help but agree with them.”

Over the past three decades, the Creation Festival has grown to become the largest event of its kind, adding a second event on the west coast in 1998. In 2005, Creation branched out internationally, giving birth to the Friendship Fest in the Muslim country of Morocco and later to festivals in Canada, Iceland, Switzerland, and France.

In 2008, the plan for the 30+ city “Creation Festival: The Tour" was launched to allow fans across the country to experience a taste of the annual 4-day events held in June and July in one night of music, teaching and fun.

In addition to the music, national speaker Bob Lenz, founder and president of Life! Promotions, shared the gospel each night, with Pastor Harry Thomas, Creation Festival director and co-founder, and Teen Mania’s founder, Ron Luce, also joining the tour on select dates.

read more

EXCLUSIVE: Mercy Ministries exorcism books leaked

Handbooks allegedly used to perform exorcisms on sick girls at the controversial Mercy Ministries residences in Sydney and on the Sunshine Coast have been leaked to LIVENEWS.com.au.

Mercy Ministries, which is bankrolled by the Pentecostal Hillsong Church, has previously denied performing exorcisms on residents.

The documents, obtained clandestinely by a girl who “escaped” the group’s clutches, shows counsellors how to rid ‘demons’ from girls struggling with anorexia, depression and drug addiction.

Mercy Ministries’ activities hit the headlines in March this year when former residents claimed they were subjected to exorcisms, were cut off from friends and family and had to sign over their Centrelink payments to the group. read more

Hillsong: Exorcism in the suburbs

Mercy Ministries kept saying there were no exorcisms.

The Hillsong backed group seemed prepared to cop the charge that they forced sick girls in their Mercy Ministries residential program to sign over their Centrelink payments.

They seemed comfortable admitting that while they advertised girls would have access to psychiatrists and other health professionals, in fact, the only treatment they were really offered was housework and bible study.

But they didn’t want to own up to the medieval practice of exorcisms.

And you can’t blame them. Who would want to admit they had been trying to cure anorexia, drug addiction and other problems with such hocus-pocus?

They’d already lost high-profile sponsors like Rebel Sport, Bunnings and LG after news of their activities broke earlier this year. read more

The Michael Gungor Band's 'Ancient Skies' Is A Hit With Radio

The critically-acclaimed Michael Gungor Band's new single, "Ancients Sky," is an out-of-the-box hit with Christian radio, with 20 stations adding the song to their playlist in the first two weeks. The song is the title track of the band's Brash Music debut, which recently released to rAncient Skiesave reviews from fans and critics alike.

Stations adding the song include Minneapolis' KTIS, where program manager Jason Sharp enthusiastically commented, "Thank you for sending KTIS a GREAT song! After one listen, I knew." Also, Scott Valentine, program director for KCMS in Seattle, said, "I believe it's a winner."

In addition to strong support from radio, "Ancient Skies" has proven to be a favorite song with critics.
CM Central.com said, "The title track stuns with its �creation-puts-us-in-awe balladry' and is a sure-fire AC hit�think a stronger �God of Wonders'."

Although this is The Michael Gungor Band's first project for Brash Music, the group has already achieved a level of success more commonly associated with veteran artists. They have performed for more than a hundred thousand fans across the country, as well as those at this year's Hillsong Conference in Sydney, Australia. Additionally, the group's music has met with critical acclaim from national media outlets such as Christianity Today.com, which named the band's 2007 independent release as one of the year's top worship projects.

About The Michael Gungor Band
Led by frontman and Dove Award-winner Michael Gungor and his wife Lisa, the Denver, Colo.-based Michael Gungor Band has quickly become one of Christian music's most exciting new groups. As a songwriter, Gungor has penned several well-known worship songs including "Friend of God," a song co-written with Grammy Award-winner Israel Houghton that has become one of the Top 20 songs sung in churches around the world, according to CCLI. read more

Area middle school students to perform with NIC Wind Symphony

More than 300 middle school students from throughout the region will perform with the North Idaho College Wind Symphony in the “Thank You Mark Williams” concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 in the Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center.

This annual gathering of the bands event brings together eighth-grade band members from area middle schools for a joint performance with peers and mentors.

Students from Woodland Middle School, Canfield Middle School, Sandpoint Middle School, Lakes Middle School, Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, Timberlake Junior/Senior High School, Bonners Ferry Middle School, Lakeland Junior High School, Post Falls Middle School, Lakeside Middle School, River City Middle School, St. Maries Middle School, Clark Fork Jr./Sr. High School, Kellogg Middle School and Newport Middle School will combine to form two separate bands that will perform at the concert.

The concert will honor Mark Williams, a composer who wrote specifically for school bands and orchestras. Williams grew up in Spokane and taught music for years specializing in elementary band. He published more than 200 works and served as the conductor and artistic director for the Spokane British Brass Band. Williams died in January of 2008. read more

CiCi's pizza, local church sponsor fundraiser for homeles

Nursing freshman Stephanie Criollo, who was accepted in the program this fall, helps fundraise material needs for homeless people through the City Christian Fellowship Church for the past six years.

Her church hosted a homeless fundraiser event with live music from local Christian band The Scene and a puppetry show for the kids organized by Pastor David Oviedo and in partnership with Cici's Pizza restaurant during Halloween night on San Pedro Avenue.

In June 2000, the Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless reported a population of 200,000 homeless in Texas.

Restaurant owner Brad Speed and manager John May agreed to donate 12 percent of the earnings made during the event, which lasted from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.. read more

Rockhill Music to release new Acoustic Gospel album

ndependent record label Rockhill Music is gearing up for the release of their second project, Acoustic Gospel Volume 2 on November 17.

This collection of 18 original gospel tracks feature songs performed by new up and coming talent like 16 year old Zoe Oputah, winner of Harmonise 2008, Christian Aid’s gospel talent search, Andrea Nyle, neo soul singer Bianca Rose and MoTru and established artists like G K Real, Four Korners and All ‘Bout Christ. The album also features a track specially written by highly acclaimed praise and worship artist Israel Houghton which is sung by Hillsong Church London.

Acoustic gospel has something for everyone – rap, gospel soul, r’n’b, praise and worship and traditional gospel. For every album sold, Rockhill Music will donate £1.50 to Christian Aid to help fund their work with international partners such as Humanite Nouvelle, a charity which works with street children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. read more

Bringing gospel into the spotlight

Label co-founder tells how he gave hidden talent a voice.

ROCKHILL MUSIC is a gospel label providing a platform for new and established artists. Co-founder Akin Ogboye talks to Soul Stirrings about their latest album, Acoustic Gospel Volume II.

Soul Stirrings (SS): Why did you establish Rockhill Music?

Akin Ogboye (AO): There was a gap in the market for a young vibrant gospel label that would scoop up the abundance of gospel talent, package them, give them the best production and songwriters possible and showcase them to the world.

We are about shining the light on great UK gospel talent everywhere in the UK and making gospel relevant to a generation that loves everything from pop to reggae. read more

Hillsong London releases new CD, and I rant about the megachurch (again)

Hillsong London releases their latest album, Hail To The King, next week. It's their first album in three years and the third album from the churcn.

Amidst all of the nifty PR bits about Hillsong London that were included in the release (like the fact that the church meets at the Dominion Theater, where the rock opera "We Will Rock You" has run continuously for six years; Gee, aren't they super cool? I'll bet that venue lets them put on a top notch show), was a statement that really jumped out at me: "Church motto/mission 'Because We Can,' is geared towards ending poverty ... because we can."

As many of you remember, we had some lengthy discussions a few months ago, when the Michael Guglielmucci story broke, about megachurches, celebrity-ism, and the whole commercialization of Christianity. (I'll include a bunch of links at the end so you can go back and read the posts.) read more
Source: http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/10/hillsong-london-releases-new-c.html

Churches 'properly engaged' in Australian politics

The National Director of Uniting Justice Australia, Elenie Poulos, says there is a proper separation of powers between church and state in Australia.

Speaking at a forum in the New South Wales Parliament, she said concerns have been raised about some politicians stressing their Christianity, or about past dealings with groups such as the Exclusive Brethren or Hillsong.

However Reverend Poulos says churches are properly engaged in politics, as part of civil life.

"In Australia I think the appropriate role for religion in politics, includes for example, holding politicians to account on matters of justice and peace and wellbeing for the community," she said. read more
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/27/2402779.htm

Blessing and warnings

KEVIN Rudd was contacted by various church leaders after he assumed office last year, not just the Exclusive Brethren concerned that he had described that church as an "extremist cult". Hillsong Church senior pastor Brian Houston wrote a letter of congratulations, while Catholic cardinal George Pell took the opportunity also to warn against a charter of rights. But with Kev08 being an Anglican, the letter that carried most influence came from Anglican primate Phillip Aspinall, who was the first church leader to make contact and the first to get a personal reply. Aspinall gave Rudd his blessing and noted that as Labor had "won the support and trust of such a significant cross-section of Australians", it therefore had significant responsibilities and opportunities in government. "My prayer is that the new Government will embrace this opportunity to address inequalities and injustices within Australian society and to inspire in Australians a renewed sense of generosity, compassion, hopefulness and supportive community," Aspinall wrote on November27, in correspondence that has just been released. read more

Catholic Deaf Community Members celebrate using sign language.

As the song “Still” by Hillsong was played to the congregation, everyone was singing along except members of the performing group – they used sign language instead. The performers were members of the Singapore Catholic Deaf Community (SCDC) who were commemorating International Day for the Deaf at Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) on Oct 5.

The performance showed that hearing impaired people have the ability to participate in praise and worship using sign language. Members of the society also put up a skit about a deaf man, on the brink of despair and frustration, who thankfully met someone from church who shared the Good News with him and restored his faith in God.

Brother Lionel Thomas, a seminarian from the Malacca-Johor Diocese, commented that he was awed by Godʼs love for the deaf in giving them this wonderful tool for communication, and added that it was “a humbling experience to be with this group as they display such strong unity, love and support among members!” read more
" How wonderful to know that some people lack in physical capacity, yet give
more than their capacity. we should be inspired by these people, to give
more than what we can give to Jesus."

Various Artists WOW Hits 2009 (Word Records)

Well, that didn't take long. Last April, the masterminds behind the best-selling WOW series decided to revamp it by releasing three single-disc collections over a year's time, starting with WOW Hits 1, rather than the annual double-disc collection. Apparently, the idea bombed since WOW Hits 2009 has released in October right on schedule without missing a beat. Perhaps consumers weren't prepared to buy a WOW album in April so soon after the last October release, or maybe they were just too smart to recognize that three singles discs costs more than one double-disc set.

Still, one thing that WOW Hits 1 got right was its inclination toward timely hits. The WOW series has long struggled with this, but overall, WOW Hits 2009 does a reasonable job of compiling the biggest hits from Christian radio over the last year. In fact, a quick glance over the first disc's first seven tracks gives you a pretty good idea of what the Song of the Year nominees will likely be at the next Dove Awards in April 2009—MercyMe, Third Day, Chris Tomlin, and Steven Curtis Chapman for sure.

Also, Brandon Heath's "Give Me Your Eyes," NeedToBreathe's "Washed by the Water", and Natalie Grant's "In Better Hands," among others, are all recent hits that certainly deserve to be included. And admittedly, Michael W. Smith's live version of Hillsong's "Mighty to Save" is bound to get plenty of airplay in the months ahead. read more

Just 30 Days Left: Songdoor 2008 International Songwriting Competition Ends November 15; Joe Beck Of

SongDoor 2008 entries must either be postmarked by November 15, 2008 or submitted online by midnight CST, November 15, 2008. All entrants receive a free self-paced online songwriting course at SongU.com, plus a free personal evaluation of each song.

"The song evaluation alone is worth three times the entry fee, plus all writers who enter received a free online songwriting course from SongU.com, worth another $40. It's a great value, a great way to learn and and you just never know what might come of it," says SongDoor president Tony Zotta. Last year's Grand Award winner, Erinn Sherlock ("Return To You"), currently has a song on hold for Kelly Clarkson of American Idol fame. read more

Faith and Hope in Ukraine

Igor Stakhovskiy cracks jokes and blinks furiously as his car, loaded down with eight passengers, inches up a hill at walking speed. His is one of the few cars in Kyiv* that is not a bright, sleek Toyota Jazz or a new black Volkswagen—it's a pastor's car. Once it reaches the summit and starts rattling down the hill toward his apartment, Igor resumes telling me about his call to ministry and the little evangelical church he pastors.

I am crammed in the car with the whole Stakhovskiy family, one that could not have existed at any other point in Ukrainian history. Igor's wife, Raia Stakhovskaya, a strawberry blonde who fits the stereotype of a kindly Ukrainian woman, is from a family that has been Baptist for generations—a family that has several martyrs in its lineage. Igor was part of a wave of new believers who converted around the time the Soviet Union fell. After their third daughter was born, the Stakhovskiys adopted twins who had suffered intracranial hemorrhages. No one at the orphanage expected the babies to survive, but they seem to be out of danger a year after the Stakhovskiys took them in. read more

Cypress Hill Sued Over Claims They Stole A Song

Cypress Hill are being sued after they allegedly broke copyright laws - by stealing a song from a blues singer, without obtaining permission.

Syl Johnson is claiming that the rap group sampled his track 'Is It Because I'm Black?' on their 1993 song 'Lock Down'. The offending song can be found on the band's classic 'Black Sunday' album.

TMZ says Johnson has filed a suit for $29 million (£15.7 million) against Cypress Hill, as well as publishing companies. read more

Church at Battle Creek Hosts Award Winning Rock Band

DOWNHERE IN B.A. Jason Germain, co-lead singer and guitarist of Canadian band Downhere says, “…God uses us in our weakness. He is closest to us when we most need him. We want to capture that idea in the work we’re doing now, so ‘Ending Is Beginning’ in many ways reflects where we are as a band.”

One of Christian music’s premiere rock groups, Downhere, is bringing their “Ending Is Beginning” tour to Broken Arrow, Thursday, Oct. 30. The concert will feature special guest, The Michael Gungor Band, and will be held at The Church at Battle Creek, 3025 N. Aspen at 7 p.m.

Downhere released their brand-new CD, “Ending Is Beginning” in September. This is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed, “Wide Eyed & Mystified,” with 12 new songs, plus the bonus track “How Many Kings,” their 2007 hit.

Downhere emerged from Canada’s alt-rock scene and immediately connected with U.S. fans with their breakout debut in 2001. Then came industry recognition with a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year and two subsequent Juno Awards for Contemporary Christian/ Gospel Album Of The Year and Best Gospel Album, GMA Canada Awards for Rock Album of the Year and Rock Song of the Year and Dove Award for Modern Rock Recorded Song of the Year. The band has toured with artists such as SonicFlood and Rebecca St. James, and has performed at major festivals that include Atlanta Fest, Inside/Out Soul Fest, and Kingdom Bound. read more

Joyce Meyer to visit Uganda

International evangelist Joyce Meyer arrives in the country tomorrow ahead of her tour of the Watoto Childcare Ministries in Kampala and Gulu.

She will be accompanied by a team from Hillsong London, one of the revolutionary bands in the world.

The visit will encourage women and children who have had traumatic experiences, an official at Kampala Pentecostal Church (KPC) said.

As a child, Joyce was sexually molested by her father and so her words are expected to encourage many Ugandans, she added.

On Thursday, Meyer will visit the Watoto Children's villages of Suubi on Masaka Road and Biira on Mityana Road.

At 7:00pm on the same day, she will speak to a ladies-only Daughters of Destiny Conference at KPC Central on Kampala Road. read more

Religion in brief for Nov. 1, 2008


St. Anne’s Altar Society will meet for an 11:30 a.m. Mass Nov. 6 at St. Francis Xavier Church to remember deceased members of the Altar Society. A potluck luncheon will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the church’s parish center.

Ashland UMC has free concert

The SonLight praise band of Ashland United Methodist Church, located at the corner of Ashland Avenue and Gene Field Road, will present “To You Surrender,” a free worship concert, beginning at 7 p.m. Nov. 8. The evening will feature the music of Chris Tomlin, Mercy Me, Michael W. Smith and Hillsong, as well as Ashland’s own singer/songwriter, Linda Burgess. Everyone is invited. read more

Minority faiths rise but fringes sing same psalms

SYDNEY's inner- and medium-ring suburbs have become a patchwork of religious enclaves, with minority religions making up to 40 per cent of the population in some areas.

But the city's outer regions, made up mainly of aspirational white-collar workers and blue-collar tradesmen, remain bastions of mainstream Christian faiths.

The data, compiled by the Bureau of Statistics, suggests that developments of schools and cemeteries on cheaper sites on Sydney's white-bread fringes will continue to fuel protests while they run ahead of religious settlement patterns. read more

Land push behind ethnic conflict

IT HAS become almost a ritual in itself. A religious community proposes building a place of worship or learning, and encounters the wrath of thousands of residents.

There are furious mass meetings, petitions, legal challenges and sometimes even violence. On the face of it, Sydney looks like a city riven by ethnic and cultural hostility.

But the protests may be a sign of something much more basic - a competition between recent immigrants and Anglo-Celtic Australians for the dwindling amounts of cheap land. A report from the economic forecaster BIS Schrapnel, compiled late last week, found that "high land costs and affordability remain a challenge for the new housing market", especially in Sydney. read more

US gospel music stars in the UK for Hillsong Conference

The popular Hillsong conference starting tomorrow 8 October until 11 October will see the likes of gospel music artists Mary Mary and Israel Houghton performing.

The conference which has been around for over 20 years is taking place at the Excel Centre in London and has been dubbed a gathering of “the generations”. The conference will bring together men, women and youth, whose passion is to make known and famous the God of their salvation.

Source:

Album

Live albums

* 1999: Everyday
* 2000: Best Friend
* 2001: King of Majesty
* 2002: To the Ends of the Earth
* 2004: More Than Life
* 2005: Look to You
* 2006: United We Stand
* 2008: The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts As One
* 2009: New Recording-TBA


* 1999: Everyday
Everyday is the first live praise and worship album by Hillsong United. Following the success of the EP One, the album was recorded at the 1999 Hillsong Conference and released later that year.

Track listing

1. "Everyday" (Joel Houston) - 3:42
2. "Jesus I Long" (Marty Sampson) - 2:44
3. "On the Lord's Day" (Reuben Morgan) - 5:39
4. "More" (Morgan) - 4:42
5. "Heaven" (Morgan) - 4:44
6. "Seeking You" (Sampson) - 4:34
7. "You Take Me Higher" (Raymond Badham) - 4:04
8. "Hear Our Prayer" (Tanya Riches) - 6:09
9. "Prayer to the King" (Sampson) - 6:13
10. "God Is Moving" (Sampson) - 7:14


* 2000: Best Friend
Best Friend is the second live praise and worship album by Hillsong United.

Track listing

1. "My Best Friend" (Joel Houston & Marty Sampson) - 5:03
2. "Stronger Than" (Paul Ewing) - 3:32
3. "Saving Grace" (Michelle Fragar) - 7:09
4. "Forever" (Sampson) - 5:34
5. "God of All Creation" (Mark Stevens & Paul Iannuzzelli) - 7:36
6. "I Live for You" (Raymond Badham) - 4:59
7. "Jesus Generation" (Reuben Morgan) - 5:05
8. "I Will Sing" (Rebecca Mesiti) - 4:33
9. "Jesus Lover of My Soul" (Steve McPherson, Daniel Grul & John Ezzy) - 9:54
10. "The Reason I Live" (Sampson) - 4:24


* 2001: King of Majesty
King of Majesty is the third live praise and worship album by Hillsong United.

Track listing

1. "King of Majesty" (Marty Sampson) - 4:38
2. "Most High" (Reuben Morgan) - 6:13
3. "Everything to Me" (Sampson) - 4:13
4. "Your Spirit" (Luke Munns) - 5:18
5. "I Adore" (Morgan) - 4:24
6. "Fall" (Rebecca Mesiti) - 6:15
7. "God Is Great" (Sampson) - 4:12
8. "Lift" (Ben McFall) - 3:44
9. "Perfect King" (Damien Bassett) - 7:01
10. "Holy, Holy, Holy" (traditional) - 3:27
11. "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?" (Martin Smith) - 4:57


* 2002: To the Ends of the Earth
To the Ends of the Earth is the fourth live praise and worship by Hillsong United

Track listing

1. "Data" (introduction) - 0:29
2. "All About You" (Joel Houston) - 5:06
3. "Free" (Marty Sampson) - 4:02
4. "Unify" (Michelle Fragar) - 5:15
5. "All..." (Houston) - 6:00
6. "To the Ends of the Earth" (Houston & Sampson) - 5:53
7. "Need You Here" (Reuben Morgan) - 7:23
8. "Glory" (Morgan) - 7:39
9. "Father, I" (Jonathon Douglass) - 5:46
10. "My God" (Sampson) - 5:00
11. "Now That You're Near" (Sampson) 4:43
12. "Am I to Believe" (Houston) - 5:36
13. "All About You" (radio remix) - 3:35
14. "My God" (radio remix) - 3:44


* 2004: More Than Life
More Than Life is the fifth live praise and worship album by Hillsong United. The CD comes with a free DVD which includes documentary footage, interviews and 'behind the scenes'.

Track listing

1. "One Way" (Jonathon Douglass & Joel Houston) - 4:07
2. "Light" (Marty Sampson) - 3:37
3. "Evermore" (Houston) - 4:31
4. "Open Up the Heavens" (Houston) - 4:07
5. "Take All of Me" (Sampson) - 7:21
6. "Majesty" (Martin Smith & Stuart Garrard) - 1:25
7. "Always" (Mia Fieldes) - 6:38
8. "Sing (Your Love)" (Reuben Morgan) - 7:43
9. "Where the Love Lasts Forever" (Houston) - 6:11
10. "Consuming Fire" (Tim Hughes) - 7:57
11. "More Than Life" (Morgan) - 6:51
12. "Jesus' Blood" (Smith) - 2:36
13. "Shine for You" (Sampson) - 3:49
14. "Soldier" (Sampson & Tulele Faletolu) - 3:35
15. "All Day" (Sampson) - 4:32


* 2005: Look to You
Look to You is the sixth live praise and worship album by Hillsong United. The CD comes with a free DVD which includes documentary footage, interviews and 'behind the scenes'.

Track listing

1. "Salvation Is Here" (Joel Houston) - 4:42
2. "Tell the World" (Jonathon Douglass, Houston & Marty Sampson) - 4:04
3. "Look to You" (Sampson) - 5:21
4. "All I Need Is You" (Sampson) - 6:26
5. "All for Love" (Mia Fieldes) - 5:56
6. "Shout Unto God" (Houston & Sampson) - 3:16
7. "There Is Nothing Like" (Sampson and Jonas Myrin) - 7:30
8. "What the World Will Never Take" (Scott Ligertwood, Matt Crocker & Sampson) - 3:05
9. "Only One" (Joel Davies) - 3:47
10. "Deeper" (Sampson) - 6:30
11. "'Til I See You" (Houston & Jadwin Gillies) - 6:08
12. "Rest in You" (Fieldes) - 7:16
13. "Awesome God" (Rich Mullins) - 5:18

* 2006: United We Stand
United We Stand is the seventh live praise and worship album by Hillsong United. The CD comes with a free DVD which includes documentary footage, interviews and a bonus "United" Documentary.

Track listing

1. "[An Introduction]" (Michael Guy Chislett) - 1:32
2. "The Time Has Come" (Joel Houston) - 4:40
3. "Take It All" (Marty Sampson, Matt Crocker, & Scott Ligertwood) - 3:08
4. "From God Above" (Sampson) - 3:21
5. "From the Inside Out" (Houston) - 6:18
6. "Came to My Rescue" (Sampson, Dylan Thomas & Joel Davies) - 4:58
7. "[A Reprise]" - 2:52
8. "None but Jesus" (Brooke Fraser) - 5:29
9. "[Selah]" - 1:43
10. "Fire Fall Down" (Crocker) - 10:51
11. "Revolution" (Ligertwood, Houston, Sampson, Chislett & Fraser) - 3:44
12. "Kingdom Come" (Ben Fielding) - 4:58
13. "No One Like You" (Houston) - 2:37
14. "Sovereign Hands" (Mia Fieldes) - 5:14
15. "The Stand" (Houston) - 6:51
16. "[Selah]" 3:37
17. "Hallelujah" (Rolf Wam Fjell, Matthew Tennikoff & Sampson) - 3:44

* 2008: The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts As One
The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One is the ninth album by Hillsong United and the first of the three-part "I Heart Revolution" project. With Hearts as One was recorded around the world across the span of two years, and contains thirty songs. The album was released in Australia on 8 March 2008, and internationally on various later dates. The album was initially released in both physical and digital formats, along with a USB release. A companion DVD will be released in September 2008.

The second part, The I Heart Revolution: We're All in This Together, is a feature film documentary set for release in March 2009.

DVD track list

1. "The Time Has Come"
2. "One Way"
3. "What the World Will Never Take"
4. "Look to You"
5. "Take All of Me"
6. "The Stand"
7. "Nothing But the Blood"
8. "Hosanna"
9. "Fuego De Dios (Fire Fall Down)"
10. "Shout Unto God"
11. "Love Enough"
12. "Take It All"
13. "All I Need Is You"
14. "None but Jesus"
15. "From the Inside Out"
16. "Be Lifted High"
17. "Salvation Is Here"
18. "Tell the World"

* 2009: New Recording-TBA


Studio albums

* 2007: All of the Above
All of the Above is the eighth praise and worship album by Hillsong United, and their first ever studio recorded project and the first of a three-part global project. The album includes a DVD containing three live worship tracks recorded at the 2006 Encounterfest youth conference, a sermon from Phil Dooley and a bonus features section. It debuted at #6 on the ARIA Albums Chart on 26 March 2007. [1]

It has also reached number 1 on the Billboard's Top Christian/Gospel Albums, #1 on the iTunes Christian music digital album sales, No. 1 on the Nielsen Christian SoundScan chart, and has moved to No. 60 on the Billboard US Top 200

Track listing

1. "Point of Difference" (Joel Houston) - 4:22
2. "Break Free" (Houston, Matt Crocker & Scott Ligertwood) - 4:07
3. "Desperate People" (Houston & Michael Guy Chislett) - 5:29
4. "Devotion" (Marty Sampson) - 5:59
5. "Draw Me Closer" [Selah*] (Dean Ussher) - 1:26
6. "Lead Me to the Cross" (Brooke Fraser) - 4:18
7. "Found" (Dave George) - 6:02
8. "Hosanna" (Fraser) - 5:30
9. "For All Who Are to Come" [Selah**] - 3:37
10. "Solution" (Houston & Crocker) - 4:37
11. "My Future Decided" (Jonathon Douglass & Houston) - 4:18
12. "Never Let Me Go" (Houston) - 6:01
13. "You" (Paul Andrew & Dylan Thomas) - 5:03
14. "Saviour King" (Sampson & Mia Fieldes) - 12:16


EPs

* 1998: One
One is a studio recorded EP made by Hillsong United. It was recorded after songs were being written in the Hillsong United youth ministry, influenced by the revival at the 1998 summer camp. The EP was packaged with the annual Hillsong live album. The EP is no longer in print.

Track listing

1. "My Redeemer Lives" (Reuben Morgan) - 3:38
2. "Hear Our Praises" (Morgan) - 5:40
3. "Your Unfailing Love" (Morgan) - 4:56
4. "My Heart Will Trust" (Morgan) - 3:29

* 2007: In a Valley by the Sea
In A Valley By The Sea is a live EP made by the "under 21's" or the next generation of Hillsong United[1]. It was recorded live at summercamp hence it's nickname the "summercamp experiment". It was officially released at Encounterfest 2007 in October however, a limited number of copies were available although now tracks are available at Hillsong Music[1] and the Australian iTunes Store.

Track listing

1. "You Deserve" (Matt Crocker & James Dunlop) - 5:06
2. "Love Enough" (Braden Lang & Scott Ligertwood) - 2:57
3. "Perfect Love" (Dylan Thomas) - 4:27
4. "Second Chance" (Lang & Ligertwood) - 5:25
5. "You Reign" (Crocker) - 5:05
6. "To Know Your Name" (Crocker) - 3:15
7. "Break Free" (Joel Houston, Crocker & Ligertwood) - 3:41


Other Albums

* 2006: Unidos Permanecemos (United We Stand in Spanish)

DVDs

* 2004: More Than Life (bonus DVD with album)
* 2005: Look to You (bonus DVD with album)
* 2006: United We Stand (bonus DVD with album)
* 2007: All of the Above (bonus DVD with album)
* 2008 "The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts As One (Music DVD)"
* March 2009 "The I Heart Revolution: We're All In This Together"

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Hillsong United

Hillsong United is the youth ministry of Hillsong Church. The youth ministry is combined of four different ages groups that meet separately but have "United" nights when they come together. The different age groups are; Fuel for years 7 to 9 at school, Wildlife for years 10 to 12 at school, Powerhouse for ages 18 to 25 and Frontline for ages 25 to 35.

* 1 History
* 2 Hillsong United music
* 3 Conferences and events
o 3.1 Hillsong United Youth Conference
o 3.2 Encounterfest

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Hillsong United band

The Hillsong United band is an Australian rock and worship band, a part of Hillsong Church's youth ministry Hillsong United. Their music is a contemporary style of praise and worship tempered with mainstream rock.

Hillsong United
Origin Sydney, Australia
Years active 1999 – present
Label(s) Hillsong Music Australia
Website http://www.hillsong.com/united/
Members
Joel Houston
Jonathon Douglass (J.D.)
Jadwin "Jad" Gillies
Brooke Fraser
Annie Garratt
Michelle Fragar
Holly Watson
Melvin Lourdes
Scott Ligertwood
Matty Crocker
Dylan Thomas
Timon Klein
Former members
Reuben Morgan
Tulele Faletolu
Luke Munns
Michael Guy Chislett
Marty Sampson

History
The band formed as close friends from within Hillsong Church's youth ministry, originally called 'Powerhouse Youth', led for many years by Donna Crouch. As the house band for the youth meetings of Powerhouse, the band played covers of Hillsong Church and various other ministries' music, sometimes members contributing to Youth Alive and its' albums (Darlene Zschech was involved in Youth Alive before Hillsong Church). Dr Mark Evans (Macquarie Uni) states in his Ph. D thesis, "A youth band was formed from the Hillsong music team, which took what was happening in the church musically and played it louder and rockier, appealing directly to a youth demographic". Steve McPherson, Deb Ezzy and Donia Makedonez were significant members. Powerhouse grew and was split in the late 1990s into two youth groups, 'Powerhouse' (18-25 years of age) and 'Wildlife' (12-16 yrs). Reuben Morgan, assisted by Marcus Beaumont and Tanya Riches were placed in charge of the Powerhouse band, with the former Channel V Leg-Up competition winner 'Able' band boys, Joel Houston and Marty Sampson in charge of Wildlife, while Luke Munns was the main drummer, and Michael Guy Chislett the main guitarist. In the Summer of 1997, the new team made a huge impact at their youth ministry's Summer Camp. After coming back from from Summer Camp with God full in their hearts, the many youth ministries in Hillsong Church joined together as one, and started to call the nights, "UNITED" Nights. When united, God does something powerful.

Delirious?' Martin Smith's song 'Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble' was the theme song of the camp, and the momentum of youth carried well beyond the camp into church services. Reuben Morgan wrote 'My Redeemer Lives' as a way for the youth to continue worshipping, along with many other songs that appear on the album 'By Your Side' written by Marty Sampson and Luke Munns 'Stay'.

Darlene Zschech suggested to Reuben that they make an album in 1998 after many songs were written in the youth ministry, and the EP 'One' was recorded. The album was packaged with the Hillsong annual album, and both achieved Gold sale status in Australia. 'Everyday' was recorded in 1999. The band continued to release an album each year, rebranding as Hillsong United in 2002 after Reuben Morgan stepped down as co-worship leader of the band. Joel Houston, the eldest son of the church's senior pastor Brian Houston, stepped up to lead the group together with Marty.

Current members of the Hillsong United band include Jonathon Douglass (J.D.), Jadwin "Jad" Gillies, Holly Watson, Annie Garratt, Bec Gillies, and Michelle Fragar, daughter of Russell Fragar. Michael Guy Chislett plays guitar and Matthew Tennikoff plays bass guitar. Former original drummer Luke Munns made a transition from the drums to front the rock/indie band LUKAS. Popular New Zealand artist Brooke Fraser recently joined the band when she joined the church, first appearing on United We Stand.

The annual Hillsong United CD/DVD was recorded over many years during their October youth conference Encounterfest, with the album released in the first quarter of the following year. The 2007 album All of the Above was the first album to be fully studio recorded, containing videos of songs on the DVD. The band has toured in a number of countries, leading worship to thousands in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

Following his marriage to Michelle on November 2006, Marty stepped down as one of the main worship leaders of the band. He contributed two more songs with United, 'Devotion'(which he wrote & sang on the album) & 'Saviour King'(which he wrote w/ Mia Fieldes), before he officially stepped down. These songs are part of the 2007 release All of the Above . Brooke replaced Marty as one of the principal worship leaders of the band, while Marty went on to move with the main band to serve as one of main Hillsong worship leaders of the band, alongside Darlene and Reuben.

Success and achievements
Hillsong United's 2006 album United We Stand was the best-selling album of 2006 in Canada at Christian retail stores. The album All of the Above was released on March 17, 2007 in Australia, where it debuted and peaked at #6 on the ARIA Charts.[1] In the United States, the album was released on May 22, 2007, selling 10,505 units in its first week. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Christian/Gospel Albums chart, #1 on iTunes' chart of Christian music digital album sales, and #60 on the Billboard 200.[2] The first single released from the album, "Point of Difference", was a top ten hit on Christian radio in Australia.

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Hillsong Church

Hillsong Church (formerly Hills Christian Life Centre) is a Pentecostal Christian church affiliated with Australian Christian Churches, the Australian branch of the Assemblies of God denomination. The church is located in Sydney, Australia, headquartered at its "Hills" campus in Baulkham Hills' Norwest Business Park in the Hills District. It also has a congregation designated the "City" campus which is located in Waterloo, near Sydney's central business district. The church is led by Senior Pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston, who started the church in Baulkham Hills in 1983, later to merge with a church in the city to form Hillsong Church.

Apart from the two main campuses, Hillsong Church currently has 14 extension services across Sydney. These extension services are based on either location or culture and rely on Hillsong Church for support and leadership. Hillsong Church's international offshoots include Hillsong Church London, in the United Kingdom, Hillsong Church Kiev in Ukraine, Hillsong Church Cape Town in South Africa. These churches also have services in Paris, Berlin and Moscow.

Hillsong Music has topped Australian charts, with albums achieving gold and platinum sales status. Hillsong has made its mark internationally with many travelling to Sydney for the annual Hillsong Conference, which attracts over 26,000 people, as well as the sales of albums and teaching and the international reputation of its leadership. The Hillsong Television program is seen in over 160 countries and Hillsong International Leadership College is attended by over 900 students from many different countries. Hillsong Church currently claims that it is attended by over 20,000 people each week.
* 1 History
* 2 Offshoots and extension services
* 3 Ministry
o 3.1 Hillsong Kids
o 3.2 Hillsong United
o 3.3 Hillsongwomen
* 4 Hillsong City Care
* 5 Conferences
o 5.1 Hillsong Conference
o 5.2 Colour Your World Women's Conference
o 5.3 Hillsong Men's Conference
* 6 Hillsong International Leadership College
* 7 Music
o 7.1 Removal of a song from the album This Is Our God
* 8 Political influence
* 9 Beliefs and teachings
* 10 Criticism

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