This past Sunday Hillsong Church launched its Atlanta campus at the city’s Event Center, formerly Club Opera, in the heart of downtown. Jonathan McReynolds and Hip hop rapper Da’ T.R.U.T.H performed at the service, and the new lead pastor, Sam Collier, preached a sermon on justice.
Hillsong shared the news of the opening to congregants on social media in anticipation of the opening, along with their new song “Welcome Home.”
“So, we wrote a song…and shot a music video…to celebrate our OPENING! This is our first musical release from Hillsong Atlanta. “WELCOME HOME” featuring: @Gloman1, @DaTruthOnDutyand our Lead Pastor, @SamCollier,” the church wrote. “Share this video with your friends and let them know that Hillsong Atlanta is here!”
“I like the fact that they’re not straying away from the culture of Atlanta and the culture of hip hop,” said Christian rapper, Terran Gilbert.
Hillsong has locations in about a dozen US cities and 28 countries, averaging a total global attendance of 150,000 a week, according to its website. The Atlanta service ministered to 2,200 people in person and 30,000 online.
At the service, Da’ T.R.U.T.H rapped the lyrics to his song, “The Faith.” Grammy Award-winning Gospel artist, Jonathan McReynolds sang his hit song, “Not Lucky, I’m Loved.” McReynolds also posted a snippet of himself and the head of Hillsong Church, Brian Houston, singing and jumping during the service.
“Even @brianchouston’s gotta jump! One thing I’ve noticed: you CAN’T stay down when you’re jumping. Congrats @samcollier and @hillsongatlanta‼️.”
Collier is the first African American to serve as lead pastor of a Hillsong Church. He previously ministered at Ebenezer Baptist Church, the home church of Martin Luther King Jr., and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
In his sermon, Collier spoke from Exodus 3:7 in a message he called that spoke to how we form racial reconciliation in “the Birthplace of Civil Rights.”
“God is talking to Moses about his own people in captivity. He invites Moses into a solution. He told Moses, I need you to go and free the people. Because of Moses’ sacrifice, he sets the captives free,” Collier said. “God is inviting us into revival where Black and white and political divisions will go away. We’ve been separate for too long, every race, every political affinity. We love the same Jesus and therefore we should be together. We should be unified about being unified especially in the city of MLK. What started in Australia will continue here.”
Supporters from all around have been showing love to Hillsong Atlanta. Chris Amedez, lead pastor of Hillsong Buenos Aires showed support to his fellow congregation.
He wrote, “What a day!!! Welcome to the familia!!”