For the past few months ever since I found out about Hillsong I have wanted to visit there for awhile. I watched some of there sermons found out a bunch of celebrities attend when they can and that the music I have been listening to all these years have been from there branch in Australia ! I honestly never thought I would get the chance to attend until my aunt decided to take me as my birthday gift. I heard that there was a long line and I was very scared we were not going to get there on time but in all seriousness everything worked out in God's plan. I know he wanted me there and the whole day went perfectly we smooth. We drove to New York got right in the doors because we were early and I got the chance to just soak it all in. When you walk in you have to go down an escalator. When you get off the escalator the whole inside is pretty cool . To the right they have a welcome and info bar. To your left they have a gift station where you can buy Hillsong's books, t-shirts and cd's. They also have a lounge where people can sit and hangout, get some free coffee and talk. They have tv's everywhere also so you can sit in a seat outside of the main service and watch it on a tv. The whole atmosphere was so great. The volunteers and people who worked for them gave me such a strong welcome. They had smiles on there faces and were so excited to speak and talk about there church and it really makes you feel welcome. When they let us into the service the music was really loud people were holding there hands up and singing and it was beautiful. The youth pastor was speaking that day and he came on and said exactly everything I needed to hear. He was funny and he made me laugh. He was loud so he kept my ears in check and he preached exactly from the Bible. One thing he said that will stick with me forever is that he was explaining about Season's. We have so many seasons and we always have to shift and change within our clothes or put our heat or air conditioning on. We have to change our activities and it may seem hard to change. He stated that Jesus never changes he always stays the same. Which was pretty cool to hear because I go through lots of changes over the course of a year or through a holiday or season and sometimes it's a good change. However, I do experience bad changes and I always somehow loose sight of my savior at least once a year or more and that breaks my heart. The Pastor was just opening my eyes just saying that Jesus loves us and that he died on the cross for us so we could live. He gave us three things to apply to our daily lives and I feel ashamed because I forget what they were but I just felt a strong connection there. I felt like I belonged and it was so nice to feel accepted and appreciated and to not have any distractions during the service. It wasn't boring it was fun and exciting and a new adventure. I LOVED Hillsong. One of my favorite parts were the skittles. They gave out little cups of skittles to each person and I thought that was a sweet touch. Overall my experience was amazing. I was just amazed at the people who received Christ as there savior. I was amazed by what there approach was and I love how FRESH they are. Every church I have ever been too has always stayed the same. There music wasn't great, there service was boring.. it was always something. But Hillsong didn't give me any reason to not like it. It was beautiful and they are truly doing great things within New York City but as well as all over the place. I love Hillsong, I plan on going back and I am very appreciative that I had the chance to experience it and have "ME" time. I rarely get to gather my thoughts and work on myself and yesterday was a day I got the chance to do that. God bless you all. God is Good and the fact that he got me there yesterday with no issues was beautiful! Very thankful for my aunt and uncle. As well as my little cousin who I got to experience Hillsong with. I am SOO grateful God gave me the opportunity and I pray he gives me the opportunity to go again.!
