Our culture doesn’t exactly encourage women to live boldly or fearlessly. If anything, culture can heavily detract us from who we were uniquely created to be.
A true pioneer of Christ, Bobbie Houston illustrates what Jesus has called us to be. Women who know who they are in Christ; who are bold, courageous and clothed in the grace that sets us free.
A mother figure for Hillsong goers; I’ve been listening to Bobbie for as long as I can remember. A woman changing culture for Christ, her teaching has encouraged me to lean deeper into the beautiful and strengthening voice of Jesus- a man I am so desperately in love with. I pray that, if anything, you will read her interview and also be filled with an interminable thirst for Christ.
As a young girl she began faithfully serving in church- painting clouds on the walls of the kid’s rooms and getting up at the break of dawn to set out chairs for the service- all before God led her and Brian into ministry. If you could take away just one small yet significant thing that Bobbie learnt and apply it to your own life, it is to be a faithful steward in the small things. You want to be a leader? Start by setting out church chairs and leading children’s ministry!
Thousands of christians flood through the doors at the O2, hungry for an embrace from their saviour and to be shaped by the teaching ahead. Amidst all the nerves, excitement and rush of what hosting this conference brings, Bobbie reclines in a wooden chair and begins to answer my questions with such honesty and truth.
“When I look at young women- I have daughters and granddaughters – our church is full of beautiful young women, my greatest aspiration is that they will truly fall in love with their creator. That they will get a revelation of who they truly are. If young women can get that right, then that will set them on course for life,” she says, telling me about her dream for young christian believers. “My vision would be that they would get a true sense of who they are in Christ, because then the rest of that follows: what you’re supposed to be doing, where you’re supposed to be going. Navigating each season,” she continues.
Bobbie’s soul shines with an overwhelming and glowing light of Christ. Her golden highlights, and cheeks suffused with a delicate blush radiate just as much as her love for Jesus and His church. As we talk, she smiles gracefully, listens to what I say and beautifully reveals her love for Jesus. “I personally found Christ when I was 15 and fell desperately in love with him- I want other woman to, like I did, get their own revelation of Christ.”
Young people hungry to change and shape our culture is what I’m most passionate about. To see a generation lit with a relentless fire for Christ, is my prayer for every young person to harbour in their soul. With this burning God-backed ambition, I was eager to speak to Bobbie about Hillsong’s Young & Free movement.
“Young & Free is bringing a song and a voice to that generation. The bible says that without vision people live carelessly. You have to have vision for your life. Young people waste their lives because they have no vision, no value on their lives. I think society needs to appreciate healthy church, because it creates environment where young people can get a sense of who they are and what they should be doing in life,” she says. “The challenge for young christian women- young christian people- is to live a great, christian life. Live their faith well. Live their life well.”
It was only last week that I was listening to Hillsong’s 2000 ‘For This Cause’ album and reflecting upon the faithfulness of Bobbie and Brian. And now, 40 albums later, ‘Empires’ has been released. Worship that has drastically impacted so many souls around the world, it’s no wonder God hasn’t finished His great plan for Hillsong worship. Along with their much-anticipated album, the Hillsong Movie is closing in on its release date.
“One of the producers took his friend to one of the United concerts- this guy was completely unchurched- but he got so impacted by the presence of God that it’s out of that that he seeded the idea of people being able to go to theatres and experience this also. So when that was pitched to us, we said ‘this we can do’, but if it was anything else then we wouldn’t be interested,” explains Houston. “I deeply hope that it blesses lots of people.”
Bobbie and Brian have kept their eyes on Jesus. And, naturally, in putting Him first, they are never second. People from all walks of life are drawn to the tangible presence of God present at every service. As more profiled people lean in to embark on the same journey as us, the press- like they do- invade in on the unnecessary.
“People are fascinated with celebrities. The world is fascinated with celebrity. The short answer is that celebrities are people also. Why does it have to be such a big deal if a searching heart is coming to church and embarking on the journey that we’re all on? America is fascinated with celebrity. Completely fascinated. There are wonderful people who are leaning into faith and leaning into the church, and we try to protect them and not make a fuss of them,” says Houston on celebrities finding their feet in Christ.
If you were unable to attend this year’s conference, I encourage you to tune in online for an opportunity to fall into a greater romance with our Lord and saviour, and let your soul rest in the truly inspiring messages that were brought to us at this year’s conference. And if you’re unable too, don’t forget, there’s always next year!
To get involved in Hillsong Europe 2016 click HERE to register!
By Lisa Walden