The vision of our church to be a healthy church changing lives through Christ resonates deeply within my heart. It is both complex and beautiful. Among the many aspects of a healthy church, our relationships with one another stand as a vital pillar. Guided by the Bible, we see a clear path forward—one that begins with the second greatest commandment: to love our neighbor as ourselves.
As we step into a new year, it is the perfect time to pause and reflect on what this means. For our global church that spreads across 28 countries, this vision carries an added depth and wonder. When I think about it, the image of Revelation 7:9 comes to mind: “every tongue, tribe, and nation” in unity worshipping before the throne. Achieving this requires a deep commitment to stewarding unity and fostering belonging, both within our church and beyond. To explore this further, I sat down with our Global Senior Pastor, Lucinda Dooley, whose passion and leadership in this area are both inspiring and challenging. She offered invaluable insight into how we can cast a vision for 2025 rooted in unity and belonging.
God’s Heart for Unity and Belonging
When asked to capture her heart for unity and belonging, Lucinda immediately shifted the focus back to God: “I think it would not be my heart—it’s God’s heart. And if it isn’t our heart, we should be asking why. God sent His Son for the whole world. If it’s God’s heart for the world, it should be ours. God’s heart is for reconciliation, so we should be working toward reconciliation with Him and one another. Equality is God’s heart—we are all one in Him.”
This foundational perspective helps us shape the way we approach unity and belonging. Lucinda reminded me that this work is not about our efforts, expertise, or research—though these are important—but about reflecting God’s heart and aligning our hearts with His. It is about discipleship more than anything else. It is about all of us coming together in humility, wanting to mature with our stewardship of the foundational truth that every one matters to God.
Lessons from Lucinda’s Journey
I asked Lucinda about some of her early-on sparks for unity and belonging. She shared about her early ministry in South Africa:
“When we moved to South Africa, we had an opportunity to build church as young, passionate, and raw leaders. We wanted to create a church where every person, from every background, could feel like they belonged. From the minute we landed, we made it a priority to lean into unity and belonging. It was my first time intentionally thinking about how to build a church where everyone feels at home.”
Lucinda also reflected on her personal experiences growing up:
“Moving from Northern Ireland as a young girl, I remember people saying mean things about my accent. It impacted me and it made me realize I never wanted to do that to anyone else. Later, when I was living in Australia and as the country became more culturally diverse, I saw firsthand how unity and belonging was needed and could impact an entire nation.”
Lucinda had never shared these stories with me—it revealing to me God’s direct equipping, for her to years later step into the roles her and Phil Dooley have now been entrusted with. These early experiences shaped Lucinda’s deep commitment to creating spaces where everyone feels at home, both in the local church and on a global scale.
Jesus’ Prayer for Unity
When I asked Lucinda how John 17:20-23 resonates with her as a leader, she described the profound significance of Jesus’ prayer:
“That scripture resonates a lot with me. It’s one of a couple recorded prayers of Jesus, and if He were in the room praying, wouldn’t you lean in to hear what He’s saying? He prayed for perfect unity among us, that we would be one just as He and the Father are one. It’s a different kind of unity than the world—it’s a divine unity where each person seeks to glorify the other, just as Jesus glorifies the Father and the Spirit glorifies the Son. This kind of unity is what God wants for us, and it’s something we must choose every single day—forgiveness and grace are key.”
Lucinda’s perspective reframes unity not as a task or strategy—although important, but as a reflection of God’s divine nature and as a response to Jesus’ prayer.
Practical Steps Toward Belonging
Lucinda also shared some practical ways that the Hillsong community can embody the Kingdom value of our church–Welcome Home:
• Be Intentional: “We must stay very intentional about creating spaces of belonging. It doesn’t happen by accident.”
• Step Out of Comfort Zones: “Unity requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Go beyond a friendly hello—extend an invitation, share a coffee, and truly connect.”
• Create Spaces: “If we want others to feel at home, we must intentionally create that sense of belonging, even when it’s inconvenient.”
She emphasized that the work of belonging starts with a heart posture—a genuine love that says, you belong here.
A Vision for the Future
I finished by asking Lucinda about her vision for our church—she shared the following:
“My dream is for churches all over the world to reflect the heart of the Father—a place where every person feels at home, where wholeness and life in Jesus are evident. I long for unity and belonging to become so engrained in who we are, that we no longer have to talk about it. It would simply be who we are—a reflection of God’s heart for His people.”
Lucinda’s words paint a powerful picture of a Church rooted in love, reconciliation, and unity—a Church that reflects the vision of John 17:20-23 and Revelation 7:9.
Anchoring in the Heart of God
Lucinda’s passion and perspective remind us that the world will know we are Jesus’ disciples by how we love one another (John 13:35). Unity and belonging are not optional—they are essential to the Church’s mission and testimony. As Jesus prayed for us to be one, let us live in such a way that His prayer becomes our reality. May our love for one another reflect His glory and draw others to Him.
Together, let’s build a Church that reflects the heart of the Father—a place where everyone belongs. By stepping out of our comfort zones, creating spaces for others, and showing genuine love, we reflect God’s heart to the world. As we continue to embrace unity and belonging, we have the sacred privilege of showing others who Jesus is. In 2025 and beyond, let’s steward this vision with intentionality, changing lives through Christ—one relationship at a time.
Written by:
Hillsong Global Unity & Belonging
Maria Hansen-Quine
Feb 7 2025
