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Darlene
Zschech : Hillsong
Music Australia is the resource arm of Hillsong Church, a
rapidly growing Church in Sydney, Australia pastored by Brian
and Bobbie Houston. Hills Christian Life Centre, as it was
formerly known, had its first service on 14 August 1983 with
a congregation of 45 people meeting in a High School hall.
From its humble beginnings as a single desk operation, Hillsong
Music Australia has grown to the dynamic Music label it is
today. Operating with one casual staff member in its beginnings,
now in 2001 HMA employs twelve full time staff members to
keep up with the ever-increasing demand for music products
all over the globe.
"Hillsongs"
as it was originally called recorded its first album in 1988.
'Spirit And Truth' was a studio recording featuring eleven
songs. The sphere of influence of this album was the church
and a few friends of the church. From there, came 'Show Your
Glory' in 1990. Also a studio recording, this was the first
album to be marketed and distributed outside Australia, edging
its way into the European market. Then in 1992 came the first
live recording 'The Power Of Your Love'. In 1993 'Stone's
Been Rolled Away' was recorded, the first live album to be
captured on video tape. This paved the way for a new live
praise and worship album each year since, including 'People
Just Like Us', 'Friends In High Places', 'God Is In The House',
'All Things Are Possible', 'Touching Heaven Changing Earth',
'By Your Side', 'United [Live] - Everyday', 2000's 'For This
Cause' the eleventh live Praise and Worship album, and the
latest live album to be released 'United [Live] - Best Friend',
the second live Hillsong Contemporary recording! HMA have
also released a number of compilation albums including the
'Hillsong Worship Series', 'Hillsong Instrumental Series',
and Special Editions 'Millennium: the Story So Far', 'Jesus,
Christmas Worship Down Under' and 'Hills Praise'. Integrity
Music USA have recorded two live albums at Hillsong Church
entitled 'Shout To The Lord', which has currently overshot
the 500 000 in worldwide sales mark, and 'Shout To The Lord
2000'. The latter attaining number two status on the US Christian
charts and making it to the Billboard charts. HMA has celebrated
the achievement of ten albums attaining Gold Status in Australia
and ten in New Zealand. 'People Just Like Us' was the first-ever
Christian album to go Gold in Australia. Senior Pastor Brian
Houston says of the success of the music "All we've ever
done is just have church. This is what God has anointed us
to do. It's about reaching and influencing people. The worship
is what it is because of the spirit of the church. The songs
reflect the heart of the church."
Hillsongs operated from a one room office at Hillsong Church
for some years. As it began to grow, the marketing and distribution
of the product was taken on by Christian Marketing Australasia.
Hillsongs was originally given the name 'Power Ministries
International' - the incorporation of the word 'International'
was ridiculed in some circles with many not believing that
this little local church from 'Down Under' could amount to
anything of international proportion. However as the music
began to become more established and the annual Hillsong Conference
rapidly grew, 'Power Ministries International' in 1994 became
Hillsongs Australia and in 1998 Hillsong Music Australia.
As the popularity of the music spread throughout Australia
and beyond, various distribution companies around the world
began to seek after the distribution rights to the music in
their territories. Today, Hillsong Music is distributed throughout
over thirty different countries worldwide. The music has been
translated into multiple languages the world over. In July
1997, Hillsongs Australia took over the Australian marketing
and distribution responsibilities. HMA now distributes directly
to all Christian Retail Stores Australia wide. HMA also distribute
a number of other products including albums from the Parachute
Band in New Zealand. In January 1999, Hillsong products were
released into the secular Australian market by Warner Music
Australia. A large percentage of Hillsong music sales comes
through direct marketing. Every day people from every nation
send emails and faxes, make phone calls and access the HMA
website to order online. Hillsong Music is at the forefront
of Christian Music throughout the world, with the live praise
and worship albums now achieving gold status sales within
only weeks from the date of release. The worship team at Hillsong
Church is led by Worship Pastor Darlene Zschech, writer of
Shout To The Lord. Darlene works with a dedicated group of
singers and musicians who week in and week out give of their
time and energy to lead their church into an atmosphere of
worship. It is this dedication that is reflected on the albums.
God is continually raising up new talent within the team with
the result that new songs are being taught to the church almost
every weekend. Every week letters with comments such as this
are received through the Hillsong office. From the Middle
East, to Africa, throughout the depths of China and into small
tribal villages in the Philippines the music coming out of
this 'local church from Down Under' is impacting people in
ways that only God can be glorified for. What a privilege
to work in partnership with Him.
 _.:Hillsong
Official Site
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