Brian

So we all know there is nothing funny about being in gaol ('jail' for all my North American friends), or the crimes that people commit to land themselves
there. But the following story is pretty funny...

Each week, I receive hundreds of letters from people all over the world.  My team and I are diligent in ensuring we respond to every 'reasonable' request.  As a response to a letter I had recently received, our team was preparing a list of song and chord charts to send to a young man who was IN GAOL, but had made a decision for Christ and was preparing to direct a choir...making the most out of his current situation.

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...

As I think about the ANZACS this year I think about the pillars on which our country was founded.  The bravery and valor, the strength and sacrifice, the national pride of those men and women who fought and died while defending our freedom.

One generation shall praise Your works to another,
 And shall declare Your mighty acts.
 Psalm 145:4

I love Easter and I deliberately spend time thinking about what this significant holiday means for me, for my children, my grandchildren, my friends and neighbours... my world.

Our faith is a risk, our beliefs are outrageous and bold and Easter brings all of that to the forefront. At Easter time, we're celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Think about it - we celebrate that a man came to earth and died for us all, He took our sin and shame and reconciled us to God. And we believe that this life-giving God burst from death into life and is still alive today... living in us. Outrageous, right?

These bold beliefs cannot be separated from who Jesus is and the message of hope that Easter brings. The mistake that we can make as believers is trying to persuade with reason the 'proof' that Jesus was actually raised from the dead, rather than introducing people to Jesus Himself.

Last weekend I sent out this message on Twitter:

“Hey pastors: What was your message title on the weekend?”

I received interesting responses and for what it’s worth, I thought I would send you the list! These responses got me thinking about each of these messages that, when combined, would represent thousands of hours of prayer and preparation, plus hundreds of years of wisdom and example.

There is a bumper sticker that reads "Life is fragile, handle with prayer". Though I've never been a big fan of bumper stickers, nor does my car boast any cheesy sayings or words of wisdom, there is still something so profound about the immovable truth that this particular phrase holds...

Japan has once again awakened us to the fragility of life, the power of a day and the uncertainty of these times we are living in. Our hearts have been stretched and continually broken as we watch the Earth around us respond with great power and destruction. The most recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami has killed hundreds, it has ruined entire towns, thousands are missing and the aftereffects and consequence of this natural disaster are still unfolding before our very eyes.

Psalm 90.12 says "Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." (NLT)

Dear friends,

I am amazed at the anticipation that is mounting around our plans for the upcoming Hillsong Conference // ONE DAYS across Australia.  This is a one-time celebration, with some of the most significant contributors to 25 years of Hillsong Conference.  The best of our team will all be gathering at one time – a minor miracle in itself - and I am excited, because this rarely happens! 

For 25 years, we have done what we can to faithfully champion the cause of local churches everywhere. We believe that the church in AUSTRALIA has played a vital role in Hillsong Conference, and the grace of God on this journey is a story that we are ever grateful for. This year, the story continues, and we are going where we have never been before! Our team is strategising, preparing and praying as we plan ONE DAY conferences in BRISBANE (10 May),  PERTH (12 May), MELBOURNE (17 May) and ADELAIDE (19 May) – all pointing towards a crescendo at the 25th annual Hillsong Conference in July - which, for the first time we are celebrating in Darling Harbour in downtown SYDNEY (5-8 July).

The crumbled steeple of the Christchurch Cathedral, once a proud monument that towered above the city, lies in ruins - a symbol of the devastation we have seen over the past week. Growing up in New Zealand, I remember standing high above the city in the steeple lookout, as so many others have since its construction. It has been a place of worship, a place of refuge and a symbol of the strength of the New Zealand people for over 150 years.

On Tuesday, 22 February, a powerful earthquake struck the picturesque town of Christchurch, and the tower of beautiful stone that we once knew, now lies among the wreckage. New Zealand is my country of birth and our hearts ache as we watch the aftermath of this recent tragedy unfold on the news. Today, the death toll has reached 145 people and hundreds are still missing. More than 600 rescue workers have worked around the clock for six days - hoping and praying that they might still get a miracle and pull survivors from the wreckage.

Roughly 10 hours from now, Hillsong New York City will hold the first of four weekend services. Life-changing, history-making services that - God-willing - will become a local church refuge, a home for many New Yorkers for generations to come…

We are blessed with an incredible team in place (some still yet to have VISA breakthroughs and arrive on American shores) and hundreds of faithful locals who have put up their hands to get involved. Hillsong New York City is taking shape and these are exciting days…

“When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul.”

What a great promise and hope we have in knowing that God is above all circumstance and that regardless of our lot in life, we can be steadfast knowing our soul has an eternal purpose and destination.

This week we were blessed to receive two letters of commendation from both the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh, and the Opposition Leader, John-Paul Langbroek; thanking Hillsong Church for supporting both the Premiers Appeal and clean up initiative, after the floods in Brisbane. I was even told that Mrs Bligh listened to the Hillsong Music recording in her office before ‘penning’ this letter!