'Hillsong: Let Hope Rise' Shows Revelation 7:9 in Action - JESSILYN JUSTICE CHARISMA NEWS

'Hillsong: Let Hope Rise' Shows Revelation 7:9 in Action

8/23/2016 JESSILYN JUSTICE  CHARISMA NEWS

Goosebumps prickled my skin as I immediately recognized the presence of the Holy Spirit in my home. What surprised me, though, was how He entered: through my computer screen.  

Hillsong: Let Hope Rise is the first successful attempt I've seen to tell the story behind people and the answer is genuinely God.  

Due out Sept. 16, Hillsong: Let Hope Rise follows the members of Hillsong United, the band birthed from the Australian megachurch. The documentary shows the ins and outs of the lives of traveling musicians, but they aren't rock stars; they're missionaries.  

I heard of their music much earlier than I learned of Brian Houston and his church, which proves their vision statement of "Our city and beyond" has come to fruition.  

"We're the biggest band you've never heard of," one of the members joked. And he's right.  

Admittedly, tears uncontrollably streamed down my face as I heard "Mighty to Save," a song I've known since high school, sung in different languages. This, I thought, really is the next great move of God.  

LISTEN: Hillsong United: Let Hope Rise

The Holy Spirit is evident as these men and women write songs, record music, spend time with their families and move about town. He fuels their callings, even those who don't travel. What's more, He can be felt by anyone so much as watching the documentary. I was alone in my home and keenly aware He was there.  

"We're best when we're broken," vocalist Joel Houston says at one point in Let Hope Rise. And he's right, as Jesus is close to the broken-hearted, and when we are weak, He is made strong, which is the ultimate goal of praise.  

Let Hope Rise proves worship is a unifying experience among believers. Hillsong United's lyrics allow Christians to place their own hearts within the songs and cry out to God in a way that feels personal. The documentary shows that this is not a perfected formula, but the heartbeat of the band.  

The band mirrors Jesus to a point of conviction for the viewer, and the film could be the push we need to really focus on Christ as we seek to advance the kingdom.

Jessilyn Justice is the assistant news editor for Charisma. Born and raised in a pastor's family in Alabama, she went to Lee University and the Washington Journalism Center. She's passionate about the church, jogging, news and cupcakes not necessarily in that order. Tell her what you think of this story on Twitter@jessilynjustice.

3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God's presence 3) Hear God's voice clearly! Go deeper!

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Hillsong Pastor Brian Houston Re-Affirms Stance on Gay Marriage

Hillsong Pastor Re-Affirms Stance 

on Gay Marriage

CBNNews.com

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

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Brian Houston, pastor of Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia, has issued a statement re-affirming his traditional position on same-sex marriage. 

Houston's reaction follows his appearance Thursday at a news conference in New York City that gave rise to media reports suggesting Houston had a "shift in tone on gay marriage."

The mega-church pastor was in New York for a Hillsong conference at Madison Square Garden.

"I encourage people not to assume a media headline accurately represents what I said at a recent press conference. Nowhere in my answer did I diminish biblical truth or suggest that I or Hillsong Church supported gay marriage," Houston said in a statement published by theChristian Post. 

"I challenge people to read what I actually said rather than what was reported that I said," he continued. "My personal view on the subject of homosexuality would line up with most traditionally held Christian views. I believe the writings of Paul are clear on this subject."

Hillsong Church operates 12 campuses around the world, including facilities in Los Angeles and New York City, where gay marriage is legal.

"I was asked a question on how the Church can stay relevant in the context of gay marriage being legal in the two states of the USA where we have campuses. My answer was simply an admission of reality -- no more and no less. I explained that this struggle for relevance was vexing as we did not want to become ostracized by a world that needs Christ," Houston said.

"I made the point that public statements condemning people will place a barrier between the Church and the world (and I note that Jesus came to save and not to condemn), which is why at Hillsong we don't want to reduce the real issues in people's lives to a sound bite."

"This -- like many other issues, is a conversation the Church needs to have and we are all on a journey as we grapple with the question of merging biblical truth with a changing world," he concluded.