by Matthew Crouch
Laurie and I have been in Sydney, Australia the past few days, participating in an unforgettable Hillsong conference — over 30,000 individuals of all ages packed into Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena worshipping God, experiencing awesome music from incredible bands, and hearing some great teaching from Hillsong Pastor Brian Houston and others.
Pastor Brian recalled that Hillsong’s very first conference, which took place over thirty years ago in a nearby Sydney warehouse, was attended by around 150 people. Since then the Hillsong conferences have expanded to annual events in cities all over the world attended by hundreds of thousands of individuals and families hungry for more of God. It reminds me a lot of how God dramatically expanded our own Trinity Broadcasting Network from one small TV station reaching a handful of viewers in 1973 — to thirty-plus global networks today reaching over one billion people on every inhabited continent.
Last night during the closing session of the Hillsong Conference in Sydney, Laurie and I got a report about the terrible sniper attack in Dallas that killed several police officers and wounded many more. Like all Americans, we are devastated by the news, and our thoughts and prayers go out on behalf of the families and colleagues of those killed, and for those who were wounded.
This is a crucial time for each of us to call out to God on behalf of our nation. Shootings and other violence, conflict, and discontent are on the rise — which means that there must also be a dramatic increase of men and women praying earnestly for repentance, revival, restoration, hope, and healing in homes, neighborhoods, and communities across America. This nation, as much as any on earth, desperately needs a mighty touch from God almighty.
Last night during the closing session of the Hillsong Conference in Sydney, our good friend Pastor Brian Houston called all 30,000 individuals in attendance to stand and pray for America. Laurie and I want to share that special moment with you. Watch the short video clip below and agree with Pastor Brian as he offers a powerful prayer for our nation.