There Will Not Be A 26th Conference, but there will be a...
What a week!
Overwhelming is a good word for it. Hillsong Conference 2011 exceeded all expectations and the great name of Jesus was lifted high over our city. Thousands of people from hundreds of churches, from a whole host of nations came and were 'fed' and inspired to return and do likewise - feed and inspire those in their world. I left last week more passionate about souls, more in love with Christ and more convinced than ever that the local church is His solution for the Earth.
There are some Hillsong Conference 2011 moments I will never forget...
:: Dr. John Maxwell giving his everything to teach us about right living and winning the hearts of our delegates with his humble spirit and gracious wisdom…
:: Rev Nicky Gumbel taking the whole stadium to their knees in commitment of continued unity...
:: Priscilla creating 'space'...
:: Jesus Culture ushering us into the presence of God and the entire Entertainment centre singing 'Let your spirit overwhelm me…’
:: Pastor Jenetzen Franklin bringing it all home with a rooster...'Crow if you want to!' (Get the tapes)…
:: Of course, I loved the opportunity to speak to leaders about living in and of their own grace, many people have mentioned that Bobbie’s messages on Friday had a huge impact on them (but I am very biased on that subject) and I will never ever forget the song that became our anthem last week 'Jesus, be the centre of it all...'
Our army of volunteers gave their heart and soul and I could not be prouder of our own staff and team. I loved looking around the venue on Friday night as we joined Darlene, Reuben, Joel, Steve Mcpherson and Miriam Webster as we sang through years of praise and worship that defined who we are as a church and a conference over 25 years...
So…I guess you’re all wondering about the title of this blog…
Well, 2012 is a new era for us and we will embark on what I see as our very FIRST Hillsong Conference…again. Who wants to come to a 26th Conference?? So, instead we are stretching ourselves further than ever, creating like we have never created before, seeking God and building afresh on a foundation that has been laid with great care and attention to detail.
Hillsong Conference is a gift and we are committed to being good stewards of it. We do not take lightly the teams, pastors and people that are entrusted to us each year and our vision for 2012 is greater than ever. Bobbie and I are personally excited to have Joyce Meyer, Louie Giglio, Joseph Prince, Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin on our platform once again, along with a new friend and young preacher from Carolina, Steven Furtick and all of our global Hillsong Pastors, UNITED and Hillsong LIVE. So…will you be at the first Hillsong Conference of this new era?
God is so faithful and we are looking ahead with great expectation. In a few days time Bobbie and I and a number of our key team will take to the skies, heading for Hillsong Conference Europe. I don’t think we’ve ever had a more exciting line up of guest speakers in London all at once with Bishop TD Jakes, Joseph Prince, and Priscilla Shirer PLUS Gary Clarke, Joel Houston, Bobbie and I and many more of our team - it is going to be one powerful week…I hope you will join us!
My prayer for you this week is that you will not strive or settle, but that you will live in the grace God has given to you with a calm and quieted soul, giving thanksgiving to God for all He has done and all he continues to do…
“Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore.”
Psalm 131
Love, Brian.
