Hillsong

A song in Anaheim

2009-08-22T22:53:00.003+08:00

The famous Christian music group Hillsong United will be playing at Encounter Friday the 21st (tonight) and Saturday the 22nd in Anaheim, CA at the Anaheim Convention Center. The idea of this event is “to encounter our God”. The heart of Hillsong seems evident in the fact that they play their music for the Lord and wish to help others achieve a level of worship and commitment to the Lord through their songs as well as their attitudes.

This event is designed specifically to pastors, youth leaders, musicians, and worship leaders, as well as students committed to leading their church through personal example. This conference is designed to equip and train-up leaders in the church despite their age. There will be teaching from scripture, incredible worship times, as well as a general sense of growth toward becoming more involved in your local church.

The Hillsong United group, originally from Australian based Hillsong Chruch, has been producing CD’s since 1992 and has been putting on conferences since 1986. They are a lively rock style, worship group that have had their songs played in churches across the United States as well as other countries. Their commitment to solid, Christian lyrics as well as catchy and easily sung melodies has also helped the spread of their music. A few popular songs by Hillsong you may recognize are Hosanna, From The Inside Out, and Mighty To Save.

Though it may be too late for you to attend this wonderful conference, it is definitely something to look for in the future! The Anaheim Conference center hosts many Christian events and if you catch them in time you can great deals on pre-sale tickets! Check back here for more great suggestions on future conferences as well as concerts as they come near us.

Source

Hillsong gives up on Sydney mega church site

2009-08-11T20:40:00.001+08:00

A battle between the Hillsong Church and a South Sydney resident group over a controversial $78 million mega church appears to be over, with the Evangelical group putting the site of the proposed church on the market this week.

Hillsong has listed the Rosthschild Avenue, Rosebery site, which it paid $28 million for in 2006, with property agents CB Richard Ellis and is seeking Expressions of Interest for the site.

Both Hillsong and CB Richard Ellis refused to comment on the proposed sale.

The decision to sell follows ongoing controversy surrounding the proposal which involved building a 2700 seat stadium, underground parking for more than 600 cars and a seven storey office block at the site.

Locals had vehemently opposed the construction of the mega church, on the grounds that the area would be overwhelmed by Hillsong members and traffic on weekends and weeknights. Hillsong currently attracts about 20,000 worshippers to its Baulkham Hills and Waterloo churches on weekends.

Following an independent report which recommended the proposal be rejected, the church withdrew its development application from the Central Sydney Planning Committee last year, one day before the body was to meet and decide on the mega church’s future.

The move to sell the site is a complete reversal by Hillsong, which had been adamant it would build a mega church in Rosebery.

The proposal has been dogged with controversy, with locals accusing Hillsong of dirty tricks including fraudulent petitions, secret meetings with politicians, and flawed traffic assessments in a bid to gain approval for its proposal.

A public meeting about the proposed church held early last year attracted almost 1000 people to the Wesley Centre in Sydney. Residents opposed to the church proposal later claimed many of these people were bussed in by Hillsong from the Hills district and its Waterloo church.

Hillsong has denied these claims.

Rosebery residents Action Group spokesman Graeme Grace said residents were pleased to see Hillsong was looking to sell the site.

“They have obviously thought deeply and realised it’s just not the right place for it,” he said.

“Yes it’s a relief, but we are not going to count chickens before they hatch. We are going to wait till it’s sold then relax.”

Source

Hillsong Live Faith+Hope+Love CD, DVD To Release August 4

2009-07-28T19:20:00.003+08:00

Integrity Music announces the August 4th U.S. release of Faith+Hope+Love, the latest CD and DVD from Sydney, Australia's Hillsong Live.
The Faith+Hope+Love recording features Hillsong worship team members Darlene Zschech, Joel Houston, Brooke Ligertwood and Dove Award winning writer Reuben Morgan. Together with Andrew Crawford, Houston and Morgan also co-produced the album.

The CD features 13 live tracks including new music such as the Top 10 iTunes single "You Hold Me Now co-written by Morgan, winner of the 2009 Dove Award for Worship Song of the Year (Mighty to Save). Other stand-outs include His Glory Appears written by Darlene Zschech and Marty Sampson;It's Your Love penned by Mia Fieldes and The Wonder Of Your Love, penned by the Hillsong's Sampson and guest writers Jack Mooring and Leeland Mooring.
The Faith+Hope+Love companion DVD offers live video of each song plus documentary footage. In addition, Faith+Hope+Love worship resources, including CD trax, a songbook and a digital songbook, will be available October 9.

Hillsong Music is a ministry of the Sydney-based Hillsong Church, Australia's largest evangelical congregation with sister churches in London, Paris, Kiev and South Africa. With churches across the globe singing their songs, and sales of over five million units in the U.S. alone, Hillsong Music is one of the world's leading producers of praise and worship music and resources.

Track list (including writers/ featured worship leader):
1. The First And The Last writers Joel Houston, Reuben Morgan / features Joel Houston
2. For Your Name writers Jad Gillies, Joel Houston, Reuben Morgan / features Gillies
3. Glow writers Matt Crocker, Joel Houston / features David Ware
4. It's Your Love - writer Mia Fieldes / features Darlene Zschech
5. I Will Exalt You- writer Brooke Ligertwood / features Ligertwood
6. Yahweh - writer Reuben Morgan / features David Ware
7. No Reason To Hide - writers Matt Crocker, Joel Houston / features Houston
8. God One And Only - writers Jonathon Douglass, Sam Knock / features Douglass
9. The Wonder Of Your Love - writers Jack Mooring, Leeland Mooring, Marty Sampson / features Zschech
10. His Glory Appears - writers Mary Sampson, Darlene Zschech / features Brooke Ligertwood
11. We The Redeemed - writer Jill McCloghry / features McCloghry
12. We Will See Him - writers Robert Fergusson, Reuben Morgan / features Morgan
13. You Hold Me Now - writers Matt Crocker, Reuben Morgan / features Jad Gillies

Source

oel Osteen Direct from Australia on GOD TV

2009-07-08T18:54:00.002+08:00

Each year, the Hillsong Conference brings world-renowned speakers and worship leaders together for one of Australia's largest and most influential Christian events. This year Joel Osteen will be featured at Hillsong for the first time and GOD TV will once again broadcast the conference worldwide for five days from July 8-12.

The pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, with more than 40 000 people regularly attending services, Joel is committed to bringing a message of hope to the world and helping people achieve their potential. He will be featured direct from the Acer Arena in Sydney on Friday July 10 at 7.30pm (Eastern) along with his wife, Victoria, and the Lakewood ministry team.

Joel Osteen's weekly half-hour program 'Joel' is already part of GOD TV's international line-up of programming, but this is the first time he will be appearing 'LIVE' on the network.

Designed to champion the cause of the local church, Hillsong Conference is hosted by Hillsong pastors, Brian & Bobbie Houston. The Conference attracts about 25,000 delegates from different countries, with some 5,000 volunteers. Many more will be able to participate through GOD TV this week as the network relays the messages in prime time viewing.

Hosted by Bo Sander in Sydney, GOD TV's coverage of Hillsong 2009 also includes:

• Wednesday July 8 at 9pm - Craig Groeschel, the pastor of LifeChurch.tv, who is known for his creative and relevant Bible teaching;

• Thursday July 9 at 10pm - Jentezen Franklin, pastor of Free Chapel in Gainesville, GA and Irvine, CA, which has been named as one of the top 30 churches in America.

• Saturday July 11 at 7.30pm - Brian Houston, who has a passion to see the local church rise up and present the Gospel with relevance; and

• Sunday July 12 at 8pm - Louie Giglio, who is the director of Passion Conferences, a movement calling for students around the world to live lives that reflect their Creator.

Praise and worship will be led by the Darlene Zschech, Joel Houston and the Hillsong music team and special guest, Chris Tomlin, who is best known for the song, 'How Great is our God'.

"Hillsong Church has touched the hearts of so many people through anointed music and a word in season and it's always a privilege for us to share their inspirational songs and challenging messages with our viewers worldwide," said GOD TV's director of television, Wendy Alec. "Hillsong Conference is one of the highlights of our LIVE programming at GOD TV and I encourage viewers to tune in for all five nights!"

Source

Hillsong sings faith, hope and love in next live worship album

2009-07-03T18:13:00.001+08:00

There are only a few days to go until Hillsong releases its latest live worship album, Faith+Hope+Love, on Monday 6 July.

Faith+Hope+Love was recorded live in March 2009, over three weekends and locations in Sydney. Led by the Hillsong worship team including Hillsong United, Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan, this album features 13 songs o faith in the midst of personal circumstances, hope in Jesus for the future, and love – one for another.

Joel Houston, Worship Pastor at Hillsong said, "In 2009 we’re going all out, we’re taking a new approach and it involves everyone one of us. It involves you!

"So get it in your spirit now to expect an encounter with our Creator and Saviour like we’ve never seen or experienced.

"Expect the unexpected and let’s together believe that whatever gets captured will ultimately break down walls and breathe the light, love and freedom of Christ into people’s circumstances all over the earth."

Faith+Hope+Love will be available on CD, priced £14.99, and DVD, priced £17.99. A Faith+Hope+Love Music book, priced £13.99, and CD-Rom music book, priced £13.99, are also available.

Hillsong United: New album review

2009-06-26T21:35:00.002+08:00

Hillsong United, not to be confused with Hillsong, has released a brand new album titled, A_CROSS// The EARTH: Tear Down the Walls. The album as a whole is what you would typically expect from the guys at United. Is it their best work to date? That is debatable. However, there are two tracks that rise above the rest.

Some songs on the album, such as "Desert Song" and "Your Name High," have been borrowed from the "mother band" (Hillsong). Other songs that can only be described as "epic" are, the title track "Tear Down the Walls" and "You Hold Me Now." "Tear Down the Walls" seems, lyrically, to be everything that the band has been trying to get across to their listeners since the beginning. It's a compilation of desires, prayers, and God's children crying out for redemption. Located just after midway through the album, the song is placed perfectly for a great transition into the hymn-melodic track "Soon." Not to mention, the track lasts for nearly ten and a half minutes. So, taking into account the length, the conviction based lyrics, and the number of dynamics, "Soon" is a breathe of fresh air.

Neither Hillsong nor United have a lot of songs based on Heaven. "You Hold Me Now" is definitely icing on the cake for this album. It's not typical "Hillsong style" but it gives this album that little something extra. "No weeping, no hurt or pain/ No suffering/ You hold me now, You hold me now/ No darkness no sick or lame/ No hiding/ You hold me now, You hold me now." These lyrics are only made greater when being sung by the entire Hillsong congregation at the end of the track. One more successful album for Hillsong United, despite the predictable song structures. That's another story for another time.

Source

Latest Hillsong album set for July release

2009-06-16T15:25:00.001+08:00

IN JULY Authentic Music will be releasing the latest album from Australia's megachurch worship phenomenon, Hillsong. 'Faith+Hope+Love' is being released in multi-formats including CD and DVD. Recorded live in March this year over three weekends and locations the project will be Hillsong's 18th live album. Worship was led by such well known Hillsong figures like Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan. The album offers "13 songs of faith in the midst of personal circumstances, hope in Jesus for the future, and love - one for another."

Source

Hillsong United's New Album at #2 on iTunes

2009-06-10T19:04:00.000+08:00

Australian-based Christian rock/worship band Hillsong United has earned the #2 spot on the iTunes Top Album Charts for its just released CD A Cross The Earth:Tear Down The Walls. The album sits just behind Eminem's new CD Relapse, which is at #1.

"For a band that is virtually unknown outside the Christian culture to be selling more than Green Day and Lady Gaga and almost as many as Eminem on iTunes, it says something about United's amazing trajectory as an impact artist beyond just the Christian music scene," says Chris Estes, Director of Digital Marketing for Integrity Music, the label that distributes United in the U.S. in a press release. "And, they did all this without traditional industry drivers like heavy radio play and mainstream TV. Not only do they sell out major venues, churches around the world are singing their songs every Sunday."

My first thought was that it's a little ironic to have a Christian band with an album #2 in the nation, and yet still be "virtually unknown outside the Christian culture." I mean, wouldn't it be great if the message of Hillsong United and this album - Jesus Christ, compassion, social justice - was being heard in every corner of the market? Isn't that kind of what we're supposed to be doing, sharing the gospel and preaching Jesus to every corner of the globe, not preaching to the choir?

I'm not faulting Hillsong United, just questioning the reality that oftentimes the very things the world needs to hear are kept under wraps in the Christian culture. It's not Hillsong's fault. It's just the by-product of our commercialized subculture.

Now through August, Hillsong United is playing to capacity crowds, including sell-outs at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, the Roseland Ballroom in New York and the Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre in Atlanta. Remaining shows are:

5/27 Atlanta, Ga.
5/29 Birmingham, Ala.
5/30 Nashville, Tenn.
6/1 Washington, D.C.
6/2 Boston, Mass.
6/3 Virginia Beach, Va.
6/5 New York
6/6 Toronto
6/8 Grand Rapids, Mich.
6/9-10 Chicago (Willow Creek Conference)
8/21-22 Los Angeles (Encounterfest)
8/24 Denver, Colo.
8/25 Dallas
8/28-29 Miami (Encounterfest)

Updated tour details for Hillsong United can be found at the Hillsong United website.

U.S. Fans Make Australian Rock Band Hillsong United A Bonafide Grassroots Sensation

2009-06-09T18:50:00.000+08:00

a_CROSS//the_EARTH: Tear Down The WallsROCKETS TO #2 ON U.S. iTUNES TOP
ALBUMS CHART

Contemporary Christian Rock Band Sells Out Atlanta-Area 12,000-Seat
Verizon Amphitheatre on Current North American Tour

NEW YORK, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- American fans of Hillsong United, the
Australian rock band, are building a grassroots bonfire under the group
as a_CROSS//the_EARTH: Tear Down The Walls, the band's newly released
live album, rockets its way to the #2 position on the U.S. iTunes Top
Albums chart.

A musical dark horse on the iTunes chart, a_CROSS//the_EARTH: Tear Down
The Walls catapulted over mainstream competition last week from Adam
Lambert, Keith Urban, Green Day and Lady GaGa.

Fans have been generating standing-room-only ticket sales for Hillsong
United on the North American leg of the group's
a_CROSS//the_EARTHSpring Tour 2009 (please see itinerary following). On
Wednesday night (May 27), Hillsong United sold-out the 12,000 seat
Verizon Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Georgia, just outside Atlanta,
delighting their ecstatic fans with an evening's worth of electrifying
spirit-filled rock presented in an astounding concert environment of
state-of-the-art light and sound.

Hillsong United is the music-making world-touring youth ministry of the
Hillsong Church, a pentecostal congregation located in Sydney,
Australia. Featuring Brooke Ligertwood and other charismatic worship
leaders and performers, Hillsong United host Encounter, an annual youth
conference, in the U.S. each summer, drawing thousands of fans from
across the country. This year's Encounter conferences will take place
at the Anaheim Convention Center (August 21-22) and the University of
Miami (August 28-29). For more details, please visit
www2.hillsong.com/united/#/encounter.

The Hillsong Church produced its first praise and worship CD, The Power
of Your Love, in 1992. The first Hillsong United release, the four-song
EP One, was released in 1998 and bundled with the annual Hillsong live
album. Since those humble beginnings, more than 6 million Hillsong CDs,
DVDs and other branded units have sold in the United States, with
Hillsong United selling more than 560,000 pieces in the U.S.

a_CROSS//the_EARTH: Tear Down The Walls, the latest in a line of live
Hillsong United albums beginning with 1999's Everyday, has been drawing
rave reviews:

Kevin Davis, writing for the Christian Music Review, called the album
"...a must have for your praise and worship collection."

Andree Farias, in Christian Music Today, found "...a combination of
stadium-sized praise rockers and ballads..." in the album while noting
that "Hillsong United goes back to their old ways with energy and
passion....In case you've been living under a rock, take heed: Hillsong
United is the biggest youth worship band on the planet."

"Hillsong United return with their first live CD recording since 2006,"
wrote Leigh DeVore in Charisma magazine. "a_CROSS//the_EARTH: Tear Down
The Walls features 12 songs, including 11 new tracks, in Hillsong
United's signature power, pop-rock worship melodies. The crowd stays
involved on this rousing CD, with its good mix of feet-stomping tracks
and heart-moving ballads....Hillsong United continue to usher crowds
into the presence of God with energetic, faith-building songs. Fans
will be so glad to hear them again...."


   Hillsong United - U.S. Tour dates
   Fri 5/29          Birmingham, AL        The Basement at Cathedral of the
                                            Cross
   Sat 5/30          Nashville, TN         Curb Event Center
   Mon 6/1           Columbia, MD          Merriweather Post Pavillion
   Tue 6/2           Ocean Grove, NJ       Great Auditorium
   Wed 6/3           Virginia Beach, VA    Wave Church
   Fri 6/5           New York, NY          Roseland Ballroom (sold-out)
   Sat 6/6           Toronto, Ont.         Christian Heritage Day
   Tue-Wed 6/9-10    Chicago, IL           Willow Creek Conference
   Fri-Sat 8/21-22   Los Angeles, CA       Hillsong United Encounter - LA
   Fri-Sat 8/28-29   Miami, FL             Hillsong United Encounter - Miami

www.hillsongunited.com

www.IntegrityLive.com

www.columbiarecords.com

SOURCE Integrity/Columbia Records

BLOG with Hillsong chief Brian Houston now

2009-06-03T18:36:00.002+08:00

HILLSONG founder Brian Houston has appealed to his new flock at Garden City Christian Church to hold the faith.

Mr Houston said he hoped the community would hold-off passing judgment following his appointment to lead the 1000-strong Mt Gravatt church.

“Give it time and just see the real effect on people’s life,” Mr Houston pleaded.

More than 20,000 people attend Hillsong on Sunday in Sydney and Mr Houston says he is hoping that his Mt Gravatt ministry will be able to connect with people in Brisbane.

Mr Houston refers to last month’s takeover of Garden City Christian Church by Hillsong as a partnership.

He said the Rover St church, now known as Hillsong’s Brisbane campus, is its own legal identity, has its own assets and will decide its own future, but its faithful and the sign on the door belong to Hillsong.

Mr Houston says he has no problem with concerns that older long-time members of the former GCCC do not fit the perceived demographics of Hillsong.

“My experience in life is people come and people go and they are allowed to do that and I think the answer to that is it will come down to different individuals,” he said.

“At the end of the day you can only build a church on people who want to be there and want to be part of it.

“There is no doubt there is a lot of young people at our church, at Hillsong Church, but there is a good mix of people.”

When questioned about controversy that goes hand in hand with mentioning Hillsong, Mr Houston said: “We are an easy target.”

Mr Houston and his wife will continue to live in Sydney, and Pastor Steve Dixon is the local campus pastor at the Mt Gravatt church. Mr Houston said Mr Dixon’s position as the local campus pastor had no time frame.

“To me. the way it works is basically to work with lots of people and empower a great team of people and by empowering I mean really work with people on the ground and I fully intend to do everything I can to be here often and really put in ourselves.”

Source

Hillsong Church expands to Brisbane

2009-05-30T22:38:00.000+08:00

The popular Hillsong Church has expanded to Brisbane, where it has taken over one of the city's largest Pentecostal churches, Garden City Christian Church.

Garden City Christian Church on Brisbane's southside that will now be renamed Hillsong Brisbane Campus, was acquired after church-goers voted in favour of the Houstons.

Pastor Brian Houston who resigned as president of the Australian Christian Churches, in a bid to focus on the Hillsong expansion, will be elected as the senior pastor of the acquired church on May 24.

According to sources, Houston chose to move into Brisbane because "it is a fast growing area with great potential for the Gospel".

Some speculate that the global economic crisis might be one of the reasons for Hillsong vying on its expansion ambitions.

However, although unverified, sources say, Garden City's senior pastor, Bruce Hills, was forcefully made resign by the congregation after scrutinizers noted the poor growth of the church.

When he returned from eight weeks' leave, Garden City Christian Church elders told him: "We'd rather have more of a CEO leader than you. We'd like you to resign," Brisbane Times quoted him saying.

Describing it as "the deepest, darkest experience I've ever been through", Mr Hills said he was "really angry about what these people had done".

Hillsong presently has a 21,000-strong congregation across Sydney. The Pentecostal group was founded by the Houstons in Sydney's Hills district in 1983 and now has branches worldwide.

Source

Brian Houston's Hillsong arrives at Garden City

2009-05-29T22:36:00.000+08:00

HILLSONG evangelist Brian Houston has defended his takeover of the Garden City Christian Church, saying "we are all part of the same church".

Hillsong logos have already replaced Garden City Christian signs have in preparation of Mr Houston’s installation as senior pastor tomorrow.

In an exclusive interview with The Courier-Mail today, Mr Houston said the board of the re-branded church would be governed by three Hillsong members, three GCC members and himself.

“We’re all Australian Christian church, so we’re all part of the same church, so were already part of the same greater movement,’’ he said.

The Mt Gravatt church is one of Brisbane's oldest and largest pentecostal churches.

More than 70 per cent of registered members voted that he and wife Bobbie should be senior pastors of the church.

Mr Houston said while the Garden City Christian church will still exist, “it essentially will be like a campus of Hillsong’’ and will be called Hillsong Brisbane Campus.

Garden City Christian members who fear the loss of their church’s autonomy must adjust to change, he said.

The church’s constitution, which will be reviewed by Mr Houston, will still control the operations of the church.

“The members of Garden City control the assets, and are the ultimate decision-making body,’’ he said

Changes to the constitution require a 75 per cent vote of registered members.

Mr Houston said he felt the changes to the church were biblical.

“I absolutely do. In the new testament church, there was a real sense of cooperation and working together, town by town, village by village, city by city.’’

Sydney-based Hillsong, with a membership of 21,000 and assets estimated at $150 million, is considered Australia’s largest and wealthiest single congregation.

It has a television audience in the millions, and churches through Europe, but Garden City Christian is its first interstate campus in Australia.

Mr Houston said there were no plans for other interstate moves, but “I’m not saying we would never ever do another thing somewhere else,’’ he said.

Next stop secular Europe, says Hillsong founder

2009-05-28T22:34:00.000+08:00

More money... Brian Houston, newly installed senior Pastor of Hillsong Brisbane.

IF HILLSONG founder Brian Houston had his time over, he would not write a book called You Need More Money.

That purposely provocative title - which encapsulates Mr Houston's "prosperity theology", but also irked Hillsong's many critics - has dogged him throughout the phenomenal growth of his Pentecostal church.

"If you said to me 'what are the three silliest things you've done', that probably would be No. 1. The heart of the book was never just about being greedy and selfish … I put a bullseye on my head."

Mr Houston doesn't shrink from his view that people need money to be effective, but the book title ensured his enormously successful church would forever be associated with proselytising for financial gain.

Hillsong estimates it earned $60 million in 2008, half of which came from its congregation. It would not disclose how much Brian and his wife Bobbie Houston were paid, but said all profits were ploughed back into church activities.

Unlike the sacrifice and humility preached by other Christian faiths, Hillsong members are told material success is nothing to be ashamed of. But Mr Houston cautioned it must be "prosperity for a purpose". "It's great if you want to go make money for a purpose. If it's just all about you and selfish, then we wouldn't [preach that]," he said. "It's about being effective, not just being self-absorbed, but living for things that are bigger than you are."

But since the global financial crisis, increasing numbers of Hillsong members are reporting financial hardship rather than financial gain.

"Definitely people are asking deeper questions about life and spirituality," Mr Houston said. "The people in our church are hurting like everybody else is, which means that we've got more call on us to be giving assistance to people and reaching out to people … That's definitely been magnified through the global crisis."

Hillsong now provides outreach services to 2000 people in Sydney every week. Yet the financial crisis isn't curtailing Mr Houston's plans to expand Hillsong. The church officially set up in Brisbane yesterday, after taking over Garden City Christian Church. It is likely to be Hillsong's only Australian branch outside Sydney.

While he says he receives letters "almost every day" from people around the world wanting a Hillsong in their city, Mr Houston is more interested in expanding further into Europe. Hillsong operates in London, Paris, Kiev, Stockholm and Moscow.

"Europe obviously has such a huge Christian tradition but has become so secular … I would like to think over the next few years it would be great to impact a few of those European cities."

Mr Houston said Hillsong does not receive any money from its international branches.

He said the church's growth from 45 people in a school hall in Baulkham Hills 25 years ago to 15,000 in cities around the world was a "miracle story".

"We're preaching to people's Mondays, not just to their Sundays."

Source

Hillsong pastor defends ministry against cult claims

2009-05-27T22:32:00.000+08:00

CELEBRITY evangelist Brian Houston has defended his Hillsong ministry against allegations it is a "cult-like" organisation as the Sydney megachurch opened a "campus" church on Brisbane's southside yesterday.

He also denied Hillsong had misspent Commonwealth grant money or recruited students in NSW schools.

Mr Houston and his wife Bobbie were installed as the new senior pastors of one of Brisbane's largest Pentecostal churches, the 1000-member Garden City Christian Church.

The church's governing board is now dominated byMr Houston, pictured, and Hillsong appointees, and the church has been rebranded with Hillsong logos.

In an exclusive interview with The Courier-Mail, Mr Houston, credited the dramatic growth of the 21,000-member Hillsong to a need for fellowship and "the grace of God".

"It's also because people want answers to life," he said.

Criticism that Hillsong is overly focused on money, flashy entertainment and fund-raising, were rejected.

"We're big and because we're big people wonder what all this is about," he said.

Hillsong critics, including politicians who have been contacted by former Hillsong members, have accused it of cult-like behaviour, including psychologically abusing people who questioned the church's practices.

"Recruitment and fundraising is what it's all about," said Tanya Levine, whose book People in Glass Houses exposes her experiences with Hillsong.

"Fundamentalism is not open to free thought and questions."

But Mr Houston said Ms Levine was only a spectator.

"There's 21,000 people who attend Hillsong on Sunday in Sydney and I would say 20,500 or 20,800 have awesome things to say," he said.

Former ALP leader and long-time MP Carmen Lawrence, now teaching at the University of Western Australia, said there was not proper scrutiny of $600,000 in federal grant money Hillsong received for indigenous employment and hundreds of thousands more for other programs.

"One thing that worried me was whether they were using funds to recruit members for their church," she said.

Mr Houston said "absolutely 100 per cent" of the allegations were false, blamed people with "an agenda" for prompting the reports, and gave assurances the ministry had strict accountability for grant money.

Students in NSW were not being recruited by Hillsong in schools, he said, although Hillsong was active in schools, as other churches were.

He also said Hillsong members giving 10 per cent of their pre-tax wages to the church were not asked directly to do so.

Faith film festival opens at Walmer Park

2009-05-13T20:26:00.001+08:00

STARTING this weekend, the Nu Metro cinema at Walmer Park offers fans of movies with inspirational messages the chance to watch a faith film festival.

The festival will comprise six films which will be rotated throughout the week.

I Heart Revolution: With Hearts As One is a concert movie showing the popular Hillsong United worship group in action.

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed is a satirical documentary, arguing against scientific theories like Darwinism, the big bang theory and Einstein‘s theory of relativity.

Not Easily Broken is a drama about a couple who reach breaking point in their marriage when the wife is injured in a car accident.

The fourth film in the festival is No Greater Love about a divorced couple contemplating giving their relationship another chance.

Intonga is a local production, filmed in Mdantsane about a young stick fighter who is forced to take up boxing when bullied by the local champion.

The last of the films is Fireproof, starring former Growing Pains star Kirk Cameron as a firefighter whose marriage is falling apart. The festival runs until May 14.

Source

Hillsong on a mission to spread the word north

2009-05-12T23:00:00.000+08:00

The languid Queensland capital has become the latest stop in Brian and Bobbie Houston's odyssey to franchise their pentecostal Hillsong Church around the world.

Mr Houston has resigned as president of the Australian Christian Churches, a position he held for 12 years, to focus on the "multisite" expansion of Hillsong. And that, coupled with the controversial move interstate, has prompted speculation that Hillsong is ramping up its domestic network of churches, ready to pounce on churches struggling amid the global financial crisis.

Garden City Christian Church on Brisbane's southside will be renamed Hillsong Brisbane Campus and the Houstons installed as senior pastors there on May 24, after 79 per cent of Garden City members voted in favour of the takeover.

An information document circulated before the vote said the Houstons had chosen to move into Brisbane because "it is a fast growing area with great potential for the Gospel".

The Garden City Christian Church's 3000-strong congregation will significantly bolster Hillsong's numbers, which stand at 21,000 across Sydney.

Hillsong told the Herald there are "currently no plans" for other churches in Australia. "However, our heart is to bless and build churches through example, encouragement, and strategic partnerships and we believe it is right for churches to endeavour to reach and help people wherever there is need," it said in a statement.

The Sydney-based Houstons, who already spend much of their time travelling to the branches they have set up overseas, intend to be in Brisbane "as much as possible" to lead services and meetings.

Garden City's senior pastor for eight years, Bruce Hills, was forced out before the arrival of the Houstons. Garden City Christian Church announced Mr Hills's resignation in December, amid criticism that the church was not growing enough. Yet in an address to a Christian conference at Easter, Mr Hills revealed he had a nervous breakdown last September. "Emotionally I just imploded," he said.

When he returned from eight weeks' leave, Garden City Christian Church elders told him: "We'd rather have more of a CEO leader than you. We'd like you to resign."

Describing it as "the deepest, darkest experience I've ever been through", Mr Hills said he was "really angry about what these people had done".

Steve Dixon, who has been acting pastor at Garden City since Mr Hills's resignation, will now be "campus pastor" of Hillsong Brisbane.

A former Hillsong staff member for seven years, who now blogs as The Thinking Theologian, argues the worldwide economic downturn has crimped the Houstons' global expansion ambitions, forcing them to look closer to home for new Hillsong branches.

"An established, sizeable congregation, with a catchment of wealthy city-slickers, is far too lucrative an opportunity to turn down," the blogger posted. "But it won't stop at Brisbane. I suspect as increasing numbers of churches feel the pinch of the global recession, they'll be more than willing for Brian Houston and co. to step in and give them a makeover, repackage them, and then market them under the Hillsong brand."

Since starting their church with 45 people meeting in the Baulkham Hills Public School hall in 1983, the Houstons have been trying to emulate the model of established churches, where there is one leader for the faith, and "operational" pastors appointed to run individual churches in locations around the world.

The takeover of Garden City Christian Church coincided with Mr Houston's resignation from the Australian Christian Churches presidency at its conference conference on the Gold Coast.

"Its [sic] a happy, sad time for me as my time as leader of ACC comes to an end tonight. My heart is full of vision for the future though," Mr Houston said on Twitter.

Source

Hillsong Power In Latin America

2009-05-11T22:54:00.001+08:00

Latin Americans are flocking in their millions to energetic Evangelical churches - and now they're starting to flex their political muscle.

The Catholic Church is in trouble in Latin America. There is a major trend underway in the region, threatening to end Catholic supremacy. Protestant churches — especially the Pentecostal ones — are growing quickly and becoming politically influential, from Mexico down to Chile.

Nothing reflects this trend better than the Chilean Government's proclamation of 31 October as a Protestant and Pentecostal church public holiday. Announced at the end of 2008, the decision was described by The Economist as a "cultural milestone".

And while socio-theological prophecy is not its specialty, the magazine was onto something when it speculated that "Protestantism by Latin America's socially aspirational poor looks like an inexorable trend". What The Economist didn't mention is that Latin American Protestants — especially Pentecostals — are seeking and exercising increasing political influence all over the region.

The fact that around 14 to 15 per cent of Chile's population of 20 million are Protestants is not lost on Chile's President Michelle Bachelet, an agnostic and socialist who was briefly exiled in Sydney in the 1970s. Her declaring the public holiday "was a decision taken in the context of the next December 11 election, and the Government is courting the growing Protestant vote, especially the Pentecostal," Rubén Orellana, a leading Methodist pastor, told newmatilda.com.

The growing political power of Pentecostals — the fastest growing branch of Protestantism in the world — marks a shift for the movement, previously regarded as "apolitical", and more concerned with individual conversions.

There are around 30 political parties in Latin America that could be branded as Pentecostal (or Evangelical). A few of them are already well established. One example is the right-wing Nicaraguan party "Camino Cristiano Nicaraguense" (Nicaraguan Christian Path). At the 1996 elections the party became the third-largest political force in Nicaragua.

In Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez — whose relationship with the Catholic Church has soured since he came to power in 1998 — has attracted the support of Pentecostals for his programs of social assistance for the poor. Bolivian president Evo Morales has developed a similar proximity towards these churches. His friendly relationship with Protestants has been in sharp contrast to his confrontations with the hierarchy of the Bolivian Catholic Church. In 2006 Morales rewarded Protestant Churches' support for his government by appointing Casimira Rodríguez, an indigenous Methodist, as Justice Minister.

Brazil has the largest community of Pentecostals in the world. Since 2002 the left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been actively courting them. In 2006 President Lula's Workers Party forged a powerful political coalition with the Brazilian Republican Party (BRP), established by the large Pentecostal group the Church of the Kingdom of God. The Brazilian Vice-President José Alencar and 62 members of the Brazilian Congress are Pentecostals. While there is no evidence of a "bloc vote", the political slogan "A brother votes for a brother" voiced in the latest Brazilian elections speaks of a trend of Pentecostal faithfuls voting for Pentecostal candidates.

In Mexico — a historical stronghold of Latin American Catholicism — Pentecostals have become a powerful presence in grassroots movements. In Chiapas — the birthplace of the radical indigenous Zapatista movement — over 30 per cent of the community is Protestant. A former local governor, Pablo Salazar Mendiguchia, is a member of the Evangelical Church of the Nazarene.

The impact of the Latin American Protestant movement is not only political. It is also changing the religious landscape of the region dominated for centuries by the Catholic Church. Fifty years ago 90 per cent of the 560 million Latin Americans were Catholics, today it's 70 per cent and still declining.

And this is happening while Protestant and Evangelical churches keep on growing. Today 20 per cent of the Latin American population is Protestant. With 75 million adherents, Pentecostals are the overwhelming majority among these, according to the 2005 figures from the World Christian Database.

Guatemala is the Latin American country with the largest percentage of Protestants, with Pentecostals making up the majority of these. The Protestantism movement in Guatemala emerged in the mid-1800s, and has enjoyed rapid growth since the 1960s. Today 30 per cent of its 13 million population belongs to a Protestant Church.

Some predict Brazil will follow Guatemala's path and in the next two decades Pentecostals will be a majority of Protestants. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, nearly 40 out of 188 million Brazilians today are Protestants. Three large Pentecostal churches are the dominant forces in this group: the fast-growing Pentecostal Universal Church, the Assembly of God (with 10 million followers), and the Kingdom of God Pentecostal Church. The latter has developed an unparalleled media apparatus, controlling newspapers, magazines, television networks and radio stations.

The rank and file of the Protestant movement come mainly from the poorer classes, many of whom live in Latin America's sprawling shanty towns. What's concerning the hierarchy in the Vatican is that they're not coming primarily from population growth, migration or indigenous religions — they're coming directly in disenchanted droves from the Catholic Church.

According to the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), 10,000 people a day leave the Catholic Church and around 8000 each day convert to Protestantism. "The largest number of converted evangelicals come from the Catholic Church", Bernardo Barranco, a sociologist and religious expert, said.

"Pentecostalism is an attractive option to the poor of the region", Dr Manuel Ossa, a theologian at the respected Diego de Medellín Ecumenical Centre in Chile, told newmatilda.com. "Pentecostalism relies on the so-called 'theology of prosperity' to attract followers", he said. "This claims that material wealth is a divine blessing achieved by an active and frequent participation in the religious services."

In marked contrast to the weekend's empty pews in Catholic masses, the Pentecostal churches popping up all over Latin America — typically no more than humble, undecorated wooden houses — are thriving, noisy and crowded places of worship.

Respected Belgian Catholic theologian and priest José Comblin told magazine Punto Final that Pentecostals were filling the vacuum left by the Catholic Church in the impoverished slums of Latin American. "The Catholic Church has abandoned the popular masses," he said. "In one of the Brazilian shanty towns where I live — with around 10,000 people — there are 84 Pentecostal chapels and three Catholic."

The loss of Catholic followers to the Protestant movement was one of the major points of discussion at the 2007 Latin American Episcopal Conference held in Brazil. The final document said the expansion of Protestantism "constitutes a serious concern due to the fact that the majority migrating into these groups are Catholics."

The late Pope John Paul II described the growth of Pentecostal Churches as an invasion of sects, and rapacious wolves who were robbing Latin America of its Catholic culture and destroying social cohesion. However, according to many observers, that Pope was himself one of the culprits behind the vacuum left by the Catholic Church among the poor.

The role claimed for itself by the Catholic Church as the "preferential option for the poor", was not part of John Paul's narrative. Closer to spiritual conservative centre and right-wing upper-class movements such as Opus Dei and Legionaries for Christ, Pope John Paul II destroyed Liberation Theology, a movement that was seen as a real option for the poor and a sort of antidote to the Pentecostal tide. Followers of Liberation Theology — Catholic priests and lay members working with the poor, marginalised and ethnic minorities — were unendorsed by the Vatican and persecuted by right-wing governments.

This is a big part of the hearts-and-minds battle for the region's poor that the Pentecostals are winning. Expect to see these groups wielding a lot more political power in the near future.

Source

Hillsong plans Brisbane housewarming before vote cast

2009-04-29T19:40:00.000+08:00

Bobbie Houston, senior pastor and founder of the Hillsong Church.

The Hillsong juggernaut has planned a victory party on May 1 to celebrate its arrival in Brisbane despite its takeover of a Pentecostal church south of the city not yet receiving the green light from congregants.

Registered members of the Garden City Christian Church in Mount Gravatt will on Sunday vote on whether to officially appoint evangelists and Hillsong founders Brian and Bobbie Houston as senior pastors in a move that would see the church renamed the Hillsong Brisbane Campus.

Despite claiming their pending footprint into Queensland was merely a partnership with the existing church, an information document circulated at Garden City at a service on April 5 has left little doubt about the Houstons' intentions to change the face of the congregation.

"We intend, as indicated earlier, to operate as Hillsong Brisbane Campus," the document noted.

Anticipating the approval of the takeover by members will be a mere formality, Hillsong heavies have planned a large housewarming party at the church on May 1 - the day after the three-day Australian Christian Churches (ACC) national conference winds up at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

ACC, of which Mr Houston is the head, is the Australian branch of the Assemblies of God denomination.

"They're going to have a gathering at the church to celebrate their win," said a Mt Gravatt church congregrant, who asked that her name not be published.

The congregant fears the nature of the Mt Gravatt church, which has more than 1000 members, will continue to go backwards under the stewardship of the Hillsong franchise.

"It used to be a really humble church and it's totally changed over the years," she said.

"They do really, really frivolous things. Once they did skydiving to raise money for missions.

"If people want to support the church they will - you don't have to have big names."

She said her family intended to end their long-time association with the church when Hillsong took over.

Hillsong has indicated it would allow the church's acting pastor Steve Dixon to remain for a transitional period and that members would not lose control over church assets under the so-called partnership.

But one former Hillsong congregant has warned that the "controlling cult" made fundraising and recruitment its highest priorities, with church members holding few rights.

"They're coming off all kind and pastoral when in fact it is simply a company takeover," said Tanya Levin, author of the 2007 book People in Glass Houses, about her experiences under Hillsong.

"It will be interesting to to see how much of their former church as they know it survives.

"Because the Assemblies of God have got a history of going in, taking over and pretty quickly throwing out everybody that the previous church actually thought were important."

Hillsong's headquarters, the "Hills" campus, is in the Sydney suburb of Baulkham Hills but it also has two other campuses in the city. It conducts services around Sydney and has established international extensions in the UK, the Ukraine, South Africa and Sweden.

Ms Levin said the move into Brisbane was the latest example of the Houstons' desire to spread their influence.

"They're really explicit about wanting other areas in the world," she said.

"They want Africa, particularly, as well as India."

The church has established a growing presence within political circles in recent years, with then-Prime Minister John Howard opening its Baulkham Hills complex in 2002 and the likes of Peter Costello, Alexander Downer, Helen Coonan and Bob Carr having attended Hillsong events and conventions.

Hillsong Church visits the Park School in Yeovil

2009-04-28T19:30:00.001+08:00

PUPILS at The Park School in Yeovil were challenged by a visit from a dynamic group of musicians from the London church Hillsong.

Hillsong has its base in the Dominion Theatre where there are regular congregations of as many as 2,000 people attending each of the four Sunday services.

Hillsong’s vibrant mix of live music and testimony is already popular amongst young people in London schools, but this was the group’s first visit to a school outside the London area.

Source

Pupils from The Park had previously visited the Dominion Theatre whilst on a visit to the city and have been amazed to worship with so many young people. Hillsong Church aims to introduce people to a living faith, viewing themselves as a community of ordinary folk who seek to embrace our cities and the nation by showing care for all.

The mixture of live music, video and speech was invigorating, punchy and tuneful, but contained the message for their audience: “It’s not about where you are from, it’s about humanity being deprived of the very thing that it was created to do…love.”

Hillsong takeover bid for Garden City Christian Church

2009-04-21T20:56:00.002+08:00

ONE of Brisbane's largest Pentecostal congregations has been stunned by news their pastor could be forced out when the church is taken over by Hillsong.

The Sydney-based mega church is set to take control of the 1000-member Garden City Christian Church in Mt Gravatt on Sunday if Hillsong evangelists Brian and Bobbie Houston are named senior pastors of GCCC.

In a statement, Hillsong said current GCCC pastor Steve Dixon would remain only for a 12-month "transitional period". That stunned longtime members who were told Pastor Dixon wanted to stay.

"Nobody has been told anything about that. That's the first I've heard of that," said one member.

Pastor Dixon is not commenting as the church waits on Sunday's vote to determine if the Houstons will control the church.

Source

Hail to the King by Hillsong London

2009-04-07T20:09:00.001+08:00

Based on Hillsong London's new CD, ‘Hail to the King', it's easy to see why the group has become one of the more successful praise and worship bands in the country. Indeed, their Christian music, reminiscent of early U2, has found a welcome audience even across the ocean in places like the United States. ‘Hail to the King' offers the group's standard excellent vocals and strings, with occasional brilliant piano interludes, all wrapped in a British-pop package.

Having said that, it should be said that there is little new ground broken on ‘Hail to the King'. In fact, with one or two possible exceptions, you can divide the songs neatly into two categories: the slow songs and the fast songs. Most of the slow ones sound like all the other slow ones and most of the fast ones sound like all of the other fast ones.

This is not as severe of an attack as it might first seem. With the slow songs, Hillsong London actually managed to create a style that will probably be welcomed in evangelical worship services. Especially with songs like ‘You Brought Me Home' and ‘I Receive', there is an intensity that lends itself well to worship (‘You Brought Me Home,' especially, had me near tears).

Still, one would hope that on the group's fourth CD, there would be some stand-out songs that would be different, unique, and it's hard to find anything like that on ‘Hail to the King.' One notable exception is ‘The Call.' Even though it's an upbeat song, it relies less on the high-octane electric guitar than some of the other upbeat songs. And it does some interesting things with the vocals which I can't really explain, you'll just have to hear.

One final point: even though this review has focused on Hillsong London's success with praise music, from an artistic point of view, their ‘fast songs' are actually superior to the slow ones. They might find more success if they focused their time and talents more on the youth market and less on the worship songs. Not that they're not good at the latter. It's just that they're better at the former.

Hillsong Church rocks with G-LEC at the Dominion

2009-03-25T19:27:00.001+08:00

Every Sunday, the Dominion Theatre in London's Tottenham Court Road, home to We Will Rock You, becomes the setting for the London services of Hillsong Church. A vibrant church, Hillsong in London has grown in ten years to a congregation of some 10,000 people, holding three services each week.

With a relatively young congregation of mainly 20-35 year olds, the senior pastor of Hillsong London was looking to add dynamics to the services and so provide more engagement with the congregation. "We had been using a large back projection screen on the stage at the Dominion," explains the Church's technical director, Frankie du Toit, "and we needed something that would work in conjunction with that."

He saw the G-LEC Phantom 30 frames at the PLASA show last year and was impressed with the system's ease of use and light weight. He continues: "The system is not only used at the Sunday services, but also at the various events, such as conferences, which the Church organises around the country. I needed a system that was going to be easy to manoeuvre, easy to rig and, above all, reliable."

With its own graphics department, Hillsong Church designs images specifically for the G LEC Phantom 30 system, which are distributed via a grandMA Video server.

12 G-LEC Phantom 30 frames are now installed at the Dominion Theatre where, thanks to the crew of We Will Rock You, they are stored on fly bars during the week, ready for use on Sundays.

Bryan Norton, managing director of G-LEC UK, said: "This is one of the first installations for G LEC UK and it's extremely satisfying to have such a delighted customer."

Source

WorshipSource.com and Word Records Team Up To Create 30 All Time Favorite Series

2009-03-18T18:57:00.000+08:00

WorshipSource.com, the leading community networking site for church worship leaders, worship writers and artists as well as the passionate worshiper, and Word Records have joined forces to create the quintessential audio series for the Church. With the tag line �The Songs The Church Is Singing,� the 30 All Time Favorite Series features 30 songs on two CD�s at a fan-friendly price.

The first in the series, 30 All Time Favorite Worship Songs, releases March 17th and features �all time favorite� songs made popular by Chris Tomlin, Israel Houghton, Matt Redmon, Paul Baloche, Lincoln Brewster, Passion, and Hillsong. (See track listing below.)

The 30 All Time Favorite Series continues on April 21st with the release of 30 All Time Favorite Hymns and a special seasonal release, 30 All Time Favorite Christmas Songs, in late September.

Track listing
Disc 1
Your Grace Is Enough
Trading My Sorrows
Friend Of God
Everlasting God
Made To Worship
Come Now Is The Time To Worship
Enough
Blessed Be Your Name
Jesus Messiah
Mighty To Save
Holy Is The Lord
We Fall Down (At The Feet Of Jesus)
In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found)
Wonderful, Merciful Savior
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Disc 2
You Are Good
Because Of Your Love
How Can I Keep From Singing
You Never Let Go
Sing, Sing, Sing
Beautiful One
I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever
Open The Eyes of My Heart
Better Is One Day
At The Cross
My Savior My God
How Great Is Our God
You Are My King (Amazing Love)
Here I Am To Worship
How Deep The Father's Love For Us

JAAL Women’s Luncheon a Huge Success

2009-03-17T18:50:00.002+08:00

More than 200 women gathered at Sydney’s Hilton Hotel this week to learn more about the Bible Society’s ‘Jesus. All about life’ campaign.

The non-denominational, state-wide campaign hinges on mass-media advertising, however Christians are being called upon to act at grass-roots level to truly take the concept ‘to the people’.

The women were addressed by international songwriter, worship leader and author Darlene Zschech, (whose song ‘Shout to the Lord’ is sung by an amazing 30 million Christians every week).

They also heard from the dynamic Pastor Chris Pringle from Christian City Church and Hillsong’s Sue and Peter Irvine, who started the enormous Gloria Jeans franchise.

The attendees told all about the campaign, then were urged to do what women do best- that is, talk to others about Jesus and what he said ‘about life’, as well as the importance of being loving and supportive role models as people are made increasingly aware of Jesus.

Attendees were also urged to ensure their churches are registered for Jesus. All about life.

All Christian denominations have registered their support for the campaign, which officially kicks off in September.

New South Wales Bible Society

2009-03-12T19:05:00.000+08:00

The Bible Society of New South Wales campaign "Jesus. All about life" will now cover all of New South Wales (NSW). It has already run successfully in Adelaide, Canberra and Tasmania.

"Jesus. All about life" is a non-denominational, advertising-based, mass-media campaign which aims to increase the general public’s awareness of the person of Jesus, and what he said ‘about life’.

So far, it has the support of all the major denominations including the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Australian Christian Churches including Hillsong and the Baptist Church of NSW. This campaign is supported by local churches, who will run community, cultural, and arts events that connect with the message of the campaign.

The crusade is to run during September and October this year and was to include Sydney and surrounds, however it’s now been decided to take it to the whole of the state.

More than 330 churches across Sydney have already committed their support to the Bible Society’s ‘Jesus. All about life’ campaign. In an amazing show of denominational unity, 83 Seventh Day Adventist churches have registered, alongside all of the other major denominations.

“We are very enthusiastic about the Jesus All About Life Campaign and have signed up all our congregations and schools,” says President of the Greater Sydney Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Pr David Blanch.

“We love the message this campaign promotes in the community and are keen to do what we can as a denomination to promote the relevance of Jesus to everyday life.

“We have a high regard for the work of the Bible Society and know that working with them will be a positive experience for our congregations while delivering an important message to the people of Sydney.

“As a denomination this campaign gives us a concerted focus on Jesus and promotes synergy within our congregations and schools as we work together to lift Jesus up in our city.”

All of Sydney’s Christian churches are being urged to register their interest now for the Bible Society’s non-denominational multi-media campaign.

Bible Society NSW CEO Daniel Willis says it will be a better use of resources to have the campaign cover a wider area. "We have been working on plans for the Sydney campaign for over two years," Daniel said.

"Jesus. All about life" committees are already in place in the Hunter, Wollongong and Central Coast regions, and we have spoken with churches in both the north west and central west of NSW, so it makes sense to all work together.

"The Sydney campaign is progressing well and has the support of the major churches and denominations," said Daniel. "Whilst expanding the campaign will be a challenge, we’re confident "Jesus. All about life" will receive the support of regional leaders and churches."

"I have seen how country churches sometimes struggle to make an impact in their community. Being a part of the "Jesus. All about life" campaign, means they will join with hundreds of other churches and thousands of Christians as together we present the person of Jesus and what he said into our society," said Daniel.

One of the most visible elements of the campaign so far has been the "Jesus. All about life" V8 Ute and V8 Supercar driven by Andrew Fisher. "Andrew and the Jesus Racing team are a major part of the Bible campaign," Daniel says. "Jesus Racing has already made a major impact at cultural and community programs across Australia."

Bible Society NSW, founded in 1817, is part of the worldwide fellowship of the United Bible Societies (UBS). There are currently 135 Bible Societies working in over 200 countries in the world.

David Ostby, Norway's local boy

2009-03-11T18:58:00.002+08:00

David Ostby is obsessed, but in a good way. His mind, his music and his main passion for all he does revolve around the local church. Ask him about how the world gets fixed, and just two words will come back: local church. Listen to his latest album ‘Because Of You’ and you’ll end up convinced that he’s absolutely right.

"I believe," David explains, "that everything with a global impact starts locally. And that’s where I started as well; by being committed to serving my church, a church that gave me the room to develop my skills – and lead worship at the age of 16."

These days his emergence onto the worship scene means that he now has a whole load more of local churches to cheer on, inspire and connect with. Writing in English – which, let’s face it is probably a whole lot easier for David to do than for us to sing in Norwegian – allows for a wider take-up, which is precisely what has been happening.

"A few years back, when this century was just beginning, worship in Norway was completely redefined. Worship leaders and churches all over the country picked up the torch and it was clear that it was the beginning of a new worship movement, uniting Christians from all churches and ages. My youth group – Ungfila - was privileged to be a part of this wave.

"When our first album ‘Today’ was released in 2002, we didn’t imagine anything big was going to happen; we were just a group of young people with a passion to worship God," he says. "It was only after our second album was released ‘Highest of the High’ that things really started to happen. Our live worship DVD was broadcast on national television several times, as far as I know the first time a worship concert
of this kind has ever been shown on national television."

‘Because Of You’ comes via the talents of Julian Kindred (Delirious?, Sonic Flood) and Sam Gibson (Hillsong United, Delirious?, Neil Finn). The songs are strong, production crisp and there’s no denying that the man’s got a talent for writing the kind of melody that has an unusually decent shelf-life.

UK tours will take place throughout 2009, and the future’s clearly full of opportunities for David, just as his music is for us.

Youth rally could draw 300-plus teenagers

2009-03-06T22:10:00.001+08:00

Proving churches can unite — regardless of denomination or the racial makeup of the congregation — is the goal of a three day youth rally this weekend in Georgetown.
The Impact Weekend, as it’s being called, will bring youth groups together from many different churches for energized services, a community work day and a block party.
The Georgetown Youth Association is partnering with the city police in organizing the first-of-its-kind event for middle and high schoolers.
“We knew we wanted to do something to connect the churches,” said Steve Mueller, youth pastor of Georgetown’s First Assembly of God. “These kids live in the same community and go to school together but they do not always know who the other Christians are. This will bring an openness.”
He said the goal is for at least 300 teenagers at the rally.
Benji Wham, leader of the Georgetown Community Church youth, said the pastors wanted an event that “focusses on a deeper relationship with God.
“We really want to take things up a level with the students.”
Georgetown Police Chief Paul Gardner said the Impact Weekend is something he has wanted to see for a long time.
“This is important to show churches can unite for common good and it’s also important for an evangelical weekend to have a positive impact on the lives of the young people,” Gardner said.

Friday night kickoff

The first of several events will take place at 7 p.m. Friday in the Georgetown Middle School gym with music from Rendered One Eighty of Florence.
The contemporary Christian group released their first CD in 2008 and lists groups such as Hillsong, 3 Doors Down and artist Jeremy Camp as influences.
The evening’s message will be delivered by Roosevelt Hunter of Sarasota, Fla.
After the rally, there will be smaller events held at different churches.
In some cases the youth will spend the night.

Saturday work and rally

On Saturday morning, the youth will get back together to spend the day performing community service work.
Some youth groups will clean trash from the streets while others will hold a free “no-strings-attached” car wash or help local charities for the day.
On Saturday night at 6 p.m., there will be another service at Georgetown Middle School with a message from Wayne Northup of Answering the Cries ministry.
He currently travels throughout the country holding youth rallies.
Northup said he “has a strong desire to train upcoming evangelists.”
The two services will be high-energy events with the main focus on unity and discipleship, Wham said.

Sunday block party

On Sunday afternoon, there will be a block party at Francis Marion Park on Front Street with free pizza and drinks and ministry from local youth bands and drama teams.
There will also be a final message delivered by Northup.
“We felt it was important to close with a block party to show the community we have a lot of young people who are faith filled,” Gardner said.
Because of the event, the intersection of Front and Broad streets will be blocked to traffic from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Gardner said.

Source

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

2009-02-27T18:51:00.001+08:00

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

When class defines church

2009-02-25T14:01:00.002+08:00

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

Hillsong Men's Conference

2009-02-15T20:44:00.000+08:00

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

Hillsong Conference 09

2009-02-14T19:48:00.000+08:00

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

COLOUR YOUR WORLD CONFERENCE

2009-02-13T19:45:00.001+08:00

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

Amazing Women to Speak for Jesus. All about life

2009-02-12T19:31:00.001+08:00

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

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

2008-12-30T09:50:00.000+08:00

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

2008-12-26T21:49:00.001+08:00

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

2008-12-15T18:44:00.001+08:00

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

2008-12-14T18:37:00.000+08:00

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” !

2008-12-03T21:22:00.001+08:00

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

2008-12-01T19:55:00.000+08:00

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

2008-11-30T19:53:00.000+08:00

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.

EXCLUSIVE: Mercy Ministries exorcism books leaked

2008-11-29T19:52:00.000+08:00

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

2008-11-28T19:49:00.000+08:00

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

2008-11-22T22:15:00.001+08:00

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

2008-11-15T19:50:00.000+08:00

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

2008-11-14T19:43:00.000+08:00

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

2008-11-13T19:41:00.000+08:00

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

2008-11-12T19:38:00.001+08:00

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)

2008-11-08T18:09:00.000+08:00

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

2008-11-07T17:52:00.000+08:00

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

2008-11-06T22:58:00.000+08:00

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.

2008-11-05T07:06:00.000+08:00

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)

2008-11-04T07:11:00.000+08:00

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

2008-11-02T19:58:00.000+08:00

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

2008-11-01T18:59:00.000+08:00

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

2008-10-31T18:57:00.000+08:00

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

2008-10-30T18:48:00.001+08:00

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

2008-10-30T18:42:00.001+08:00

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

2008-10-15T08:02:00.000+08:00

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

2008-10-14T19:57:00.000+08:00

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

2008-10-13T22:39:00.000+08:00

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.

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Album

2008-10-13T20:14:00.007+08:00

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

2008-10-13T20:08:00.002+08:00

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

2008-10-13T19:50:00.002+08:00

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

2008-10-13T19:43:00.002+08:00

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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