Church

Once again the sun is shining, the line-ups at the seafood market are HUGE and the beaches are bustling with 'Santa's' wearing surf shorts and sunscreen.  Yes, Christmas has come to Australia and we are looking forward to the fun, family, and rest that is a part of this sacred holiday.

It's hard to imagine that in some parts of the world, while we are running around buying last minute gifts and food for the table, preparing for Christmas Eve services and Christmas Morning church - many are going without, many are hungry, alone or simply unaware of the significance of this season.

Well, our Hillsong UNITED team and I have just returned from a two week tour in South America - and once again I’ve been blown away by the presence of God and the hunger of His people! I am so grateful for the faithful churches and pastors; men, women and young people all across the Earth that continue to put in a tireless effort to strengthen and build the Body of Christ worldwide.

Dear Friends,

What exciting days we are living in!  Last night our church gathered at the Sydney Entertainment Centre to pray for our city and worship together. The night was an incredible testimony to the grace of God on a little church 'down under'.  The new songs rising from this House have breathed life into our church and we pray this project will do the same for you.

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.

Are you up for a challenge?
Are you looking to grow in body, mind and spirit?
You can transform your life in seventy days!
Watch this video blog to find out more…

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.

Well, I am on a plane for a change!! When we land it will be Sunday morning at home and if all goes to plan… I’ll grab a quick shower and then a big day doing my favourite thing in all the world… pastoring our wonderful church!

I love the opportunity to do what I do. I grew up listening to my Mum and Dad’s mealtime conversations with other church leaders, and I aspired to “one day” be one of them - building a ministry, helping people, preaching, travelling to far away places to share the gospel and growing God’s kingdom.