CYW2016

COLOUR CONFERENCE / A MODERN DAY MOVEMENT CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS TWENTY-16

THE SISTERHOOD 2

“WE LOOK AT THIS SON AND SEE THE GOD WHO CANNOT BE SEEN. WE LOOK AT THIS SON AND SEE GOD’S ORIGINAL PURPOSE IN EVERYTHING CREATED. FOR EVERYTHING, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, ABOVE AND BELOW, VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE, RANK AFTER RANK AFTER RANK OF ANGELS - EVERYTHING GOT STARTED IN HIM AND FINDS ITS PURPOSE IN HIM… HE WAS SUPREME IN THE BEGINNING… HE IS SUPREME IN THE END. FROM BEGINNING TO END HE’S THERE, TOWERING FAR ABOVE EVERYTHING, EVERYONE. SO SPACIOUS IS HE, SO ROOMY, THAT EVERYTHING OF GOD FINDS ITS PROPER PLACE IN HIM WITHOUT CROWDING. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT ALL THE BROKEN AND DISLOCATED PIECES OF THE UNIVERSE - PEOPLE AND THINGS, ANIMALS AND ATOMS - GET PROPERLY FIXED AND FIT TOGETHER IN VIBRANT HARMONIES, ALL BECAUSE OF HIS DEATH, HIS BLOOD THAT POURED DOWN FROM THE CROSS… THERE IS NO OTHER MESSAGE - JUST THIS ONE. EVERY CREATURE UNDER HEAVEN GETS THIS SAME MESSAGE”.

COLOSSIANS 1

(THE MESSAGE)

BE FOUND IN THE MYSTERY 3

THE ROAD LEADS HOME A N

I N V I T A T I O N

British writer and scholar C.S. Lewis once wrote, “ONE ROAD LEADS HOME

I’m personally excited for 2016.

AND A THOUSAND ROADS LEAD INTO THE WILDERNESS”.

The language of BE FOUND continues, with the thought of being found in the Life is a journey. It can be fabulous and rewarding, complex and challenging,

mystery. The Bible says: “all the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are

yet what is common to all is that the pathways we’re all navigating are leading

embedded in that mystery and nowhere else”. (Colossians 2:3 The Message)

somewhere. Of course the question is where? Where is that path or road leading,

That mystery may unfold in grandeur and wonder for all of eternity, but what we

where are circumstances or challenges leading, where is our faith, or lack thereof,

need to know, here and now in this present age, is not a secret.

taking us?

We are living in days where the simplicity and miracle working truth within the Within the pages of this magazine brochure is a glimpse into the lives of a handful

Gospel message is becoming so clear, magnetic and compelling, that people are

of women, who were radically impacted by an encounter along that road – an

being drawn from those places of “wilderness” into the richest and most freeing

encounter that reframed, redirected or brought hope to their story. Our hope is

treasures of that mystery. So on that note, this invitation is not exclusive. It

that you will read and be inspired because, when we peel back the layers of life,

belongs to you, and I am confident that the windows of heaven will yet again open

background or even culture, we’re actually all very similar – just girls doing life

over us, and that the goodness and kindness of God will continue to brighten our

and seeking to do it well.

paths. The Bible says: “the path of the just is like the shining sun that shines even brighter unto the perfect day”. (Proverbs 4:18 NKJV)

** This brochure is also an invitation to the 20th year of the Colour Your World

**

Women’s Conference – affectionately known to many around the world as simply

Colour is hosted in five major cities around the world – Sydney/Australia,

Colour.

Cape Town/South Africa, London/England, Kiev/Ukraine and for the first time in the USA in New York City.

From the outset, this gathering of diverse and fabulous women has run with a mandate focused on the value of women and womanhood. It began with what we

As always, fantastic guest speakers and our own amazing global Hillsong team

call a “whisper” and has grown into a movement of thousands on every continent

will grace the various platforms and bring a little slice of heaven to all gathered.

of the earth. It has welcomed and embraced women of every age, status and

I’m excited to also announce that my book, THE SISTERHOOD, will launch at

background inspiring them to understand that there is more to life than what is

this milestone conference. It is memoir in style, framing this 20 year journey and

temporal or fleeting. As we have grown together in stature and understanding,

the true spirit of sisterhood. Many will recognize themselves within the pages and

we have, as individuals and as a collective movement, positioned ourselves into

hopefully it will propel multitudes of women forward like never before.

the gap and fray of making the world a better place.

As always, this invitation is to you and anyone in your sphere of influence who you Twenty years is a milestone, and I want to thank every faithful and gorgeous

believe would benefit from a fun and inspiring few days away together. So turn the

person who has been on this journey with me. The girls have certainly come a

page and enjoy a small glimpse of what is to come in 2016. We love you.

long way – our sense of origin, purpose, stance and voice has matured, and as we launch into wherever the future leads, I am confident that as a united “sisterhood” we will be a stunning beacon of light to anyone who finds themselves in a place of

A LWAY S A N D F O R E V E R ,

wilderness or darkness.

BOBBIE HOUSTON Host & Founder

THE SISTERHOOD 4

BE FOUND IN THE MYSTERY 5

BELLA

THE SISTERHOOD 6

DEFINED BY GENUINE EMPATHY, THE INFLUENCE OF THIS HOST OF WORLD-CHANGERS IS BEING FELT IN LOCAL AND GLOBAL CONTEXTS - FROM ENDEAVOURS THAT BRING CARE TO THE FRAGILE IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES, THROUGH TO THE GLOBAL ISSUES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND POVERTY. AT THE CORE OF SISTERHOOD IS A MESSAGE OF VALUE, AND A GENUINE DESIRE TO ‘UNITE IN FRIENDSHIP AND CAUSE’, IN ORDER TO BRING HOPE WHERE HOPE HAS BEEN LOST. THE SPIRIT OF SISTERHOOD IS SEEN AND FELT IN THE FERVENT PRAYER OF THOUSANDS OF WOMEN WHO FAITHFULLY UPHOLD NATIONS WHERE INJUSTICE AND DARKNESS RAGE OUT OF CONTROL. IT IS SEEN AND FELT IN YOUNG WOMEN BEING INSPIRED BY THE WISDOM AND GRACE OF THEIR MOTHERS AND THE WOMEN AHEAD OF THEM IN THIS JOURNEY OF LIFE. IT IS SEEN AND FELT IN THE RELENTLESS NETWORKING OF EVERYDAY GIRLS IN THEIR LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOODS AND IN PLACES OF INFLUENCE, AS THEY RAISE AWARENESS AND FIND SOLUTIONS FOR THE SUFFERING, FORGOTTEN AND ABUSED OF THIS WORLD. THERE ARE MANY PAGES AND CHAPTERS WITHIN THE STORY OF GOD’S DAUGHTERS ON THE EARTH, AND AS THE ‘I AM SISTERHOOD’ DECLARATION STATES, WE FIND OURSELVES IN OUR OWN ‘HERE AND NOW’ WITH MORE PAGES YET TO BE WRITTEN AND EXPERIENCED. FOR INSIGHT INTO THE BREADTH OF THE COLOUR SISTERHOOD, GO ONLINE AND PERUSE THROUGH THE VARIOUS HUMANITARIAN INITIATIVES AND 500 PROJECT RESPONSES. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. COLOURSISTERHOOD.COM

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HEATHER

THE SISTERHOOD 8

HELENE FROM SYDNEY F O U N D BY T H E O N E W H O H E A R S O U R P R AY E R S

“I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY CARED BUT I APPRECIATED IT.”

was supposed to be alive. The next morning I woke up positive, happy and sure of what I needed to do next. I needed to go to church.

If you saw me now you would never believe where I was just a few short years ago.

Today I am happily married to a wonderful man who loves both me and God, and

I went to the same church that the street teams had come from because they always

we are raising children together. But just a few years ago I was living in a rough

seemed so happy. The minute I walked in the feeling was unexplainable and I

part of Sydney, and was facing a difficult path.

started to cry. During the service I was radically saved, and healing continued as I learned about how the church seeks to empower women and place value on them.

I had just left a very violent relationship, and was struggling to get by with my two year old child. My ex would still come and hurt me. I didn’t know what to do or

My story is that from a background of violence and mistreatment, I found “home”

who to turn to. I was depressed and my life was full of violence and hopelessness.

in church, a God who hears my prayers, and a reason to keep living.

A neighbour was a Christian. She would often visit me, bringing me gifts and reading to me from the Bible. I wondered why she kept coming and why she was so happy. There was also a group of volunteers, called ‘street teams’, who used ELISE FROM AMSTERDAM

to visit me every fortnight from the local church, talk to me and see if they could help with anything. I didn’t know many people in the area, so those visits made my

FOUND BY THE ONE WHO IS FULL OF GRACE

week. I didn’t understand why they cared, but I appreciated it. One day I asked my neighbour how to pray. She said, “it doesn’t matter how you pray, you can

The church I grew up in sadly focussed on rules, performance and good

scream or say anything. GOD WILL HEAR YOU.”

behaviour. I didn’t live in freedom and love, but in condemnation, anxiety and fear of punishment. But then I had an encounter with God Himself. I discovered Him

Somehow that stuck with me and then one day, when I couldn’t see a way out

for myself - discovered He is actually a God of grace and goodness. Everything

of my situation, I decided to end my own life... but something stopped me. I

then changed for me.

remembered my neighbour’s words. In that moment I cried out to God and Full story online: colourconference.com/elisea

begged him to give me strength, to show me what do to, and to prove to me that I

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TINA

THE SISTERHOOD 10

R YA M F R O M L A FOUND BY THE ONE WHO LIFTS THE SHADOWS

sad because we would be coming back here. She also assured us everything was

I was eight years old when our lives collided with hope. My mother, who had

going to be okay.

recently separated from my father, walked into a tiny church in our neighbourhood desperate for a glimpse of hope during a very dark season in her life. What she

The next day the pastors visited us, and with them came a new fridge and bags

found there (and what we, her three children, found there) was not only a message

full of groceries. They held our hands and prayed with us. They told us Jesus was

of hope, but the loving outstretched hands of Jesus Himself.

with us, that He would never leave us - and everything they did for us was because Jesus had done it for them first. It was in that moment, when I saw my mother find

At the time we were living in a one bedroom apartment with only a mattress and

the hope she was so desperately seeking, that I fell in love with Jesus.

an ice-cooler that served as a fridge. My mother, who cleaned houses to make ends meet, had just suffered a nervous breakdown and was battling with the

I’ve been madly in love with Him ever since and His love has never failed me.

thought of taking her own life. She was lonely, disheartened, and struggling to keep her life afloat - and although I was only a little girl, as the eldest child, I could feel her pain.

KALLEIGH FROM NEW ZEALAND / LONDON

I remember, as if it were yesterday, the day we walked into the church. The ushers greeted us with warm smiles and my siblings and I were lovingly whisked away

FOUND BY THE ONE WHO REVEALS HIMSELF

to a little room filled with what seemed an endless array of art supplies, bubbles and toys. We sang songs about a man named Jesus, and heard a story about a boy

I called out to God - ‘If you are REAL, reveal yourself to me’. And He did. If

named David, told by a sweet young woman with curly brown hair that smelled

someone had tried to convince me otherwise the next morning, I would not have

of vanilla. It was the best hour and a half of my life. I felt so sad when it ended,

believed them, because I had encountered Him for myself.

but when my mum came to pick us up I knew something was different. She was Full story online: colourconference.com/kalleigh

different. It’s as if the dark shadows had been lifted off her. She told us not to be

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12

Jaipur / INDIA JAYNIE

DESIREE FROM NYC FOUND BY THE ONE WHO PROTECTS OUR FUTURE

To meet this couple is to love them. They’re magnetic and gorgeous, yet like many they’ve had to make choices to stay

stepped in to arrest our attention. Eventually we ended up moving to New York,

on the right path. Allow their honesty to encourage you to not

and in June 2011, I found myself on the balcony of a nightclub in NYC, tears

compromise the things that are important.

running down my face.

I thought I was heading ‘home’ - home to my dreams and aspirations. When I was

There was a spotlight with a girl playing acoustic guitar with a folk-like sound.

19 years old, I packed all my things and moved to Nashville. I met a guy named

As she played quietly in the background, a preacher spoke. I couldn’t see them,

Blaze and we hit it off. Two years into our relationship, we got together, got

I could only hear them, but something happened. In that very moment, the Holy

married and decided to form a band.

Spirit took hold of my heart and I made a decision that would change my life forever. I had found myself in a nightclub, with arms raised in reckless abandon

We did the whole Nashville thing.

and a heart open to possibility. For the first time ever, I felt home... as if this was the first place I could truly be me and where Blaze and I could grow as a couple

We played in every bar in town and I knew nothing other than cowboy boots,

and family. God had protected our marriage and our future.

embellished shirts and sound monitors with crazy feedback. We had tons of opportunity, found ourselves signed by a label and were on our way to super

Who would have thought that the road home would be so complex and

stardom. There was just one thing though. To fit in and make it in that world, we

unpredictable and yet so simple and beautiful. My husband and I have served

chose not to tell anyone that we were married.

faithfully in this house, church and vision for nearly five years. We love it. This is OUR HOME.

One thing is for certain, it is hard to be faithful and true when you’re prancing around a town full of doe eyes and dreams, with no ring on your finger. We were definitely in trouble.

SONIA FROM LA

We started showcasing for major labels and landed a spot on a television show.

The show wanted us to tell our journey to rising stardom. Needless to say, we had

FOUND BY THE ONE WHO LOVES US AS WE ARE

to reveal that we were married. Shortly after, we went to a meeting with our record label. We walked out of that meeting with no contract, no album, no television

The feeling was unexplainable and I wanted the entire world to experience exactly

show, and quite frankly, no marriage. This was rock bottom.

what I was feeling. It was the feeling of wholeness, acceptance and the reality that I am perfect just the way I am.

As I look back I can see God’s hand of protection over both of us. We were so Full story online: colourconference.com/sonia

vulnerable to compromise in our marriage and it felt like God had miraculously

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14

Myli / CAPE TOWN TRACEY

H W VA R F R O M S Y D N E Y F O U N D BY T H E O N E W H O WA I T S F O R U S

On that first night at youth I encountered Jesus Christ and haven’t look back since. My conversion was radical and instantly everyone in my world saw a change - my demeanor, character, language and everything else was different, and I

I was born in Kurdistan, Iraq. When I was little we had to run and escape because

began to see myself the way Jesus sees me. I suddenly found myself loving people

my father was targeted by the president of Iraq, Saddam Hussain. I was just a

like He does, a far cry from being the school bully. I was invited to become school

toddler and my mother was pregnant. We lived in a United Nations tent in the

captain and ran the chapel services at school.

snow on the border of Iraq and Iran for two years. My little brother was born in that tent. If it was not for the UN and the work they do for refugees we would

Although it has been a bumpy road with my parents, by the grace of God right

have not survived. I was four years old when we came to Australia under political

now, they are accepting of my faith. Although some of my extended family

asylum.

still don’t speak to me, they are slowly softening - and I know that one day our relationship will be restored.

I grew up in a strong Muslim family, with relatives who are Muslim scholars and leaders. I actively practiced the faith, including fasting and praying five times a day, however in my teenage years I began to feel a spiritual disconnect and felt as though my faith had no relevance to my life. When I was 15 years old, although

JULIE FROM LONDON

my family remained Muslim, I stopped following Islam altogether.

FOUND BY THE ONE WHO LOVES ME REGARDLESS My grades at school were very good, however I was a mean teenager and became the school bully. I was constantly suspended and in the principal’s office for bad

On the outside I appeared super confident, but on the inside I was a deeply

behaviour. In 2010, towards the end of year 10, these twins came to my school.

insecure girl. Finally when my lifestyle had caused me enough pain - I turned to

Something was different about them and I was instantly drawn to them, even

God. I don’t recognise that girl from 20 years ago.

though we were polar opposites. For an entire year they persevered in inviting Full story online: colourconference.com/julie

me to their youth group and when I ran out of excuses, I finally agreed.

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16

Cheryl MEG & Laura / INDIA

IRA FROM KIEV FOUND BY THE ONE WHO HEARS THE CRY WITHIN I remember “the cry of my heart” was to be with Him and that everything would return back to normal.

Prayer is an integral part of our response as a Colour movement to the global tragedy of women and girls who have been

Miraculously and for no apparent reason, my traffickers decided to return me

entrapped in the industry of human trafficking. Ira’s story is

home. They bought me a plane ticket and told me that it was because my family

nothing short of miraculous.

loved me that I needed to go back. I honestly believe that God heard that cry within my heart and saved me.

My parents divorced when I was only three and my mother moved in with another man. I often stayed with my grandmother, until finally my mother left with her

I am now happily married, have two incredible children and most importantly, I

boyfriend forever. My grandma was a believer and she told me about God. When I

have found my way home to Jesus and a caring family within His church.

turned seven, I found Him for myself. I had two specific dreams where He showed me that He had died for me, that He loved me and wanted to talk with me.

Growing up I often felt inadequate because I didn’t have a mother or father

YULI FROM BARCELONA

present in my life. I had no sense of value and felt damaged and useless. I attended a church at 15, but the brokenness within wouldn’t allow anyone close, I even

FOUND BY THE ONE WHO FORGIVES US

kept God at a distance. I looked outwards to find someone who could help me feel important and valuable. This led to a short and tragic marriage. Shortly after,

I felt so strange at the beginning because I couldn’t fathom that God loved me.

a friend took advantage of me and sold me into sex slavery. At that point I thought

I thought that was for everyone else, but not me. I felt undeserving. I thought I

that this was the end, that my story was over. However, thousands of kilometers

was just an insignificant single mum who had done it all wrong. How wrong I was.

away, in a foreign country surrounded by strangers, I suddenly remembered Full story online: colourconference.com/yuli

Jesus and what He had done and said to me. I don’t even remember praying, but

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BROOKLYNNE

THE SISTERHOOD 18

SILKE FROM GERMANY FOUND BY THE ONE WHO CALLS OUR NAME

Slowly I started opening my heart. One night I found myself alone in the hostel

“I SHUT DOWN ON THE INSIDE, FELT COLD ABOUT EVERYTHING

room consumed with sorrow, frustration and loneliness. In that moment, I heard

AND WITHDREW INTO ISOLATION.”

a voice speak my name - “Silke!” I just knew it was Jesus. His presence filled the room. Grace met me right where I was.

I was born in East Germany behind the iron curtain so I grew up never hearing about God. When ‘the wall’ fell in 1989 my father sought a job in South

Healing has been a process, but I began to seek His presence, wanting to know

Germany. I couldn’t imagine anything worse than leaving my hometown, friends

more. Home was calling, so I returned to Germany. I moved to Konstanz and

and everything I knew. I loved my life there and something within me crumbled

four weeks later met a young couple returning from study at Hillsong College in

and died when we left. I was 14 years old and I felt completely uprooted. Six years

Sydney. They were planting a church. Here I was, on the other side of the world,

later I lost my footing with the sudden passing of my dad. I shut down on the

in a little German town and God had set me up again with the reality of a spiritual

inside, felt cold about everything and withdrew into isolation.

home and family.

To cope and to protect myself from being hurt, I decided to travel. Backpacking

Sometimes I still find it challenging to stay planted. Isolation had called my

through Australia (somewhere near Cairns), I noticed a guy in my hostel reading

name on so many occasions and had become familiar to me, but nothing has ever

his Bible. Rather sarcastically I said, “Oh, how nice, you are reading your Bible.”

touched me and drawn me like the ‘Call of Jesus’.

Before he had time to respond, I felt a cold shiver go through my entire body into the deepest part of my soul and I started to cry. The cork in the bottle of ‘tightly held grief’ suddenly popped. Shocked, I ran out of the room, but the boy followed me. What I didn’t know at that time, was that the only reason Johann was

S H AY D E F R O M S Y D N E Y

in Cairns was that God had told him: “Go north, salvation is waiting there.” He had been hesitant to do so, but had obeyed not knowing what to expect.

FOUND BY THE ONE WHO LOVES ME

That night, for the first time in many years, I opened my life to a new friendship.

From the very beginning of my life the odds were against me, but the relentless

Many conversations followed - I asked him all the tough questions about sin,

loving pursuit of God has saved me from the destructive forces I saw affect my

salvation and eternity. I was rebellious, confronting and stubborn, but he was

own family.

consistently honest, caring and open. He kept inviting me to church, and I kept Full story online: colourconference.com/shayde

refusing until he invited me to a church BBQ. I liked the idea of a free meal!

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Michka / CAPE TOWN MEREDITH

MICHKA FROM CAPE TOWN F O U N D BY T H E O N E W H O I S FAT H E R

From a young age, I grew up moving around a lot. I had no relationship with my biological father. He didn’t want a relationship with me, even though I tried so

I turned to my friend and asked, “Can I put up my hand up?”

many times. I knew that it hurt me, but I never realised that it would affect the way I thought about men and future relationships.

From that day, 22 January 2012, an amazing journey of healing, growing and joy began to take place in my life and in my family. Everyday I learnt more and more

When I was around 16, I was abused by someone who was meant to be a father

what love was, and what it was to be a daughter and to have a father.

figure. It felt wrong, but I thought, “That’s what fathers do, they hurt you”, and anyway, I didn’t want to lose another daddy. By the time I was 18, I expected

Sometimes people say that maybe all those bad things happened to me so that I

to get hurt by any guy, but I still wanted them around so that I had that male

can help other girls and I can understand their pain, but I disagree. Rape, sexual

presence in my life.

abuse, emotional or physical hurt, that’s not from God! He never wants that for His daughter, but if it does happen, His love, grace and mercy can always heal it.

One night I went out with a few friends, but the guys we were with spiked our

He can turn it all around and use it to build His Kingdom and rebuild our broken

drinks. My best friend completely passed out. I could barely keep my eyes open

lives.

or speak. All I remember was being pushed up against the wall by one of the guys, not really aware of my surroundings and what was really happening. No one came to help or stop him so I didn’t react. I didn’t even realise that I was being raped.

ELISE FROM SYDNEY

That Sunday for some reason I ended up in church. From the moment worship started, my heart began to beat really fast, and as we sang the name of Jesus, I

FOUND BY THE ONE WHO WHO REVEALS TRUTH

realised what real love felt like. I remember crying and crying, because suddenly I knew that everything bad I had experienced wasn’t meant to have happened. All

From the age of 15 my life was defined by severe depression and anxiety, but as I

that hurt wasn’t part of God’s plan. I realised how broken I really was.

allowed the love of God to penetrate the darkness, I discovered the most amazing truth: I could fail and make mistakes but that didn’t make me a failure in God’s

When they asked who wanted to pray the salvation prayer, I remember desperately

eyes.

wanting to raise my hand but I didn’t really know whether I was allowed to have a Full story online: colourconference.com/elises

relationship with Jesus, to have a real father, a one who would REALLY love me.

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LAURA

THE SISTERHOOD 22

NANDI & SHEBO FROM SYDNEY / LONDON F O U N D BY T H E O N E W H O VA LU E S U S

These beautiful young women are living proof that beauty is far more than skin deep. Among other things, Nandi has been

We have never missed a Colour conference and Pastor Bobbie’s vision about

instrumental in developing and revising a program called

“placing value on womanhood” has become our own heart-song, our desire to be advocates ensuring the health and wellbeing of women around the world. Shine

SHINE, currently run in 35 nations. It focuses on the wellbeing

is a powerful tool offering a solution to the empowerment of women who are in

of young women and is birthed from the message of value that

situations beyond their own control. We feel privileged to be a part of a strong

permeates the Colour message and mandate.

company of women, who are making a difference to the emotional resilience of women and girls as they realise their worth, strength and purpose.

We were born in Zambia and are identical twins. Developing a healthy sense of identity was something that was very difficult for us, being mixed-race girls of

As sisters now living in Sydney and London, we feel blessed to be connected with

Australian and Zambian heritage. Our Australian and Zambian family were loving

a vision that now spans the earth and with a “spiritual home” that has rooms in

and ensured we understood that we belonged and that our lives mattered. Even

many nations where this message of value can bring hope and change.

still, like many others, our early childhood years proved to be a breeding ground for insecurity that we would each have to face in order to move on in life.

We left Zambia in 1991 and because we were blessed with a family of academics,

SARAH FROM GERMANY

doors opened for us to pursue higher education. Both of us now have masters and doctorate degrees. We now see these as God-given opportunities to fulfill

FOUND BY THE ONE WHO HEALS MY BROKENNESS

the individual callings that we each feel upon our lives.

At age 13 I started becoming very insecure, to the point where I hated myself. I In 2000, we walked into Hillsong Church. We immediately felt a strong sense of

felt unable to experience joy or hope. I tried to fill the emptiness with relationships

belonging that answered our heart’s desire for a place to call home. We have both

but nothing worked. When I found my faith again I found myself again and I

sown in and have felt blessed to be involved in the building of our much loved

experienced deep healing.

local church. The Shine program immediately resonated. We identified from our Full story online: colourconference.com/sarah

own lives and wanted to help others.

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Cheryl / INDIA

THE SISTERHOOD 24

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CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS / TWENTY-16

SYDNEY HILLSONG CONVENTION CENTRE Our flagship conference where it all began…

Conference One: 3rd - 5th March Conference Two: 7th - 9th March Conference Three: 10th - 12th March Conference Four: 14th - 16th March CAPE TOWN GRAND WEST ARENA A miracle story bearing testimony that when women “unite in friendship and cause”, the divides of the past are no match for His grace and possibilities.

Conference One: 6th - 7th April Conference Two: 8th - 9th April KIEV VENUE TO BE ANNOUNCED A miracle story born from the true heart of sisterhood an unfolding story of courage, grace, freedom and beauty.

22nd - 23rd April LONDON THE SSE ARENA, WEMBLEY (Formerly Wembley Arena)

A miracle story uniting the women of Europe with vision and resolve to raise a new breed of world changers and influencers.

28th - 30th April USA/NEW YORK CITY T H E T H E AT E R AT M A D I S O N S Q U A R E G A R D E N The miracle pages are yet to be written. We are excited to sow, water and strengthen a new day for the magnificent women within this great nation.

6th - 7th May

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YOUR HOSTS BOBBIE & BRIAN HOUSTON The leadership and worship teams of Hillsong Church will host and present the Colour experience alongside their Senior Pastors.

TOGETHER WE WILL GIVE OUR FINEST TO CREATE A STUNNING ENVIRONMENT OF CREATIVITY, WORSHIP, TEACHING, INSPIRATION, INNOVATION, FUN AND EMPOWERMENT. SIGNATURE TO COLOUR IS THE MOBILISATION OF WOMEN TO BE THE CHANGE IN THEIR LOCAL PLANTING OF COMMUNITY, CHURCH, CITY AND NATION. THE SISTERHOOD VISION IS ONGOING AND PROGRESSIVE, AND WE KNOW YOU WILL BE BLESSED AND INSPIRED.

GUESTS & TEAM

H O L LY W A G N E R Holly is our long time friend who was our first-ever guest at our first-ever Colour. We are excited that Holly will celebrate and speak into our lives at this our 20th year. With all our guests, she is a much-loved speaker and author.

CHRISTINE CAINE At the first-ever Colour, Chris preached without a Bible and from a teenage magazine. She’s come a long way and is now one of America’s most sought after female speakers. We thought it only perfect, that she should share again in this milestone year. We know she will bring a powerful dynamic to the table.

JUDAH & CHELSEA SMITH Judah and Chelsea are no strangers to our world. They’re part of the Hillsong Family and we are thrilled they’re here as a couple to speak into our lives.

I know you are going to be impacted in a profound (and possibly hilarious) way.

LISA BEVERE We refuse to call Lisa a guest – she’s family and we know she will bring her unique awesomeness as she speaks prophetically and powerfully into our lives.

PRISCILLA SHIRER Priscilla is always a favourite. We love her and are so proud of her recent movie debut in WAR ROOM. These are profound days and we are thrilled to welcome Miss Priscilla back to our Colour platform.

DAW N C H E R É W I L K E R S O N DawnCheré is vibrant, beautiful and full of God’s Word. Her captivating spirit is endearing to all, and we know she will impart faith and hope in a magnificent way.

THE HILLSONG GIRLS So many and too many to name, but be confident that these astounding and capable women will add their passion, warmth, wisdom and genius to the table.

THE HILLSONG LADS & AN ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS One of the strengths of Colour is that the menfolk are front and centre of all we do, and give their strength to make it magnificent.

And, as always, an army of gorgeous volunteers will do all they can to make your few days with us memorable.

GO ONLINE TO REGISTER

COLOURCONFERENCE.COM

Plus find information for locations, guest insights, Colour Kids and all other details.

COLOUR KIDS WE HAVE FUN AND INTERACTIVE KIDS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR ALL CHILDREN AGED 1-12 YEARS OLD WITH PRAISE & WORSHIP, GAMES, CRAFTS AND STORIES FROM THE BIBLE. THERE ARE ALSO FACILITIES FOR MUMS AND BUBS, WHERE YOU CAN REMAIN CONNECTED TO EVERY MOMENT OF CONFERENCE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, AND TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD, VISIT COLOURCONFERENCE.COM

BE FOUND IN THE MYSTERY 29

“I AM SISTERHOOD IS A DECLARATION, A DECLARATION THAT IS BOLD AND STRONG, QUIET AND CONFIDENT. A DECLARATION ABOUT VALUE AND IDENTITY, PURPOSE AND MISSION. IT IS A DECLARATION INTENTIONAL IN REACH AND EMBRACE. IT TRANSCENDS CULTURE AND CREED, AGE AND STATUS, PREJUDICE AND PREFERENCE. IT’S A DECLARATION THAT POSITIONS ITSELF AMID AWARENESS AND RESPONSIBILITY, CONCERN AND CARE, INJUSTICE AND SOLUTION. A DECLARATION ULTIMATELY CONCERNED WITH THE WELFARE OF THE WORLD AND HER INHABITANTS. IT HAS COURAGEOUSLY WOVEN ITS WAY THROUGH TIME AND HISTORY AND CONTINUES TO WEAVE ITSELF ACROSS OUR LIVES AND FUTURE. IT IS OUR COLLECTIVE HERE AND NOW - AND BELONGS TO ANY FEMININE SOUL WHO SOMEHOW BELIEVES THAT SHE WAS BORN FOR MORE THAN WHAT IS TEMPORAL AND FLEETING. IT’S FOR WOMEN OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUND, PERSONALITY AND STYLE, COLOUR AND VIBRANCY. IT’S FOR THE BOLD AND BODACIOUS, THE DEMURE AND UNASSUMING. IT’S THE SISTERHOOD THAT PERHAPS HEAVEN IMAGINED WHEN A VERY INTENTIONAL CREATOR CREATED HIS GIRLS. IT’S STRONG AND BEAUTIFUL, FEMININE AND GRACIOUS, AUTHORITATIVE AND GENTLE AND ABOVE ALL ELSE, WELCOMES THE BROKEN AND DISCARDED. WHICHEVER WAY YOU SEE OR UNDERSTAND IT, IT IS A GROWING MOVEMENT OF WOMEN ACROSS THE EARTH. OUR HOPE IS THAT IN YOU READING AND ABSORBING THE TRUTH WITHIN THESE WORDS YOUR HEART WILL BE ENLARGED AND BLESSED. LET’S TAKE WHAT IS IN OUR HAND AND GENUINELY USE IT FOR GOOD. TOGETHER

WE

CAN

MAKE

THIS

WORLD

© 2009 BOBBIE HOUSTON

THE SISTERHOOD 30

A

BETTER

PLACE.”

BE FOUND IN THE MYSTERY 31

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