Hillsong United

I-Heart Revolution

 

Hillsong United never set out to make films or build an online community, but responded to the inspiration that they experienced when touring the world. As the band saw extreme poverty first hand and the injustices associated with it, they questioned “if the worship within the four walls of a Church is having no affect on the streets travelled to get there, then maybe we’re (as Christians) missing the point.” I-HEART is the response to this question and has since evolved into a social justice movement.

In 2008, Hillsong United released ‘With Hearts as One,’ a double CD and DVD. Shown in 200 cinemas across Canada alone, its aim was to capture the heartfelt singing at Hillsong United Events around the world to illustrate the global unity Christians have when worshiping. Hillsong United’s recordings are intended to, as Joel Houston, the Creative Director of Hillsong Church explains, “stir up a generation both locally and globally to live lives that are sold out for God and His Cause - lives that are committed to being His hands and feet on the planet, and to bringing justice to the hurting and the broken.”

In 2009, Hillsong United went on to launch ‘We’re All in This Together,’ the second part of I-HEART. It is a feature-length film that examines the inseparable union of worship and justice. Using real stories and animation, the film inspires and challenges people to think creatively about helping people, and then to act, contributing to the global I-HEART movement of people helping people.

To further facilitate this action, an online community has been created as interactive space for collaboration. Part three of I-HEART; http://www.i-heart.org puts legs on the inspiration of the film, as a united force of recognizing need, sharing ideas and working together to do something to help people. As Joel Houston explains, “Imagine a global online community where at any moment you can see what other like-minded people all around the world are doing locally to make a difference. It's about being the change.. Locally, and together having global effect..” Individuals have the opportunity to learn about global issues through the I-HEART 20 CAUSES, inspire others, be inspired themselves and collaborate around social justice issues on a global level. Organizations can similarly build an interactive profile of their own, attracting and building support. Collectively, the website is a new space for purposed based dialogue, working together; to help more people; help more people.

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