Updates

Well, our Hillsong UNITED team and I have just returned from a two week tour in South America - and once again I’ve been blown away by the presence of God and the hunger of His people! I am so grateful for the faithful churches and pastors; men, women and young people all across the Earth that continue to put in a tireless effort to strengthen and build the Body of Christ worldwide.

As the Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church, I have the awesome privilege of working alongside and ‘pastoring’ some of the most creative and gifted songwriters and worship leaders in the world. Our Creative Arts team is a group of gifted musicians, dancers, actors, and songwriters that are pressing in to the vision of our church, and pushing the boundaries of creativity as they use their gifts and talents to bless the body of Christ.

Just this past week, two of our very own songwriters were recognised in Nashville for their efforts. Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan were awarded the prestigious honour of a Dove Award for Worship Song of the Year for their congregational anthem ‘Mighty to Save’. This song has meant a lot to our church personally, but hearing that it has gone out from this house and blessed the global Church, touched lives and impacted them for Christ, is the greatest encouragement a Pastor could hear.

Easter bursts into our world once a year, causing parents to scramble for chocolate Easter eggs as they pass the checkout line at the supermarket.  Easter is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated events on the Christian calendar, and amongst so many of its teachings, I can’t help but believe that this year one of the greatest messages of Easter is HOPE.

There’s no question that many people today are living in desperation.  Whether here in Australia or in my travels around the world, I come across so many people who are really hurting… gripped in fear… and looking for hope.

You know, the truth is that we are living in a time when so many people are confronted by pressure and seemingly hopeless situations.

I have had the great privilege of leading our movement, The Australian Christian Churches (AOG) for the past 12 years. When the Victoria Bushfires began nearly two weeks ago, I was thrilled to hear that nearly forty of our own chaplains had gathered so quickly to minister Christ’s love to those in some of the most affected areas.

These men and women of God were there at a time when many heard the tragic news of their deceased loved ones, and came to the realization of lost property and business.

To date, this is Australia’s worst-ever national disaster, and has caused so much grief, shock and sorrow to our nation. Yet, on the same scale, it has also highlighted what a generous people Australians are at times of crisis.

Hope and faith remain, along with heroic stories and the Aussie spirit, even as the devastating news continues to come from the decimated communities of country Victoria. The bushfires continue to burn as more and more people are coming to terms with the magnitude of this disaster, and the enormity of their loss.

Currently, there are over forty chaplains representing our movement, the Australian Christian Churches, on the ground in some of the worst areas of Melbourne.  My hope is to visit them next week, along with the Victorian President of the ACC, Alun Davies, to pray with them, encourage and thank them for their great commitment and response.  I am so encouraged by the outpouring of love and support from our church family, and the tireless effort of incredible people lending a hand, and giving of their time and gifts to come alongside.

Well, I am on a plane for a change!! When we land it will be Sunday morning at home and if all goes to plan… I’ll grab a quick shower and then a big day doing my favourite thing in all the world… pastoring our wonderful church!

I love the opportunity to do what I do. I grew up listening to my Mum and Dad’s mealtime conversations with other church leaders, and I aspired to “one day” be one of them - building a ministry, helping people, preaching, travelling to far away places to share the gospel and growing God’s kingdom.

Well, here I am…catching up with the 21st century. Welcome to my very first BLOG!

Twenty five years! That’s how long it has been since we started our little church in Baulkham Hills. I can still remember the search for a hall in which we could begin our Sunday night outreach into the Hills District. We called it Hills Christian Life Centre back then.

Last Friday night, Bobbie and I were in Melbourne for the 25th Anniversary of Alun and Joan Davies as pastors of Faith Christian Church in Dandenong www.faithcc.com.au. You cover a lot of distance, meet a lot of people, and face a lot of seasons over 25 years.