Hillsong church, the large Australian congregation with satellite churches planted in many other countries is famous for its massively popular worship band.

They are often in the news for different reasons, they lean too much toward prosperity theology gospel despite the fact they are an Australian ministry rather than the US which gave us the “health and wealth” type message common in mega-churches and Christian television.   Also more than a few people are unsure of their teaching and style of church is healthy, particularly as lead pastor Brian Houston said the God of islam was the same as the God of the bible.  Lord forbid!!  Or, it might be using Singapore pastor Joseph Prince as headliner for a high priced ticket event, which Mr Prince says we don’t need forgiveness after sin.   (shudder)

I visited their congregation 2 years ago when I moved to London, visiting with my good friend Warren and two teenage brother and sister eastern European immigrants we got to know there.

I was listening to one of the their more well known tracks “Oceans” which has been played in a huge amount of churches I have seen.

Some Christians have said that Hillsong’s music has over-dominated Christian music and become tired of it.   I can sort of understand this.   I like to worship using contemporary and tradition songs myself.

If we take a fresh look at this song ‘Oceans’  a stellar track from when they were in the peak.

Something I noticed, if you look at the Youtube comments for this track, its hugely exciting and heartwarming to see messages from atheists, fallen away Christians and others saying how this song built them up.   People not attending church in years are asking for prayer!!!   This is massively heartwarming for me.

I don’t know of any other worship music group that can motivate such great responses like this.  I ended up settling in a different church in the end, but today I was happy to see how a band could make such an impact particularly on hurting and lost people.

I will continue to follow and enjoy their worship music and pray they will plant more seeds in the hearts of the lost that are seeking Christ in a fallen and broken world.