What were you doing in Australia?

I’m glad you asked!  -- We were “Living the dream” as they say.  We took a season of our lives to be part of Hillsong Church, a simple House of worship that began as a small Sydney church 25 years ago and has grown into a place of worldwide influence, especially in the areas of Music, Social Justice, and Empowering Women.

Music -

Ever since I heard the song Shout to the Lord in 1995, I’ve been amazed at the way songs are poured out in this church and go all over the world—we’re singing them in Hawaii, just like others are singing them in China, or the UK, or Fiji...seems like the whole world!  Songs like:

1. Shout to the Lord (Featured as the grand finale song on 2008’s American Idol “gives back” show)
   

2. Power of Your Love
   

3. I Will Never Be The Same
   

4. Through It All
   

5. Still
   

6. Everyday
   

7. One Way
   

8. Mighty To Save
   

9. Potter’s Hand
   

10. Saviour King
    

11. From the Inside Out
    

And so many more.  In The Past year and a half, I got to be present for the making of 2008-2009 Recordings

1. LIVE Album “This Is Our God”
   

2. Kids Album “Follow You”
   

3. UNITED Album “[a_CROSS//the_EARTH]:Tear Down The Walls (reached #1 on the USA secular iTunes charts, beating out Eminem)
   

Social Justice -

Shortly after our arrival, Sarah got involved with a ministry called “The A21 Campaign” - Abolishing Slavery in the 21st Century.  With strong ties & support from Hillsong, A21 is making a massive difference <click here>.

Hillsong also supports the ministry of Gary & Marilyn Skinner in Uganda, Biju Thampy in Mumbai, and of course pours lots of heart & focus towards ministering to the down and out in Sydney.

Empowering Women -

The Sisterhood began as the women’s ministry of a local church and has now grown into a worldwide movement.  Every week the women of the church gather for a Sisterhood meeting where lives are built-up and salvation is abundant.  Through the Colour Conference and other venues, the Hillsong Sisterhood is empowering women to excel in their home settings as well as to collectively make a global impact on poverty, slavery and the like.