By Idelette McVicker

BOBBIE HOUSTON, senior pastor of Hillsong Church in Australia, carries the heart of a ministry which has brought the world a unique medium for worship.

One song in particular,  Darlene Zschech’s  1993 ‘Shout to the Lord,’ is sung by an estimated 30 million Christians each week – and recently, American Idol finalists belted out the song twice on Idol Gives Back 2008.

Bobbie and her husband Brian have been leading the charge at Hillsong since establishing it as Hills Christian Life Centre in a school hall in Baulkham Hills, in 1983.

While it now has a global reach, with churches in London, Kiev and soon in Cape Town, Houston told BCCN her first passion – outside of her family – is the local church.

“I am a local pastor. I love the body of Christ . . . I love to see the local church grow.”

That’s what brought her to Surrey in May, as a speaker at the annual LifeWomen conference, held by Victory Christian Centre (VCC).

Houston believes it is crucial to see what she calls the ‘sisterhood’ – women of God worldwide – rising up, in unity and purpose.

She wants to see greater value placed on womanhood. “The United Nations recognizes that, for example, world poverty will not end until the women are empowered.

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“Where you see women . . . empowered, you find churches that are very healthy – because the feminine expression is not quenched. God is drawing his daughters onto the main page. Not in a feminist, controlling way, but in a beautiful, come-alongside way.”

Houston said God has also told them clearly: “Don’t take worship without justice.”

Two years ago, Canadian Gary Skinner, pastor of Kampala Pentecostal Church and founder of Watoto Child Care Ministries spoke at the Hillsong Conference about the plight of orphans and war-affected children.

The Hillsong congregation raised $740,000 for Skinner’s ministry. The money is being used to help rescue child soldiers.

Last September, Houston also launched 40 days of prayer for northern Uganda, mobilizing thousands of women across the planet to pray.

“Throughout history, God’s always had his church contributing to the needs of humanity,” she said.  “I think that sometimes Christians forget that he is not just their answer, but he is the answer for the world. And I think the church has got a great part to play.

“It’s the solution of many of the great injustices . . . We are not to leave it only to government. We are not to leave it only to celebrity . . . We’ll all stand and give account one day.”

Recording artist Brooke Fraser, who has written popular hymns (including ‘Hosanna’) for Hillsong, and developed a wide audience through YouTube and MySpace, will perform June 6 at Vancouver’s Media Club. Info: brookefraser.com

June 2008