10 Years Ago Today, I Was In NYC...

America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
- AMERICA, THE BEAUTIFUL. 1910.

America is a great country. Not a perfect country, but a GREAT country. On this day 10 years ago, I was in New York City with my oldest son. We had just completed a marvellous night of worship in a New Jersey church; where the auditorium, the overflows and even the outdoor spaces on campus were teeming with people and cars.

Our Hillsong team then had a few days off, so my son and I were off to spend some good father/son time in New York City celebrating his 21st birthday and taking in a day or two's play at the US Tennis Open. We sat so high in the stands for a semi-final that we could see the world’s most impressive city skyline from the back of the stands. On that day, we chatted specifically about the World Trade Towers.

 "Imagine if they were ever hit by a plane. Did you know the Empire State building was once?", was the tenor of the conversation.

Two days later, Joel and I had flown to Atlanta - an Aussie had beaten Pete Sampras in the final of the tennis open and unimaginable horror was about to visit the heart of New York and the people of the United States of America.

And NOW, ten years on?

My oldest son lives in lower Manhattan and our church, Hillsong, is in the early days of planting a local congregation in the heart of New York City - right there in lower Manhattan; and not too many blocks from Ground Zero and the quickly emerging Freedom Tower. Certain things about America and, indeed the world, have changed since those shocking days of 2001.

At the time we were like multitudes of others, watching chaos visit New York on our television screens. From our Gainesville, Georgia hotel room we sat in absolute disbelief as the tragic events unfolded in NYC and the Pentagon in Washington. The following week with no planes flying, we were effectively stuck in the USA. It was then that I witnessed so many powerful things about America and the American people…I am so glad I was there…

I will never forget the flags and the patriotism, so evident everywhere. The surreal feeling of no planes overhead and only a very few businesses open…people struggling to get home to their family and friends.

I will never forget the love and thoughtfulness of a Tulsa church ministry that helped get us from Texas to Arizona for our Sunday service.

I will never forget the following Sunday morning with Pastor Tommy Barnett in Phoenix. As the congregation of Phoenix First Assembly sang with such fire and passion "America, America…” tears rolled down my cheeks at the determination and love for a nation that I found in that room.

I will never forget the generosity and hospitality of Pastor Jentezen and Cherise Franklin, who were stuck with over 20 Australians that had no way of flying or travelling to our next port of call.

I will never forget the sense of unity as millions of everyday Americans found ways to pull together and express their love for and belief in their courageous country.

I saw Americas heart for God and commitment to pray and honour Him in their darkest hours…it may have only been a moment, but one I will never forget.

And just 10 years on, with the USA facing many and varied challenges, I only have one thing to say…

I will never forget the bond forged between my own son and I in that whole experience.

Today, I say from the bottom of my heart: GOD BLESS AMERICA.
The world needs you to be strong and to continue to lead the way.
We are praying for you,

With the utmost love and faith for the future of the USA,
Brian and Bobbie,
Senior Pastors
Hillsong Church.