In February 1978, Brian and Bobbie Houston moved to Australia as newlyweds from New Zealand, joining the ministry team of Sydney Christian Life Centre which was pioneered in July 1977. In the early 1980s, after successfully pioneering two other churches in the Sydney region, they saw the need to provide people in Sydney's North West with a fresh and contemporary church. In August 1983, they founded Hills Christian Life Centre. It has grown from a congregation of 45 to what is said to be the largest church in Australian history.
Today Hillsong Church operates from a 21 acre site in a modern business park in the Hills District, and from a contemporary facility in Waterloo near the heart of Sydney's CBD. With a total attendance of over 20,000 on any given weekend, the reputation of the church continues to expand, having a dynamic influence and impact in Australia and many other nations.
Hillsong also has churches in London, Kiev and more recently Cape Town in South Africa and Stockholm in Sweden, Paris in France and Moscow in Russia.
The live praise and worship albums produced by Hillsong Music Australia have achieved gold status in various countries, and the songs are sung in churches around the world. Darlene Zschech and other members of the worship team have become internationally renowned for their songwriting and anointed worship leading.
Churches of all denominations from across the globe are able to experience what God is doing in and through the people at Hillsong Church through the annual Hillsong Conference, Colour Your World Women's Conference and Hillsong Men's Conference.
The Hillsong International Leadership College attracts students from all over the globe and is committed to training, equipping and building leaders in pastoral, music and other ministry skills.
Hillsong Church is also actively involved in building the Sydney local community through Hillsong CityCare whose facilities and programs range from medical centres and emergency relief services, to drug and alcohol programs and personal development and recovery programs.
As Hillsong Church continues to increase and grow, the vision remains consistent: to build the Church of Jesus Christ and bless the body of Christ world-wide.