Hillsong Apr 2026
: Hillsong revolutionized modern church music. Its labels, Hillsong Worship and Hillsong UNITED, produced global anthems like "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)," becoming a dominant producer of Contemporary Christian Songs (CCS).
Hillsong Church, once the gold standard of global megachurches and "cool Christianity," has transitioned from a cultural juggernaut into a case study of institutional crisis. Founded in Sydney in 1983 by Brian Houston, the church gained international fame for its chart-topping worship music and high-profile celebrity congregants, including Justin Bieber and Chris Pratt. Hillsong
: In the 2010s, the NYC branch—led by the charismatic and fashionable Carl Lentz —became a cultural phenomenon, drawing thousands of young professionals and celebrities to arenas. : Hillsong revolutionized modern church music
Starting in 2020, a series of public revelations shattered the church's reputation: False Profits: Hillsong - Apple Podcasts Founded in Sydney in 1983 by Brian Houston,
: The church branded itself with a "come as you are" message, prioritizing a modern, high-production atmosphere that felt more like a rock concert than a traditional service. The Fall: Scandals and Leadership Collapse