Correct United in Manila 2008 Set list

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

1. Time Has Come
2. Break Free
3. Take it All
4. My Future Decided
5. Mighty to Save
6. Hosanna
7. You’ll Come (Bridge only)
8. The Stand
9. Healer
10. Shout Unto God
11. You Deserve
12. Look to You
13. Lead Me to the Cross
14. All I Need is You (Chorus and Bridge)
15. None But Jesus
16. From the Inside Out
17. Be Lifted High
18. Saviour King
19. Salvation is Here
20. What the World Will Never Take
21. Tell the World
22. One Way
23. Solution
    .

EO and this girl from Hillsong United Shure Looke Nycee!

Link

Hillsong United Manila Review and Photos and Videos

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

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

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

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

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.

Refrão
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

Australia’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 band’s eighth CD and first-ever studio recording.

Australia’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 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,” in a press release.

“With the tour and new

HILLSONG Gets Record Nominations In International Music Awards

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 year’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. “It 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,“ Hillsong Publishing Manager, Steve McPherson said.

“Hillsong 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.”

In June 2007, ‘All of the Above’ 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 Billboard’s Top 200 Chart. “We 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,” 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

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

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

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

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

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 Worships Out Loud In Manila

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

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

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

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

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

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."