It’s less than TWO WEEKS now until the Acer Arena lights up, the first notes sound, and history unfolds at Hillsong Conference 2009…

I am passionate about Hillsong Conference, and to say that I am filled with expectation for what is ahead is an understatement. I have seen the way that dreams have been inspired, churches have been impacted, and lives have been indelibly transformed by an intense week of powerful teaching, collective worship and Holy Spirit interaction.

WOW… someone just sent me a link to the Sydney Morning Herald, online, and there’s Bobbie and I on the front page! I’m sure the photo of me is straight out of the 1980’s or at best, the mid 90’s and Bobbie looks like she is about to get hit by a truck!!

The headline is just that… a headline and it goes down the line of Hillsong ’selling itself’ and ‘franchising’.

Here’s what I find interesting, almost every Christian denomination I know levies their affiliated churches with ‘dues’ (a percentage of their offerings) but Hillsong charges NOTHING to those churches who are part of our greater family and carry the Hillsong name. We have only ever sought to resource them and help them.

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As the Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church, I have the awesome privilege of working alongside and ‘pastoring’ some of the most creative and gifted songwriters and worship leaders in the world. Our Creative Arts team is a group of gifted musicians, dancers, actors, and songwriters that are pressing in to the vision of our church, and pushing the boundaries of creativity as they use their gifts and talents to bless the body of Christ.

Just this past week, two of our very own songwriters were recognised in Nashville for their efforts. Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan were awarded the prestigious honour of a Dove Award for Worship Song of the Year for their congregational anthem ‘Mighty to Save’. This song has meant a lot to our church personally, but hearing that it has gone out from this house and blessed the global Church, touched lives and impacted them for Christ, is the greatest encouragement a Pastor could hear.

Easter bursts into our world once a year, causing parents to scramble for chocolate Easter eggs as they pass the checkout line at the supermarket.  Easter is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated events on the Christian calendar, and amongst so many of its teachings, I can’t help but believe that this year one of the greatest messages of Easter is HOPE.

There’s no question that many people today are living in desperation.  Whether here in Australia or in my travels around the world, I come across so many people who are really hurting… gripped in fear… and looking for hope.

You know, the truth is that we are living in a time when so many people are confronted by pressure and seemingly hopeless situations.

I have had the great privilege of leading our movement, The Australian Christian Churches (AOG) for the past 12 years. When the Victoria Bushfires began nearly two weeks ago, I was thrilled to hear that nearly forty of our own chaplains had gathered so quickly to minister Christ’s love to those in some of the most affected areas.

These men and women of God were there at a time when many heard the tragic news of their deceased loved ones, and came to the realization of lost property and business.

To date, this is Australia’s worst-ever national disaster, and has caused so much grief, shock and sorrow to our nation. Yet, on the same scale, it has also highlighted what a generous people Australians are at times of crisis.

Hope and faith remain, along with heroic stories and the Aussie spirit, even as the devastating news continues to come from the decimated communities of country Victoria. The bushfires continue to burn as more and more people are coming to terms with the magnitude of this disaster, and the enormity of their loss.

Currently, there are over forty chaplains representing our movement, the Australian Christian Churches, on the ground in some of the worst areas of Melbourne.  My hope is to visit them next week, along with the Victorian President of the ACC, Alun Davies, to pray with them, encourage and thank them for their great commitment and response.  I am so encouraged by the outpouring of love and support from our church family, and the tireless effort of incredible people lending a hand, and giving of their time and gifts to come alongside.

As Australians it is impossible (and unthinkable) to ignore the tragedy that has so recently devastated the state of Victoria. The recent bushfires have claimed too many lives, and changed the face of some communities forever.  Too many people have lost homes, and too many people are now facing the heartbreaking task of rebuilding their lives without loved ones.  Our hearts and prayers are with all of those affected by these horrible fires.

Emma Cowan, the Australian girl who was amongst the survivors in the ‘miracle on the Hudson’, is a pastor’s daughter. Her Dad is a pastor of one of our Australian Christian Churches in Western Australia. Maybe everyone else on board ought to be thanking God for at least one praying family? I am sure there were probably more.

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” - James 5:16 (NKJV)