HEART for the HOUSE WEEKEND 18-20 JUNE 2021 RESCUE.
RESTORE.
REBUILD.
HEART for the HOUSE GOD IS BUILDING A HOME. HE’S USING US ALL — IRRESPECTIVE OF HOW WE GOT HERE — IN WHAT HE IS BUILDING. HE USED THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS FOR THE FOUNDATION. NOW HE’S USING YOU, FITTING YOU IN BRICK BY BRICK, STONE BY STONE, WITH CHRIST JESUS AS THE CORNERSTONE THAT HOLDS ALL THE PARTS TOGETHER. WE SEE IT TAKING SHAPE DAY AFTER DAY — A HOLY TEMPLE BUILT BY GOD, ALL OF US BUILT INTO IT, A TEMPLE IN WHICH GOD IS QUITE AT HOME. EPHESIANS 2:19-22 (THE MESSAGE)
JESUS —
still our cornerstone.
“As a church, our history thus far has been to EXEMPLIFY — family, house and home.” Bobbie Houston Global Co-Senior Pastor
At the beginning of this year, the words RESCUE, RESTORE and REBUILD were impressed on my spirit. These words represent more than merely a slogan or a catchy alliteration; they truly encapsulate what we are believing God for across the breadth of Hillsong Church and for every person who calls Hillsong ‘home’. I love the imagery of the Church being likened to a home. In fact, Paul uses this language in Ephesians 2 as he describes our citizenship in the household of God – every individual is carefully placed brick by brick and Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone holding us all together. In a world laden with questions, answers that bring hope, healing and redemption can only be found in Jesus. It is truly astonishing that God has chosen to partner with ordinary men and women like you and me to build His glorious House – people who believe they can make a difference in the world and see the love of God reach all who are seeking and in need. The bottom line of Heart for the House, and our vision at large as a church, has always been to prepare a home for those who are homeless, for those who are without answers, for those who are without meaning to their lives. Heart for the House signifies more than an annual offering, it truly is a miracle in motion.
Bobbie and I often refer to this season as holy, because to be honest, the collective sacrifice and generosity exemplified year after year, is truly sacred. As you know, this offering is not about equal giving, but rather equal sacrifice. We have said it for years and it remains true: our church is not built on the gifts and talents of a few, but on the sacrifices of many. As we approach this year’s Heart for the House offering, we are believing that our collective devotion would once again be a testimony of people whose passion is unwavering and who know the foundation they build upon. Whilst it seems that much of the world continues to shake under the weight of a horrid pandemic and widespread disillusionment, God’s Kingdom remains unshakable and His love for all humanity as fierce and reliable as ever. Our prayer is that every person who calls Hillsong Church ‘home’ will lean afresh into the future and challenge with us. We thank you for the part you play and for your unrelenting faithfulness, generosity and love of all things dear to God’s heart. It is truly an honour to be a part of this story with you. With love,
Brian & Bobbie
Global Senior Pastors, Hillsong Church
RESCUE “It is a year of God’s supernatural rescue.” — Brian Houston
HE RESCUES AND SAVES HIS PEOPLE; HE PERFORMS MIRACULOUS SIGNS AND WONDERS IN THE HEAVENS AND ON EARTH. HE HAS RESCUED DANIEL FROM THE POWER OF THE LIONS. DANIEL 6:27 (NLT)
GOD IS A RESCUER AND WE ARE BELIEVING FOR INCREDIBLE TESTIMONIES OF GOD’S SUPERNATURAL RESCUE OF HIS PEOPLE. RESCUING THOSE IN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS - WHETHER IT BE HEALING FROM SICKNESS, PROVIDING FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY OR PROTECTING THOSE FACING TROUBLE. TOGETHER, AS CHRIST’S BODY, OUR HOUSE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE LORD’S HANDS AND FEET - HIS ‘RESCUE’- TO A WORLD IN DESPERATE NEED OF A SAVIOUR.
We met Elizabeth and her husband Robert through our Love-in-the-Line campaign when they approached us for food support for their community kitchen in Masiphumele, located just outside of Cape Town. Every day, they serve over 200 children and adults from their kitchen and deliver food to the vulnerable and sick in the community from their 2m x 1m kitchen set up in a home. They were personally funding the ingredients and gas supplies and desperately trying to logistically manage supplies for their kitchen, which was becoming a huge challenge. HAF has been able to offer Elizabeth and Robert ongoing food relief support through lockdown to enable them to continue cooking and meeting the needs within their community. Further to this, when one of our church congregation members heard about the phenomenal work that Robert and Elizabeth were doing, they pledged to further assist this great initiative by installing a fully functioning kitchen so that there would be greater ease, enabling Robert and Elizabeth to do even more. — Hillsong Africa Foundation (HAF)
A21 Across the world, slavery is more prevalent today than any other time in history, with an estimated 40.3 million human beings enslaved. For over 10 years, A21 has worked with authorities to secure the freedom of human trafficking victims and the conviction of traffickers through holistic aftercare, safe accommodation and relocation services.
VISION RESCUE Vision Rescue’s mission is to provide educational pathways to children living in vulnerable communities throughout India, and to empower people to live with dignity.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, A21’s frontline teams exercised remarkable agility as they found creative ways to continue delivering core programs including phone hotlines (for people to report instances of human trafficking), Child Advocacy Centres (CACs) and aftercare programs.
Over the past year, many of Vision Rescue’s core programs were paused as they responded quickly to support children and families through the COVID-19 pandemic, providing much-needed groceries and meals to impoverished communities.
Over the next 12 months, A21’s crucial work will continue, as they rebuild communities, support infrastructure, provide ongoing care to victims of trafficking and partner with government agencies to rescue women, men and children from slavery.
With India experiencing a highly critical resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic this year, many children have now been out of school for over 12 months. In partnership with local organisations, Vision Rescue stands ready to support local communities devastated by the pandemic, and help to restore lives.
RESCUE
RESTORE
REBUILD
HILLSONG CHANNEL ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’ — Mark 16:15 (NIV) These words from the Gospel of Mark are at the very heart of Hillsong Channel’s mission. With a passion for every person on earth to hear about God’s love and salvation, Hillsong Channel has brought the gospel of Christ to countless people. Last year especially, Hillsong Channel was a great support to those isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the next year, Hillsong Channel has several opportunities to spread the message of Jesus to even more people. In Germany, Switzerland and Austria, Hillsong Channel has the chance to reach nearly 100 million homes through a media partnership. On streaming platforms, there are doors that have opened in Gambia, Sierra Leone and South Africa.
HILLSONG AFRICA FOUNDATION Hillsong Africa Foundation’s core purpose is to build lives that build a nation, restoring hope for the next generation. This is achieved through a variety of programs including Shine WOMEN, Shine GIRL, Strength (for young men), and youth after-school programs. When COVID-19 restrictions came into place last year, Hillsong Africa Foundation shifted their major focus to emergency relief, food security and distribution, partnering with and empowering other organisations to support vulnerable communities. Together with community stakeholders, they have provided support to more than 450,000 individuals. As South Africa continues to grapple with a high number of COVID-19 cases, the path ahead is fraught with challenges. In the coming days, Hillsong Africa Foundation will focus on providing support to community organisations, families and individuals devastated by the pandemic.
“I started watching Hillsong Channel last year in prison. There were so many times I would be having trouble or just seeking a little bit of the Lord’s direction and peace and I would turn on Hillsong! It had a huge impact on me. I made a commitment to myself that when I got out of prison I would give to Hillsong Channel no matter what. I was released from prison last Sunday morning and am so full of joy that I am able to give to this mission. Words are hard to attach to how much a blessing this ministry was to me during incarceration. From Prisons to Palaces!” -Dan, USA
RESCUE
RESTORE
REBUILD
NOW H E’ S U S I NG Y OU fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone
Ephesians 2:20
with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together.
RESTORE “He restores our soul - surely goodness and mercy will follow us, all the days of our lives.” — Brian Houston
SO I WILL RESTORE TO YOU THE YEARS THAT THE SWARMING LOCUST HAS EATEN, THE CRAWLING LOCUST, THE CONSUMING LOCUST, AND THE CHEWING LOCUST, MY GREAT ARMY WHICH I SENT AMONG YOU. YOU SHALL EAT IN PLENTY AND BE SATISFIED, AND PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHO HAS DEALT WONDROUSLY WITH YOU; AND MY PEOPLE SHALL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME. JOEL 2:25-26 (NKJV).
THE BIBLE IS FILLED WITH TESTIMONIES OF THE LORD’S FAITHFULNESS TO RESTORE WHAT IS BROKEN AND LOST - FROM CITIES AND NATIONS TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. THERE IS NO LIFE OR SITUATION THAT IS BEYOND HIS POWER TO RESTORE - WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE (MATTHEW 19:26). FOR OUR HOUSE AND WORLD, WE BELIEVE HE WILL HEAL HURTING HEARTS AND BODIES, REDEEM LOST TIME, RESTORE BUSINESSES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE SUFFERED LOSS.
I first started collaborating with PCYC (Police Citizens Youth Clubs) six years ago. We were running one of our Safe Spaces programs and a girl called *Ella came in. She was so shy and it didn’t matter if it was the peak of summer - she would only wear jumpers and long sleeves. She barely spoke for the first month. She would just sit in a corner and very occasionally join in a basketball game, albeit with a lot of encouragement. Ella came every week after that and, over time, she really started to flourish. We helped put her in emergency housing when she needed it, supported her with food relief, took her to hospital, walked with her through her mental health challenges and supported her through hospitality courses through Oz Harvest. She even came to church. Ella has been through a lot and yet she’s been strong enough to continue moving forward. She loves meeting new people, she has goals and is the happiest she’s ever been. She even agreed to have her photo taken, which would never have happened when we first met her. The photos meant a lot to our team, because it reminded us of how far she has come – from a young girl who wouldn’t speak, covered her scars from self-harm, wouldn’t let anyone touch her and spoke only negative language, to acceptance and belief of herself.” — Danielle Mariner, CityCare NSW Youth Worker *Name has been changed for confidentiality and security and the story is shared with the subject’s permission.
RESCUE
RESTORE
REBUILD
CITYCARE
ONE80TC
A strong and healthy church seeks the flourishing of the city which it is a part of. Last year, CityCare was able to respond in the first few weeks of the pandemic to provide emergency relief for people in desperate need across our nation and continues to do so. Practically, this meant pivoting to emergency food relief, sourcing and packing bags of food for delivery to homes in COVID-safe ways. Through this crisis, our core mission to see individuals, families and communities thrive was amplified, with the great need of people in our cities more apparent than ever.
For over 40 years, ONE80TC has helped rescue men and women from the debilitating effects of addiction through the provision of world-class rehabilitation programs.
Today, our work with vulnerable youth, women, children and families continues as we seek to bring positive change across our cities. Coming out of the COVID-19 crisis, many children and families will need additional support, and CityCare’s work with these groups in the days ahead will be vital.
Last year, despite the challenges of COVID-19, ONE80TC was able to remain fully operational and provide vital support to those in need of rehabilitation services. With a mission to restore hope and rebuild families, in the days ahead ONE80TC aims to expand its program offerings to more locations, as not all men and women needing assistance can attend their residential rehabilitation facilities. ONE80TC is also actively looking for opportunities to scale up its residential programs with facilities that can assist women with children and also families.
Homes of Peace Over the pandemic, Domestic and Family Violence skyrocketed across the world with the pressures of lockdown increasing the risk for women and children in unsafe homes. CityCare’s Homes of Peace, transitional homes for women escaping violence, became critical in this season and continually in demand. In Australia, one in six women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a partner since the age of 15 (AIHW 2018). Ongoing support for women and children in our community who have been subjected to, or are suffering from domestic violence is crucial. Support for Young People & Families Our youth workers and volunteers are already beginning again the work of empowering young people to step confidently into their future. After a disruptive school year last year, CityCare is supporting by providing mentoring and safe spaces for them to engage with positive role models. We are also focusing on rebuilding hope through strong partnerships in our community and support through playgroups, family mentoring, financial education and ‘Our Village Project’, bringing support to families caring for vulnerable children in out of home care.
RESCUE
RESTORE
REBUILD
REBUILD “In 2021 we are believing for God to do a new thing.” — Brian Houston
REBUILD FOR WE WERE SLAVES. YET OUR GOD DID NOT FORSAKE US IN OUR BONDAGE; BUT HE EXTENDED MERCY TO US IN THE SIGHT OF THE KINGS OF PERSIA, TO REVIVE US, TO REPAIR THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD, TO REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND TO GIVE US A WALL IN JUDAH AND JERUSALEM. EZRA 9:9 (NKJV)
THROUGHOUT THE SCRIPTURES, GOD IS CONSTANTLY BEGINNING SOMETHING NEW AND GLORIOUS - HIS STEADFAST LOVE NEVER CEASES, AND HIS MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING (LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23). FROM BUILDINGS AND NATIONS, TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN, WE BELIEVE HE IS BUILDING SOMETHING NEW IN OUR MIDST THAT WILL BE STRONGER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN ANYTHING PASSED, FAR ABOVE ALL WE COULD ASK, THINK OR IMAGINE (EPHESIANS 3:20).
BUILDING PROJECTS
NEW SOUTH WALES
A major part of our Heart for the House offering has always been, and continues to be, the development of our church facilities.
After years of praying and careful planning, we opened our brand new Macquarie campus building this year! We are already seeing the benefits of having a permanent venue, with many local families and individuals in the area attending church services in our new building. In Sydney City, we have plans to renovate our much-loved Waterloo campus building foyer to be equipped with new connection spaces. This will help extend our local community outreach opportunities, and better welcome people as they enter our building.
REBUILD
With 38 campuses across Australia and Asia, this year’s Heart for the House offering will help us complete much-needed renovations and upgrades to our existing buildings, and take steps towards procuring permanent venues. In the days to come, we have great faith for our house to bless and impact more men, women and children than ever before.
RESCUE
Our growing Newcastle campus is in need of a new venue with more accessible parking, to enable more people to attend our services. We have started the process of looking for a property with an auditorium, plenty of parking space, and facilities to house our kids and youth ministries. We are also searching for a new facility to house our flourishing Inner West campus. Our team is praying for a venue situated in a more central location with easily accessible parking, which will allow us to reach more people in the local community, and have more services across the day. Finally, for our Greater West campus, we are looking to build a church venue on land purchased in Western Sydney. We have great expectation that this building will facilitate opportunities for growth in this burgeoning area of Sydney.
RESTORE
REBUILD
VICTORIA & TASMANIA
QUEENSLAND & NORTHERN TERITORY
In 2020, after years of searching and planning for a permanent venue, we finalised our purchase of the iconic Festival Hall building to house our Melbourne City campus. In the coming months, we are hoping to submit a DA to start refurbishing Festival Hall into a multi-purpose venue that is available for public events whilst catering to our growing Melbourne church family with facilities for kids and youth.
We celebrated a milestone last year with the opening of our new Gold Coast campus facility, following careful planning. Our new venue in the Gold Coast has been a huge blessing to date, positioning our church to reach and impact many people for Christ.
In 2020 we purchased a venue in downtown Hobart and are hoping to start fitting this out as our new church home. We are seeing people come to salvation each week across Tasmania through our church services, and are excited for what the future holds for our Launceston and Hobart campuses!
RESCUE
Our Brisbane Central campus is growing, and underwent minor upgrades this year including new carpet and chairs for our growing congregation. This year, we are planning to launch our Gold Coast South campus, which will help us reach even more people in the south of our city. In Darwin, our Palmerston and Malak campuses continue to see steady increase, and we hope to see further development of these campuses in the coming years.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA & BALI In Perth, we are actively looking for a permanent building to house our growing City campus, which will enable us to reach more individuals, children and families. Our services in Bali are flourishing, and seeing salvation decisions every week. We are seeking a permanent solution for our second Denpasar location, to help house our growing congregation.
RESTORE
REBUILD
GLOBAL CHURCH PLANTS
CHURCH ONLINE
‘The church that I see is a global church. I see a global family: One house with many rooms, outworking a unified vision.’ — The Church I Now See ‘One house many rooms’ has formed a key part of our church’s vision, helping us bring the beauty and wonder of our local church home to countries near and far. Over the past year, despite the challenges of COVID-19, our church’s global ‘rooms’ have seen continued salvation decisions, answered prayers and new faces in weekend services. We look towards the future with great expectation for all God will do through our global campuses. One example of the support we are providing is to Hillsong Monterrey. Hillsong Monterrey Our growing Hillsong Monterrey campus has been able to bless and support many in need over the past year. As COVID-19 devastated lives throughout Mexico, we were able to feed hundreds of people on a monthly basis and provide those in lower income areas with hygiene packs and masks. In addition, our first food truck has enabled us to extend Christ’s love each week to many people living on Monterrey’s streets. Over the next year, we hope to expand our support for the homeless through another 2-4 food trucks which will multiply the number of people being helped. We are also aiming to continue extending our Monterrey congregation, bringing the love and message of Christ to people throughout the city.
RESCUE
Over the past year, our flourishing Church Online has brought the worship, Word and community of God’s House to countless homes and hearts across the globe, bringing the hope of Jesus Christ through digital means to seemingly hopeless situations caused by the pandemic. Approximately 4.6 billion people on earth (59.5 percent of the global population) have internet access - we view this as a harvest field. Our Church Online has the potential to introduce billions of people across the globe to Christ. To date, we have received thousands of prayer requests and praise reports from women, men and children throughout the world who have connected with Church Online. A feeling of hope and connection is expressed by many, with overwhelming reports of thankfulness and good news in response to our prayer moments. Looking into the future, we have a vision to establish a 24/7 Church Online Community with interactive access for people to engage with biblical teaching and dynamic worship throughout the week. Including a strategy to establish digital connect groups in every major city, country, and territory of the world — “changing mindsets and empowering people to lead and impact in every sphere of life.” ———— “I wrote a prayer request months ago for my mom’s healing, GOOD NEWS!!! She doesn’t need surgery anymore. PRAISE JESUS! Thank you CHURCH!!!!!”. — Marie, Philippines “The lady named Hanni for whom you prayed a while back with cancer all over her body went in on the 16 November for a test. It came back that the cancer is gone. Praise the Lord ” — Cherise, South Africa
🙌🙌🙌
“I praise God as I had put in a prayer request for my brother-in-law’s appointment with a heart specialist and everything - all his tests - came back great. No need for surgery. Thank you ” — Maree, Australia
🙏
“I have sent a prayer request for a job promotion and today, good news! I have got it.” — Inyoung, Republic of Korea
RESTORE
REBUILD
RESCUE, RESTORE, REBUILD. As a church family, these are the promises we are declaring over our house — God’s House — this year and beyond. From our local home of Australia to the nations, we will see people RESCUED from impossible situations, RESTORE what is lost,
and
REBUILD something new and glorious.
Our mission to reach and influence the world by building a large Christ-centred Bible-based church has never been more relevant. We look towards the future with great anticipation for all the Lord will accomplish through His House in the days to come. For the lost and new generations we will welcome ‘home’ through our doors. For the aching hearts, hands and homes who will experience God’s healing, care and restoration. The best truly is yet to come.
Ways To Give
We will be gathering as a church to pray for and receive our Heart for the House offering on the weekend of 18-20 June 2021. Your Heart For The House offering can be received throughout June.
APP
ONLINE
BPAY
OTHER
Download the HILLSONG GIVING APP and select your location. Be sure to choose ‘HEART FOR THE HOUSE’ from the drop down options.
For your unique BPay details, login to MyHillsong.com or contact our team on 1300 53 53 53 or email giving@hillsong.com
Visit: hillsong.com/hfth click ‘give’ and follow the prompts.
To give via mail, use the card attached. For Direct Deposit or other giving options, visit: hillsong.com/hfth or contact our team on 1300 53 53 53 or email giving@hillsong.com
TAX DEDUCTIBILITY All giving above $2 to the Hillsong Foundation is tax deductible. If your giving does not require a tax deductible receipt (including trust disbursements), it will be deposited and receipted by Hillsong Church Australia (ABN 73 640 782 059 / TFN 991078055) and used to support the Heart for the House initiatives.
Thank you for your generosity
Your Heart For The House offering can be received throughout June. Would you like your receipt to be: Non-tax deductible $
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TAX DEDUCTIBILITY All giving above $2 to the Hillsong Foundation is tax deductible. If your giving does not require a tax deductible receipt (including trust disbursements), it will be deposited and receipted by Hillsong Church Australia (ABN 73 640 782 059 / TFN 991078055) and used to support the Heart for the House initiatives.
HILLSONG.COM/HFTH
HEART for the HOUSE WEEKEND 18-20 JUNE 2021
HILLSONG.COM/HFTH