Hillsong / United Lyrics

All of the Above: Hillsong United Photos

2009-04-06T23:51:00.000-07:00

Worship Music at it's best.

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 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, Asia and Africa.

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 were part of the 2007 release All of the Above . Brooke replaced Marty as one of the principal worship leaders of the band, while Marty moved on to join the main band to serve as one of main Hillsong worship leaders alongside Darlene and Reuben.

'Live Worship: Lifted', by Emmanuel Worship

2008-10-27T02:27:00.001-07:00

Live worship and praise music are extremely popular with young Christians. Emerging from the Charismatic-Pentecostal movement, this form of music is now very well established in Catholic circles.

In Australia, its introduction into the Catholic Church has been through the new religious movements. There is no doubt that these new religious movements are revitalising the Church and hence its attraction to young people. But this form of live worship - praise singing - using modern sound equipment and instruments projects a strong sense of religious zeal and commitment, and not simply a desire to entertain.

A new CD produced by Emmanuel/Worship, titled Live Worship: Lifted, is just that, with the lyrics of its songs representing moving, inspirational forms of prayer. The CD is in the tradition of other successful Australian recordings produced by Hillsongs, in Sydney.

The music, produced and arranged by Patrick Keady and James Garrahy, was recorded in September 2001 at an Ignite conference in Brisbane. According to Emmanuel Worship Director, James Garrahy, his hope is that these new songs will touch people's hearts and encourage the Church community to "sing a New Song" that will remind people "that with God you can soar".

Garrahy uses a powerful image on the CD's cover showing a young child being lifted up by her father who is ready to catch her.

The CD should have a positive impact on young people and one hopes this will be the first of many such CDs from Emmanuel worship. Their style and approach to the New Evangelisation is refreshing and encouraging - surely a sign of hope in the Church today.

Joyce Meyer/Hillsong Conferences Are Sweeping the United States!!

2008-10-27T02:17:00.001-07:00

For most Christians, Joyce Meyer is a household name. With broadcasts televised all over the world and tons of teaching material, which leaves no room for a Christian to misbehave, Joyce Meyer is one of the most popular Christian ministers of all time!

I recall watching Joyce Meyer, for the first time, in the mid to late '90s and, as with all new Christians, I was so excited about my new relationship with Jesus that it wasn't difficult to get up at 5:00 a.m. to hear some bible teaching to start the day off right. Of course, as the fire started to dim, I couldn't recall the last time I saw 5:00 a.m to see a minister on television. As a result, several years went by before I viewed another Joyce Meyer broadcast.

Ironically, when my season with Joyce ended, another one began with Hillsong Church. Hillsong is located in Sydney, Australia. With a church membership of approximately 30,000 members, they are probably best known for their worship pastor, Darlene Zschech. I became aware of their ministry in 1998 when I heard one of their songs on the radio. Since that time, I have been tremendously blessed by Hillsong. They have a worship concert every year, where they have a crowd of at least 10,000 people and, with every CD/DVD they release each year, it would increase my desire to go to Australia because it seemed like so much fun!Well, did I ever get to Hillsong Church in Australia to attend one of their worship concerts? "No." But guess what!?! I don't have to because, as the announcer said during one of Joyce Meyer's broadcasts, "Darlene Zschech, the band, and Pastor Brian Houston" teamed with Joyce Meyer a couple of years ago and started doing conferences together here in the United States! I don't know if Joyce Meyer or Hillsong knew what to expect but the conferences are absolutely spectacular and those who may not have known about Hillsong prior to the conference became new fans! I recall last year, while walking past the Hillsong resource table, where one lady purchased every Hillsong CD on the table! I kid you not! I thought to myself, "wow!"

Hillsong United Lyrics_Forever

2008-10-26T10:42:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics_Forever

I'll Worship at Your Throne
Whisper my own love song
With all my heart I'll sing
For You my Dad and King
I'll live for all my days
To Put a smile on Your face
And when we finally meet
It'll be for eternity

And Oh how wide You open up Your arms
When I need Your love
And how far You would come
If ever I was lost
And You said that all You feel for me
Is undying love
That You showed me through the cross

I'll worship You my God
I'll worship You my God
I love You
I love You
Forever I will sing
Forever I will be with You
Be with You

Hillsong Church

2008-10-20T02:10:00.001-07:00

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 London, in the United Kingdom and Hillsong Kiev in Ukraine. These churches also have services in Paris, Berlin and Moscow.

Hillsong Church has grown in both size and influence over the years. Hillsong Music has become well-known in Australia, topping charts and 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

Houston Church Discovers That Racial Unity Brings Growth and Revival

2008-10-20T01:37:00.001-07:00

On Sunday morning, the crowded sanctuary of Braeswood Assembly of God looks like it could have been plucked from the heart of Africa. Many people wear traditional clothes and large, ornate headdresses of bright orange and purple. The worship is passionate and expressive.

But Braeswood Assembly is in the heart of a Texas metropolis--a world away from Africa. The church in southwest Houston has changed from being middle-class and white to a bastion of cultural diversity. The congregation has found that embracing diversity leads to sustained growth and revival.

"The Assemblies of God is pretty strong in Nigeria, so that draws Nigerians here, though we have never made a conscious effort to go after a certain ethnic group," said senior pastor Steve Banning. "When people come to the church they feel welcome because of the diversity."

Earl Banning, Steve's father, took the church in 1970 with 120 people and guided the congregation through several key decisions that laid the foundation for diversity and continued growth. One of those decisions was to resist "white flight" and stay in their original location while many other churches moved to the suburbs.

Another decision was to embrace revival, particularly the Jesus Movement and the charismatic renewal of the 1970s and 1980s.

"Talk about a radical shift--from a suburban, middle-class white church to hippies coming in with shorts, sandals and long hair," Banning said. "But that was when the church began to grow. There wasn't turmoil. We started a Saturday night Jesus rally. A number of churches took a stand against those movements, but it has been a key for us.

"I think that was the precursor to what happened racially. That openness and compassion set the tone for receiving different races of the world without getting all shook up."

Braeswood continued to experience regular times of revival and moves of the Holy Spirit. In the 1980s African and Caribbean immigrants began coming in greater numbers as the demography of the neighborhood changed.

Wycliffe Bailey, 53, came to Houston from Jamaica in 1982. A 21-year veteran of the oil industry, he is now the church's Christian education director.

"When we first attended Braeswood it was a white middle-class church, but I noticed a growing number of minorities," Bailey said. "Soon there was more than a handful of blacks, mainly foreign blacks. The pastor felt it was God's will that the church change. He had an open arms policy to whoever God sent here."

Today, roughly 65 percent of the Braeswood congregation is African American or from Jamaica or the African continent. Fifty-five countries are represented, including Asian, Indian and Hispanic countries.

Eno Usanga, 26, and his family came to Houston from Nigeria in 1993. They were active in their church there and discovered that Braeswood was a perfect fit, Usanga said.

"I was excited to find a church with that much diversity. Many Africans, Nigerians, Caribbeans, people from around the globe were worshiping together."

Usanga coaches the drama team, publishes the youth newsletter and plays drums for the Sunday services. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston but found his life's work at the church.

"You get to do what God gave you a passion for at Braeswood," he said. "I believe the church is ready for a mighty breakthrough. I see us being a cornerstone for southwest Houston."

The excitement of many cultures uniting has helped bring steady growth. The church counts 2,500 weekly attendees, and every week 25-30 people come to Christ, Banning said. The church also is unabashedly Spirit-filled.

"It is uncommon to have a service where the gifts don't function," Banning said. "We give place for the Holy Spirit. We don't veil or hide it. We are charismatic and let the Holy Spirit touch people's lives."

Reagan Jacks, 54, a computer consultant, came to Christ at Braeswood after going through a divorce and experimenting with New Age religions.

"

Hillsong United Lyrics- Follow The Son

2008-10-19T10:40:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics- Follow The Son

You are the light
That guides my way through fear
I know my path
Will lead me to the King
And all the world
Will bow to worship You

You are the God
Who changed the world through one Holy Son
You gave everything
So all the world
Will bow in awe of You

You came down through grace
To show a better way

I follow the Son
You're the only One
Let Your kingdom come
I'm giving it all
To the One I love
I follow the Son
Jesus holy One
Let Your will be done
I give it all to You
You are everything to me (4x)

Hillsong United: Charting the amazing rise of Australia's youth worship ministry

2008-10-13T01:36:00.001-07:00

Considering how overcrowded the USA's modern worship scene has become, it is extraordinary that 'All Of The Above' by Hillsong United - the youth arm of Australia's mega church - should have recently reached number one in America's Christian music chart. Band principal Joel Houston recently told US journalist Andree Farias why he thought Hillsong United should have impacted the US: "Consistency. Just doing it. We don't even see ourselves as a band as much as part of a movement - I guess maybe even a mouthpiece for that. All of that starts at home, with our church, a local community. Now that we've come to [the States] and united with the people here and all over the Earth, [we're all discovering] that we share the same faith, the same passion, the same heart. What we're doing is fluid. I don't think it's something that we do for five years, and then United becomes dismissed. Ideally, it's something that goes on, something that we build over time. But our hope is to keep the main thing being the main thing. And if the main thing is creating music that people can sing in church and that young people can connect to God through, I think it's fine. As long as we're always committed to our call to serve the Church and keep that the basis for why we do what we do. We could tour 365 days a year, but we don't, because that's not our call. Record labels will tell us to do it 'cause it will help sell more albums. But at the end of the day, it's not what we do."Joel is, of course, the son of Hillsong's senior pastor Brian Houston. He is quite candid about his early musical experience. "I started playing when I was 13. We started a youth band - it was the beginnings of United. I started playing the piano, and I was horrible; I couldn't even do chords. Then I moved onto guitar. But since there was no bass player, I did that instead because I was probably the least talented guitarist out of the three that we had. I started writing songs. When I was 18, I started to see worship as a cool thing, so I started writing worship songs. And our church at that point started building quite a reputation for praise and worship. So I was fortunate enough to be in a place where there was a platform for the songs I was writing.The growth of the Hillsong Church (originally called Hills Christian Life Centre) was propelled forward by exceptional worship songs that had the certain "something" to captivate the world Church. First it was Geoff Bullock's "Power Of Your Love" and when, in '94, Geoff left Hillsong it was Darlene Zschech's "Shout To The Lord". With its particular emphasis on congregation-involving contemporary worship the Hillsong Church experienced spectacular growth, from about 4,000 members in 1994 to 19,000 today. In such a hotbed of worship it was the perfect place for a fledgling songwriter like Joel Houston to get feedback on his new songs. Explained Joel, "I might show a song to Reuben [Morgan, worship leader at Hillsong], and he's very straightforward. He'll nod his head or not do anything. Ultimately, I'll show it to Darlene [Zschech] and she may tell me something like, 'That line right there is not going to work.' She's worried about what's going to work in the Church at large. 'It's a good line, but you need to come up with something that will be more accessible to people.' From day one, I've learned to really work over my songs myself, chip away at them until they're all they can be. They say you have to write your song in private, then rewrite it in public. That's so true. You write the song, then you show it to people and you get their opinion."

Hillsong United were formed in 1998 by Hillsong worship leaders and songwriters Reuben Morgan and Marty Sampson as an edgier, more youth orientated worship alternative to the adult pop of mainstream Hillsong releases. Like their parent church, whose early albums were released under several name variants, at first the aggregation had a certain "branding problem" with the original name adopted being United Live. But whatever the confusing front sleeve design, the debut album, 1999's 'Everyday', did well, as did subsequent albums 'Best Friend' (2001) and 'King Of Majesty' (2002). Said Reuben Morgan at the time of 'King Of Majesty''s release, "This is the third United Live album - another year along in the journey. All we set out to do on this new album was to reflect the heart and soul of our youth ministry, and where the youth are with God. The youth ministry at Hillsong Church has grown over the last year and the songs and sound of the album are a reflection of that. Songs such as, 'King Of Majesty' and 'I Adore' are perfect examples of where the heart cry of our youth is today. The night of the recording was actually an unexpected amazing moment. Apart from the scores of people packing the auditorium, there was a passion for God and a raw sense of worship throughout the place. It was an amazing night where people were saved and people were simply hungry for God.

Hillsong Album Recording 2008

2008-10-12T23:24:00.001-07:00

Hillsong recorded their latest live album on Sunday at the Acer Arena and what a night it was… amazing, I think its the best album they've done.

So without further ado, here's what went down…

A single spotlight lit the centre of the stage and Joel walked into the light, he talked about the heart of the night, the reason why we were there and then he read from Isaiah. After that the lights went down, and then the guitars kicked into the intro for Your Name High (written by Joel), which Joel led. The sound was amazing, in previous years they've tried to keep the live sound from spilling into the mic's used to record the crowd I guess to make overdubbing easier, but probably in light of the I Heart project they have a new philosophy now… just crank it up.
Your Name High is a great song, its uptempo and a progression of the style seen in Point Of Difference on AOTA, complete with a great section of wo-oh-oh's that you'll be singing for hours after hearing it.

Next the band launched into Run (Joel Houston), similar to Your Name High, four to the floor uptempo number. Again Joel led this one.

A quick personnel change and we're into the next song, Matt Crocker runs onto the centre of the stage and leads us in Across The Earth (Matt Crocker & Reuben). This is a mid-tempo song, that has a great tag at the end "Your kingdom reigns, Your kingdom reigns, above all, above all". The song ended with the tag being sung just with keys for backing.

Lights down and then Donna Crouch appears in a spotlight reading from Isaiah. While she does this there's another personnel change and Joel disappears and is replaced by Jill, who leads us in the next song Fall At Your Feet (Reuben). Its a great ballad, typical Reuben style, however Jill really adds something to the song with her vocal, its a highlight of the night.

After this Annie Garratt moves centre stage and leads He Is Lord (Ben Fielding). Another ballad but this one is very hymn-like with a big bridge and tag line at the end "He's coming back again…".
Really good song.

At this point, there's another change and Jill leaves the stage and Darlene comes on to lead us in a new song, High And Lifted Up (Darlene). This is the first time we've done this song at church, its a good one but maybe not the best she's written though.

From there the band moves into a 6/8 groove as Jad takes a break from music directing and leads us in Stronger (Reuben and Ben Fielding). This is a great song, classic Reuben stuff. Think What The Lord Has Done and you're not far off.

At the end of this song, Mike Guglielmucci walks onto stage, carrying an oxygen tank and with tubes in his nose. He walks centre stage and begins to read from Isaiah 53. The passage finishes with the line "and by His stripes I am healed" and the whole crowd goes crazy cheering him on. Then someone hands him a guitar and he leads us in his song Healer. This totally goes off, his faith is so inspiring, I think everyone in the room felt the atmosphere change as he began to sing. This is more than a song to him, its a prayer and declaration of faith. It was so powerful.

They joined this with the tag line from You Are Here (not sure of the writers, maybe Dave George and someone from London?), Joel leading this… "The same power that conquered the grave lives in me". Its a great ending to the first half of the night.

The second half opens with Joel A'Bell reading from Isaiah and then we're into You Deserve (from the Gromie's EP) led by Sam Knock. Its a favourite here at Hillsong.

The momentum continues with JD as he leads us in Alive In You (Scott Ligertwood and Mike Guglielmucci), another uptempo song, has a bit of an English feel to it.

Desert Prayer (Brooke) is then led by Brooke and Jill. Mid tempo song, not sure how many congregations could sing this one but it was a good song nonetheless.

You'll Come (Brooke), led by Brooke and Darlene. You can check this out on the I Heart album.

After this Brooke sang part of the old hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, just her and her guitar.

Another change saw Marty come on stage and make his only appearance to lead Sing To The Lord (Matt Crocker and Mike Gug). It added a freshness to this song having a male lead where you would expect it to be a female vocalist leading. It's a great song, sounds like its been lifted from a Planetshakers album.

Approaching the end of the night now and Joel Davies came on stage to lead Where We Belong (Reuben and Joel Davies). This is a real grower of a song. Lots of words to fit in but I really like it, its a bit different and unexpected for Hillsong.

Then the last song was epic. Joel led his new song With Everything. Previous to this night I'd only heard the tag in church so it was great to hear the full song. There really is no other word for this song than epic. It starts off with Joel on his acoustic guitar and some keys providing backing and builds to a massive instrumental ending with 2 extra drummers on stage with a snare each smashing away.

After everyone walked off stage the choir (in the mosh pit) began to sing the tag line of this song over and over for another 5 minutes until it became clear that the team weren't coming back on stage for an encore.

For those interested in who played… Drummers were Brandon Gillies and Rolf did a half each, Gabe made an appearance with a snare for the last song. Matt Tenni and Bob played bass. There were 4 keys players, with 3 playing at any one time, Kev Lee, Peter James, Autumn and Dave Andrew. There was a stack of guitarists and for most of the songs there were 4 electric guitarists going at the same time… Nigel, Timon, Ben Fielding, Dylan Thomas, Andrew and Joel (from the Gromies), Jad, Dean Ussher.
Reuben played electric all night, Joel, Jill, Brooke, Marty and Sam Knock played acoustic guitar. There was also a small string section for a few songs and then a brass section for another bunch of songs.

Hillsong United Lyrics- Father,i...

2008-10-12T10:38:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics- Father,i...

Majesty,woderful
Holy Lord,Emanuel
Prince of peace,righteous one
Sacrefice,crowned as King

Father,I adore you
I live each day for you
Jesus,I love you
I give my heat life to you

Hillsong United Begins US, Canada Tour with Battle Cry

2008-10-05T23:21:00.001-07:00

One of the world's most renowned praise bands is bringing their modern rock worship to cities all across the United States and Canada beginning Friday with the first event of their North American tour.

Hillsong United – the youth-centered worship ministry of the Sydney-based megachurch Hillsong Church – started their tour Friday at the Battle Cry event being held April 13 to 14 in Detroit. Nearly 30,000 teens were expected to attend the event aimed to combat a generation taken over by secular culture.

Friday's event is the first in a series of concerts to reach out to tens of thousands of young Christians around the states and provinces.

"We are really excited about coming back to North America and we're looking forward to taking songs, which have been specifically written to be sung corporately, to young people across the continent," explained Joel Houston, Hillsong United's creative director as well as worship leader, in a statement.

As part of the international tour, the band will also be promoting the May release of All of the Above, the group's eighth album and first-ever studio recording. It includes twelve new, original tracks that are meant to inspire and excite Christians.

"With the tour and new record, our hope is to stir up a generation both locally and globally to live lives that are sold out for God and His Cause," added Houston, "lives that are committed to being His hands and feet on the planet, and to bringing justice to the hurting and the broken."

Another notable stop along the US portion of the tour will be on April 22 when the worship ensemble arrives in Nashville for the Gospel Music Association's Music Week – a weeklong event that brings together the largest collection of people involved in the Christian music industry. GMA Music Week also leads up to the Dove Awards, the most prestigious Christian music awards showcase.

While at the GMA Music Week, the band will lead the Sunday night worship service to be held at the Ryman Theatre. Alongside them will be the host for the night, Christian superstar Michael W. Smith.

Hillsong United has also recently launched a new movement called "The I Heart Revolution." Through it, they hope to unite the world by showing their travels all around the globe, and how God has impacted each of the regions they visited. In the compiled documentary, they will show video from Asia, South America, Europe, Africa, and Australia from over the last 12 months.

"It became so clear that God is doing something significant among young people," said Houston in a statement. "Regardless of language or geography, whenever they worshipped God, something powerful happened."

HILLSONG UNITED - All of the Above

2008-10-05T22:00:00.001-07:00

Hillsong has a reputation for churning out great worship music and could be accurately described as one of the most influential forces in both the church worship experience and the CCM music industry. The latest release from Hillsong United, the youth band from the renown Hillsong church, entitled All of the Above, will likely be added to their long list of successes. The record starts off with a rock driven tune called "Point of Difference." Musically speaking, it is filled with energy and would have the youth around the world jumping around and praising, however other than the hook line and title I couldn't make a fair judgment lyrically. Though the group hails from Sydney, Australia the lyrics are usually more understandable than on this particular cut. It frustrated me a little that even when I really focused on trying to understand the lyrics I couldn't make out about 50% of the words that were being sung. "Break Free" was in the same musical vein and features a different male vocal that was a little easier to translate, though not lyrically impressive from a songwriter's standpoint. "Desperate People" slows things down and brings a mellow feel to the album, and melodically proves why Hillsong is so successful. "Devotion" helps strengthen the lyrical integrity of the record and musically encourages worship. This is what Hillsong is known for and the quality of music that I expect to hear from them. The album is arranged in the order that you would probably hear the band do their live set. There is a great overall flow and listening to it naturally draws worshipful emotions out of your soul. "Lead Me to the Cross" is the first female lead on the record and quickly becomes of my favorites. She weaves a beautiful tapestry of song with her heartfelt vocals and leaves you wanting more. We hear more, a song later on "Hosanna," another one of my favorites on the record. The only thing I didn't care for about this song, is a particular instrumental sound that sounds like a siren. It was extremely annoying, unnerving and at times frightening. Thankfully it was only for a few measures. This tune is followed by one of two "Selah" times on the record, which are kind of spontaneous worship songs. Very cool! "Solution" and "My Future Decided" are reminiscent of the first of the record, with their heavy rock vibe. "Never Let Me Go" serves as a nice bridge into the last few worshipful tunes, "You" and "Saviour King." Musically speaking this is a solid record. The lyrics failed to impress me or even inspire me on several of the cuts, which was disappointing, but I probably am a tad more harsh as a songwriter than most of United's youthful target audience. They will love it! I appreciated the natural flow of the record and the different vocal sounds they offered by switching leads. Though I don't care for this effort as much as their last one, I would have to say there are still at least 4 songs on this record that will be sung worldwide, and saying "that ain't bad" is an understatement.

Hillsong United-Evermore

2008-10-05T10:36:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United-Evermore

Lost for words with all to say
Lord you take my breath away
Still my soul, my soul cries out
For you are holy

And as I look upon your name
Circumstances fade away
Now your glory steals my heart

You are holy
You are holy Lord

Evermore my heart, my heart will say
Above all, I live for your glory
Even if my world falls I will say
Above all, I live for your glory

With all my heart I'll say
I'm living for your name
With all to give you praise
We're living for your glory Lord

Worthy is the Lamb

2008-09-28T21:42:00.001-07:00

I have been privileged to be in places where God's power has been manifest more than a few times. When someone tries to confine those manifestations to certain parameters it usually results in limiting what God can do in that setting. All too often God is put in a box with four walls, a roof and a steeple. It is the same thing the Jews of old did when they confined God to the temple.

Solomon asked in his prayer in Second Chronicles, "The heaven of heavens could not contain Him, much less a house I have built." But the splendor of the temple got to them. Somehow they allowed it to overshadow the power of God. The temple became the end, not the one it was built to honor.

I have seen times God's presence has been manifest in a place. One Sunday in late 1995 the Expressive Worship team at the church we were attending did a number using the song, "This Kingdom" by Hillsong United. It begins, "Jesus, God's righteousness revealed. The Son of Man, the Son of God, His kingdom comes." It ends with the lines, "Jesus, God's righteousness revealed." That song set the stage for what was to follow.

Many of in the congregation were hearing this song for the first time. As the group finished and left to go to the basement to change clothes the music and vocal teams took over with another song to Him, "Worthy is the Lamb."

As the congregation started into the second verse people started falling on their faces before God. It was nothing orchestrated or directed by the leader but personal responses to God's presence. It was there, it was real, and it was wonderful. People just started dropping to their knees. It began in the congregation and spread. A few came to the altar but most just knelt where they were. In a couple minutes there were few who were not kneeling, most were on their face before God. Most were crying and some were just quietly praising God. It was not because someone else was doing it, it seemed to be the only valid posture for that time.

By now the Expressive Worship team had removed their costumes and they were returning from the basement. They had no idea what happened. Most of them felt His presence and joined the congregation kneeling. This scene played out for nearly a half hour. The song was played and sung over and over. "I bow down and worship, the Lamb upon the throne; For I desire, O Lord, to be called your own..."

This was the call that many there answered that day with their actions and changes in their lives. It is not the only way to worship. But on that day it was the right way to honor Him.

I have seen like occurrences with different manifestations in other settings but that morning was something I will remember because people responded to God in a special way. And He was faithful.

Desperation Band Gets Personal on Everyone Overcome

2008-09-28T21:33:00.001-07:00

Desperation Band, featuring worship leaders/songwriters Jared Anderson, Jon Egan and Glenn Packiam captures live worship and perhaps its best effort to date on Everyone Overcome. Past efforts served their purpose and audience well, but this project propels the worship outfit to another level.

The sound of Everyone Overcome is still characteristic Desperation with extra guitar, turntables and crowd participation. But the more indie rock groove and ethereal compositions give the songs and the record a more personal, authentic atmosphere. It makes for a very appropriate comparison to Hillsong United. The joyous message and fresh beat of "Counting on God" is a terrific discovery, while the experience of "Overcome" into "Maker of Heaven" launches the record in expansive live worship.

The song craftsmanship on Everyone Overcome covers a broad scope of worship styles. Anderson, Egan and Packiam (and anyone else involved in songwriting) hit their stride, offering upbeat, convincing words that speak to unwavering confidence in God.

Desperation Band, its worship leaders and the congregation at New Life Church in Colorado Springs faced startling, tragic moments this past year. The triumphant words and sounds of Everyone Overcome are an example of their spirit and decision to be God's voice of joy to this generation.

Hillsong United Lyrics-Emmanuel

2008-09-28T10:34:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-Emmanuel

Together in this place of worship
Your greatness we proclaim
We stand as one in giving You
All glory and acclaim

To You our hearts are open
To You our hands we raise
Come take the place
Of honor in our lives

Emmanuel
Our God is with us
Prince of peace
Mighty one
The ever-living God

See the praises of our savior
Rise to open skies
With the dawning of redemption
Your glory will arise
For You alone are worthy
Here in Zion you are praised
Our Lord and King
Forever You will reign

Emmanuel
Our God is with us
Prince of peace
Mighty one
The ever-living God

Hillsong United Begins U.S., Canada Tour with Battle Cry

2008-09-21T21:32:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United – the youth-centered worship ministry of the Sydney-based megachurch Hillsong Church – started their tour Friday at the Battle Cry event being held Apr. 13-14 in Detroit. Nearly 30,000 teens were expected to attend the event aimed to combat a generation taken over by secular culture.

Friday's event is the first in a series of concerts to reach out to tens of thousands of young Christians around the states and provinces.

"We are really excited about coming back to North America and we're looking forward to taking songs, which have been specifically written to be sung corporately, to young people across the continent," explained Joel Houston, Hillsong United's creative director as well as worship leader, in a statement.

As part of the international tour, the band will also be promoting the May release of All of the Above, the group's eighth album and first-ever studio recording. It includes twelve new, original tracks that are meant to inspire and excite Christians.

"With the tour and new record, our hope is to stir up a generation both locally and globally to live lives that are sold out for God and His Cause," added Houston, "lives that are committed to being His hands and feet on the planet, and to bringing justice to the hurting and the broken."

Another notable stop along the U.S. portion of the tour will be on Apr. 22 when the worship ensemble arrives in Nashville for the Gospel Music Association's Music Week – a weeklong event that brings together the largest collection of people involved in the Christian music industry. GMA Music Week also leads up to the Dove Awards, the most prestigious Christian music awards showcase.

While at the GMA Music Week, the band will lead the Sunday night worship service to be held at the Ryman Theatre. Alongside them will be the host for the night, Christian superstar Michael W. Smith.

Hillsong United has also recently launched a new movement called "The I Heart Revolution." Through it, they hope to unite the world by showing their travels all around the globe, and how God has impacted each of the regions they visited. In the compiled documentary, they will show video from Asia, South America, Europe, Africa, and Australia from over the last 12 months.

"It became so clear that God is doing something significant among young people," said Houston in a statement. "Regardless of language or geography, whenever they worshipped God, something powerful happened."

Hillsong United to Embark on North American Tour

2008-09-21T21:27:00.001-07:00

Australia's top modern worship team, Hillsong United, will embark on a US and Canada tour in April, bringing its explosive and passionate brand of modern worship to North America.

In addition, the team is preparing for the May release of All of the Above, the band's eighth CD and first-ever studio recording.

Hillsong United is expected to play before an estimated 150,000 people between April and August.

One of the first stops on the North American tour will be Nashville, where Hillsong United have been invited to lead the Sunday night worship service at GMA Music Week, gospel and Christian music's annual industry convention.

The worship night will be hosted by Hillsong United supporter and friend, Michael W Smith, and held on Sunday 22 April at the Ryman Theatre in Nashville.

Hillsong United's Creative Director, Joel Houston, who is also one of United's worship leaders and songwriters, said, "We are really excited about coming back to North America and we're looking forward to taking songs, which have been specifically written to be sung corporately, to young people across the continent."

"With the tour and new record, our hope is to stir up a generation both locally and globally to live lives that are sold out for God and His cause – lives that are committed to being His hands and feet on the planet, and to bringing justice to the hurting and the broken," Houston added.

Hillsong United Lyrics-Can't stop Praising

2008-09-21T10:32:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-Can't stop Praising

In not be described
In just one lifetime
Look at the sun over the seas
Look at Your grace that covers me

Now I know, Try to find the words to express the way You are
But the beauty of the Lord
Cayes I know
Now I know, I know
Your love has saved me

In the morning
I can't stop praising Your Name
In the evening
I can't stop praising Your Name

In the morning
I can't stop praising Your Name
In the evening, I can't stop

And I want you to know
Yes, I want you to know, oh yes I
And I want you to know
Yes, I want you to know

Lord You're so amazing
Every word You say is true
Better than the finest treasure
So glad that I found You
You held me close when I was down
Your world has turned my world around

Now I know, yes I know
Now I know, I know
How much I love you

Hallelujah, we praise Your Name
We praise Your Name

Hillsong United Conference

2008-09-14T21:22:00.001-07:00

Thousands of young people have attended Hillsong conferences held in Europe but the popular worship band has never hosted a conference in North America ... until now. This coming November 9-10 (2007), Orlando will see an influx of more than 5000 musicians, pastors, students, worship leaders and youth leaders as they attend the Hillsong United Conference.

The two days of concerts, speakers and teaching that focuses on worship and justice will be held at the First Baptist Church on South Young Parkway in Orlando with local radio stations Joy FM and Z88 FM helping sponsor the event.

Hillsong Church's senior pastor Brian Houston and youth leader Phil Dooley are two of the featured speakers who will host seminars teaching young people how to transform their churches and communities. Other seminars will teach how to build a great worship team, how to write great songs, and how to use TV & media in church and youth ministry programming.

Hillsong United Conference to Hit America

2008-09-14T20:30:00.001-07:00

More than 5,000 pastors, youth leaders, worship leaders, musicians and students from around the world will gather for the Hillsong United Conference in Orlando, Fla., this fall.

For the first time, the popular Australian modern worship band is bringing its popular youth events to North America this year, with the Orlando event slated for Nov. 9-10.

The Hillsong United Conference will feature two days of speaker presentations, teaching and concerts. The conference will focus on the subjects of worship and justice and equipping young people to bring both to their communities.

Australia's Hillsong United is one of the most popular young modern worship bands in the world, and the various conferences they have hosted in Europe have drawn thousands of young people and their church leaders who are looking to immerse themselves in worship and gain a better understanding how to bring a lifestyle of worship to everyday life.

The Orlando conference will feature guest speakers including Hillsong Church senior pastor Brian Houston and youth leader Phil Dooley, while the seminars will demonstrate how young people can transform churches and communities.

Some of the breakout sessions will teach song writing; building a great worship team; youth ministry programming; evangelism; and using TV and media. The Hillsong United band will lead music at the worship events and will also be accompanied by Hillsong worship leader Reuben Morgan.

Australia's Hillsong United scored its first No. 1 album by landing atop the Billboard Top Christian/Gospel Albums chart with the release of their eighth CD, "All of the Above" in May. The CD also debuted at No. 1 on iTunes' chart of Christian music digital album sales and at No. 60 on the Billboard Top 200 of all albums, not just Christian/Gospel.

Hillsong United Lyrics-Better Than Life

2008-09-14T10:30:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-Better Than Life

Better than the riches of this world
Better than the sound of my friend's voices
Better than the biggest dreams of my heart
And that's just the start

Better than getting what I say I need
Better than living the life that I want to
Better than the love anyone could give
Your love is

You hold me now in Your arms
And never let me go

You Oh Lord make the sun shine
And the moon light in the night sky
You give me breath and all Your love
I give my heart to You because

I can't stop falling in love with You
I'll never stop falling in love with You
I can't stop falling in love with You
I'll never stop falling in love with You

Why Mercy Ministries was godsent for Hillsong

2008-09-07T18:16:00.001-07:00

When the Hillsong Church introduced Mercy Ministries to the congregation, there was much excitement. There was finally somewhere that "girls in trouble" could go to keep their babies, or sort out other consequences of their sins while being pampered like a princess into a brand new life.

Pastor Bobbie Houston set up a Mercy register at David Jones, much like a bridal register, where members of the congregation could buy household goods for the girls at Mercy House: perhaps a washing machine or a dustpan and brush. It was like one big Hillsong wedding for the Mary Magdalenes they were forgiving. See how good God is to those sorts of girls?

But girls who have undergone the Mercy Ministries program say the experience did more harm than good, as the Herald reported yesterday. Rather than receiving psychiatric care and support, they were isolated from the outside world and given treatments which consisted of prayer reading and exorcisms.

To understand how this could come about, it is necessary to understand the relationship between Mercy Ministries and the Hillsong Church and the philosophy that unites them.

Hillsong has always been proud of the origins and progress of the Australian incarnation of Mercy Ministries. According to Hillsong folklore, a female congregant, unable to find help in Australia for an eating disorder, travelled to the United States for treatment at Mercy Ministries. Mercy Ministries was created by an American, Nancy Alcorn, who says she was frustrated in her role as a juvenile justice officer because of the injustices of the system. She determined to open a place for young women that would be independent of government funding and intervention, and free, so women would feel sincerely cared for.

While the Australian congregant was at Mercy Ministries, she was visited by a Hillsong pastor. The pastor was so impressed with the work being done she decided to bring the program to Australia.

Mercy Ministries was a godsend for Hillsong. Desperate young women who are violated by the world draw a sympathetic audience. It seemed a simple concept for Hillsong to mimic locally and it was presented as a utopia of female health. Hillsong is an organisation based on recruitment and fund-raising. Mercy Ministries was an opportunity to do both on a new and larger scale.

The founders of Mercy Ministries are fundamentalist Christians who are primarily obsessed with women's bodies and what they choose to do with them. The Bible is used to justify the supposed inferiority and intrinsic sinfulness of women and homosexuals. Hillsong teaches that a woman's purpose, as an afterthought of God, is as a helper and a companion at best, and with Eve as their ultimate matriarch, the cause of the fall of all mankind.
The teaching when I was at Hillsong included the lesson that women are attached to their offspring eternally. All the miscarriages, terminations and stillbirths a woman has during her life time grow up in heaven, waiting for their mother to join them.

But you will never see any of this on Hillsong pamphlets. All you find are photos of shiny, happy people holding hands. And inside the front cover is a promise that a truckload of love is waiting for you whenever you want it. It's only in the third dimension that you discover how much love costs. The love dries up when the money runs out or, worse yet, when you don't agree with the program.

Mercy, justice, liberty and compassion are concepts that evangelicals view as their own. They believe their God is the author of these values, and that with a monopoly on truth they have an imperative to administer them globally.

It is no surprise that the girls and young women who attended Mercy Ministries did not receive the psychiatric help they were seeking. Fundamentalist Christians are suspicious of psychiatry and psychology, unless prefixed with the word Christian. Psychotic symptoms such as voices are evidence of demons that medication cannot expel. I recall one Hillsong pastor proudly describing his own daughter's employment at Mercy Ministries. He said she could counsel by birthright, aided by her bible college wisdom.

Having worked in a women's refuge for five years, I know there are few social services out there. And such little love. It's hard for young women who are tired, frightened and hungry to distinguish love from opportunism. Something has to be done to advocate for the needy when fundamentalists can smell their blood.

Hillsong celebrates womanhood at 12th annual Colour Your World conference

2008-09-07T17:55:00.001-07:00

The Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia, erupted in a chorus of celebration on Wednesday night as thousands of women filled the arena for the opening of Hillsong's 12 annual Colour Your World Women's Conference.

The conference coincides with the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day today, bringing together women from 36 nations, and guest speakers from the UK, America, and Australia, to celebrate the value of womanhood and see justice brought to those in need around the world.

"There is no place on earth like the Church that can gather the wounded, the broken and the blessed. I believe that God wants to increase our lives and see the Church rise up," Colour Conference founder and Hillsong's co-senior pastor, Bobbie Houston said in her opening night address.

"In this room we have the blessed and the broken. If we can govern our hearts in our blessedness and our brokenness, I believe we can create a place which accommodates both. We can be women that accommodate a place where everyone is welcome," she said.

"We are living in days where the church is rising, with all her diversity; rising and beginning to find her voice, stature, and unity.

"Some of you have come into this arena and encountered something and you can't define it. Let me tell you it's the presence of God. Tonight, this arena is the House of God!"

The powerful opening night was followed by an exciting second day, as women came expectant and excited. Louie Giglio from the US shared an inspirational message about the greatness of God. This was followed by powerful teaching from the UK's J John and Priscilla Shirer, new to the Colour platform, shared about creating a God awareness in your everyday life.

Saturday, the final day of the conference, will be dedicated to issues of social justice, as women are challenged about the great need in the world, and effectively equipped to bring help and answers to the planet's most vulnerable.

Hillsong United Lyrics-Best Friend

2008-09-07T10:27:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-Best Friend

Have you heard of the one called Savior?
Have you of His perfect love,
Have you heard of the one in heaven,
Have you heard how He gave His son'
Cause I found this love,
I believe in the Son. Show me Your way.

I believe in the One called Savior,
I believe He's the risen One,
I believe I'll live forever,
I believe that my king will come,
Cause I found this love,
I believe in the Son. Show me Your way.

Chorus:
Jesus, you are my best friend,
And you will always be,
And nothing will ever change that,
Jesus, you are my best friend,
And you will always be,
And nothing will ever change that.

Bridge:
Nothing will ever change that,
Nothing will ever change that,
Nothing will ever change that,
Nothing will ever change that.

Hillsong records new album – This is Our God

2008-08-31T17:41:00.001-07:00

The night was riveting, as the stadium filled with thousands of voices, eyes raised heavenward, and created an expectancy that welcomed the very presence of God.

"We come together and we say, 'This is who we are, God. We need You, we love You, and we're going to give everything to You' It's actually about the church coming together and singing with One Voice, One Passion, One Heart, giving all our praise to God," said Joel Houston, Hillsong Creative Director.

A number of new songwriters, worship leaders and musicians joined Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston, Darlene Zschech and Marty Sampson on the platform, capturing the sound of a new generation, and entering into a new season of worship and song.

"It's about a generation expressing their worship; expressing their heart for worship in the action of love toward God, toward the world we live in, and the people who inhabit it. It's not about highlighting the darkness; it's about becoming the light that diminishes the darkness. It's the gospel and we're all in this together," Joel said.

It was a night of faith, as Michael Gugliemucci, who has battled his own health crisis against cancer for two years, walked confidently on stage, oxygen tank in hand, and boldly sung the words to his song 'Healer'.

The evening culminated with a loud and victorious version of Joel Houston's new song 'With Everything'. As the band turned to walk off stage the crowd seemed to bask in the moment. With little accompaniment from the band, they broke into spontaneous song as they worshipped God for several minutes.

The new album titled This is Our God, the 17th live praise and worship album, will be released on July 7th, coinciding with the annual Hillsong Conference held at the Acer Arena.

In addition, the weekend marked the release of Part 1 of the much anticipated 'The I Heart Revolution' project – With Hearts As One, from Hillsong United. For more information about the new album or The I Heart Project, please visit www.hillsong.com/music.

Australian worship group Hillsong United to play Grace Church

2008-08-31T17:33:00.001-07:00

EDEN PRAIRIE — Australia's most popular worship band, Hillsong United, sprouted a decade ago from Hillsong Church's youth ministry. Drawing from a talented pool of youth and worship leaders, the Hillsong United band began recording live worship experiences in 1999 as a way to document what was happening in the ministry.

"A lot of the worship that has come from Hillsong over the years was birthed out of the youth ministry—songs like 'Jesus, Lover of My Soul,' 'My Redeemer,' 'I Give You My Heart' and many others emerged from our youth camps or services," Houston says. "The reason we first recorded a United album in 1999 was simply that there was an overflow of songs being written by the youth and were particularly youth-focused."

Since that time, the group has released seven live CDs and become one of the most popular worship bands in the world. Set to release their eighth CD and first-ever studio album, "All of the Above," in May, Hillsong United will perform at Grace Church in Eden Prairie May 29.

The overall United worship team at Hillsong Church involves about 200 young people including: musicians, vocalists, production specialists, artists, designers and media coordinators. The worship leaders who appear on Hillsong United CDs direct and disciple the youth-led worship teams of various ages.

Taking time away from their home church in Sydney, Australia, Hillsong United will play before an estimated 150,000 people between April and August. The band was also invited to lead the Sunday night worship service on April 22 hosted by Michael W. Smith during GMA Music Week in Nashville.

"We are really excited about coming back to North America and we're looking forward to taking songs, which have been specifically written to be sung corporately, to young people across the continent," said Joel Houston, Hillsong United's creative director and one of the lead worship leaders and songwriters. "With the tour and new record, our hope is to stir up a generation both locally and globally to live lives that are sold out for God and His cause—lives that are committed to being His hands and feet on the planet, and to bringing justice to the hurting and the broken."

Although it is the group's first studio album, the songs from "All of the Above" originated in the church's youth ministry.

"The response from our church to these songs tells us they are cross-generational. Our church loves them because they love worshipping Him," Houston said.

Hillsong United is also releasing a DVD project in 2008 called "The I Heart Revolution" in order to highlight what they have experienced on the road.

"'The I Heart Revolution' is in its early stages but as we traveled all around the world in the last 12 months … it became so clear that God is doing something significant among young people," Houston said. "Regardless of language or geography, whenever they worshipped God, something powerful happened. We captured this on tape and are pulling together a documentary that will share with the world what we had the privilege of seeing and being part of."

Hillsong United Lyrics-At The Cross

2008-08-31T10:25:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-At The Cross

Oh Lord You've searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was she'd for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

A Kingdom Artist

2008-08-17T16:51:00.001-07:00

was watching clips of the new album- Savior King from Hillsong Church Australia. They have great singers and musicians - so it takes something special to stop me cold. I hear a few tracks by this girl -' Brook Fraser'. I was impressed and thanked the Lord for this new talent that we all get to enjoy. I wanted to know more... so I Googled her and found out that she has been signed to Sony BMG for 5 years, and just came out with her 2nd album ' Albertine'. This is not a promo or review of that album - which is very good by the way, but more about how she shatters the preconceived boxes we place ourselves into as Christian artists.

She is from New Zealand - that has a population of just over 4 million. That's smaller than Toronto, Canada - the city I live in. This year alone she was on tour with John Mayer, and Hillsong United... releasing her own album while recording worship albums with Hillsong United and now Hillsong Church. Hillsong Church has a major outreach in Rwanda which is cool - but Brooke went there and was impacted by the story of a girl named Albertine. She was challenged to write a song about Albertine - to highlight the plight of Rwanda - which is still recovering from the genocide. She has taken that message and crafted her album around it - in fact she says her life has been changed and her art put in perspective as a result of the trips she has made to Rawanda.

The song that was number #1 for Brooke in New Zealand was called ' Arithmetic... read the lyrics (below) and you'll know who she is speaking of. And before we judge her for not being more obvious... imagine how many times she gets asked on TV who she is talking about.

The point I want to make is this... you can be a major label artist... in the world... and be a visible and vocal worship leader... tour with the best in the world and church... and not compromise. Beautiful art is ...beautiful art... honesty and sincerity and of course God's calling and purpose will open doors you thought were closed...

Hillsong Team Releases New Live Worship Album

2008-08-17T16:42:00.001-07:00

Darlene Zschech and the Hillsong team are back with their latest annual live worship album, Saviour King, which is now available on CD and DVD.

The album was recorded on 18 March 2007 at the Acer Arena, Sydney's largest indoor stadium, in front of 13,000 worshippers.

Hillsong say of the new album, "The new songs included on this album are exactly that – songs with life, energy and, ultimately, heartfelt adoration for our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The title track Saviour King has become an anthem in Hillsong Church of late, and was sung at both the opening and the close of the evening. Our prayer is that you would be inspired to worship in spirit and truth as the power of our incredible God is declared through the beautiful songs on this latest Hillsong LIVE album."

In other news, Hillsong United, the youth-centred worship ministry of Hillsong, debuted in the No. 1 slot of America's Billboard's Top Christian & Gospel Albums chart with their eighth career album, All of the Above.

With more than 10,000 discs sold, this is the first time Hillsong United tops the tally in its decade-plus distribution in the United States.

Hillsong was founded by Brian and Bobbie Houston in 1983, and now has over 20,000 worshippers attending any given weekend.

Hillsong United Lyrics-Am I To Believe

2008-08-17T10:02:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-Am I To Believe

Am I to believe....
That a God would give his son?
Am I to believe....
That the world was brought with love?
Am I to believe...
That a stranger died for me?
Am I to believe...
That a saviour set me free?

'cause I have felt the could rain...
Run down my face
I've seen the sun rise up...
As the night turns to day
I've heard the laughter...
As the children play
But above all
I juat live to say that...

YEAH,OH YEAH
I believe in the God love
YEAH,OH YEAH
I believe in the risen son

Am I to believe...
That the sick shall overcome?
Am I to believe....
That my freedom has been won?

I blieve in you....

Taking Revival to the World

2008-08-11T08:13:00.001-07:00

Step into a Hillsong London service and you walk into the Dominion Theater, which seats 2,000 people. Choose a seat on the balcony or on the ground floor, and when the strobe lights and sophisticated video images begin flashing in the dim theater, you might wonder if you're waiting for We Will Rock You: The Queen Musical!, the show currently running at the Dominion.

Hillsong Church, which recently celebrated its 20th year in Sydney, Australia, is growing its global reach Sunday by Sunday. As the largest church in Australia's history, it regularly attracts 20,000 people to its weekend services. GOD TV, a Christian satellite channel, broadcasts many Hillsong events, boosting its potential audience to 400 million worldwide.

A member of the Assemblies of God denomination, Hillsong has burgeoning church plants in London, Paris, and Kiev, Ukraine. It has also been holding services in Moscow and Berlin. Hillsong's reputation alone is enough to generate huge interest. In London, a Saturday night service and three Sunday services are necessary to accommodate the 7,000 in attendance.

Hillsong is perhaps best known for its music. Its famous worship pastor, Darlene Zschech, wrote the song "Shout to the Lord." It is estimated that 25 million Christians sing that song each week worldwide.

Since the 1990s, Hillsong has released about 50 praise and worship recordings. Hillsong United, its youth ministry and band, has sold recordings by the millions in the American market. Hillsong United began its recent North American tour in Nashville, at the worship service of the Gospel Music Association's music week.

Last fall in London, 3,000 people gathered at the Excel Center for the first-ever Hillsong Conference Europe. On the first night, the crowd hushed and then broke into applause as the lights went off and words appeared on the video screens at the front: "The church is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body in which he speaks and acts and fills everything with his presence."

Applause broke out again as the music began. A lone guitarist stood in the spotlight. Beside the stage, Zschech stood drinking coffee, bouncing up and down in her heels. Hillsong's senior pastor, Brian Houston, stood front and center watching the screens flicker footage of a welcome from Sydney, Australia, to Paris, where a drummer played in front of the Eiffel Tower, to the slums of India to a crusade of thousands in Brazil to a choir in Toronto singing the Hillsong chorus "How Great Is Our God."

This event was a Hillsong-branded depiction of the Great Commission and a moving visual picture of their self-proclaimed mission: "To reach and influence the world by building a large Bible-based church, changing mindsets, and empowering people to lead and impact every sphere of life." And it means "every sphere"—from church growth to politics to revival to social action to personal healing.

Hillsong United Tops Billboard's Chart

2008-08-11T08:09:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United, the youth-centred worship ministry of the Sydney-based mega Hillsong Church, debuted in the No. 1 slot of America's Billboard's Top Christian & Gospel Albums chart with their eighth career album, All of the Above.

With more than 10,000 discs sold, this is the first time the group tops the tally in its decade-plus distribution in the United States. Hillsong United is currently in the middle of a world tour in support of the new album, with upcoming stops planned for select U.S. cities plus New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico.

"With the tour and new record, our hope is to stir up a generation both locally and globally to live lives that are sold out for God and His Cause," said Joel Houston, Hillsong United's creative director as well as worship leader, "lives that are committed to being His hands and feet on the planet, and to bringing justice to the hurting and the broken."

Hillsong United has also recently launched a new movement called "The I Heart Revolution." Through it, they hope to unite the world by showing their travels all around the globe, and how God has impacted each of the regions they visited. In the compiled documentary, they will show video from Asia, South America, Europe, Africa, and Australia from over the last 12 months.

"It became so clear that God is doing something significant among young people," said Houston in a statement. "Regardless of language or geography, whenever they worshipped God, something powerful happened."

The international tour is scheduled to last until August 7, ending in Tacoma, Washington.

Hillsong United Lyrics-Amazing Love

2008-08-10T09:05:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-Amazing Love

I'm so amazed at how You take my life
And love me more, more than I deserve
I'm blown away by Your power to change this life
Once more, I'm planted in You

Who would know, that I was once
On a road so far away from You
All I know is that I live my life
To show the world Your amazing love
Your amazing love

Your love is pure Your love so divine
Your love transforms my soul my mind
Your love has the power to bring new hope
Amazing love
Amazing love

I'm so amazed at the wonder of all creation
I will live to honour You my Lord
You are the gold, treasure of all life
I will rest in You in praise eternally

Who would know that I was once
On a road so far away from You
All I know is that I live my life
To show the world Your amazing love
Your amazing

Your love is so pure Your love so divine
Your love transforms my soul my mind
Your love has the power to bring new hope
Amazing love
Amazing love
(repeat chorus)

I'm so amazed...

Is Hillsong’s “another gospel”?

2008-08-04T08:07:00.001-07:00

As fellow-blogger Teddy informs us, in The surprising face of Hillsong Tony Payne and Gordon Cheng report on the gospel as presided over by Brian Houston, in the end drawing on the work of Nathan Walter including:

Walter started with the assumption that 'core gospel content' must at the very least include some basic truths about:

* sin—that we are rebels against our holy, creator God, and deserve nothing but his wrath and condemnation;
* Jesus—that he is God's perfect obedient Son, who died as a penal substitute for our sins, and rose victorious and vindicated as Lord and Christ;
* our response—that in the gospel God calls on us to turn from sin in repentance, to put our faith entirely in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, and to wait for his return, when he will judge the living and the dead, and bring salvation and eternal life to those who have put their trust in him.

Having looked extensively at Hillsong books and publications, listened to a range of audio and televised sermons (especially those that purported to deal with these subjects), and visited Hillsong church on serveral occasions, Nathan Walter arrived at some unsettling conclusions. These three core subjects are certainly touched upon and discussed, but the content and emphasis is disturbingly different from what we might expect:

* when sin is spoken about, which is not often, it is usually in terms of immorality in the world or else negative thinking and attitudes that destroy God's purpose in our lives, and limit our potential;3 there is no concept that we are under God's wrath or condemnation because of our personal rebellion against him, or that there is a connection between sin, death and judgement;4
* it is asserted that Jesus is God's perfect Son and even that he died 'for us' or 'in our place', but what this means is not explained; not a single example was found expounding Jesus' death as taking the penalty for sin on our behalf so that we might avoid God's wrath on judgement day; instead, Jesus' death and resurrection is usually quoted either as an example (of overcoming difficulty and living with purpose),5 or explained as the source of healing and empowerment for living an abundant and healthy life;6
* our response to the Christian message focuses heavily on the power of choice God has given us, on the need to change mental attitudes and thought patterns so as to live in the blessing God has for us, and on the biblical 'law of cause and effect'— that if we obey Bible principles we will succeed and flourish in life, as God intended.7

Nathan Walter summarized his findings like this:

In their understanding of humanity and sin, Hillsong distorts the diagnosis: it's not so much that we're sinful rebels against God our creator, and therefore objects of his righteous anger and judgement, under the sentence of death; it's more that we have allowed all kinds of bad choices and negative thinking to get in the way of reaching the purpose and potential God has in store for us.

This means that although Hillsong still believes in and proclaims the historical events of Jesus' death and resurrection, they understand these events differently. They do not proclaim Jesus' death as a substitutionary atonement, turning aside God's wrath so that I can receive forgiveness and be saved on the day of judgement—rather, Jesus' death and resurrection function as an undefined entry point into the life of blessing that God has for us, and serve as an example of what a fully devoted life in tune with God's purposes looks like (effectively a 'moral influence' view of the atonement).

And because they have twisted both the problem and the solution in Christ out of shape, their account of how we should respond to the gospel is also badly flawed. It's not about clinging to Christ in faith for forgiveness of sins, and pursuing holiness through the work of the Spirit—it's about choosing to change how you think, and obeying the Bible's principles, so that you can move into a period of success and flourishing in every area of life.

… and concluding

[Hillsong] did not faithfully and clearly teach the gospel of Christ—and this was not through denial or outright heresy, but through distortion, replacement and omission.

For all the hype and hoopla, we were not directed to the narrow gate and the difficult way that leads to salvation. Instead, we found ourselves being beckoned down a broader and far more awesome road; a road paved with promises of blessing and divine purpose; a road with inspiring tour-guides, thousands of warm and enthusiastic fellow-travellers, and a soundtrack to die for.

Homogenous Unit Principle: Time for a Rethink?

2008-08-04T08:03:00.001-07:00

I have been rethinking the value of Homogenous Unit Principle (HUP) based mission strategies over the last few months, and particularly over the last few weeks, and think its maybe time I started letting this cat out of the bag.

It has more than a little to do with my shift towards deeper local church involvement.

Here is an article which highlights some of the issues that concern me:

Rethinking HUP thinking: Confessions of a Homogeneous Unit Principle Advocate

Basically I have come to question how transferable the Homogenous Unit Principle is to pluralistic western contexts, particularly given the fluidity of our society. Once upon a time I thought sub-culturally contextualized groups were the way to go; that overseas mission methodologies were fully transferable. But over time I have been forced to concede that our subcultures just aren't homogenous enough. It's extreme diversity all the way down with the most pluralistic of the pluralists. There is no homogenous unit, not even at the level of the individual, not when plurality becomes internalized.

So maybe its time to give up experimenting with homogenous-translocal groups; maybe its time to re-examine the possibilities of hetrogenous-local groups; to shift from demographic focus back to geographic focus. Is that incarnational-mission heresy? Does that smack of a return to one-size-fits-all for some of you? I don't know how you might interpret this to be honest, but that's the way I've been shifting of late. Essentially, I believe we need models that respect multiple diversities, extreme diversities even. That's not sub-culturally contextual church, but its not Christendom church either. It's something else.

Hillsong United Lyrics-Always

2008-08-04T05:53:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-Always

Did You rise the sun for me?
Or paint a million stars that I might
Know Your majesty?
Is Your voice upon the wind?
Is everything I've known marked
With my maker's fingerprints?
Breathe on me
Let me see Your face
Ever I will seek You
Chorus:
'Cause all You are, is all I want, always
Draw me close in Your arms
Oh God, I wanna be with You
Can I feel You in the rain?
Abandon all I am to have You
Capture me again
Let the earth resound with praise
Can You hear as all creation lives
To glorify one name?

Hillsong's mental illness link is no surprise to me

2008-07-28T08:01:00.001-07:00

When I was deep in the hell of the Year 12 HSC a fellow student at Carlingford High School invited me to a 'HSC Hype' study camp run by the Hillsong Church. I had no idea what I was in for.

But after what I experienced I couldn't possibly be surprised by today's media allegations the Hillsong Church's mental health arm 'Mercy Ministries' is little more than an amateur hour demon-exorcising clinic that leaves vulnerable mentally ill girls worse off than when they started.

Not after what I saw 13 years ago when I ended up with a hundred or so other 17-year-olds at a remote convention centre enduring, between sessions of study, a week of activities with a deep undercurrent of hard core Christianity.

A week that culminated in a late night 'conversion session' on the final evening.

We were all packed into a room and seated cross-legged on the floor. In strode Christine Caine, now a senior pastor at the outfit.

What followed was an exhausting two-hour marathon of fire and brimstone – a textbook example of extreme emotional manipulation.

At the end, when we were all pale and adrenalised, we were told to bow our heads. If we wanted to be saved, all we had to do was raise our hand.

We were told our thumping hearts was God knocking on our souls – a physiological response to stress dressed up as spiritual calling.

As meek hands were raised, we were whipped up further; "There's more, I know it, Jesus may never knock again!" We were kept like that for over ten minutes.

Then those who had raised their hands were removed from the room. The whole disgraceful episode led to the church being banned from advertising such camps at our school.

As you can probably imagine since then I've kept a pretty keen eye on the church and watched its stadium like churches mushroom out of the sprawling estate they own deep in McMansion country in Sydney's north west.

I've watched them spread their tentacles to the depressed suburbs of Waterloo and Redfern.

I've watched this organization, which pays no tax and files no financial documents with the ATO, grow in political influence.

Former PM John Howard opened their new convention centre in 2002, Peter Costello has addressed their conferences and federal politicians Senator Steve Fielding and Louise Markus are from amongst their flock.

I've wondered how much how much of the money they 'tithe' from their followers goes to 'charitable' projects like 'Mercy Ministries' and how much goes to bigger buildings, money making schemes like CD and TV sales around the world, and how much into senior pastors' pockets.

I've wondered how people can buy their steroid enhanced form of worship where talking in tongues, exorcising demons and going into trances of religious ecstasy are the norm.

How people can attend their church services, which more closely resemble rock concerts, and not see they are primarily designed to bamboozle the senses.

And I've wondered how people can tithe 10 percent of their income to a church whose boss, Brian Houston, said last year raked in $50 million.

Where growing the church both in wealth and it numbers matters above all else.

In fact I wondered enough to go to their services to see for myself.

When I arrived a young welcoming committee rep, Rani, met me. Together we watch and sing along to a band, seven attractive young singers and a thirty-person choir.

Those on stage, none of whom were older than 35, have their eyes closed and hands raised in religious rapture as the concert style lights sweep the room and smoke machines puff away.

Two huge screens overlay the song lyrics about "surrendering to Christ" with images of the action on stage and close ups on the audience from multiple camera operators.

One girl two seats down with her eyes closed keeps singing the songs long after they've finished, clearly in a trance.

After the music stopped, an older man hit the stage, telling us he'd just read a book about the leaning tower of Pisa – built in 1173 as the belltower of a nearby church.

He said no one could remember who designed or constructed it – but they could remember who paid for it, an old woman who'd left 60 gold coins for the purpose in her will.

The moral of his story was this woman was remembered 800 years later, and if we gave to Hillsong we could be remembered in 800 years as well.
We were directed to the tithe envelopes on our seats, where we could put the recommended 10 percent of our income. Conveniently, we could pay with cash, cheque or credit card.

We weren't really being asked, we were being told.

Next was a church news video presentation encouraging us to enrol in one of the many conferences, weekend retreats, or 'diplomas' in theology offered at Hillsong's religious school.

At the end there was a conversion session exactly the same as I encountered at the 'HSC Hype' study camp.

Right at the end, people who were sick identified themselves. Others crowded around them placing hands on any available piece of flesh and muttering and mumbling away to themselves, talking in tongues.

On the way out, I saw a large Polynesian man. I was told he was Brian Houston's bodyguard.

Rani informed me his presence was necessary as some people who don't agree with the church's teachings run up on stage during Brian's performances.

I was amazed at the positive energy the feeling of community was great – it's just a pity it costs so much.

I realised it's this rock concert-like show, full of literal smoke and mirrors, together with their other hocus-pocus that gets people in.

And if that's all they did, you could hardly complain, people should be able to believe whatever they want, however kooky.

But they really shouldn't have to pay for it. And the Church shouldn't really be trying to 'cure' mentally ill people with prayer and holy water. And they really shouldn't be targeting public school children to grow their church.

But at least after today's news everyone now knows how these people work. And no one in future, from governments down, can pretend to be surprised.

Hillsong United to Rock Stage at GMA's Sunday Evening of Worship

2008-07-28T07:58:00.001-07:00

The traditional Sunday evening of worship at the historic Ryman Auditorium during Gospel Music Association Week this year will feature Hillsong United, along with the dynamic Hillsong Youth Pastor, Phil Dooley.

As Australia's #1 modern worship band, Hillsong United have exploded around the globe with their engaging passionate approach impacting thousands in live events and becoming a favourite source for new worship music.

The Sunday worship night at GMA Week, which will be hosted by Michael W Smith, is one of the first stops for Hillsong United on their North American tour, which will be accompanied by Starfield in Canada.

Hillsong United's Creative Director, Joel Houston, who is also one of United's worship leaders and songwriters, said, "We are really excited about coming back to North America and we're looking forward to taking songs, which have been specifically written to be sung corporately, to young people across the continent."

Over 3,000 gospel musicians and fans will gather in Nashville, Tennessee, in the US for the GMA Music Week 07' - to listen, invent, renew, and connect.

The convention kicks off 21 April, wrapping up on 25 April with the GMA Dove Awards - Christian music's biggest night of the year.

Hillsong United Lyrics-All Things are Possible

2008-07-28T05:44:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-All Things are Possible

Almighty God, my Redeemer,
my Hiding Place, my Safe Refugee,
no other name like Jesus,
no power can stand against You.

My feet are planted on this rock,
and I will not be shaken,
my hope it comes from You alone,
my Lord and my Salvation.

Your praise is always on my lips,
Your Word is living in my heart,
and I will praise You with a new song,
my soul will bless You Lord.
You fill my life with greater joy,
Yes, I delight myself in You,
and I will praise You with a new song,
my soul will bless You Lord.

When I am weak You make me strong,
when I'm poor, I know I'm rich,
for in the power of Your name.
All things are possible,
all things are possible,
all things are possible,
all things are possible!

Hillsong United Lyrics- Yours Is The Kingdom

2008-07-21T07:53:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics- Yours Is The Kingdom

Yours is the Kingdom
And the power
And the glory forever is Yours
Heaven and earth bow down
In the wonder of Your Name
Heaven is open
Death is broken
And the glory forever is Yours
Nothing can overcome
The power of Your Name

King above kings
All the universe will sing
Everlasting God
You are wonderful
You are wonderful

And the shout of the earth
Will be Your praise
God forever
And the light unto all
Will be Your wonderful Name
For the glory Lord is Yours
God forever
All the glory Lord is Yours

Music in Ministry

2008-07-21T07:50:00.001-07:00

Some years ago, music was treated with a certain amount of polite respect. It was used in church as a means of praising & worshipping God true, but not in the way it is used today. I was born into a Pentecostal family (praise the Lord). When I went to church as a lad, we'd have some choruses at the start, or rather, just before the start of the meeting proper, where we would clap and play tambourines. Once the meeting started it was hymns! I have no recollection whatsoever of hand raising, and dancing was 'of the devil', as was make up! But more surprisingly, I have no recollection of singing in the spirit, or singing in tongues etc. We had tongues in our church all right, often there would be a 'message' followed by an interpretation, but no singing in the spirit.

Looking back it's not really surprising. There was no such thing as anointing in association with music in those days. It just wasn't part of church thinking. The lady who played the piano would sight read (very well) the music from the hymn book and we'd sing, and at the end of the hymn we'd stop. There was no rolling on a bit as we do now a days. The only possible exception would be if some brave 'lady' would stand and sing the message in tongues instead of speaking it. But I don't think ladies were allowed to do that though, not without a hat anyway!

Things have changed somewhat since then. Now we have very dominant music, and certainly some singing in the spirit. We regard music as a valid ministry that must be anointed, well, praise the Lord I say. It's about time we got back to David's way of doing things, after all, he was chosen by God because of his heart, and David was a 'praiser'. He almost invented it! Well he didn't invent it, but he certainly gave it a higher profile, and made praise and music synonymous.

There is a scripture that says, I will rebuild the fallen tent of David, and it started sometime within the last few decades.

Can I make a point here? We have music in church, and we praise the Lord in church, but only when meetings are on. David wasn't having any of that! He set up praise teams to go at it 24 hours a day. Who cares if the people are there or not? God is worthy to be praised regardless of meeting times. Would we consider doing that today? Not a chance! Why? We don't have the mind set or heart of David (gulp!). And remember, David had a heart after God's heart. Sorry this is a bit in your face, but this is what God is telling me to write. The bible doesn't set any time limits on praising God, quite the opposite in fact, "from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised." Sneaky that, because the sun never really sets or rises. It's there all the time, somewhere.

Another point coming up! We couldn't realistically do what David did anyway, because we have to get up each morning and go to work, well some do. Here is another departure from scripture. In David's day, the musicians & singers were not given any other duties. Their job was to praise God, nothing else. Who paid their wages? The congregation did. Who bought their instruments, the congregation did. There is non of this 'only pay the pastor' rubbish in the Bible. Musicians, priests, and gate keepers were all provided for. They even had rooms in the Temple. That's how far we've come from the Bible. Getting people to give these days has become a work of art, sadly, by necessity. Tithes is one thing, but giving is something far greater.

What has this to do with music in ministry? I'm stating for the record, that the church is not providing the biblical foundation on which to base music as ministry. Whilst there has been an awakening in our thinking to music, there has not been an awakening to the person of the musician. David appointed a whole section of society to the task of ministering to the Lord with various kinds of music and singing. People were appointed to 'prophesy' ON their instruments, some of which were cymbals, (that should cheer up the drummers!). This is all biblical stuff. It's not an invention of the charismatics, or the Americans! It's not a 'cult' or of the devil. It's Bible. This is David's fallen tent. As you can see, there's a way to go before it's totally rebuilt, but a start has been made. Praise God.

Hillsong United Lrics-All The Heaven

2008-07-21T05:43:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lrics-All The Heaven

Holy holy are You Lord
The whole earth is filled with Your glory
Let the nations rise to give
Honour and praise to Your name
Let Your face shine on us
And the world will know You live
All the heavens shout Your praise
Beautiful is our God
The universe will sing
Hallelujah to You our King

Supernatural: Hillsong Kids

2008-07-14T07:45:00.001-07:00

"Supernatural" was recorded live before a crowd of 3,000 kids, and that fact flavors the tone of the whole album. There's a lively energy to it, and it's interesting to hear the way the leaders, kids themselves, urge the audience to "get up and dance now." I'll be honest: there were times when it was difficult for me to imagine kids responding to the deep worship conveyed by the music, but that could say more about my ignorance of kids' worship than it does about the album's fit. I certainly wouldn't put it past the dynamic ministry of Hillsong Church.

The album kicks off with the title track, its tight arrangements perfect to get kids ready to move and groove in the Lord. "Better Than Life" is a hand-clapper, with a powerful spoken-word prayer mid-track, again, setting a sincerely worshipful tone. By the time you reach the quietly prayerful "You're All I Need," you realize these young leaders are quite capable, showing that kids are more than ready to enter into worship on their own. To me, the songs with the simplest lyrics rang most true; a fresh "Jesus Loves Me," with its classic Biblical truths movingly presented, felt both truly kid-oriented and worship-driven. A few other tracks just came across as more adult-oriented to me (the upbeat "For Who You Are" and the slower-tempo, worshipful closing tracks). Again, that may just be my lack of experience in this field. But there are just as many songs that work quite well: the tribal beats of "Not Forgotten," the soulful, anthemic "Get It Started," and the funkified "Everyday." "Supernatural" certainly qualifies as an album that many adults could enjoy just as much as your kids, which is nice if you anticipate hours and hours hitting replay in the family van.

Companion resources include a "Supernatural" Songbook and a DVD that offers performance trax videos with audio options, four song episodes with discussion style monologues, documentaries, and more, all available on February 27.

Hillsong United Lyrics - Your Unfailing Love

2008-07-14T07:43:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics - Your Unfailing Love

verse 1
when the darkness fills my senses
when my blindness keeps me from your touch,
Jesus come

verse 2
When my burden keeps me doubting
when my memories take the place of you
Jesus come

bridge
And I'll follow you there
to the place where we meet
and I'll lay down my pride
as you search me again

Chorus
Your unfailing love, your unfailing love,
your unfailing love over me again
(repeat chorus)
(repeat the whole song through)

Hillsong United Lyrics-All Praises To The King

2008-07-14T05:40:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-All Praises To The King

What a joy I feel to think about forever
I'm a child of God
with blessings from Heaven
By your side, days always brighter
The Holy one
My Master
My Father

I will dwell in your courts
I will sing for you
you're my deepest love
Jesus
I love you

It's a love song I sing
It's an anthem from my heart
All praises to the King

I am not alone
Jesus
You're near me
Washed me clean with hands full of mercy
You're a resting place for all who are weary
A perfect place
and a new beginning

Hillsong United Lyrics- Lift

2008-07-07T07:42:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics- Lift

Lift Your name up
To the highest place
I will praise You
I will praise You

Giving You
A sacrifice of praise
I will praise You
I will praise You

Right now
Right now
Right now

Lift your hands up
Lift your hands up
Lift your hands up
Everybody

Hillsong Church Emphasizes Justice as 26,000 Attend Annual Conference

2008-07-07T07:36:00.001-07:00

Australia's most well known megachurch, Hillsong Church, began its annual five-day Hillsong conference on Monday, drawing together 26,000 Christians from all around the world.
Enlarge this Image
Hillsong Conference
(Photo: Hillsong Church)
The Watoto Children's Choir sings at the annual Hillsong Conference on July 2.

Though the church is most well known for its music ministry, the focus of this year's conference is on justice and what Christians can do to reduce the sufferings that plague the world.

There are 19 different denominations from 68 countries attending the conference, and a major issue to be dealt with by all of them is AIDS and poverty in Africa, according to opening remarks by Gary Skinner, leader of Kampala Pentecostal Church and founder of Watoto Child Care Ministries.

"The world is on an accumulation binge," explained the Ugandan pastor to the large crowd, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. "God is not a grabber; He is a giver."

A main goal for the conference is to also dispel the criticisms that have surrounded the Hillsong Church in regard to humanitarian and social issues. Many leaders have argued that the church is too focused on the prosperity gospel and only personal enlightenment rather than aiding others. They have said that the church's focus is too outward and heavily founded only on music without substance as well.

According to Hillsong pastor Brian Houston, the church has always been concerned for justice and the well-being of everyone.

"God tells us that standing against injustice and speaking up for the disenfranchised is the responsibility of every Christian," said Houston at the event.

As an immediate gesture of action, the Hillsong community awarded a check worth $700,000 to Skinner. With it, he will be able to build a village in Gulu in northern Uganda to aid rescued child soldiers.

Despite the gathering's focus on world issues, the event organizers have shied away from making it political. For the second year, no invitations were sent to political leaders to attend. A scarce few are expected to attend for personal worship.

Typical of Hillsong Church, the night opened with a wave of praise. Hillsong's praise leader, Darlene Zschech, led an orchestra-sized ensemble to move the thousands in the audience at the Acer Arena, the location of this year's conference and a former auditorium built for the 2000 Olympic Games.

The conference is also expecting the attendance of a select few American ministry leaders including megachurch pastors Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter's House in Dallas and Ed Young, Jr of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, just north of Dallas/Forth Worth.

The conference will run until Friday.

Hillsong United Lyrics-All of my days

2008-07-07T05:38:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-All of my days

Proclaim Your awesome power
Tell of mighty deeds
Declare Your future kingdom
Of everlasting peace

And my eyes they look unto You always
And I am captured by Your Majesty

All of my days
I will sing of Your greatness
All of my days
I will speak of Your grace
All of my days
I will tell of Your wonderous love
Your love in my life
Your love

All Your works will praise You
Your children bless Your name
We speak of all Your goodness
We walk in fields of grace

Hillsong: Religion flavoured with business

2008-06-30T07:30:00.001-07:00

The first thing that many people notice about Hillsong is that it operates within the framework of a business. It makes no secret of this and has adopted of large corporations governance structure with a board and a CEO.

Hillsong promotes a culture of financial entrepreneurialism and Senior Pastor Brian Houston release a book in 1999 entitled, You Need More Money: Discovering God's Financial Plan for Your Life.

It has also borrowed heavily from the world of corporate management to promote models of success-based leadership.

What God has given us is great, and great means big, great is powerful. I tell you, the devil likes to contain and give the church a small mentality ... I want you to buckle up your seat-belt and get ready for a big year. (Hillsong Senior Pastor Brian Houston)

Typical of large corporations Hillsong has a marketing vision at its heart. When asked about the birth of the church in an interview on ABC's Australian Story last year, Hillsong Senior Pastor Brian Houston reached for marketing imagery.

"[I]n those days there used to be a guy who was famous or infamous, whatever, on TV, who many people might remember who used to be on the TV and sell Holdens, sell General Motors, and apparently he was the biggest Holden dealer in Australia.

"And I thought to myself, if you can build a Holden dealer like that, the largest Holden dealership in Australia, surely it must be somewhere where you could build a church. Between those things and me sensing a spiritual pull, we went and started in a little school hall."

Hillsong has been very successful in its endeavour. It is the biggest church in Australia, with over 20 000 people attending each weekend and its presence runs deeper than weekend congregations with a host of conferences, special events, school programs, business networks, welfare, and counselling services.

Financially it is also thriving, with a total annual income that has now reached $60 million, $16 million of which comes through sales of books, CDs, DVDs, t-shirts and other merchandise.

It has become part of the national psyche and, as one of the largest megachurches in the Western world, it has a big international profile that surpasses all but the top American megachurches.

Hillsong is not unique. Many other 'megachurches' around the country shares a similar business model – including the Christian Outreach Centre in Brisbane, Christian City Church in Sydney, Paradise in Adelaide, CityLife, Crossways and Careforce in Melbourne, and Christian Life Centre in Perth.

Although there are many differences between megachurches and traditional churches in terms of size, music, culture, theology, style and evangelical focus, the fundamental difference is that megachurches are built around a business model.

A Megachurch in the Sydney Suburbs

2008-06-30T07:27:00.001-07:00

Religious belief and practice, especially Pentecostalism, are increasingly suburban phenomena in an otherwise more secular society. The megachurch of Hillsong in Sydney's north-western suburbs has recently grown rapidly, offering a distinct architecture, institutional structure and informal service format Protestantism generally, distinguished by its stadium show, prosperity preaching, overt materialist orientation and egalitarian populism. Diverse church social groups have partly replaced the civic social institutions never vibrant in suburbia, creating social capital and a new, more fluid sense of place. Hillsong exemplifies the globalisation of religion, while simultaneously stressing local ties, with contemporary media technology in a traditional theological and modern social context.

Hillsong United Lyrics-All I Do

2008-06-30T05:34:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-All I Do

I wanted to find
Where I was going
Everything I tried
It took me nowhere
I was so tired of just living my life
Waiting for a sign
You came to my side
Gave me direction
Strong on the inside
I shine for You Lord
Now it's my time
Now I've made up my mind
To be all You want for me
All I do
Is live my life for You
I know it's true
I'll never let You go
All I do
I'd anything for You
Everything is in Your Hands
So I get up
Get up and praise You
And I know where I'm going
I know where I'm going

The Art of Revolution

2008-06-23T07:22:00.001-07:00

For United, the music is only part of the vision. "The way we see it is the songs and the music are an overflow of the heart of what's going on in our church and our ministry," United front man Joel Houston tells CCM. "Really our greatest desire is to see young people really take their gifts and use them for God. If it's through music, that's great. If it's business, that's great. Whatever they love and are passionate about, we want to see them use that to love God and to serve and love others."

United's new album, All of the Above (Hillsong/ Integrity), is the band's first studio record, and simultaneously, its first No. 1 on SoundScan's Christian Album sales chart—both clearly a different dynamic for this known-for-their-live-sound band. Recounting the recording process, Joel says, "It was a whole new experience for sure. We just thought that we would get in the studio and basically do what we always do. We just grabbed a song and played it front to back, back to front and just worshipped."

In recent years Christians—and modern worship fans in particular—have heard countless artists and pastors remark that "worship is a lifestyle." And the members of United? They believe a life of worship means action.

"We can sing the songs and have a lot of great corporate times of worship, but it's really worship when it's at work in our lives and when we put action to our songs," explains Joel. "When we worship God it's about loving God and loving people. We have to be about reaching our community and serving others and helping those in our world who need help."

The youth at Hillsong Church have begun to live out their worship in the form of social justice projects and community outreaches. They have annual conferences with themes of worship and social justice going hand-in-hand, as the kids participate in hands-on projects together and end the time with a worship service. "It's amazing what happens when you put those two things at work together. That's worship in spirit and in truth. It's being the hands and feet," Joel says.

So a life of worship should emphasize social justice and community outreach? Granted such concepts may seem obvious given Jesus' two greatest commandments: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV). Why, then, is the correlation foreign in so many churches, especially in the United States?

"I think that the potential of the church here in America is unfathomable," Joel responds. "It's a sleeping giant, you know?" After a recent trip to Europe, he recounted all of the magnificent churches there—that at one time were thriving—and now sit empty. "We can't afford for that to happen in the States," he says. "People live a self-centered life, and when our faith becomes about ourselves, then the church isn't going to thrive. It doesn't matter how disillusioned you are by the church—the fact is that the church is the bride of Christ, and it's God's plan for the salvation of the earth."

Joel and his bandmates are encouraged that worldwide there seems to be a "revolution" of sorts, as young people are taking their faith seriously and beginning to step up and use their gifts for God's kingdom.

United's uniqueness can be found not only in their vision, but also in their organic grassroots approach to the music business. Over the span of their career, they've stayed largely on the fringe, gaining momentum through youth events and word-of-mouth. A few years ago, record execs told them that in order to be successful in America, they would have to do huge tours with festival and radio promotions. Instead, United charted their own course. In staying true to their ministry, the group has seen many incredible opportunities unfold for them. Joel says, "I think it's a real testimony to anybody no matter what they do. You set out with great ideals. You have desires and dreams. It's really easy to kind of be told what you need to be. I think it's a great testimony of staying true to what's in your heart and what God's called you to do."

Getting to the heart of the Hillsong worship ‘revolution’

2008-06-23T07:10:00.001-07:00

You may not recognize her name (or have a clue how to pronounce it) and you may not know her face (or her distinctive retro chic outfits). But, like presidents and popes, you will have almost certainly sung one of her songs. She is Darlene Zschech, the woman who wrote the song 'Shout to the Lord'. And chances are, it is not simply her melodies and poetry that have influenced you, for not only is she an accomplished songwriter, Zschech has been the head of the Worship and Creative Arts Department at Hillsong Church in Australia since 1996.

With some 12,000 members, Hillsong is Australia's largest church. But through its music and conferences, its influence spreads much further afield than just the rolling Hills district around Sydney. What Willow Creek did for 'seeker services' and what Rick Warren did for 'Purpose-Driven Churches', Hillsong has done for 'Praise and Worship'. Bill Hybels is surely right when he predicted that "When church historians reflect on the worship revolution that happened around the turn of the 21st century, Darlene Zschech will be credited for playing a major role" (quoted in the 'Endorsements' section of the book). Indeed, the Parachute07 promotional newspaper for 2007 describes Zschech as the "leader of one of the world's most influential worship movements of our time".

Recently, Zschech wrote a book called Extravagant Worship. In it, she seeks to "share the vision that has been given to me for praise and worship" ('Introduction', p. 18). The book therefore provides an opportunity to not simply 'experience' Hillsong Praise and Worship, but to hear the explanation and interpretation of that experience provided by Hillsong itself. It also spells out the goals and intentions behind the "worship revolution" Zschech is leading. In short, it provides an excellent way to get to the heart of what Hillsong worship is all about, and to understand something of its appeal and its dangers.

It is insufficient and naive to believe that the influence and appeal of Hillsong Praise and Worship lies simply in having great music. While superficially this explains the immediate attraction of it, the influence and appeal of Hillsong worship runs far deeper than that. Behind their glamorous, high-selling 'Christian Stadium Rock' albums lies an ethos which is attractive to many Christians, but which also has some inherent dangers. Some of these dangers are obvious, whereas other more serious dangers are much more subtle.

What is attractive about this ethos can be seen right at the beginning of Extravagant Worship. Zschech begins her book with the account of the Pharisee and the woman from Luke 7. Noting that the women washed Jesus' feet with her tears and poured perfume on them that was worth a year's wages, and noting that she did this because she understood fully that Jesus had forgiven her of her sins, Zschech writes, "I long to worship Jesus as did the women with the alabaster jar of perfume! Excessive, abundant, expensive, superfluous, lavish, costly, precious, rich, priceless, valuable ..." (p. 25). Such a sentiment is a wonderful longing for any Christian to have, and (from her book, at least) it seems like Darlene Zschech truly does long to worship Jesus extravagantly in every area of her life, for she is thoroughly amazed at what he has done for her in forgiving her sins. In addition, when she says she is eager to see "extravagant worshippers", she is at pains to show that she does not mean she wants to see really good music teams; she means she wants to see hoards of people worshipping Jesus extravagantly like the woman with the alabaster jar, completely aware of the forgiveness that Jesus brings.

For anyone who understands anything of what Jesus has done on the cross, this is attractive. It is also a wonderful thing with which to encourage in other believers. The last thing we want to do is be like Simon the Pharisee, who loved Christ little (if at all) and who sneered at the woman's devotion to him. If we are to understand the attraction of the 'Hillsong Worship Revolution' properly, we must understand that fundamentally undergirding it is this desire to worship God as extravagantly as the woman with the alabaster jar did, and for the same reasons.

This leads us, then, to the second attractive aspect of the 'Hillsong Worship Revolution': it may be summed up as 'godly professionalism'. The 'godly' side of this aspect is neatly summarized in a statement Zschech makes part-way into her book: "I want to train up worshippers to serve the Lord with gladness and to break the mould on what is traditionally accepted behaviour of a creative person" (p. 220; emphasis mine). Throughout her book, Zschech is eager to encourage godliness before giftedness, faithfulness before talent. She appears to lead from the front in this area: two of the endorsements at the start of her book commend her for being as "gracious" and "humble" privately as she is publicly, and "the same person when she is not in front of thousands".

Having been a secular performer before becoming a believer, Zschech is passionate about this. Her book is remarkably thorough in pointing out all the sinful traps that "performers" can fall into—traps like being a prima donna, wanting the praise of others, drawing attention to yourself by extreme behaviour, undermining rather than supporting the preacher, creating disunity, and being ruled by emotions rather than by Christ. Zschech is also relentless in insisting that "extravagant worshippers" must avoid these traps: "[D]on't give them a musical example. People don't need to follow your talent. Give them a life to follow" (p. 58). She also encourages faithfulness in all things—even the little things and the things no-one sees. Again, this is highly commendable and very attractive to any Christian eager to serve Jesus faithfully and sincerely (not just "performers"). I personally was surprised and delighted to see such godliness encouraged in her book, and was challenged and encouraged at many points.

However, Zschech sees no reason why godliness can't also be accompanied by professionalism (in music particularly). This reasoning is, no doubt, equally as attractive to many. Having emphasized the importance of Christ as the priority, and of the need to avoid traps of ungodliness, Zschech also encourages attention to details—the importance of disciplined rehearsals, the need for excellence in sound and lighting, and so on. In short, near enough isn't good enough when it comes to using your gifts to serve God because it doesn't line up with worshipping God extravagantly.

It is here that we begin to see the tip of the iceberg of the dangers the 'Hillsong Worship Revolution'. These dangers can be broken up into those Zschech is aware of; those she does not appear to be aware of (which are, in fact, more dangerous); those she has fallen into; and those she has not fallen into but leaves others vulnerable to.

One of the dangers which Zschech is all too aware of in what she is advocating is the danger of focusing on the worshipper or the worship instead of the one who is to be worshipped. Zschech's awareness of this danger is obvious at many points throughout the book: she consistently repudiates various errors and occasionally her comments are emphasized in the large print sections—for example, "Church is not the vehicle for us to present our talents and catapult us to Christian stardom! "; "Fulfilment comes from worshipping Him, not having others worship you!"; "Extremes draw more attention to the worshipper than the one being worshipped", and so on (pp. 157, 100, 171). It may be a little too easy for conservative evangelicals to sneer at this danger but it is no less a danger for us (except, perhaps, that the danger is in venerating the teachers rather than the "worshippers"!)

Another danger which Zschech appears to be aware of (but perhaps is not as successful at countering) is the danger of 'worship' being defined as "what we do in the church building when we sing together". To be fair, Zschech is at pains to stress that worship is "a way of life" and that music is "not the essence of it". She is also at pains to emphasize that worship is not an emotion—that it must be accompanied by obedience. However, Zschech's definition of worship is "when one's spirit adores and connects with the Spirit of God, when the very core of one's being is found loving Him, lost in Him" (p. 27). Unfortunately this sounds somewhat like a romantic trying to explain what it feels like to be 'in love': it's unhelpfully vague. By not directly tying worship to obedience, Zschech makes it possible for us to feel that our inhibitions, not our rebellion, are what prevents us from worshipping God.

Furthermore, this clouded definition leaves Zschech and her followers vulnerable to thinking that worship is particularly 'intimate' (and therefore, one would assume, better) when music is played. This impression is further fuelled by Zschech's use of Old Testament temple language for gathering in church, and is not helped by her paralleling going to church with going to the temple (there are constant references to meeting in the "house of God"). At one point, she does state that the "house of God" is not the building, but the people, but this seems to be going against most of her other references to the "house of God" where she uses language like "the sanctuary" to describe it. These things reinforce the impression that 'worship' is special when we go to the "house of God"—that is, church.

However, the greatest dangers that spring from what Zschech is advocating lie in areas which she does not appear to be aware of. The greatest danger of the "worship revolution" embodied by Zschech is that it runs the risk of saying that our praise and worship takes us into the presence of God, not the death of Jesus. It is important to state that Zschech acknowledges that the reason we can come into God's presence is because of the death of Jesus, however she does not appear to be aware of the problems surrounding many of her statements which make it seem like our worship brings us into the presence of God. These statements include: "Praise takes you into the presence of God" (p. 53), "Every time the praise and worship teams ... begin to praise God, His presence comes like a flood. Even though we live in His presence, His love is lavished on us when we praise him in a miraculous way!" (p. 56).

In one very telling anecdote in which one time, her worship team was given only 12 minutes' notice before they had to perform, one of the music pastors in a pep talk to the musos said, "[I]n twelve minutes we are going to take people to the throne room of God!" Describing the ensuing experience, Zschech writes, "Worship was glorious straight away—you could taste it, you could see it, it was the presence of God, and it camped" (p. 155). Zschech seems to be saying that when the praise and worship teams fire up, the presence of God comes in a special way.

Zschech's perspective can also be seen in how she describes what is happening in the worldwide "worship revolution": '[W]e are seeing an increase of God's presence like we have never experienced before" and "[T]he intimacy and powerful presence of God in corporate worship is becoming stronger and stronger" (pp. 154, 203).

The attraction of this is obvious: here is how we can connect with the presence of God in a special way. Here is how we can sense the presence of God with an intimacy that's closer than ever before. However, the errors of this understanding are great, and the dangers are greater. At the heart of it, the errors are the same as those which have followed various 'charismatic' experiences like speaking in tongues and the Toronto Blessing. It is thought that in these things, God is doing something 'new' and 'special'. Furthermore, it is thought that these experiences provide a way for 'greater intimacy with God' or a means of receiving 'greater power from God'. In its current guise, charismatic theology seems to be saying that when believers come together for 'corporate worship' and when the 'Praise and Worship' music teams start up, God's presence comes in a new and special way.

The great error with this understanding is that it either replaces the work of Jesus on the cross with the work of the praise and worship teams, or it elevates the activity of corporate singing above other more 'mundane' activities like corporate prayer and Bible reading. Have we been any less intimate in the presence of God as we have drawn near to him confessing our sins together? Of course not! We might not have been as excited, but it completely lacks biblical warrant to say that God's presence is now with us in a new and special way. If it is being said that God's presence is now evident during these times in a new and more intimate way, the question has to be asked: "What has changed?" Hasn't Jesus died for us? What has changed, of course, is our performance. What is being said is that God's presence is now more manifest because of our effort. Apparently Jesus' death was insufficient to bring us the greatest intimacy with God. Apparently we need some special formula to tap into this intimacy with God-something more than faith alone.

This leads us to the greatest danger of all in the new "worship revolution". The danger is that people are misled into thinking that Jesus is unnecessary for coming into the presence of God. But Scripture makes it clear that it's only through the death of Jesus that anyone can come (Heb 10:19-22). His death opened the way to all who believe in him.

Thankfully, Darlene Zschech acknowledges this in her book. However, at the same time, it is very dangerous and unhelpful of her to say that our praise and worship (music) brings us into the presence of God. It is particularly dangerous of her to interpret the exhilaration you feel from a wonderful music concert as being "the presence of God". The danger is that a thoroughly disobedient person can have this experience without believing in Jesus at all. Such a person can easily be misled into thinking that the way into God's presence is not through Jesus but through exhilarating music. And if anyone thinks they can come into God's presence without Jesus, they won't be able to worship God at all, let alone extravagantly.

Hillsong United Lyrics-All For Love

2008-06-23T05:32:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-All For Love

All for love a Father gave
For only love could make a way
All for love heavens cried
For love was crucified

Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You

Let me sing all for love
I will join the angel song
Ever holy is the Lord
King of Glory
King of all

All for a love a Saviour prayed
Abba Father have Your way
Though they know not what they do
Let the Cross draw man to You

How to win Australian Idol

2008-06-16T07:05:00.001-07:00

In some quarters "there are mutterings that Idol contestants connected to large congregations have an advantage in a competition that relies on a popular vote", wrote The Age's Katherine Kizilos last year, noting that 2006 finalist Dean Geyer worshipped at Adelaide's City Church while others -- Guy Mutton (Mutto), Jessica Mauboy and Lavina Williams -- all sang in church. So did finalists from other years: Paulini Curuenavuli and Lavina's sister, Emily.

Christian groups have downplayed the voting influence, saying it's all that training in church choirs that sets their flock in good stead. In other words, talent triumphs. Or perhaps it's all that training in Idol pizazz -- Hillsong Church is a place where "all the nasty, negative bits of Christianity have been removed and we're all winning contestants in a cosmic version of Australian Idol," writes Pinky Beecroft in Manic Times.

Whatever you make of the Hillsong factor, Crikey understands that other denominations have also been pitching for their congregation's 15 minutes. We have word from the dancefloor that Dancing with the Stars winner Kate Ceberano was strongly supported in her ballroom bid by voters in the Scientology community. In fact, we hear there was an organised campaign in finals week by her "people" to rally her other people. Then again, runner-up Fifi Box had the not insignificant weight of Triple M's marketing department behind her.

Of course, it's all conjecture. Voting for reality shows like Australian Idol isn't broken down into religious electorates. In fact, in public view, it's not even broken down into vote numbers.

In 2003, when Idol judge Ian "Dicko" Dickson inadvertently told The SMH that 1.4 million votes had been clocked in a 24-hour voting period for one final show he broke with Ten policy.

How many votes does it take to push someone over the line? Equally hard to know, though it's likely to be in the thousands or tens of thousands. A number not out of reach of large congregations.

If you're looking for the recipe for Idol (or indeed reality TV) success find yourself in a small (but not tiny) community, the more parochial the better.

Bendigo girl and third Idol, Kate DeAraugo, was plagued with rumours that her family bought community votes to get her through. True or not, the small town factor no doubt played its part.

If you can belong to a large church and a medium-sized community -- where most people know your name -- even better. Oh, and some chops wouldn't hurt either.

Hillsong Church, Gloria Jeans linked to abuse claims

2008-06-16T06:58:00.001-07:00

YOUNG women suffering mental illness were treated with Bible studies and exorcisms as part of a secretive ministry linked to Gloria Jean's Coffees and the Hillsong Church.

Troubled young women signed over months of their lives to Mercy Ministries, which offered them little or no medical or psychiatric care, the Sydney Morning Herald investigation found.

Three former ministry residents have blown the whistle on the program, claiming they were independent young women when they entered, but came out broken and suicidal, believing - as ministry staff had told them - that they were possessed by demons and that Satan controlled them.

The women have since been forced to undergo years of intense psychological and psychiatric care to overcome their treatment at the ministry.

Membership at the ministry required residents to sign over any Centrelink benefits, and it is believed the group also received a carers payment to look after the women, the Herald reported.

The Mercy Ministries website says the group takes in women aged 16 to 28 and offers them support from "psychologists, general practitioners, dietitians, social workers, (and) career counsellors''.

However, the three residents who have spoken out about the ministry said no professional medical services were provided, and instead the program focused on prayer, Christian counselling and expelling demons from in and around the young women.

"Mercy Ministries staff address the issues that the residents face from a holistic client-focused approach; physical, mental, emotional. The program is voluntary and all aspects are explained comprehensibly to the residents and no force is used,'' ministry executive manager of programs Judy Watson told the Herald.

Mercy Ministries, sponsored by Gloria Jean's and supported by the Hillsong Foundation, says it has a 90 per cent success rate from its programs.

Hillsong United Lyrics-All Day

2008-06-16T05:31:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-All Day

Verse 1:
I don't care what they say about me
It's all right, all right
I don't care they think about me
It's all right, they'll get it one day
Pre-Chorus
I love you, I'll follow you
You are my, my life
I will read my Bible and pray
I will follow you all day
Verse 2:
I don't care what it costs anymore
Cos' you gave it all and I'm following you
I don't care what it takes anymore
No matter what happens I'm going your way
Pre-Chorus
Chorus:
All Day
All Day now
All Day
I'll follow You
Verse 1
Pre-Chorus
Chorus
Bridge:
Anyone around can see
Just how good you've been to me
For all my friends that don't know you
I pray that you would save them too
Chorus

God Wears Tsubi at Hillsong

2008-06-09T06:54:00.001-07:00

Has anyone seen my Bible? It has a brown leather 'Herringbone' cover with 'Tsubi' stickers all over it." This is the question posed by a good looking, well dressed 20- something male after Sunday nights service at Hillsong Church, in Sydney's Baulkham Hills.

To those aged over 30 this question might seem a little strange.

Are 'Herringbone' and 'Tsubi' holy saints that are adorning this church-goer's Bible? And the simple answer is no. Not even close.

'Herringbone' and 'Tsubi,' as most of the almost 3000 strong crowd gathered at the Hillsong service will be able to tell you, are fashion labels for the fashion conscious.

Tsubi are the designer jeans with celebrity status (and holy price tags of up to $600 per pair) that are wrapped around the toned legs of Sydney's fashionable elite. And similarly a significant number of people here.

While traditional churches may be fighting to survive with dwindling congregations, evangelicals such as Hillsong have struck a chord with the young.

As the numbers who turn up at Baulkham Hills and at Young Street Waterloo can testify Paradise Pentecostal Church is the fastest growing Christian denomination with two-thirds of its congregation under 35. While more than 3000 youngsters attend Hillsong's services every Sunday.

With an 18 strong rock band on stage and Australian Idol winner, Guy Sebastian sitting five metres away, who wouldn't want to come to church? Looking around at the congregation at Hillsong at Baulkham Hills it is impossible not to be struck by the amount of fresh, young faces you see - a stark contrast to the ageing congregations of traditional churches such as the Catholic Church.

So why are these churches attracting such young, hip, and fashion conscious congregations? "These Pentecostal churches are re-packaging of Christianity in accords with consumer capitalism" said Carole Cusack, senior lecturer in religion at Sydney University, said.

"This enables them to embrace fashion, culture and technology and everything in the broader culture and still argue they are religious or spiritual.

"Previously Christianity has been identified with a down-grading of the pleasures of this world in favour of the after-life, holding it to be entirely far superior. This has changed here. The whole set up is different. No longer is it 'Blessed are the poor' but instead it is based on 'God loves the rich."

Chris Murphy, a Catholic priest at Kensington Parish in Sydney's South, attributes the simplicity of churches such as Hillsong in contributing to their popularity.

"They preach a certainty and simplicity that is possibly untrue to the ambiguities of life" he said.

"The youth in their idealism are looking for and can be hanging on to simple answers."

Ms Cusack similarly, quotes philosopher H L Mencken's, 'For every complex question there is a simple answer. And it's wrong.' She sees society as being so complex that most don't truly understand it nor take the time to really try to work it out. She sees the quick fix-solutions offered by the likes of Hillsong as an almost inevitable consequence of our culture.

"People can't be bothered to immerse themselves in the pursuit of knowledge and finding answers and they prefer even idiotic answers" Ms Cusack said.

However young members of the Hillsong congregation, reject Ms Cusack's views.

"We are essentially a bible based religion with all of the same teachings as traditional churches but we are more understanding of what's going on in a young person's world," said 24-year-old Kirsten Grundy.

"This is where I fit. Where I feel comfortable. It's just church done to suit a different type of person.

"I had tried all types of religions. I had been to the Baja temple, the Uniting Church, and the rest but found them all too quiet and constraining. I was louder and more boisterous, when I came here I enjoyed it and kept coming. I felt that this is where I was supposed to be." Ms Grundy came to Hillsong two years ago, ironically, after reading negative press about the controversial church.

"I had gone away on holidays with a boyfriend and had a terrible fight. He couldn't understand my decision to abstain from sex until marriage.

"The next morning I woke up to find an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, a negative article about Hillsong. Through all that negativity I could see that this was a young church that believed in young people and I wanted to go."

Ms Grundy gave up her job managing an exclusive home wares shop in Double Bay six months ago. She now works full time for Hillsong Church as "Creative Design Co-ordinator" looking after the elaborate stage settings at the church's two locations.

"It has been a massive life change, one that my friends outside the church cannot fully understand and it has caused some problems."

One cause for concern amongst her friends, Ms Grundy said was the relatively small amount of pay she received from a church so obviously wealthy.

"Ten per cent of every member's pay goes to the church- it's a biblical principle," she said.

"While I don't make a great deal of money the church would never let me go hungry. I have never worked for love of money anyway.

"We use the churches money in creating a beautiful church for the second coming. It's definitely about building a 'great' church based on God's principles. God is the creator of the world, surely he can have a great church! We shouldn't be limiting God's capability.' Ms Grundy was working extra hard when she talked to Southside News as Hillsong was preparing to host the fourth World Assemblies of God Congress called 'Take the Nation, Shake the World' at its huge Baulkham Hills venue.

The conference ran in May and saw the gathering of church leaders and members from all over the world.

Hillsong numbers have increased so much in fact on a regular weekend that a second service is now held on Sunday night at Baulkham Hills.

"People love coming to church so much that most come twice or more on a weekend. We are just crammed every service, and I would say out of those that come here, about 70 per cent are under 30," said Ms Grundy.

This is a statistic that alarms Dr Vicki Crinis, Lecturer and Australian Historian at Wollongong University.

"This concerns me deeply because this is a time in young people's lives when they should be questioning the conservative ideals that these churches represent. It should be a time of questioning not a time of sameness," she said.

"In the 70s there was the Vietnam War and we saw young people protesting against conscription and rallying for feminism. Young people could engage in activism.

"Today there is a lot of insecurity in the world. Young people feel powerless. This belief in God and the unity they find in these churches empowers them, gives them a kind of activism. It gives them a sense of security and belonging while on the other hand excluding others," Dr Crinis added.

"There is a very anti-gay sentiment amongst these churches and the idea that, like a drug addict they can be saved.

"They feel a kind of strength in numbers in these churches that attracts 'more of the same'. Churches like Hillsong are not really a way of escaping, but a way to have their ideas upheld and supported."

And who better to support your ideas, said Dr Crinis, than those you look up to. The 'cool' rockers on the stage at Hillsong, The Australian Idol in the row next to you, and the trendy people to the side of you.

"It is important to know, however," Ms Cusack said that Hillsong, "is not the first and definitely not the last of its kind. What people don't realise is that there is a high turn over of people.

"Statistically people spend between 18 months and three years at churches such as these," she said.

She said, people come to these churches in their youth and then move away as they get older.

When asked if Ms Grundy's own mother attended Hillsong too, she said.

"No, definitely not, she said she can't stand the loud music!"

The lord's profits

2008-06-09T06:44:00.001-07:00

A sexy young Christian, a walkie-talkie clipped to her hipsters, greets us on our walk from the car park. "Hiya, howya doin'?" she says, with a flick of her mane and a smile. "Welcome to God's house - what an awesome day!" She points us in the direction of God's pad, a massive Olympic-style stadium up on the hill, and returns to conducting traffic with a fluoro stick.

All around, beaming young folk (and they are mainly young) are decked out in their coolest threads - no Amish-skirted Christians here. Hundreds walk with us, and beneath the awnings and in the foyer of the building - all tubular steel and glass - thousands are milling excitedly. By the end of the weekend, almost 12,000 people will have made this walk. Once inside, the first thing the faithful strike is not a crucifix or stained-glass window (the building is devoid of Christian symbolism), but a vast bookshop, of sleek frosted glass and wood, where dozens wait by the till for books and tapes and CDs - or, as they like to call them here at Hillsong Church, "Christian resources" - from around the world. Most prominent, and with almost half the shop to themselves, are the titles by Brian Houston and his wife Bobbie, Hillsong's senior pastors.

As 6pm approaches, the crowd spills into the church, a massive 3500-seat auditorium in Sydney's Baulkham Hills. Australia's newest, wealthiest and largest single church, it holds almost twice as many people as that city's St Mary's Cathedral, its closest competitor (which has total weekend attendances of fewer than 2000). They are crowds no one can afford to ignore and, the day after he returned from visiting the scene of the Bali bombings in October, Prime Minister Howard put aside his war on terror to open this house of worship.

Today a 12-piece band with five back-up singers and a choir of 50-odd youngsters literally bounce into action. Behind them, three massive screens hang from the walls - the middle one morphs through different shades of red and blue, only the message, "Glory to God", remaining constant. The momentum builds with the tempo of the band as the packed stadium sings along to the words flashed up on the screens, swaying in a one-armed, open-palm salute to the band, to the Lord.

After 20 minutes, the warm-up pastor takes to the stage, chiming in with the band - "Come on, church, you can groove" - and then segues into his spiel. Our God, he says,

is a God who delivers miracles, a totally awesome God. He rattles off stories, true stories, from this very congregation, of cancers cured, of cripples healed, of sinners saved. Why, the Lord even saw his way to finding $4000 for one student to pay his fees at the Hillsong Bible college. The congregation hoot and clap; a young fellow beside me has his eyes closed and as each miracle is proclaimed he shouts, "Amen, man. Awesome."

But you, too, should honour the Lord, the pastor tells his flock, and He will deliver these miracles, because the Bible says so, right here in Proverbs, chapter 3, which says that "if you honour the Lord with your possessions, and with the fruits of your increase, your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine". He makes the point numerous times, lets it sink in, then informs the throng that credit card facilities are available, and cheques should be made out to Hillsong. "Amen," shouts the pastor, thumping the air with his fists. "Amen, let's pass those buckets along."

And the faithful oblige - last year they filled the Hillsong buckets to the tune of $10 million. The church's music arm also bought in a tidy tax-free $8 million, and one of its albums, Blessed, debuted at No4 in the pop charts, above Shakira, and stayed there for weeks. Hillsong has bought into medical centres. Its Bible college has close to 1700 full- and part-time students, some paying annual fees of more than $4000. It has a staff of almost 200, including 70 pastors. It has built a state-of-the-art conference centre-cum-church worth $25 million. No fewer than five television cameras are mounted in the auditorium; the services are recorded and then televised in more than 80 countries.

Let's not be coy, Hillsong is not a church that is afraid of money - its spiritual leader, Brian Houston, is also the author of You Need More Money: Discovering God's Amazing Financial Plan for Your Life. Is that what makes this the seemingly fastest-growing Christian church in Australia? The census reveals that while millions identify as Catholic, Anglican or other Protestant denominations, few of them actually go to church. There are, for example, 3.9 million Anglicans, but only 180,000 attend church. (The Anglicans are like South Sydney rugby league club supporters - plenty of guernseys, but hardly any go to the games.) The Catholics are way out in front with 875,000 attendees from their 4.7 million flock. But with almost 200,000 people attending Pentecostal services each weekend around the country, they have nudged ahead of the Anglicans. The Pentecostals have a truancy rate of almost nil. What brand of God are they selling that sees the Almighty walking off the shelves, when the traditional churches struggle to give Him away?

Brian Houston, 48, saunters over to greet me, a tall, tanned man with a deep, radio man's drawl, and a silver and gold Breitling watch shimmering on his wrist. The pastor drives, among other vehicles, a Harley-Davidson Fatboy that a friend from overseas gave him. After emigrating from New Zealand, he and his wife, Bobbie, started this church in Baulkham Hills almost 20 years ago, preaching to a couple of dozen people in a hired school hall. Brian's father, Frank, had already set up a similar fundamentalist Pentecostal church (which has since joined with Hillsong) in the inner-Sydney suburb of Waterloo. Brian grew up with the church, while Bobbie got saved and "met Jesus" at the Auckland Town Hall at the age of 15. The couple met at church camp when Bobbie bought Brian an ice-cream ("He was the first boy I ever kissed," says Bobbie with a girlish giggle. "Can you believe I'm telling you this?"), were married when Bobbie was 19 and are now Hillsong's senior pastors.

They work out regularly and look like an advertiser's dream couple. Bobbie, 45, is blonde, busty and beautiful, and speaks in an airy, suburban earth-mother tone - part Phoebe from Friends, part Kath & Kim.

When asked to explain their roles in the church, Bobbie says pleasantly: "We are seen as one entity but obviously our roles will differ in that we kinda, we are united in this together so we are not afraid of that, yeah, so, so, we are not a kingdom divided against ourselves. So, we are yoked together in this, I mean, they are biblical words, we are yoked together, obviously his roles, I defer to him, I respect his role. Do you know what I mean?"

Brian and I leave Bobbie and go for a drive.

So why does he think the church has been so successful? "I think the biggest issue is relevance, I really do," he says, as we tour around the bland suburbs - row upon row of enormous, identical houses - of the Hills District, which surrounds his church. "We are scratching people where they are itching." This is the nearest thing Australia has to a Bible belt. Houston says that when he and Bobbie set out to build a church, he wanted to build one that he and his family would want to attend, with good music, good sermons and a positive message.

So, at Hillsong services, the music is modern and uplifting and the presentation theatrical. The show stopper is the communal baptism, held every few weeks. The giant stage rolls back and beneath is a baptismal pool. The faithful line up at the side to be dunked, fully clothed, while the onlookers cheer and clap.

Then, there's the message, which is simple and alluring. It says that if you embrace this brand of God you will be rewarded financially and spiritually in this life, as well as the next. It is religion for our material age. And there, as an example of what is possible, is the handsome, charismatic pastor, his bubbly wife and their three beautiful kids (Joel, 23, the oldest, is lead singer in the Hillsong rock band). All this comes with Brian's guarantee - from More Money - that "anyone who puts the Kingdom of God first (rich or poor) can expect bible economics to work in their life NOW".

Many of the young people I meet at the services volunteer their stories of financial success since joining Hillsong. "I was living in a housing commission house, working in a factory job and struggling to pay my bills," says Brian Griffiths, aged in his early twenties and still sweating from dancing in the bleachers. "Since I started coming [in 1999], great things have happened." He got a job selling insurance over the phone, with someone he met through the church. "God made me meet him." He is more than happy to give

10 per cent of his wage back, as most are. "Granted, many people have a life that's going great without God, yet I think that God probably had a whole lot more in mind for them."

"If you believe in Jesus," Houston tells me, "He will reward you here [on earth] as well [as in Heaven]." It is this prosperity gospel teaching that puts him at odds with people like the Reverend Tim Costello, the former head of the Baptist Union of Australia.

"The quickest way to degrade the gospel," says Costello, "is to link it with money and the pursuit of money. It is the total opposite of what Jesus preached. These people have learnt nothing from the mistakes made by the American televangelists."

Not so, says Houston. When Jesus said it was harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, he didn't mean rich Christians, because all you need is "God as your foremost priority. Jesus talks constantly of people's attitude to money but he never talks against money."

Costello, says Houston, "likes what we do generally" but has a problem with Hillsong's success. He, like those from some of the more traditional churches, is simply jealous of it, Houston tells me. "The irony is, Tim Costello is a pretty successful guy himself. The big difference between us is that I like to teach other people to be successful and not just enjoy the success myself."

Hillsong, he says, has moved with the times, while the old churches are stuck in the 19th century. "What good is a vow of poverty?" he asks. "A person who has more is able to help more. That's what we are all about, giving people a handout." The multi-million-dollar church's charitable arm, Hillsong Emerge, according to ASIC documents, has an annual budget of just a little over $400,000.

That's not to say that Houston's views on some other matters aren't conservative. He believes in speaking in tongues. He would like to see creationism taught in schools and abortion banned. Homosexuals are, of course, unwelcome, but Houston says he's not a Fred Nile-type fanatic on these matters. Picketing outside abortion clinics achieves little; a more pro-active approach is to help teenage girls through their pregnancies. The church partly funds a hostel, Mercy Ministries, for young pregnant women and other troubled girls (there's another for troubled boys at Bankstown) who can live there free for a year, on the proviso that they attend church. Another of the Hillsong Emerge projects, Young and Gorgeous, sees young Emerge women going into schools to teach 12- and

13-year-old girls about skin care and make-up, to help them learn, an Emerge woman told me, "that each and every one of them is unique and precious". Houston takes me for a drive past the youth hostel, in a bush setting near his church, and then on to a medical centre the church has bought in Baulkham Hills (they own another at Blacktown). It is all part of healing people "body, mind and spirit", he says, explaining the Hillsong approach.

The medical centres are small, but with plans for expansion. And while they may be helping the converted, they're also causing ripples among those outside Hillsong. Local doctors are angry that they will have to compete against a business that is exempt from all the normal business taxes - such as payroll tax - just because it is a religious organisation.

It is a matter the AMA intends to scrutinise.

Max Wallace, a sociologist at the Australian National University, is writing a book,

The Purple Economy, about the tax-free godsend enjoyed by the Australian churches. He says that while the traditional churches are "immensely wealthy", Australians had better get used to the "astronomical wealth growth"

of young, corporate churches such as Hillsong, which haven't the burden of maintaining ageing churches and small congregations (some don't even have the burden of charity). New churches are also moving into a host of new business ventures that have nothing

to do with religion - turf farms, fruit juice manufacturing, furniture making - often sending their competitors broke along the way.

Tim Costello wants to know how much of the Hillsong wealth is going to Brian and Bobbie. "The churches have an enormously privileged position in society - not only do they not pay tax, but they are exempt from many of the fringe benefit rules as well. As a result, they need to be open and fully accountable. Anyone can walk into my church and find out exactly how much I earn, what car I drive, whatever, including any other associated monies I might earn from being a minister. I would like to ask the same of Hillsong."

So I do. Brian Houston's open, good-guy demeanour disappears. No, he will not tell me what he or Bobbie earns. "All you guys [the media] want to know about is the money,"

he says. "You don't want to know about the church." Well, it's a bit like walking into Rose Hancock's house and not noticing the chandeliers - the money at Hillsong just leaps out at you.

Houston says that while he draws a wage, he donates it back to the church. "I want to make it clear that I cost this church nothing, I want that on the record." He earns some of his money, he says, as a property developer, "being a silent partner with a couple of guys from the church in building developments", but he gets "the vast majority" of his money from overseas speaking engagements at other charismatic churches. He and Bobbie also get the royalties from those "Christian resources" out the front of the church.

Phillip Powell, a Pentecostal preacher and a former general secretary of the Assemblies

of God (the umbrella group of which Houston is now president), says Houston's overseas speaking engagements are at churches whose own senior pastors are "on the circuit". Powell, who has set up a "watchdog ministry", Christian Witness Ministries, in part to monitor Hillsong, says, "They get paid huge amounts of money to speak at each other's churches. The money goes to Brian, but his profile comes from Hillsong." It is a bit like the Pope charging for speaking engagements, and then keeping the cash. (Houston says Powell's sentiments are "pitiful comments from a pitiful man who knows nothing of Hillsong or of me".)

The Hillsong church structure is tightly controlled. The general manager, Brian Aghajanian (also an elder), says the elders are nominated "by Brian or the other elders". No elections? "No, we feel that people might stand who don't have a great understanding of the way the church works or have the same vision we have for the church," Aghajanian says.

Hillsong United Lyrics-All About You

2008-06-09T05:28:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-All About You

Hear our praises,
Hear Your people sing
Hear our hearts cry,
Your love is everything
And all will hear this sound
As the nations turn to You
And this will be our anthem
Cause we're all about You
And the world You promised
And all we have will give you praise
Cause we're all about You
And the world can't stop us
Living Your Way
Always
Let our hearts break,
As we praise your name
Let the earth shake,
This is the sound of faith
And all will hear this sound
As the nations turn to You
And this will be our anthem
Cause we're all about You
And the world You promised
And all we have will give you praise
Cause we're all about You
And the world can't stop us
Living Your Way
Always
And the walls will fall down
and religion will break
And the nations will hear this shout
Can you hear the sound of faith?
Cause we're all about You
Cause we're all about You
(4x)
Cause we're all about You
And the world You promised
And all we have will give you praise
Cause we're all about You
And the world can't stop us
Living Your Way
Always
Cause we're all about You
Cause we're all about You
(4x)
And all the walls are falling down
As all the nations praise
And all the world will hear this shout
Can you hear the sound of faith?
(2x)

The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One

2008-06-02T06:27:00.001-07:00

After years of relative obscurity in the worship genre, Hillsong United suddenly has become one of the biggest worship bands on the planet—and they're clearly striking while the iron is hot. Just less than a year after the release of their studio project All of the Above, United is already back with another live album … and yet something more.

The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One marks the start of a new social justice initiative by United, followed by a DVD release in June, and the launch of a new online community in July. This double disc set is the culmination of 2 years of concerts from all around the world, representing 6 continents. Not that you'd notice from track to track. Aside from singing "Fire Falls Down" in Spanish, the recording is edited so seamlessly, it may as well be a single worship service—and maybe that's the point.

United also dutifully juggles between each of their albums from the last 5 years, in essence assembling a best-of collection. With over 150 minutes of music, it feels like every United song is included, or at least the best-known rockers ("Tell the World," "Take It All," "What the World Will Never Take"), ballads ("Take All of Me," "There Is Nothing Like," Hosanna"), and anthems ("Shout Unto God," "The Stand"), though I'm surprised "Lead Me to the Cross" was omitted. Thus, there's really nothing new here beyond the recordings themselves, but the album is better sequenced than previous live projects, avoiding overly monotonous pacing by freely alternating between fast and slow songs.

The production values are better too, with United never sounding more beefed up and exciting than this. The lively singing from the crowds adds to the energy, though sometimes it's unintelligible when the lead vocals drop out to capture the crowds' singing. I also wish there was more to United's worship leading here, which often relies on cheesy shout-outs like "Anybody here love Jesus?"

Can an album like this really inspire worldwide social change? And do fans really need to buy alternate versions of songs they already have to do so? Answer those questions for yourself, but With Hearts as One shows this band doing what they do best, leading thousands of worshipers in singing their hearts out to the Lord. It can be an exhausting listening experience, for sure, but the album is nonetheless well-made, proving United to be not just another worship band, but a world-renowned phenomenon.

Hillsong United Lyrics-All...

2008-06-02T05:24:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-All...

Verse 1:
You're the one who gives me shelter...
And you're the light that leads me home
You're the love that gave forever...
Lord you're all that I know
Chorus:
And all that I am... unto you I surrender...
Lord there is none like you
And I know that I stand... in the arms of forever...
Lord there is none like you
There is none like you
Verse 2:
With the world upon your shoulders...
Lord you gave your life away
If the world I know was over...
I know I'd have life in the price You paid
Bridge:
And I will stand...and I will worship You forever... for all You are
And I will stand...and all to you I will surrender... I'll worship you forever

Toronto loves Hillsong United

2008-06-01T23:00:00.001-07:00

The music and message of Hillsong United has pretty much swept around the globe but it is my understanding that southern Ontario is kind of like "Australia North" for these guys - to say that they are popular here is an understatement. At a time when NOBODY comes up on here on tours because they can't sell tickets (Newsboys, Jars of Clay, Third Day, etc etc regularly have shows booked, promoted and then cancelled) the guys from Hillsong United are able to fill 3,000 seat venues twice in one night. It is a pretty amazing thing.

Last summer there were somewhere between 12,000 and 15,000 people gathered for a Hillsong United concert. (The debate of concert vs. worship experience will be a never-ending one but I think it was promoted as a concert so I have no problem calling it that.) Those are huge numbers in any market but these guys have really struck a chord with students here and they are not missing the opportunity.

Later this summer Hillsong United will be running their youth conference in Toronto. The Facebook group is already alive and kicking! :) I'm excited that this is happening close to us - not because United is my favourite band or that I love a ton of their songs but I think that this will have a positive impact on the church culture and arts culture in our region. Hillsong will be able to gather thousands of students from Canada and parts of the US who will come together to worship (God, hopefully!) and who will be inspired to return home as worshippers.

Correct United in Manila 2008 Set list

2008-05-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

Got this from Tina.
(Soundcheck: Mighty To Save)

Time Has Come
Break Free
Take it All
My Future Decided
Mighty to Save
Hosanna
You’ll Come (Bridge only)
The Stand
Healer
Shout Unto God
You Deserve
Look to You
Lead Me to the Cross
All I Need is You (Chorus and Bridge)
None But Jesus
From the Inside Out
Be Lifted High
Saviour King
Salvation is Here
What the World Will Never Take
Tell the World
One Way
Solution
.

EO and this girl from Hillsong United Shure Looke Nycee!

2008-05-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

Link

Hillsong United Manila Review and Photos and Videos

2008-05-27T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hi all. Just came back from the sweaty worship at the Araneta.. please read my long review on the Manila Hillsong United Worship Event last May 2008:
Videos and Pictures (official-i think) area also in the link...

http://pinoychristianmusic.blogspot.com/2008/05/hillsong-united-live-in-manila-2008-in.html
(look around for the videos and picture galleries)

Hillsong United Lyrics-Air I Breath

2008-05-26T05:20:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-Air I Breath

Hold me, in your arms
Like a new born child
I'm desperate, lord
For more of you

Touch me, with your love
Deep within my heart
I'm waiting, lord
For more of you

May your words of love
Wash over me
May your songs of grace
Cover me

More than the air I breathe today
I need you
More than the desert needs the rain
I need you
More than the air breathe today
I need you
More than to live another day
I need you

Hillsong United in Tokyo

2008-05-25T22:54:00.001-07:00

Last weekend was fantastic! Hillsong United Band came to Tokyo from Australia for one night and we saw 1900 people pack the hall of Aoyama Gakuin University.

Tickets were sold out two weeks before the event and the people were lining up in the rain for over an hour to get in and grab a good seat. There was nothing stopping them! Some had travelled hours for the concert - it was soo great and the United team love Tokyo and really enjoyed playing at the service.

They played around 20 songs and around 200 people responded to call to follow Christ. Which is amazing for Japan!

Before their concert at 630pm. Jesus Lifehouse had their own service which you can see photos of here and the video of here. I don't know the numbers exactly but I believe it was around 600-700. Our biggest ever service! Again, we had many new visitors and people responded to the call to follow Christ.

So for the next 5 Sundays at Jesus Lifehouse we are having 3 church services in downtown Tokyo (Aakaska). As a trial and to accomodate for the current growth. It's going to be awesome and a new challenge for the teams that serve.

I've also revamped the www.jesuslifehouse.tv site and have got some good feedback (Let me know what you think). Adding video news and also the new photo gallery. So far in the last 3 days there has been around 10GB of downloads (highest ever) which is obviously from promotion over the weekend. I'm so excited about all the Japanese people hearing the messages in their language week by week. Isn't it great?!

As for the Tensens, we are doing well with Oma Tensen here, enjoying Tokyo and spending time with Mia. It's been great! I'll try and post some photos of ShakujiiKoen park that we visited last Saturday soon too.

Hillsong Live Worship

2008-05-25T22:36:00.001-07:00

After 11 praise and worship albums from Sydney, Australia's Hillsong Music, you'd think you'd have heard it all by now. Their style of high-energy worship, led by renowned worship leaders Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan, are familiar to all who have ever heard their best-selling recordings. I didn't think it possible for Hillsong to come up with a fresh sound after all this time. Behold Blessed, the latest Hillsong live worship experience that features a fresh sound and offers proof that powerful worship albums are alive and well.

Recorded in early 2002 at the Sydney Entertainment Center with more than 11,000 worshippers, Blessed packs an astonishing 78-plus minutes of music onto a single disc. The change in venue from Hillsong's usual worship center is no doubt a contributor to the increased energy level of this album, which is readily apparent from the first track and rarely lets up. I've found it helpful in recent years to make the distinction between contemporary and modern worship; the former often refers to an upbeat adult-contemporary pop sound (many of Integrity Music's recordings, Michael W. Smith's Worship), the latter typically features more electric guitar-driven modern rock (Delirious, Sonicflood). With that in mind, Hillsong takes one giant step towards the modern worship sound and has never sounded more loud and bombastic, with the electric guitars more present here than on previous recordings.

Reuben Morgan wrote most of the album's 14 tracks, though the opening title track was co-written with Darlene Zschech. "Blessed" is a stunning modern-worship anthem that starts off strongly, only to get louder as the song progresses. The chorus' powerful melody only makes it more stirring and memorable, and I believe it's one of the best songs I've heard from Hillsong in a long time. It's followed by "Now That You're Near," which sounds more like Sonicflood than a typical Hillsong tune. It's so modern, I suspect it was born out of Hillsong's youth worship program. The same could be said of the intense rock drive of "Shout to the King," with Darlene more than prepared vocally for the style. Even the album's first ballad, "Made Me Glad," gets fairly loud in the chorus. I'd have to say that track five, "Through It All," is the first song I'd describe as gentle.

Fans of Lincoln Brewster may want to take note of this album since he co-wrote "Son of God" with Hillsong worship leader Marty Sampson. Additionally, there's a thrilling rendition of "King of Majesty," which also closes Lincoln's Amazed album. That song, as well as "I Adore," was previously featured on the Hillsong youth album King of Majesty. "I Adore" is an especially dynamic ballad that swells from a gentle ballad to a contemporary praise chorus and eventually a heavenly orchestral drive. After a prayerful middle that's highlighted by "I Adore," the album resumes it's Sonicflood-like modern rock sound with songs such as the immediately catchy "With You" and "Most High." Closing out the lengthy album is "All the Heavens," a sweeping pop anthem that's a fitting ending to the worship experience.

As much as I respect Reuben Morgan's talents as a worship leader and songwriter, there's always been a bit of a cheesy post-'70s Earth, Wind, and Fire vibe to his arrangements on past albums. That sound is mostly absent from Blessed, even with Reuben writing six of the album's songs, and both strings and brass sections backing up the worship band. The closest sounding track to the Reuben's retro style is "All I Do," which sounds more like an intensified hyper dance celebration (e.g. "Turn the Beat Around") that's irresistible to dance to. There's nothing remotely cheesy on this album, which bears more resemblance to Sonicflood's Sonicpraise album than a typical Hillsong recording. Darlene and the other vocalists are typically impressive here, as is the worship band and orchestra. I suppose the album may not appeal to those used to Hillsong's more tempered adult contemporary sound, but it's not all that different – just louder. All of this to say that Blessed is the most exciting and intense live worship album I've ever heard from Hillsong Australia. Considering how energetic their worship albums typically are, that's saying quite a bit.

Hillsong United Lyrics-Ah Lord God

2008-05-19T05:18:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-Ah Lord God

Ah Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens
And the earth by Thy great power;
Ah Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens
And the earth by Thine outstretched arm.

RefrÃ£o
Nothing is too difficult for Thee,
Nothing is too difficult for Thee;
O, great and mighty God,
Great in power and mighty in deed,
Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing,
Nothing is too difficult for Thee.

Australias Hillsong United Touring the U.S. and Canada

2008-05-18T21:05:00.001-07:00

Australiaâ™s Hillsong United is preparing to bring its well-known brand of modern worship to North America with an extensive tour of the U.S. and Canada and the May release of All of the Above, the bandâ™s eighth CD and first-ever studio recording.

Australiaâ™s top modern worship band will take time away from their home church, Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia, to play before an estimated 150,000 people between April and August.

One of the first stops on the North American tour will be Nashville, where Hillsong United have been invited to lead the Sunday night worship service at GMA Music Week. The worship night will be hosted by Michael W. Smith, and held on Sunday, April 22 at the Ryman Theatre in Nashville.

Hillsong Unitedâ™s Creative Director, Joel Houston, who is also one of Unitedâ™s worship leaders and songwriters, said, âœWe are really excited about coming back to North America and weâ™re looking forward to taking songs, which have been specifically written to be sung corporately, to young people across the continent,â in a press release.

âœWith the tour and new

HILLSONG Gets Record Nominations In International Music Awards

2008-05-18T20:25:00.001-07:00

Music is defined as a force that transcends languages, personalities and regions. It has also been a means to an end in situations that poised as impossible from the Bible days to date.

It varies in forms and types, the soul, the classical the rock and roll as well as the jazz. The Christian musicians who have zealously and commitedly made this their profession have been described as formidable persons. They tell of the excellent , glorious and perfect love of GOD.

The popular Christian music producers, Hillsong , has gained an additional achievement to its accolade by Hillsong Music Australia recognised a record four times in nominations for this yearâ™s prestigious Gospel Music Associations Dove Awards to be held in Nashville in April.

Hillsong is represented in four categories including: Group of the Year, Hillsong United, Praise and Worship Album of the Year for Hillsong United's All Of The Above album, Children's Music Album of the Year for Supernatural, and Female Vocalist of the Year for Darlene Zschech. âœIt is an exciting nod from our peers, showcasing that this country is not only a great exporter of Rock and Pop music, but Christian music as well,âœ Hillsong Publishing Manager, Steve McPherson said.

âœHillsong Music has never been about awards and recognition, however these nominations do show us that we are reaching people across the globe with our praise and worship.â

In June 2007, â˜All of the Aboveâ™ debuted at the number one spot in three US Billboard charts; the Contemporary Christian Album chart, top Praise and Worship Album and the Digital Christian/Gospel Album chart. It also entered at number 60 on Billboardâ™s Top 200 Chart. âœWe are so excited about the songwriters and artists that are coming through our church, and are looking forward to a long future of bringing gospel music to Australia and to the world,â Steve added.

Since 1992, Hillsong Music has sold more than 9 million units worldwide. The awards will be announced on the evening of 23 April, live from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

Hillsong United Lyrics-Adonai

2008-05-12T05:15:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Lyrics-Adonai

I lift my voice
I lift my praise to You
I lift my hands
I lift my worship to You
And I love You more than I can say
Oh I love You more than I can say

Ever I will sing only You will I adore
Glorify my Lord only You will I serve
For the world will fade away
Still my song to You remains
Only You will I adore

Oh I love You always
Oh I love You always

Hillsong mobilises thousands of woman to fight Aids

2008-05-11T20:14:00.001-07:00

Taking responsibility for the world's impoverished and oppressed was the message to the Colour Women's Conference as it drew to a close at the end of last week.

The HIV and Aids epidemic sweeping Africa, Australia's indigenous women and children sufferers, the plight of orphans worldwide and the staggering statistics of human trafficking were among the issues presented at the conference.

"Since the inception of Colour Conference 12 years ago, our desire has always been that it would be an invitation to make the world a better place," said Bobbie Houston, Colour Conference host, and Hillsong's senior pastor.

A new initiative of the Colour Sisterhood was launched at the conference to help women sufferers of HIV and Aids in Uganda in a continued partnership with Gary and Marilyn Skinner of Watoto Ministries. In Africa an estimated 22.5 million are suffering from the disease. Around 70 per cent of all cases are a direct result of rape.

On the final day of the conference, an incredible 1,041 Ugandan women were sponsored by Colour delegates. They will receive monthly support in an initiative similar to child sponsorship programmes. This sponsorship will include the provision and management of life prolonging antiretroviral drugs, as well as emotional and physical assistance.

"This can become another great example of solution on the earth," said Houston of the initiative.

Vividly presented was the extensive, often seemingly insurmountable, need of the most vulnerable in the world, and a challenge for Christians to be united both in cause and response.

Other initiatives highlighted were efforts to fight human trafficking - a frightening global phenomenon, and the Shine programme, which is helping define the identity and build the esteem of young women the world over.

The Colour Conference is a story of unity and alliance, of everyday women uniting in friendship and cause to reach their own potential and bring hope to those around them and across the earth.

"As far as the future is concerned there are so many lives yet to be reached, so many still live outside of their value and worth," said Houston.

Why Mercy Ministries was godsent for Hillsong

2008-05-11T20:03:00.001-07:00

When the Hillsong Church introduced Mercy Ministries to the congregation, there was much excitement. There was finally somewhere that "girls in trouble" could go to keep their babies, or sort out other consequences of their sins while being pampered like a princess into a brand new life.

Pastor Bobbie Houston set up a Mercy register at David Jones, much like a bridal register, where members of the congregation could buy household goods for the girls at Mercy House: perhaps a washing machine or a dustpan and brush. It was like one big Hillsong wedding for the Mary Magdalenes they were forgiving. See how good God is to those sorts of girls?

But girls who have undergone the Mercy Ministries program say the experience did more harm than good, as the Herald reported yesterday. Rather than receiving psychiatric care and support, they were isolated from the outside world and given treatments which consisted of prayer reading and exorcisms.

To understand how this could come about, it is necessary to understand the relationship between Mercy Ministries and the Hillsong Church and the philosophy that unites them.

Hillsong has always been proud of the origins and progress of the Australian incarnation of Mercy Ministries. According to Hillsong folklore, a female congregant, unable to find help in Australia for an eating disorder, travelled to the United States for treatment at Mercy Ministries. Mercy Ministries was created by an American, Nancy Alcorn, who says she was frustrated in her role as a juvenile justice officer because of the injustices of the system. She determined to open a place for young women that would be independent of government funding and intervention, and free, so women would feel sincerely cared for.

While the Australian congregant was at Mercy Ministries, she was visited by a Hillsong pastor. The pastor was so impressed with the work being done she decided to bring the program to Australia.

Mercy Ministries was a godsend for Hillsong. Desperate young women who are violated by the world draw a sympathetic audience. It seemed a simple concept for Hillsong to mimic locally and it was presented as a utopia of female health. Hillsong is an organisation based on recruitment and fund-raising. Mercy Ministries was an opportunity to do both on a new and larger scale.

The founders of Mercy Ministries are fundamentalist Christians who are primarily obsessed with women's bodies and what they choose to do with them. The Bible is used to justify the supposed inferiority and intrinsic sinfulness of women and homosexuals. Hillsong teaches that a woman's purpose, as an afterthought of God, is as a helper and a companion at best, and with Eve as their ultimate matriarch, the cause of the fall of all mankind.

The teaching when I was at Hillsong included the lesson that women are attached to their offspring eternally. All the miscarriages, terminations and stillbirths a woman has during her life time grow up in heaven, waiting for their mother to join them.

But you will never see any of this on Hillsong pamphlets. All you find are photos of shiny, happy people holding hands. And inside the front cover is a promise that a truckload of love is waiting for you whenever you want it. It's only in the third dimension that you discover how much love costs. The love dries up when the money runs out or, worse yet, when you don't agree with the program.

Mercy, justice, liberty and compassion are concepts that evangelicals view as their own. They believe their God is the author of these values, and that with a monopoly on truth they have an imperative to administer them globally.

It is no surprise that the girls and young women who attended Mercy Ministries did not receive the psychiatric help they were seeking. Fundamentalist Christians are suspicious of psychiatry and psychology, unless prefixed with the word Christian. Psychotic symptoms such as voices are evidence of demons that medication cannot expel. I recall one Hillsong pastor proudly describing his own daughter's employment at Mercy Ministries. He said she could counsel by birthright, aided by her bible college wisdom.

Having worked in a women's refuge for five years, I know there are few social services out there. And such little love. It's hard for young women who are tired, frightened and hungry to distinguish love from opportunism. Something has to be done to advocate for the needy when fundamentalists can smell their blood.

Hillsong United lyrics-Above All

2008-05-05T05:11:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United lyrics-Above All

Above all powers, above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms, above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what you're worth

Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all

Above all powers, above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms, above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what you're worth

Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all

Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all

Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all

The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One

2008-05-04T19:18:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United Worships Out Loud In Manila

2008-05-04T19:08:00.001-07:00

Hillsong United, the worship team who popularized "One Way", went live in front of 8,000 who gathered to worship with them in Ninoy Aquino Stadium on November 21, 2006. The concert was one of the band's Asian Tour stops supporting their exploding popularity on the Christian music charts. The concert was brought to Manila by Live Fish and Praise Music.

United sang familiar songs in the fully jampacked auditorium inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Even when the event was scheduled in a regular working day, people trooped to the venue to worship with the group and be blessed in high spirits.Hours before the event, WM Communications Asia-Pacific was able to interview the band on site for it's Perfect Rhythm youth radio show. Perfect Rhythm host Jordan Escusa, together with Darlene Malimas of CBN Asia, and LJ Ramos of Far East Broadcasting Company trooped to the Auditorium's media room at around three o-clock to await the arrival of Hillsong United members. As soon as they arrived, the interviewers took turns to ask about the group's ministry. The complete Perfect Rhythm episode including the Hillsong United interview can we listened to via Podcast on our website.

Phil Dooley delivered the message of God during the momentous night of worship. The proceeds from the concert go to Living Free Foundation.

You can now get the worship group's latest album, "United: We Stand" at any House of Praise outlet, or you can visit www.praise.com.ph for more details.

On a mercy mission to rescue lives

2008-04-21T22:59:00.001-07:00

Mercy Ministries Australia is a not-for-profit Christian charity committed to helping young women facing life-controlling issues. Often Mercy Ministries is their last hope. Our approach is to provide a holistic, residential program which attempts to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of these young women.

There are complex challenges in caring for young women with eating disorders, low self-esteem and suicidal tendencies, for women who have suffered abuse and engage in self harm.

Many of the women who voluntarily come to our program have struggled with one or more of these issues over an extended period of time, and have come to the point where they know they can no longer fight it on their own.

Sadly, there are young women who don't see the program through. Articles in the Herald last week reflected the views of some of these women. However, this is not everyone's experience. The program has been a great help to a large and growing number of people.

Mercy Ministries is an independent charity founded 25 years ago in the United States by Nancy Alcorn, a woman whose work in juvenile justice brought her into contact with secular programs which did not produce permanent results or change lives.

Mercy Ministries is not owned or run by Hillsong Church. Hillsong, along with other churches, organisations and individuals, makes annual donations to our work. Like any other not-for-profit organisation, we do seek the support of sponsors, which include Gloria Jean's Coffees.

As a Christian charity we believe in the teachings of the Bible, and that God loves all people unconditionally and all life is sacred. Our program reflects this statement. Claims of exorcism are simply untrue. We address the spiritual needs of young women, and prayer is one aspect of this.

We provide all residents with total access to medical specialists, including psychiatrists, general practitioners and psychologists. Our counselling staff are carefully recruited, hold tertiary qualifications and undergo ongoing professional development.

We strongly promote the girls' independence, social interaction and regular contact with their families.

We work closely with Centrelink where a young woman is eligible for benefits. This amount goes a small way to providing 24-hour care, seven days a week for these young women.

While we carefully interview our girls before entry, outlining what they can expect during their time with us, there are some girls who may request to leave of their own accord.

There are also a number of circumstances where we would ask someone to leave the program due to behavioural issues - including ongoing physical and verbal aggression that prevents us from fulfilling our duty of care in a residential setting. We have a fair process in place to handle this. In some cases, young women may return to continue the program.

We remain strongly committed to offering an excellent care program and continually improving what we do. Since the articles went to print, we have received an overwhelming response from supporters, graduates, family members, and the wider community. One of these graduates, Carly Thomson, wanted to share her positive story with others:

"Mercy Ministries provided fully qualified professionals who counselled me through my personal challenges, gave me self-worth, strength and practical tools to help me continue to live a regular and healthy life.

"There was not one single time that a member of staff abused me physically, mentally or emotionally. The staff would always support, guide and uplift me. Every young woman who entered the program at Mercy Ministries knew that they were free to leave at any time. No one was ever held there against their will.

"Today I am a healthy and confident young woman. I finished a university degree in primary school teaching/special education and am now working as a full-time teacher. I was married in December 2006 and am in a healthy and loving relationship.

"I have just started to study psychology and bought my first home in January. Life is better than I could have ever imagined it to be because of the help that Mercy Ministries provided to me."

Angel Of The Lord

2008-04-21T19:43:00.001-07:00

The Lord's my Shepherd, I have everything I need.
Mercy and love follow me.
Though I walk through the dark valley of death, I will
Not be afraid for He's here.

The Lord's my refuge, no evil can come near me,
Dwelling in His secret place.
I put my trust in Him, He is my shield, I will
Let His peace rule in my heart.

(Chorus)
Surely, the Angel of the Lord is around me.
I have no cause to fear, my God will not forsake me.
I am His child, no enemy can touch me.
I will not die but live, to tell what He has done.

He has ransomed me, He gave me all authority,
Power, love and a sound mind.
Strong in the Lord and the power of His might, I will
Put on His armour and stand.

(Chorus)
Surely, the Angel of the Lord is around me.
I have no cause to fear, my God will not forsake me.
I am my Father's child, no enemy can touch me.
I will not die but live, to tell what He has done.

Children of a modern God

2008-04-20T22:39:00.001-07:00

The crowd surges to the stage with arms outstretched, mouths open and eyes closed in rapture. They form a tight, heaving mass in front of the young lead singer, who is bouncing around the stage near banners reading "Love God" and "forever". "I know it's hot, but my Jesus didn't know it was hot when he died on the cross for me," he screams to his sweaty flock, before singing that "I live to see this generation saved".

About 500 teenagers - who arrived here by the bus-load from Frankston, Werribee, Dandenong and Sunshine - sway or pray in time to the loud music. More still are expected at services over the Easter weekend, typically the busiest time in the Christian calendar.

Bass guitarist Tim Bradbury, 17, of Mooroolbark, has been attending the Planetshakers evangelical church since it started in Melbourne four years ago. God is the centre of his life, he says.

"I revolve my life around him. He's your best friend, someone who's very generous, has open arms. He's almost like your father."

The vinyl chairs filling Collingwood Town Hall on Friday night were empty for most of the service, as the teens stood to chant or clap while the youth pastors spread the word on stage.

This Friday is Good Friday, the most important date on the Christian calendar. But how many young people in particular will be marking Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection on Easter Sunday?

Empty pews are a common sight in Australia's established churches. The latest census found that just over half of 15 to 34-year-olds call themselves Christian, compared with 64% of all Australians and 79% of those aged over 65. Data tracing generation Y - those born from 1976 to 2001 - over the decade to 2006 as they began forging their own beliefs shows that about a third stopped identifying themselves as Catholic, while more than 40% turned from Anglicanism.

But it seems the long-documented drift from established religions has not left generation Y godless - or at least has not left it lacking in spirit. Experts suggest young Australians are increasingly embracing spirituality, whether in rebellion against their parents' secularism or as an antidote to rampant materialism.

Spirituality used to have a predominantly religious meaning, often referring to someone's relationship with God. Now it is used more broadly to denote a person's outlook and values, whether religious or not. And its rise among generation Y has prompted some who once spoke about the death of God to now contemplate something akin to a resurrection.

Ancient Of Days

2008-04-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

Blessing and honor,
glory and power,
be unto the Ancient of Days.
From every nation,
all of creation,
bow before the Ancient of Days.

CHORUS-
Every tongue in heaven and earth,
shall declare Your glory,
every knee shall bow at Your throne,
in worship.
You will be exalted O God,
and Your Kingdom shall not pass away.
Oh Ancient of Days.

BRIDGE-
Your Kingdom shall reign over all the earth,
sing unto the Ancient of Days.
For none can compare to Your matchless worth,
sing unto the Ancient of Days.

The sky's the limit - Mercy Ministries' success stories

2008-04-19T21:49:00.001-07:00

JOAN Habkouk will be 25 in June. It's only two years since she completed the Mercy Ministries' program, but it's a lifetime away from where she was.

The Castle Hill woman had battled eating disorders, depression and self-harm since she was 14.

"I had tried the public health system and counsellors, but none were beneficial," Ms Habkouk said.

Although the 11-month Mercy Ministries program was hard, now she can look back at it through enlightened eyes.

"It was absolutely the best time of my life," she said.

"You are dealing with the root issues of your life, so it's hard to face things like that but I am now living a life that is completely different and free.

"Before I went, I was ashamed of my life. I was taught I did have worth and value and I was beautiful, and that was a turning point for me. Now it is evident in the way I am living and just getting on with life and loving it."

The program helps young women overcome life-controlling issues such as self-harm, substance abuse, sexual abuse and eating disorders. But it's not for everyone.

The residential program in Glenhaven is regimented and disciplined, something director Peter Irvine doesn't deny. But its 95 per cent success rate should not be overlooked, he said, and residents come voluntarily.

"They have to want to come in. You can't help anyone who doesn't want to be helped," he said.

"Our approach is holistic, addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of young women aged 16 to 28. If it's an eating disorder, a dietician develops a healthy diet for them. If it's abuse or self-harm, we have qualified counsellors and they will have one counselling session every day.

"They have plenty of free time; they go shopping once a week, they have to go to their doctor. If they don't have one, we have a doctor they can go to and a staff member will go with them. They are in our care so we have responsibility for them.

"The first four to six weeks are the toughest but after that, they are generally starting to settle down and address the issues.

"We try to get work experience for them in something they would like. Some have gone back to university and are topping their year."

Mr Irvine, a Hillsong attendee who denies any other affiliation with the charismatic church, said the program was Christian-based. Since it began, about 97 girls have attended.

"A lot of the accusations [in the Sydney Morning Herald's recent coverage] were that we lock them in their rooms but there are no locks on the doors," Mr Irvine said.

"The girls feel safe and we are happy for people to come and talk to the girls there. We do have to ask a few to leave the program but it is after a lengthy warning cycle. A handful have wanted to leave because they found it too tough but then some have asked to come back."

Proclaim Your awesome power

2008-04-19T19:35:00.001-07:00

Proclaim Your awesome power
Tell of mighty deeds
Declare Your future kingdom
Of everlasting peace

And my eyes they look unto You always
And I am captured by Your Majesty

All of my days
I will sing of Your greatness
All of my days
I will speak of Your grace
All of my days
I will tell of Your wonderous love
Your love in my life
Your love

All Your works will praise You
Your children bless Your name
We speak of all Your goodness
We walk in fields of grace

Hillsong Church, Gloria Jeans linked to abuse claims

2008-04-18T21:37:00.001-07:00

All I Need Is You

2008-04-18T19:32:00.001-07:00

Left my fear by the side of the road
Hear You speak
Won't let go
Fall to my knees as I lift my hands to pray

Got every reason to be here again
Father's love that draws me in
And all my eyes wanna see is a glimpse of You

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord
Is You Lord

One more day and it's not the same
Your Spirit calls my heart to sing
Drawn to the voice of my Saviour once again
Where would my soul be without Your Son
Gave His life to save the earth
Rest in the thought that You're watching over me

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord
Is You Lord

You hold the universe
You hold everyone on earth
You hold the universe
You hold
You hold

Hillsong United To Launch TheIHeartRevolution

2008-04-17T21:27:00.001-07:00

Release of With Hearts As One CD Is First Part of New Social Justice Movement

Sydney-based Hillsong United will launch TheIHeartRevolution social justice movement on April 1 with the U.S. release of With Hearts As One, a new double album that captures live worship from around the world.

The CD release is the first part of a three-part action plan for TheIHeartRevolution that also includes a June release of a DVD titled We're All In This Together. Both the CD, which captures the "sound" of global worship, and the DVD, which captures the "visual," are aimed at creating awareness for phase three - - the development of an online community and social justice hub set to launch in July.

The With Hearts As One CD features 30 songs recorded live in various locations including Scotland, Malaysia, France, Paraguay, Sweden and Brazil to name a few. The album was produced by Hillsong United frontman Joel Houston along with guitarist Jad Gillies and Andrew Crawford.

"From Rwanda to Capetown, Buenos Aires to Mexico City, Los Angeles to Toronto, London to Budapest and Shanghai to Sydney… we've recorded almost every United worship service for the last 2 years," says Houston. "We bottled just some of the moments and put them together for all who'd choose to hear. The end result is the sound of a generation across the earth singing praise and worship to our God. The sound of the nations joining as one in the same song."
With Hearts As One will be available in Christian retail stores beginning April 1 through Provident-Integrity Distribution and in mainstream outlets through Columbia/SONY-BMG.

Regarding TheIHeartRevolution, Houston says: "We must live out our worship through action by reaching out to the lost and the broken... helping the poor and oppressed, pursuing justice and fairness for all people. That's the impetus behind TheIHeartRevolution. It is simply a generation of people expressing their heart for worship and realizing God's purpose for all of us, to love people and be His hands and feet."

Houston continues, "We'll do our best to set up a platform and a network where we can be educated on the issues and be directed in ways we can help locally and globally, a place to be inspired by the stories of others and to share our experiences. But, practically speaking, the revolution depends entirely on all of us choosing to act."

"Every generation needs a revolution," adds Houston, "And this one needs to look, sound, walk and breathe like love…"

The passion to "live out their worship" is at the heart of Hillsong United's ministry and also at the heart of Hillsong Church, Australia's largest evangelical congregation and home to the dynamic youth ministry from which the band emerged. Hillsong United is a "Group of the Year" nominee for the 39th Annual Dove Awards and also a former recipient of the Gospel Music Association's International Award given in recognition of their impact on the global Church.
Additional information about the movement is available at www.TheIHeartRevolution.com and http://www.myspace.com/theiheartrevolution with details related to the DVD release and development of the social justice hub to be announced later.

Anything (For You)

2008-04-17T19:30:00.001-07:00

Verse:
For you, I'd climb the highest height
I'd dive the deepest sea
Search for more of you

For you, I'd fall upon my knees
Cry out night and day
Search for more of you

Pre-Chorus:
And I would give my riches away
They're nothing without you

Chorus:
Something to live for
Something worth dying for
Has taken my heart
Someone to follow
In good or in troubled times
I'd give all I have

Do Anything for you
Anything for you

Verse

Pre-Chorus

Chorusx2

Do Anything for you
Anything for you

Pre-Chorus

Chorusx2

Do Anything for you (Anything for you)
Anything for you (Anything for you)
Anything for you (Anything for you)
Anything for you (Anything for you)
Anything for you (Anything for you)
Anything for you
Anything for you

Rabbitohs behind push for Hillsong Church

2008-04-16T21:06:00.001-07:00

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are reportedly behind a push to build a new mega-Church for the evangelical Hillsong Group.

Fairfax Media reported that Hillsong is wanting to build a new mega-Church to seat up to 2700 people in the inner-city of Sydney.

It is understood that several high-profile organisations are behind the push, including former politicians, the PCYC and the Rabbitohs league club.

The near $80 Million development is to seat nearly 3000 members, and will also house a seven-storey office development.

However residents of the Rosebery area are furious at the development application and high-profile support - saying that those supporting it will not have to live with it.

Hundreds of supporters letters have been sent to the Sydney Cit Council, while hundreds against the development have also responded.

The Rabbitohs said that while they wrote the letter of support, they had little understanding of what the project was really about.

"We didn't fully understand the nature of the development and the objections from the community, but we do feel that they are making a positive contribution," Rabbitohs spokesman Chris Keeble said.

It is believed that most supporter letters are from those outside of the development zone - with therefore no impacting consideration.

Hillsong says that it has every right to build the new mega-Church, despite widespread community anger at the plans.

"Our congregation cannot be excluded from the community … the members of Hillsong Church have as much right as the minority residents action group to get those who are concerned to act on their behalf," Hillsong's George Aghajanian told Fairfax Media.

Hillsong Church is seen as an evangelical organisation, originally starting in the north-western suburbs of Sydney.

It is known for it's campaigns to attract a much younger demographic within it's constituents, with a focus on music and technology.

More Than Life

2008-04-16T19:24:00.001-07:00

Stand by everything You said
Stand by the promises we made
Let go of everything I 've done
I'll run into Your open arms
And all I know

Chorus:
I love You more than life
I love You more than life

Fall back on everything You've done
Fall back on everlasting arms
When all the world is swept away
You are all the things I need
You're the air I breathe

How can it be
You were the one on the cross
Lifted for all our shame?
How can it be
The scars in Your hands are for me?
You are the king of all

Hillsong Reacts to Idol's Shout to the Lord

2008-04-15T20:46:00.001-07:00

Hillsong Church leaders say they are thrilled that their song "Shout to the Lord," was chosen for American Idol's Give Back broadcast that aired Wednesday.

But they also said they were not asked about the removal of the name Jesus in the broadcast performance.

RELATED STORIES:
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on American Idol
"Hillsong Church was thrilled to see the song "Shout To The Lord" performed recently on American Idol," officials with the Australian church said in a statement issued late Friday.

"It received an incredible response and was the fifth most downloaded song in this week's U.S. iTunes charts," a church spokesperson said.

The show's eight final contestants from season seven first sang the song during American Idol's second annual charity drive Idol Gives Back. But during the broadcast, the opening line of the song was changed to remove the name of Jesus. The word 'shepherd' was inserted instead.

But in a reprisal of the song Thursday night, and in the downloaded version, "Jesus" was left in.

"Darlene Zschech and Hillsong Church were not asked, nor approved, of the name of Jesus being replaced," the spokesperson said. "We were pleased to see that the song was performed again with the correct lyrics."

Wednesday night's performance became the number one download from that night in the United States.

"Wow. I've never heard this song until they played it on Idol Gives Back," said one reviewer of the downloaded performance. "I really liked how it was giving praise to the Lord and was full of hope. It was beautiful."

On Wednesday, millions tuned in to the charity show to see the needs spread across the globe -- everything from hungry children to AIDS victims.

Numerous celebrities participated in the event to encourage viewers to donate, including Bono, Miley Cyrus, Brad Pitt, Billy Crystal, and Peyton and Eli Manning -- just to name a few.

Producers expect the event to raise $100 million.

Obama backtracks after 'elitist' gaffe

2008-04-15T19:17:00.001-07:00

HILLARY Clinton's Democratic presidential campaign has been given new life in Pennsylvania and beyond after Barack Obama was forced into a second day of damage control for calling small-town Americans "bitter".

Senator Clinton blasted her rival as "elitist" and "out of touch". At first, Senator Obama acknowledged only that he had chosen his words poorly. But by his fourth clarification he had moved closer to contrition.

"If I worded things in a way that made people offended, I deeply regret that," Senator Obama told the Winston-Salem Journal. "The underlying truth of what I said remains."

Senators Clinton and Obama will clash in a face-to-face debate in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Senator Clinton, 60, trails Senator Obama, 46, in total nominating victories, the popular vote and elected delegates going into the Pennsylvania contest and needs a strong win.

Senator Obama's remarks came at an April 6 fund-raiser in San Francisco, when he spoke of workers in Pennsylvania and elsewhere who have seen factories shut down. "So it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns, or religion, or antipathy, to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations," he said.

The blue-collar, economically stressed voters Senator Obama was talking about are a key voting bloc in Pennsylvania on April 22 and in coming primaries in North Carolina, Indiana and West Virginia.

Senator Clinton launched the first volley in what might become a high-stakes game of working-class one-upmanship. "The people of faith I know don't 'cling to' religion because they're bitter. People embrace faith not because they are materially poor but because they are spiritually rich," she said.

Some analysts say the comments raise larger questions about Senator Obama's candidacy. "This is serious … potentially devastating," said Terry Madonna, an independent pollster in Pennsylvania.

Many Democrats have said Senator Clinton's last hope is for a major event or gaffe to derail Senator Obama's march to the nomination. Some were wondering if they had just seen it.

"Mistakes like this make superdelegates nervous," said one Democratic strategist in Washington. "You cannot be elected president of the United States if you think you're smarter than everyone. People pick up on that."

NEWSDAY, AFP

BREAK FREE (an even faster tempo) "In A Valley By The Sea" 2007 Hillsong United EP Lyrics

2007-11-29T08:20:00.001-08:00

BREAK FREE (an even faster tempo) "In A Valley By The Sea" 2007 Hillsong United EP Lyrics

VERSE 1
Would you believe me, would you listen if I told you that
There is a love that makes the way, it never holds you back
Who would have thought that God would give his one and only Son
Taken a stand upon the cross to show his perfect love

PRE-CHORUS
So would you break free, would you break free get up and dance, in His love
His love never ends, yeah.

CHORUS
Thereâ™s no escaping the truth, thereâ™s no mistaking its you
God forever weâ™ll get up and dance, get up and dance and praise you
Thereâ™s no escaping your love, thereâ™s no mistaking your light
Across the world we will get up and dance, get up and dance and praise you

VERSE 2
Now is the time to take this freedom that has come our way
Offer our lives to see the glory of His name

BRIDGE
Never, all our days
We are holy Lord, holding onto all your ways
We are holding on, holding on to all youâ™ve said and youâ™ve done
We are holding on to your love
Now we will dance

Let Creation Sing by Hillsong United

2007-11-28T16:13:00.001-08:00

Let Creation Sing by Hillsong United
album: God He Reigns (2005) (I think Reuben sang this again in his solo Album)

The whole earth
Overflowing
With Your Power
And Your Glory
There is no one like You God
There is no one like You God

Mountains bow
Nations tremble
At Your feet we cry Holy
There is no one like You God
There is no one like You God

Let creation sing of the risen King
Let the universe resound
With a shout of love
We will give to You
All the highest praise

Let Your light
Shine upon us
Let Your light
Shine upon us
For the Glory of Your name
Will be over all the earth

Forever
Forever I'll sing
Forever
Forever I'll sing

All Day by Hillsong United

2007-11-27T08:51:00.001-08:00

All Day by Hillsong United
album: More Than Life (2004)

Verse 1:
I don't care what they say about me
It's all right, all right
I don't care they think about me
It's all right, they'll get it one day

Pre-Chorus
I love you, I'll follow you
You are my, my life
I will read my Bible and pray
I will follow you all day

Verse 2:
I don't care what it costs anymore
Cos' you gave it all and I'm following you
I don't care what it takes anymore
No matter what happens I'm going your way

Pre-Chorus

Chorus:
All Day
All Day now
All Day
I'll follow You

Verse 1

Pre-Chorus

Chorus

Bridge:
Anyone around can see
just how good you've been to me
For all my friends that don't know you
I pray that you would save them too

Chorus

Soldier by Hillsong United

2007-11-26T08:50:00.003-08:00

Soldier by Hillsong United
album: More Than Life (2004)

Can't nobody stop me now
Cause i'm part of the army now
Praise the LORD is what i wanna shout
Even in a crowd i'm gonna sing it Loud

You can see what you want to see
But i know what he's done for me
Every day i can feel his power
'Cause the spirit of the Lord
He lifts me higher

All the world, can't stop, can't stop him
All the world, can't stop, can't stop him now

My God is the strongest tower
Turn to him in the scary hour
Even when it gets harder now
All i wanna do is just praise him louder

Keep singing 'til my voice run out
Keep running til he lifts me out
keep singing it cause i can't stop
Oh, i can't stop

You got the give yourself up
You got to lose your pride
You got to see it different
Open up your spiritual eyes

The devil wants you beaten
He wants you lying, cheating
But that won't last much longer
My dad is bigger, stronger

Sound off, 1, 2 Sound off 3, 4
Bring it on down, 1, 2, 3, 4... 1, 2....3, 4

Shine For You by Hillsong United

2007-11-26T08:50:00.001-08:00

Shine For You by Hillsong United
album: More Than Life (2004)

Look across the world
And let us shine for you, Lord
The whole world is yours
And I want to live for you

One thing I know
Is that you've changed my life
I give you my all
All you are is good
Give you my heart
God it's only you I seek
Give you my praise
'Cause I believe in you

Look across the world
And let us shine for you, Lord
The whole world is yours
And I want to live for you, O God

All that I know
Is that you've changed my life
I give you my all
And all you are is good
Carry the lost
Make my prayer in this life real
Carry my cross
Hold on 'til I see you

Look across the world
And let us shine for you, Lord
The whole world is yours
And I want to live for you, O God

And I want to live
I want to love you more
I want to be used
Father in all of the world
May your word be heard
May it stay on my lips
To live what I speak
Until your kingdom come
Look across the world
And let us shine for you
And let us shine for you
Look across the world
And let us shine for you, Lord
The whole world is yours
And I want to live for you
Look across the world
And let us shine for you, Lord
The whole world is yours
And I want to live for you
And I want to live for you
And I want to live for you

Jesus' Blood by Hillsong United

2007-11-25T08:49:00.000-08:00

Jesus' Blood by Hillsong United
album: More Than Life (2004)

Jesusâ™ blood never fails me,
Jesusâ™ blood never fails me,
Jesusâ™ blood never fails me,
Jesusâ™ blood, Jesus blood.

Sing Your songs of freedom,
Praise the God of heaven,
Love that never fails me,
Jesusâ™ blood, Jesus blood.

More Than Life by Hillsong United

2007-11-24T08:48:00.001-08:00

More Than Life by Hillsong United
album: For All You've Done (2004), More Than Life (2004)

Stand by everything You said
Stand by the promises we made
Let go of everything I 've done
I'll run into Your open arms
And all I know

Chorus:
I love You more than life
I love You more than life

Fall back on everything You've done
Fall back on everlasting arms
When all the world is swept away
You are all the things I need
You're the air I breathe

How can it be
You were the one on the cross
Lifted for all our shame?
How can it be
The scars in Your hands are for me?
You are the king of all