The theme of Hillsong Conference 2015 is, "Speak Lord. We're listening." Plastered on bill boards around Allphones arena in contemporary perspex red and black signage the words are clear, and the intention clearer, to provide a space for God to meet with the masses and to communicate with them.
"When you folks get to Heaven you're gonna wanna come back on the weekends!" An exuberant John Maxwell, author of top selling Developing the Leader Within You, told Hillsong church "there is an anointing on this church unlike any other" at their Sunday morning service on the eve of Hillsong Conference 2015.
Hillsong Church, it seems, understands this declaration and there is a tangible feeling that the church is waiting to hear from God over the next five days as church goers as well as the unchurched from around the country and internationally, pack out Allphones Arena in Sydney Olympic Park to hear from six international speakers.
They include John Maxwell, Joseph Prince of New Creation Church in Singapore, whose teaching on grace has inspired millions around the world. Jentezen Franklin, Senior Pastor of Free Chapel in Gainesville, Georgia, is an internationally acclaimed writer and speaker whose teaching on prayer and fasting has impacted Christians the world over.
Other speakers include Judah Smith, Senior Pastor of the City Church in Seattle, who is personal pastor and mentor to Justin Bieber, and Rick Warren, author, speaker and Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church in California which ministers to 20,000 people each week. Warren has authored several books including, The Purpose Driven Life, which has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for one of the longest periods in history.
Hillsong has received a lot of media attention of late, with the release of the Hillsong band, United's new album, Empires, claiming number one position in the Australian ARIA charts and number five in the US only a month ago. Founder and Senior Pastor, Brian Houston released his new book, Live Love Lead earlier this month, which he describes personally as, "his heart and soul poured out on the pages."
With the church in the public eye so often they are well placed to launch into their 2015 Conference, which kickstarts on Monday night with an opener that is sure to draw in the crowd aesthetically as well as spiritually. Maximum capacity crowds are expected each night from Monday to Friday, as they open the doors to the public for free.
Meanwhile, from 9am until 3pm all week delegates who have purchased a ticket to the Conference will gather at Allphones to hear from the speakers, and to sing and dance to music from Hillsong United, the newer Hillsong Youth band, Young and Free and Martin Smith, ex front man of UK Christian Rock band, Delirious.
QUICK FACT SHEET
What: Hillsong Conference 2015 (Including Hillsong United, Young & Free and Martin Smith)
When: Monday 29 June – Friday 3 July 2015
Where: Sydney Allphones Arena, Olympic Park
Cost: Nights sessions are free and begin at 6pm except Wednesday which begins at 4pm.
For the full program or to register, go to http://hillsong.com/conference/sydney/#program
David Luschwitz is a writer living in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. He heads to Spain in September where he plans to write a book. To view David's other articles go to
http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/david-luschwitz.html
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