Last updated 1 April 2022, 4:00pm AEST

To all of our students, future students and your families,
We hope that you are well and having a wonderful week thus far!

We want to personally update you on some important changes regarding our Hillsong College USA Campus. As you may already be aware of, in light of recent events, Hillsong Phoenix Pastors, Terry and Judith Crist have announced their decision to withdraw from Hillsong Church. We honour them and their leadership and appreciate this is a difficult decision.

We want to let you know what this means for Hillsong College USA, and our current and future students. We continue to have a good working relationship with Pastor Terry and Judith Crist. We want to reassure you that this news has no impact on Hillsong College operations for the remainder of the semester. Please know that we will continue classes, tutorials, and practicum as per normal until the end of the current term. Graduation will take place as planned, at the Mesa campus, on May 26th, and we are excited to meet your families and celebrate with you all.

One of our key priorities as a College has always been to be planted at the heart of Hillsong Church. Hence, we are planning to relocate our Hillsong College USA campus to Orange County, California for the start of the next semester. Understandably, we are in the early stages of the planning and transition process, but we will keep you informed as things develop. We are excited about this move and believe this will help us deliver an even greater experience for you and all of our future students.

Be assured that current applications are being processed as normal and will be valid throughout this change of location. We understand that this is big news to digest and will impact each of you in different ways. We appreciate your understanding, and our team is here to help you throughout this process. Check out our FAQs and feel free to email our team at [email protected] if you have any remaining questions.

The future is bright for Hillsong College USA and we look forward to the days ahead! We are praying for you at this time and believing for God's peace, clarity and comfort within your life.

Kindest regards,
Lee Burns | Executive Vice President of Hillsong College

Last updated 1 April 2022, 4:00pm AEST

Why is Hillsong College planning to relocate to California?

As you may already be aware, in light of recent events, Hillsong Phoenix Pastors, Terry and Judith Christ have announced their decision to withdraw from Hillsong Church. We honour them and their leadership and appreciate this is a difficult decision.

One of our key priorities as a college has always been to be planted at the heart of Hillsong Church. Hence, we are planning to relocate our Hillsong College USA campus to Orange County, California for the start of the next semester. This will allow our college to be planted within Hillsong Church in Orange County, providing the optimal ministry training experience and connecting students into our thriving community there.

Is there an expected date for when Hillsong College plans to be up and running in California?

Not yet. Understandably, we are in the early stages of the planning and transition process, but we will keep you informed as things develop.

What kind of support will there be for current students who have decided to relocate with Hillsong College USA?

Our Hillsong College USA team is doing all that they can to support our current students at this time. The well-being of our students is our priority, and we understand that this decision impacts everyone in different ways. Our team has been available to meet with students, listen, and help answer the questions that they can. In addition, our Pastoral Care teams continue to provide practical emotional support to our student body.

As our plans progress, we will continue to assess how we can practically support our students through this transition.

What are the Covid-19 rules, regulations and mandates in California and how will they impact the learning environment at Hillsong College?

Presently, university students are not required to wear masks on campus or within classrooms regardless of vaccination status. However, they do recommend that those who are high-risk to wear a mask when attending large gatherings.

Vaccines have never been mandatory in the state of California for university students to study on campus. Again, it is highly recommended but is not mandatory.

Hillsong College’s priority has always been the health and safety of our students and staff. As we are all aware, the Covid-19 climate is unpredictable, and we will do our best to navigate whatever changes may lie ahead and do all that we can to provide a safe, fruitful and optimal learning environment.

What are the chances that Hillsong California will follow other American locations’ footsteps and split from Hillsong?

The campuses that have absolved their attachment to Hillsong were not planted by Hillsong Church, but rather, were a result of mergers between Hillsong and pre-existing communities. Meanwhile, each of our Californian campuses have been planted by Hillsong Church and will continue to be a part of Hillsong regardless of any future leadership changes.

California is the current location of Hillsong’s global headquarters. All of our campuses there are pastored by people who have been a part of Hillsong Church for many years and seasons, many of whom are Hillsong College alumni. Our communities within those locations have continued to thrive throughout the challenges over the last few years. We have no reason to believe that any of our Californian campuses will be closing or changing leadership anytime soon. Our pastors and team there are excited about this relocation of Hillsong College and are looking forward to welcoming all of our students soon.