Hillsong Conference

{{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               = <!-- Date of most recent event; if the event will not be held again, use {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} -->
| 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&ndash;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&ndash;2000: Growth===
From 1995, night rallies were held at the [[State Sports Centre]] in [[Sydney Olympic Park]]. 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&ndash;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]]