Hillsong Conference

2025-02-03T19:17:43Z

144.6.235.33: /* 1995–2000: Growth */Added comment. Corrected fact. Left original content

{{short description|Annual Christian conference in Sydney, Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name = Hillsong Conference
| logo = [[File:Hillsong Conference logo.png|frameless]]
| logo_caption = Hillsong Conference 2021 logo
| image = [[File:Hillsong Conference 2019 Day 1.jpg|frameless]]
| alt =
| location = [[Qudos Bank Arena]], [[Sydney Olympic Park]], [[Hills Convention Center]]
| coordinates = {{coord|-33.8443|151.0621|type:event|display=inline,title}}
| country = Australia
| years_active = {{age|1986|range=no}}
| first = {{start date|1986}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wagner |first1=Tom |last2=Riches |first2=Tanya |title=The Hillsong movement examined : you call me out upon the waters |date=2 November 2017 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=9783319596563 |page=29}}</ref>
| last = 
| prev = 3 – 5 July 2023
| next = 9 – 11 July 2024
| attendance = 30,000+
| genre = [[Christianity|Christian]]
| website = [https://www.hillsong.com/conference hillsong.com/conference]
}}

'''Hillsong Conference''' is a mid-year week-long annual Christian conference hosted in [[Sydney]], Australia, with a smaller three-day event held in London later each year. It is the largest annual conference in Australia of any kind.<ref name="media204">{{cite press release |publisher=[[Hillsong Church]] |date=1 July 2005 |access-date=28 July 2006 |title=Australia's largest annual conference draws 30,000 |url=https://www.christiantoday.com.au/news/the-secret-of-hillsong-conference.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hillsong Conference cheat sheet |url=https://christiantoday.com.au/news/hillsong-conference-cheat-sheet.html |website=christiantoday.com.au |language=en}}</ref> The event is hosted by [[Hillsong Church]] at the [[Qudos Bank Arena]] and surrounding [[Sydney Olympic Park|Olympic Park]] precinct.

Hillsong Conference grew from 150 people at the first conference in 1986<ref>{{cite web |url=https://d9nqqwcssctr8.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/13053820/Hillsong_Church_Annual_Report_2016-WEB3.pdf |pages=8, 36 |title=Annual Report 2016 |publisher=Hillsong Church Australia |date=2017 |access-date=15 March 2018}}</ref> to upwards of 30,000 people each year in Sydney. It brings in over $28 million to the New South Wales tourism sector, annually.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inside the $4 million conference #OverheardatHillsong |url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/she-started-weeping-it-was-beautiful-inside-the-hillsong-conference/news-story/93780de7967e61678944231544b567db |website=NewsComAu |language=en |date=8 July 2016}}</ref>

From 2020 to 2021, the Hillsong Conference was postponed for the first time in its history, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/ruby-princess-the-untrue-hillsong-slur-that-twitter-cant-let-go-of/|title=Ruby Princess: the untrue Hillsong slur that Twitter can't let go of
|date=29 April 2020|website=eternitynews.com.au}}</ref>

==History==
===1986–1994: Early Years===
The first Hillsong Conference was held in 1986 in Baulkham Hills with only 150 attendees.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hillsong's true believers - National - www.smh.com.au|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Hillsongs-true-believers/2004/11/06/1099547435083.html|website=smh.com.au|date=7 November 2004 }}</ref> In the early 1990s, night rallies were held in the [[Hills Centre]] where Hillsong Church was holding meetings, with attendees growing to as large as 750<ref name="Stephen Ollis">{{cite newsgroup
| author = Stephen Ollis
| title = Hillsong '92
| date = 13 April 1992
| newsgroup = aus.religion
|message-id= 35140@nntpd.lkg.dec.com
| url = http://groups.google.com.au/group/aus.religion/msg/c4e73b5f1914551c
| access-date = 11 December 2008 }}</ref> by 1992.

===1995–2000: Growth===
From 1995, night rallies were held at the [[State Sports Centre]] in [[Sydney Olympic Park]]* This wasn't until the move to Olympic park, during these years still at the Hills Centre near council chambers. Two similar conferences were held in 1999 and 2000 across two weeks.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Richies |first1=Tanya |title=Worship and social engagement in urban Aboriginal-led Australian Pentecostal congregations : (re)imagining identity in the spirit |year=2019 |isbn=978-90-04-40025-2 |page=109|publisher=Brill }}</ref>

===2001–2017: Move to Sydney Olympic Park===
Hillsong Conference was first held in the [[Qudos Bank Arena]] (formerly [[Sydney SuperDome]] and named Acer Arena at the time) and various venues throughout Sydney Olympic Park from 2001.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

In 2011 Hillsong Conference was not held in Sydney Olympic Park but instead in the Sydney Entertainment Centre<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/16074054|title=Hillsong conference 2011 - celebrating 25 years|last1=Church|first1=Hillsong|date=21 October 2010}}</ref> for logistical reasons relating to the availability of Sydney Olympic Park.

The 2015 conference was marred with controversy when American pastor [[Mark Driscoll]] was invited to speak. A Melbourne based activist Benjamin Ady and his Wife Megan initiated a number of peaceful protests at Hillsong's Sydney and Melbourne campuses and from conversations with their church leaders was confident Mark would be disinvited. Prominent journalist [[Julia Baird (journalist)|Julia Baird]] covered the story that also noted a number of Christian leaders alarmed that Mark Driscoll's invitation was still offered.<ref>{{Citation|last=Baird|first=Julia|title=Disgraced US mega-church pastor Australia bound|date=2015-06-05|url=https://www.abc.net.au/lateline/disgraced-us-mega-church-pastor-australia-bound/6526732|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|language=en-AU|access-date=2021-10-10}}</ref>

Though Mark Driscoll was not physically in attendance at the conference, a pre-recorded video was aired instead.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Morgan|last2=Zylstra|first2=Sarah Eekhoff|title=What Mark Driscoll Told Brian Houston at Hillsong Conference|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2015/june/distraction-down-under-hillsong-mark-driscoll-conference.html|access-date=2021-10-10|website=News & Reporting|date=30 June 2015 |language=en}}</ref>

At the same 2015 conference [[Tanya Levin]] was arrested by Police Officers contracted to patrol the conference site for trespass.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Aubusson|first=Kate|date=2015-07-01|title=Outspoken Hillsong critic arrested for trespass at Sydney conference|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/outspoken-hillsong-critic-arrested-for-trespass-at-sydney-conference-20150701-gi2sp1.html|access-date=2021-10-10|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref> She was later charged however the case was dismissed in court.

Also in 2015, UK gender church abuse activist [[Natalie Collins]] stage a peaceful protest at the London Hillsong conference in response to [[Mark Driscoll|Mark Driscoll's]] invitation to speak.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Interview: Natalie Collins, gender-justice specialist|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2019/18-january/features/interviews/interview-natalie-collins-gender-justice-specialist|access-date=2021-10-10|website=www.churchtimes.co.uk}}</ref>

===2018–present===
In 2018, the Hillsong Conference completely sold out the [[Sydney Super Dome|Qudos Bank Arena]] venue.<ref>{{cite web |last1=July 13th |first1=Ben McEachen |last2=Comments |first2=Ben McEachen |title=Carl Lentz wants you to crush the world - Eternity News |url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/carl-lentz-wants-you-to-crush-the-world/ |website=eternitynews.com.au |date=13 July 2018 |language=en-AU}}</ref> Future growth is expected to continue to overflow into the wider [[Sydney Olympic Park]] precinct where currently the [[Kidsong]] and [[Hillsong Young & Free]] Conference is held simultaneously.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hillsong.com/conference/sydney/kidsong/|title=Hillsong Conference - Kidsong}}</ref>

The 2020 and 2021 Hillsong Conferences were postponed for the first time in its history due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 global pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/ruby-princess-the-untrue-hillsong-slur-that-twitter-cant-let-go-of/|title=Ruby Princess: the untrue Hillsong slur that Twitter can't let go of
|date=29 April 2020|website=eternitynews.com.au}}</ref>

==Conferences==
=== Hillsong Conference Sydney ===

Hillsong Conference was first held in the [[Qudos Bank Arena]] (formerly [[Sydney SuperDome]] and named Acer Arena and Allphones Arena at the time) and various venues throughout Sydney Olympic Park from 2001.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hillsong Conference was held between the 9th and 13th July at the Superdome @ |url=http://www.oocities.org/kierocks/hc2001bte.htm |website=oocities.org}}</ref>

===Hillsong Conference London===
In 2006, an offshoot of Hillsong Conference began in London with 3,000 people at the [[ExCeL Exhibition Centre]] known as Hillsong Conference Europe.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zinchini |first1=Cassandra |title=Hillsong's World Revival |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/october/44.34.html |website=ChristianityToday.com |date=26 October 2007 |language=en}}</ref> Since its inception in 2007 it has become an annual 3-day conference held in London attracting people from across Europe.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mararike |first1=Allie Jones and Shingi |title=Hillsong: the gen Z church with a celebrity congregation |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/what-is-hillsong-the-gen-z-church-with-a-celebrity-congregation-0zxm7387j |language=en}}</ref>

Hillsong Conference London is now held at [[The O2 Arena]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hardy |first1=Elle |title=The House That Brian Built: Inside The Global Empire That Is Hillsong |url=https://www.gq.com.au/success/opinions/the-house-that-brian-builtinside-the-global-empire-that-is-hillsong/news-story/abb469531dbeda8f5abc5bf71e5e1bfa |website=GQ |language=en |date=18 March 2020}}</ref> which is the second largest indoor venue in the UK of 21,000 seats.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Unit B |first1=Distillery Wharf |title=DTB Sports Hospitality and Event Management |url=https://www.dtbsportsandevents.com/blog/the-o2-arena-a-world-class-venue-for-world-class-events |website=dtbsportsandevents.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Hillsong Conference New York ===
In July 2012, [[Brian Houston (pastor)|Brian Houston]] announced they will be bringing the Hillsong Conference for the first time ever to the [[United States]]. Hillsong Conference was held in New York in 2013 for the first time, and annually since.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Petrucci|first1=Anthony|title=Hillsong Conference Makes History at NYC's Radio City Music Hall|url=https://www.charismamag.com/spirit/evangelism-missions/560-evangelism/18825-hillsong-conference-makes-history-at-nyc-s-radio-city-music-hall|website=Charisma Magazine}}</ref>

Hillsong Conference New York was held in the [[Barclays Center]] in Brooklyn,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Klett |first1=Leah Marieann |title=Megachurch Pastor Steven Furtick Inspires Thousands at Hillsong Conference 2016 |url=https://www.gospelherald.com/articles/65828/20160808/megachurch-pastor-steven-furtick-inspires-thousands-hillsong-conference-2016.htm |website=Breaking Christian News: World, Business, and More {{!}} The Gospel Herald |language=en |date=8 August 2016}}</ref> with a seating capacity of 17,000.

== Sessions ==
The sessions that make up Hillsong Conference are diverse and vary from a typical church service, from presentations from leaders in their space, traditional preaching and worship sessions, through to Design and Production masterclasses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hillsong.com/collected/blog/2015/06/masterclasses-at-hillsong-conference/#.W1-ohdIzZhE|title=Masterclasses at Hillsong Conference|website=hillsong.com|language=en|access-date=2018-07-31}}</ref>

* Opening Ceremony<ref>{{cite web |last1=International |first1=Ben Kruzins-Press Service |title=Day 1: Hillsong Conference get's underway with a bang! |url=https://christiantoday.com.au/news/day-1-hillsong-conference-gets-underway-with-a-bang.html |website=christiantoday.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
* Morning/Night Meetings - Hillsong Church Service with special guest preachers
* Masterclasses - One hour presentations in more intimate settings with experts across a wide breadth of topics.<ref>{{cite web |last1=July 17th |first1=Anne Lim |last2=Comments |first2=Anne Lim |title=Christians told to get rid of taboos - Eternity News |url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/culture/christians-told-to-get-rid-of-taboos/ |website=eternitynews.com.au |date=17 July 2019 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
* Closing Ceremony

== Kidsong ==
Kidsong is the Children's portion of the Hillsong Conference, and is hosted simultaneously to Hillsong Conference in the surrounding Olympic Park Precinct.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hillsong Conference 2016 - The Stage is Set |url=https://christiantoday.com.au/news/hillsong-conference-2016-the-stage-is-set.html |website=christiantoday.com.au |language=en}}</ref> Kidsong also runs a special programme named Treasure Chest for children living with disabilities.<ref>{{cite web |last1=July 10th |first1=Rebecca Abbott |last2=Comments |first2=Rebecca Abbott |title=Hillsong's best kept secret - Eternity News |url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/good-news/hillsongs-best-kept-secret/ |website=eternitynews.com.au |date=10 July 2019 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

== Charitable contributions ==
Various charities are present at Hillsong Conference, including [[Compassion International|Compassion]] and [[Open Doors]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Australia |first1=Open Doors |title=A Worship Journey Into Broken Places |url=https://www.opendoors.org.au/persecuted-christians/blog/a-worship-journey-into-broken-places/ |website=Open Doors Australia |date=25 July 2018 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In 2019, over a 20-year partnership with Hillsong, [[Compassion International|Compassion]] announced that over 100,000 children had been sponsored through their programs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hillsong Social Justice UK on Facebook Watch | website=[[Facebook]] |url=https://www.facebook.com/HillsongSocialJusticeUK/videos/394846697817306/?v=394846697817306 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Celebrating 100,000 Children 🎉 | website=[[Facebook]] |url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2641827959234959 |language=en}}</ref>

== Accessibility ==
The conference, including worship, is translated live into 11 different languages, plus Auslan, for those attending.<ref>{{cite web |title=20,000 DELEGATES SERVED BY RELIABLE, SAFE COMMS |url=http://smartcom.motorolasolutions.com/assets/uploads/2016/11/Hillsong-Conference.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707190207/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:wBHNqf8jQHwJ:smartcom.motorolasolutions.com/assets/uploads/2016/11/Hillsong-Conference.pdf+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 July 2020 |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>

The venue and surrounding precinct is wheelchair accessible<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.qudosbankarena.com.au/Venue-Information/Ticketing/Accessibility}}</ref> and Hillsong Conference makes specific provisions for those who require additional assistance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hillsong.com/travel/}}</ref>

== Notable appearances ==
[[File:Scott Morrison, Hillsong Conference July 2019.jpg|thumb|Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaking at Hillsong Conference 2019]]

In 2005, Leader of the Australian Labor Party [[Kim Beazley]] sent a video message and NSW Premier [[Bob Carr]] spoke briefly at the conference.<ref>{{cite web |title=Politicians flock to Hillsong conference |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/politicians-flock-to-hillsong-conference-20050705-ge0gl2.html |website=The Age |language=en |date=5 July 2005}}</ref>

In 2015<ref>{{Cite web|title=Justin Bieber seeks help from on high at Sydney's Hillsong church conference {{!}} Justin Bieber |url=https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/29/justin-bieber-sydney-hillsong-church-conference|access-date=2021-10-13|website=The Guardian}}</ref> singer [[Justin Bieber]] attended the Sydney conference.

In 2016, singer [[Dami Im]] performed her [[Eurovision]] hit [[Sound of Silence (Dami Im song)|Sound of Silence]] at the conference.<ref>{{cite web |title=Untitled |url=https://twitter.com/damiandmusic/status/750567546043109377?lang=en |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Inside the $4 million conference #OverheardatHillsong |url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/she-started-weeping-it-was-beautiful-inside-the-hillsong-conference/news-story/93780de7967e61678944231544b567db |website=NewsComAu |language=en |date=8 July 2016}}</ref>

In 2019, [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] of Australia [[Scott Morrison]] opened the Hillsong Conference<ref>{{cite web |last1=International |first1=Ben Kruzins-Press Service |title=A call for rain: PM Scott Morrison leads Prayers on the first day of Hillsong Conference |url=https://christiantoday.com.au/news/a-call-for-rain-pm-scott-morrison-leads-prayers-on-the-first-day-of-hillsong-conference.html |website=christiantoday.com.au |language=en}}</ref> with a prayer for veterans, young people and more rain to tackle the now lifted drought facing Australia.<ref>{{cite web |title=PM asks for more prayers, more love at Hillsong conference |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/pm-asks-for-more-prayers-more-love-at-hillsong-conference |website=SBS News |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Hillsong Church]]
* [[Hillsong Channel]]
* [[Charismatic movement]]
* [[Pentecostalism]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.hillsongconference.com/ Hillsong Conference webpage]

{{Hillsong2}}
{{Christianity in Australia}}

[[Category:Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity]]
[[Category:Hillsong Church]]
[[Category:Evangelical Christian conferences]]
[[Category:Annual events in Australia]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 1986]]

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Hillsong Conference