The line-up of speakers throughout the day was nothing less than exception with both local and international pastors who shared their heart for this generation and continued on the theme of revival with a special focus on what that meant from a personal perspective.
Speakers included, but was not limited to, Brian & Bobbie Houston (Senior Pastors – Hillsong Church), Judah Smith (Lead Pastor - City Church Seattle), Jeffery Rachmat (Senior Pastor – Jakarta Praise Community Church), Phil Dooley (Lead Pastor – Hillsong Church Cape Town), Rick Bezet (Lead Pastor – New Life Church Arkansas) and Christine Caine (A21 Founder & Pastor of Hillsong Church).
With the use of technology, nuggets of gold from some of this generation's most influential pastors took place.
This brought the likes of Tommy Barnett (Senior pastor – Phoenix First Assembly of God), Reinhard Bonnke (Evangelist – Christ for all Nations) and Rick Warren (Senior Pastor – Saddleback Church) to shed light on their leadership struggles and victories whilst inspiring the generations. For instance "If I could do anything differently, I would dream bigger and take more risks." Tommy Barnett (Senior pastor – Phoenix First Assembly of God)
Despite the incredible line up during the day, the faith in action was seen outside the walls of the arena in the forecourt with the "On Mission" Marquee and Compassion tent, both focused on social justice. The "On Mission" tent included awareness of the String movement to disarm bullying and the Micah challenge which aims to deepen people's engagement with the poor and to help reduce poverty.
By evening, people were refreshed and overwhelmed with passionate words that the night rally was predictably on their minds.
The opener for the second Night rally did not disappoint. After the praise and worship, the word was brought by Craig Groeshel (Senior Pastor – Life Church Oklahoma) with mustered up passion and power. This message was invariably all about revival through the following Re's: "Rebuke the enemy, Return to God, Repent sins, Receive Christ, Reborn Spirit, Renewed mindsets, Rebuilt and Reconciled lives, Rejoicing and reaping the reward, to cause revival to break free." Craig Groeshel (Senior Pastor – Life Church Oklahoma).
After the official close of the service, people were yet again giving the opportunity to continue praise and worship. This left over three quarters of the arena on their knees with Kari Jobe (Worship Leader - Gateway Church Dallas) leading probably the all-time favourite hymn of today - "How Great Thou Art" across the arena.
This day certainly brought surprises, generational wisdom and was not about a single church or denomination but the name above all, Jesus Christ in full focus.
For more information: All night rallies are open to the public starting at 6pm, except Wednesday which starts at 4pm. (hillsongconference.com/sydney/nights)
Meenal Chandra is a Sydney based writer who was privileged to see first-hand what revival could look like down under.
Meenal Chandra previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/meenal-chandra.html