One of my favorite things about Hillsong Conference is our times of worship together. For me the best thing about being on the platform is getting to see the faces of the people worshipping. In an arena of that size, it’s easy just to see a crowd, but I love to think about the individual. There are so many lives gathered in that room. Each representing a different story and season of life —  the pastor that is weary and needs to be encouraged.. the new youth leader just getting started in ministry… the person who has just recently encountered Jesus and is trying to learn and take it all in.

We are all different in so many ways. We have different backgrounds and different journeys. We may come from different churches or denominations, but when we gather together as the Church the thing we do have in common is Jesus. We are worshippers worshipping the same God, united by His Name. There is power in that unity and in an environment like Conference the sight of so many people worshipping Jesus together is so beautiful and something I never want to take for granted.

I love the practical aspects of Hillsong Conference. You can attend masterclasses and training that equip you to be a better leader, to build and run teams, to impact your local community. But I can’t help but think about the unseen work that is also taking place in those corporate times of worship. I wonder what God is doing in people’s hearts…maybe He’s healing people, breathing on old dreams, bringing new areas of freedom, breaking strongholds, mending broken things.

There is no doubt in my mind that in those moments, God is moving in people’s lives. I know for myself there have been many moments in worship that God has clearly spoken to me, encouraged me, and confirmed things in me. And these moments have changed the course of my life and realigned my heart.

There is nothing like the presence of Jesus and I believe that our times of worship together are truly precious. I am praying and believing that once again this year God will exceed our expectations as we gather and that He will have His way in the hearts of His people.

‘In God We Trust’ recorded at Hillsong Conference 2015