Hillsong plants new church in Cape Town

Hillsong Church, known affectionately as the church that never sleeps, and also the bedrock from which the well known music ministry Hillsong and Hillsong United springs, is in the process of planting a brand new church in the city of Cape Town.

The church, founded by Brian and Bobbie Houston 25 years ago in the suburbs of Sydney's Hills district, announced its plans to establish a church in Cape Town following successful plants in London and Kiev in the Ukraine.

The plant will be headed by pastors Phil and Lucinda Dooley. They have been integral parts of the Hillsong Church and oversaw the leadership of the youth ministry in Sydney for 12 years as well as holding leadership positions in the Worship & Creative Arts and Women's Ministries.

Phil and Lucinda have three kids and have recently relocated to Cape Town to establish the church. "Our passion is to raise up a Church that will be a blessing to the people of Cape Town, bringing the hope of Jesus Christ to the lives of individuals from every part of society," says Phil. "We cannot wait to meet those who are interested in being part of the new church and begin this adventure together."

Hillsong Church has grown both in number and influence in the last few years, directing much of its efforts to projects impacting its surrounding communities under its city care arm. The Church has also sponsored an entire region of impoverished children through Compassion International's Child Sponsorship Programme in Uganda and providing aid and relief to victims of both the Asian tsunami and Sudan. A strong commitment to the poor will be one of the Cape Town Church's main areas of focus.

Hillsong has also had success with Hillsong TV, which is broadcast to over 160 countries, the dynamic Hillsong Conference in Sydney which draws up to 30 000 delegates and is reported to be Australia's largest annual conference, and Colour Your World women's conference that alongside Hillsong Conference is now duplicated in both Kiev and London, Colour UK now filling London's iconic Royal Albert Hall.

"Hillsong Church is for any kind of person," said Phil and Lucinda.

9am and 6pm services will commence at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 15 June.