Brian and Bobbie

Within a few years of its inception, Hillsong, under the leadership of Brian and Bobbie, began to church plant outside the borders of Australia.  Initially in Kiev (Ukraine) and London, these global campuses expanded into 30 nations, with congregations in many of these cities numbering in the thousands also.  The desire was always that these locations would impact their nation and surroundings. By 2019, Hillsong Australia was averaging 47,000 in weekend attendance, with over 150,000 in global attendance in major cities across the world.

 

Unique to Hillsong and Pastor Brian Houston’s instinctive leadership was a devoted team with an inspiring can-do spirit.  The outflow of an Apostolic mantle is the release it brings to others. Together and with a spirit of genuine unity, the (Hillsong) house began to expand and flourish into the vision that had been entrusted : 

 

• WORSHIP has always been part of the journey.  In the early 1980’s, Brian encouraged a fledgling worship team to begin to write “music and songs” that would not only connect with the human soul and people of all age and demographic, but also music that would resonate with theological declaration and truth.  A desire to steward modern day anthems, songs of praise and God glorifying worship that would unlock the presence of God in individuals and in local congregations was at the heart of this vision.  Hillsong Music has for several decades now impacted the lives of multitudes on every continent of the earth.  Three notable brands emerged:  HillsongUnited; Young & Free; and Hillsong Worship. As God opened both door and opportunity, worship concerts have packed iconic venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden, the Staples Center and Red Rocks.  As testimony to the glory of God, Hillsong worship has garnered recognition at the very top of both Christian and mainstream music — including multiple Platinum and Gold albums; Grammy nominations and Grammy Award; American Music Awards; Billboard Awards; Dove Awards and other industry recognition.  Even though awards were never the focus, these awards bear testimony to the Grace of God and the miraculous penetration that worship brings to the table. 

 

• Hillsong College birthed and has grown to attract thousands of international students for studies ranging from Diploma courses, to Theology Degrees with Masters programs and pathways to PhD’s in Theology.  The invitation to participate and contribute to growing congregations (and signature conference events) enabled attending students to learn in practical settings and in ways they might never have had access to.  A great distinctive of the college was students hungry for a move of God in their own lives and the hands-on opportunity to grow their individual gift, talent and calling.  Tens of thousands of Hillsong College Alumni are serving God around the world and remain a testimony to God’s Spirit fine-tuning the call of God upon us all.  

 

• Reaching and influencing the world saw the emergence of Hillsong Television and Film.  Echoing the vision within his heart, Brian Houston cut new ground with faith based television. For over 30years his teaching and preaching program was seen weekly around the world. This initiative evolved into the Hillsong Channel, which in cooperation with TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) and a valued team alongside, brought innovative Christian programming to cable television, international streaming and subscription based programming.  As echoed in Brian’s “The Church that I See”, the gospel reached and ministered far beyond the four walls of Hillsong into palaces and prisons, lounge-rooms and hearts looking for encouragement and truth.  

 

• MULTI-CAMPUS CHURCH.  Multi-campus church is not uncommon now, but in 1999 when Hillsong merged two individual churches into “one church”, the model of multi-campus was almost unheard of.  Brian and Bobbie pioneered new ground in this realm of church expansion, with the missional objective to be more effective in reaching cities and nations with the Gospel.  

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• GENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP.  Also unique and tangibly inspiring to the Body of Christ, was the spirit of Hillsong staff and leadership teams. Decades of raising, training and releasing leadership meant that many “sons and daughters of the house” were encouraged and empowered to reach and influence also. Continually exhorting that “what we are a part of is bigger than the part we play”, enabled many prominent ministries to emerge and experience not only local impact, but global.