Hillsong Church has launched a 24-hour television channel giving world-wide access to their worship, Bible teaching and conferences.
Hillsong Channel, a collaboration between Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and Hillsong Church, seeks to "reach and influence the world by building a large Christ-centered, Bible-based television channel that changes mindsets and empowers people to lead and impact in every sphere of life," said Hillsong pastor Brian Houston.
Hillsong, which began in 1983 with a small congregation in Sydney, Australia, has grown to include 15 church campuses across six continents with a combined weekly attendance close to 100,000. The Hillsong Channel is predicted to reach nearly 165 million households around the world.
Houston described the channel on his blog as sending a message "around the globe through their televisions screens, bringing JESUS into homes, palaces and prisons alike.
"A channel that is constantly looking towards the future – filled with a vision that inspires and influences many."
Rather than being a substitute for Sunday services, Houston predicted the channel will be a resource for "pastors and parishioners alike every day of the week".
Hillsong is famous its worship, having released 47 worship albums so far, and hopes the channel will lead the church in "revolutionary communication of an ancient message through media, film and technology."
It aims to encourage "unity through diversity" by "showcasing the body of Christ in all her glory with different styles of worshipping and different ways of communicating; encouraging every viewer to be all that God has called them to be."
TBN's influence is also global, with more than 30 networks carried by more than 80 satellite channels, nearly a dozen of which will be dedicated to the Hillsong Channel.
"That's how important we feel it is to get the life-changing ministry and worship of Hillsong to every corner of the earth," said Crouch.
