Friday, February 27, 2009

She played Mary during World Youth Day. Now she's defected to Hillsong


SHE was a poster girl for World Youth Day, when more than 400,000 pilgrims gathered in Sydney to celebrate their Catholic faith.

Cast as Mary, Marina Dickson, 27, moved the faithful to tears as she cradled Jesus in her arms after he stumbled barefoot through the cityfor the 13 stations of the cross, watched by a worldwide audience of500 million.

Now the Chilean-born beauty therapist has left the Catholic Church to worship at the evangelical Hillsong church.

She is thrilled: "It's important you are where God wants you to be. I feel Hillsong is where I am called to be. I am so happy."

Not so Australia's leading Catholic, Archbishop of Sydney CardinalGeorge Pell. "If this is true and Marina decides to formally leave thechurch, that would be a surprise. It would also be a great sadness," hesaid. "But at least she is not leaving Jesus Christ."

Ms Dickson worshipped at St Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church atMilton, on the South Coast, when she auditioned for the role of Mary.She said she was honoured to be chosen as the "beautiful and loyalwoman of God".

Last week, Ms Dickson, of Pennant Hills, told The Sun-Herald:"I have only good things to say about the Catholic Church but I havethis hunger for God. I wanted to learn more about the Bible and have adeeper relationship with God.

"Hillsong is more about having a relationship with God. It's alifestyle, not just somewhere to go on a Sunday. I love it. It is likeI fell in love with God all over again."

Chehade Richa, 18, who played Judas, said Ms Dickson's decision was "very surprising".

"We were meant to embody Catholic youth but I guess if that's where shefinds her spirituality then that's OK," he said. "It's not a betrayal;Hillsong still believes in Jesus and his core teachings."

Alfio Stuto jnr, who played Jesus, said: "Who is anyone to judge what others do? Let those without sin cast the first stone."

Source

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

When class defines church

It is true. Birds of the same feathers surely do flock together. It is a clichéd phrase, which made me hate my elementary school English lessons as the teacher attempted to force it down.

But little did I know then that its reality is a continuous un-erasable footprint on the walk that is human life.

St Peter’s Church Kamuli, near Kireka, is located in a budding residential hub, with many people having migrated of recent. The sight of luxury German-made cars exiting 3metre-high gates are slowly becoming an ordinary sight.

The makeshift Liberty Worship Centre, whose Pastor, Imelda Namutebi, drives a Hummer. Her flock are said to tithe religiously...

On a usual Sunday, the church’s parking lot will average between five to seven cars during each service. The cars however, are not driven in by your 30-year-old; rather, it’s the older ages that you will see driving in, dressed in kanzus, suits, and, busuutis. The congregation members are similar; with most of the flock above 30.

Modesty is fully in reign, both in the way the service is conducted and in dressing. There is no technology “extreme-make-over”. The church uses an ancient British organ to back up the congregation or choir as they recite a hymn. Modesty is also fully exhibited by the youth’s dressing, especially the teens and 20-something year-olds.

There is hardly any flamboyance or effort to make a fashion overstatement detected. You will hardly notice a girl dressed in pants. Instead, ankle length skirts and dresses make a rich presence. Jeans for the boys are also a rare sight and on the whole, there’s an effort to keep the meet as formal and as revered as possible.

The case for St Peter’s Church reveals a clear level of coherence for the class of people that attend the church. This sort of classification is however not exclusive to the church above alone.

There is a trend of church classification where people of a certain class and taste will overlook the churches right outside their homes and prefer other churches that match their “class or tastes”. read more

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Hillsong Men's Conference


MEN'S CONFERENCE
Hillsong Convention Centre
November 6-7 , 2009

A conference designed especially for men! With your host Brian Houston and special guests...

You never knew 24 hours could so radically impact your life!


Source:hillsong.com

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Hillsong Conference 09


HILLSONG CONFERENCE
ACER Arena; 7-10 July, 2009

New horizons & new opportunities demand fresh approach. We have already strategised 2009 & are shaping a new, compacted, innovative & anointed conference.

* Three days & four nights
* Limited seating
* Only one night rally each evening
* More equipping than ever with stronger options

This will be a better experience for you!

Source:hillsong.com

Friday, February 13, 2009

COLOUR YOUR WORLD CONFERENCE



SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
26-28 March & 30 March-1 April, 2009

Colour Your World women's conference exists to place value upon womanhood. For 12 years we have seen multiplied thousands of women impacted, but the journey has only just begun. As this conference comes of age and we enter a whole new era, IMAGINE what one company of women, united and devoted, could accomplish. IMAGINE Colour 2009 in the ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE!

Source: hillsong.com

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Amazing Women to Speak for Jesus. All about life


Darlene is an amazing woman.

A wife and mother, her song "Shout to the Lord" is sung by an estimated 30 million churchgoers every week!

Darlene has numerous Gold Albums to her name, and 70 of her songs have been published by Hillsong. Plus, she has written three books on ministry and Christianity

Darlene will speak about the importance of Jesus. All about life, which is a project of the Bible Society.

It's a non-denominational multi-media campaign, set to climax in September this year.

'Jesus. All about life' aims to introduce Sydneysiders to Jesus and encourage them to think and talk about their faith.

For an intensive six-week period, the name of Jesus will be spread across TV, radio and print media, and thousands of churches will fly the 'Jesus. All about life' banner, sowing a seed in the minds of thousands.

Also speaking at the luncheon will be Oxford Falls Christian City Church founder Chris Pringle. A capable and gifted public communicator, as well as a fine singer and worship leader, Chris is a great template for young women and hosts TV program Christian City TV.

She will line up alongside Sue and Peter Irvine, who together are responsible for the success of Gloria Jeans Coffee here in Australia.

Sue is also an accomplished artist, teacher and gardener. Since Peter and his business partner started Gloria Jeans Coffees (now International), Sue has worked beside him. Peter and Sue both attend Hillsong Church, run a connect group at their home and help with new Christian counselling.

Campaign director Rachel Hocking says The Bible Society has organised the luncheon to prepare women for the interest in Jesus, sure to be generated by the Jesus. All about life campaign.

"We want women to feel confident sharing what you believe with friends, family and new acquaintances," she says. "And it's great to be able to discuss this at an informal luncheon with an inspiring guest speaker."

Source