The Story of Us by Hillsong Church

THE COLOUR SISTERHOOD

A visual story of our first twenty-five years.

T H E B E A U T Y, W O N D E R A N D D I V E

Photograph by Ami Vitale / Getty Images

ERSITY OF FEMININE HUMANKIND

The Homebush Sports Stadium, Sydney/Australia 1995

A memoir can be defined as a record of events by someone having personal knowledge; an essay on a learned subject. In twenty-sixteen, we celebrated our twentieth year milestone of the Colour story. We created a visual memoir of some of that journey and gifted it to the conference alongside The Sisterhood book, my written memoir of this journey. The aim was to create a tiny snapshot of the years and show the layers upon layers of grace that have been written into this story, into our story. In twenty twenty-one, we are again celebrating a milestone year as we mark this twentyfifth year in the midst of a global pandemic. But twenty-five years is still worth celebrating and what is Colour Conference without a gift to make you smile and remember our mission and mandate? So this is our gift to you this year, a continuation of our journey, a celebration of what has been, the memories, the laughter, the beauty and the grace of this message to the women of this movement and beyond. It has been my personal honour and pleasure to share this journey with so many of you. I am mindful that many women have joined the adventure at different points along the way, and that some are only just starting, however I want to take a moment to thank those of you who have walked faithfully with me through the years. Countless lives have been impacted in a positive and life-changing way, and any fruit this message bears is testimony to not only the sheer grace of God, but the influence also of your presence, willingness and labour within its framework. This is your story also.

As I noted in the original version of this book, there’s room for you to reminisce and jot down a memory or moment that was defining for you… and there’s room to write visions and dreams and prayers that are personal and for the future. There’s something powerful about committing to paper what is within you, because, as 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NIV) teaches; “what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no mind has conceived, the things God has prepared for those who love him, these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit”. May this visual reminder spark God-memories for you, remind you of the gathering and what it feels like to worship together in spirit and truth. May it remind you of those words spoken over you and the God-drops that have steered you through crisis and triumph. May it remind you of the hilarious, the crazy and the inspiring moments that happen when we are all together. May it remind you of tears shed in intimate moments with your Saviour King. May it remind you always that you are loved by that God in heaven and that there is a company of women that believes in you. May the stories remind you of the faithfulness of our God and that His message and mandate for us never changes. He is still in charge, He still holds us and He is still waiting for us in our future. Let us therefore walk into that future secure and confident that we are alive for such a time as this. To Him and Him alone be the glory. WITH LOVE AND AFFECTION

BOBBIE HOUSTON The Story of Us, 2021 and onwards…

She is ONE, She is MANY

2014 Colour Photoshoot, Teneale Previous page 2015 Colour Photoshoot, Renae, Emma, Bella, Teneale & Ebone

GENERATION AF TER GENERATION STANDS IN AWE OF YOUR WORK; EACH ONE TELLS STORIES OF YOUR MIGHTY ACTS. YOUR BEAUTY AND SPLENDOR HAVE EVERYONE TALKING; I COMPOSE SONGS ON YOUR WONDERS. YOUR MARVELOUS DOINGS ARE HEADLINE NEWS; I COULD WRITE A BOOK F ULL OF THE DETAILS OF

YOUR

GREATNESS.

THE

FAME

YOUR

GOODNESS SPREADS ACROSS THE COUNTRY; YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS ON EVERYONE’S LIPS. PSALM 145:4-7

(THE MESSAGE)

Colour Photoshoot 2016, Makena

2006 Colour Conference

2015 Colour Conference

2003 Colour Conference

MARCH 2015 O U R L A S T G AT H E R I N G I N T H E ‘ B I G O L D B A R N ’ I N D O W N T O W N S Y D N E Y 17

2020 Colour Conference

I t ’s a l w a y s b e e n a n i n v i t a t i o n

TIARAS, TULLE AND CLOCKS

2004 Colour Invitation, Emma

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2000 Colour Invitation, Laura, Sam, Chantel

O V E R T W O D E C A D E S O F I N V I TAT I O N S T O M A K E T H E W O R L D A B E T T E R P L AC E 23

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2021 Colour Invitation, Steph

“EACH FRIEND REPRESENTS A WORLD IN US, A WORLD POSSIBLY NOT BORN UNTIL THEY ARRIVE, AND IT IS ONLY BY THIS MEETING THAT A NEW WORLD IS BORN.” Anais Nin “The Wonder Years of Colour were rich in friendship. Old friends and new friends alike were being etched into a storybook of friendship that in essence is the true spirit of Sisterhood. As Anais Nin profoundly declares - each friendship represented a world, and for us it felt like an ocean of worlds were colliding. These foundational years also felt like tapestry in motion…” (excerpt Chapter Eleven - The Sisterhood, Bobbie Houston)

2016 Colour Photoshoot, Jaynie

Priscilla

1999 Colour Invitation, Cathy Lechner

Helen

Marilyn

1999 Colour Invitation, Holly, Marilyn, Christine, Di, Bobbie

Lisa Darlene, her mum and sister, and the gorgeous Wendy Treat with her famous smile

Bobbie

Darlene

Donna

Lucinda

Julia

Nancy

Shanelle

Rachel

JUST A GLIMPSE OF OUR MANY GORGEOUS SPEAKERS OVER THE YEARS

Christine

Deborah

Beth

Jane

2015 Colour Conference, with the legendary Joyce Meyer

1997 Colour Invitation, Holly When bouffant hair ruled the day (LOL)!!!

journal your thoughts, ponderings and God whispers

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t h e Wo r s h i p , t h e Wo r d , t h e I n s p i r a t i o n

2014 Colour Conference, Kiev

2015 Colour Conference, Kiev

2015 Colour Conference, Sydney

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Bringing any vision from what is sensed, to ‘storybook format’, and then to the stage is a learned art. I am eternally grateful for a magnificent creative team who live in His Word, wait on His Spirit, and with me, seek to always bring the heart of Heaven to the daughters. Bobbie Houston

2015 Colour Conference, London

Creative item script for the 2015 Colour Conference opener

Paradise Narration: Once upon a time there was a girl, and a book. How the girl came by the book she never quite knew. It seemed as old as time, and yet curiously, as young as day. As she turned each page, life was created in colours bright and bold. The ancient words branching canopies of peace [Trees and flowers appears] Painting skies in brushstrokes of hope [Sunrise appears on sky] Rippling oceans in depths of love. [Oceans appear] The girl breathed in the world. The Word had created. And she was found windswept in wonder. [Birds flock across the scene] Never did she think she would ever lose the way to these words. Never did she think anything would change. And yet a thief in cotton tailed disguise, Was trying to tear the pages from her eyes. The Temptation [The Rabbit enters] Rabbit: Oh… Who are you… my dear? [Alice: “My name is Alice”] Alice? Are you sure? There isn’t something, a little bit more like Jane? Or Plain! oooooo Here we go again on the quest! Now don’t you jest with my heart so frail. Have you ever been called Pale? Or Gale? Full of rain I suspect! And yet Who are you my dear? [Alice: “My name is…”] And what is that old fairy tale book? Full of tales I expect, with deceptions hook To tie you down. No doubt, or drown. You in its words so strange. Why don’t you dare to rearrange? And open your eyes to the. Fascination I don’t like it being called temptation. It’s so... unappealing! Oh I won’t be stealing. Your precious time. Just your mind, till you’re lost in lies… Toodleloo I’m on my way. You want to follow? No you better stay. The Fall [Alice shuts the book] Narration: The girl’s thoughts had been tangled in a rabbit-trail of distraction and the book had been shut into forgetfulness. The words began to fall from remembrance. And she began to fall… down, down deeper and down, Stumbling Sinking Twisting Turning Fraying Falling Down, down Deeper and down. “Little Alice fell down the hole, bumped her head and bruised her soul”.

World of distraction Billboards: [A bit silly and fast paced, nonsensical, but with meaning and threat behind it...] Billboard 1: Welcome, welcome to distractions fair, Billboard 2: Distractions grand, and everywhere! [they laugh] Billboard 1: Whither has she come? Billboard 2: And whither will she go? 1: How should I know? [Cross with number 2] 2: Well I’m sure as unsure I don’t! So fortunately there is no hope 1: For this poor 2: Little mite. 1 and 2: You’re right! [agree with each other] 2: So be gone out of site! [Shoo her away] 1: But wait she’s completely lost! [With pity] 2: Oh yes fell down a hole and landed flat. Although if she had any manners she could have landed a bit taller 1: or a bit smaller 2: or a bit like this [picture of Alice out of proportion] 1 and 2: or a bit like that! [They laugh] 1: So let’s play a game… 2: where you tell us your name... [sfx of game show stopwatch] ALICE: my name is… 1 and 2: yes…? ALICE: my name is… 1 and 2: hmmmm…? [sfx of prize winning] 1: She can’t recall! 2: You may go to the ball! 1 & 2: Hurrah! ALICE: But where am I ? 1 & 2: Welcome to the land we call “Distraction”. DISTRACTION (song) QUEEN: Verse 1: It’s as certain as a chemical reaction. When we utilise our powers of distraction. When their blackberry is pinning it’s a sign that we are winning. Why they’re so busy, their minds are always spinning. Filling up their time with pointless applications. There’s no need for rest, siestas, or vacations. When their fingers are a tweeting & they live in business meetings. It’s no wonder they’re depressed and all alone. As we sow the seeds of doubt (distraction). And we make them feel left out (isolation). This is what we’re all about (confusion). It’s a circus – just sit back, enjoy the show. It really is a wonderful sensation. Just to see them all in mindless recreation. As they’re blogging their opinions to their followers and minions. The truth is that nobody really cares. Verse 2: And so welcome to the land we call Distraction. Where your concentration lasts for just a fraction. When your facebook friends are poking that’s the fire that we’re stoking (To Alice). Why you’re so pretty, of course. I’m only joking Filling up your time with pointless applications. There’s no need for rest, siesta’s, or vacations. As your fingers are a tweeting & you live in business meetings. It’s no wonder you’re depressed and all alone. As we sow the seeds of doubt (distraction). And we make you feel left out (isolation). This is what we’re all about (confusion). It’s a circus – just sit back, enjoy the show. It really is a wonderful sensation. Just to see you all in mindless recreation. As you’re blogging your opinions to your followers and minions. The truth is you’re the only one who cares.

Bridge: ENSEMBLE: Mirror, mirror on the wall Who’s that girl? QUEEN: Much too small! ENSEMBLE: Mirror, mirror shining bright Who’s that girl? QUEEN: She’s not quite right! ENSEMBLE: Mirror, mirror tell me true Who’s that girl? QUEEN: Yes who are you? ALL: Mirror, mirror on the wall QUEEN: Distract them!!!! Verse 3: QUEEN: It’s as certain as a chemical reaction. When we utilise our powers of distraction. When your blackberry is pinning it’s a sign that we are winning. You’re so busy, your mind is always spinning Filling up your time with pointless applications. There’s no need for rest, siesta’s, or vacations. When your fingers are a tweeting & you live in business meetings. TOWNSFOLK: When their facebook friends are poking that’s a fire that we’re stoking. QUEEN: When you’re blogging your opinion to your followers & minions. TOWNSFOLK: When their blackberry is pinning it’s a sign that we are winning. QUEEN: When your fingers are a tweeting & you live in business meetings. TOWNSFOLK: When they’re blogging their opinions to their followers & minions. QUEEN: When your facebook friends are poking that’s the fire that we’re stoking. ALL: Distraction, distraction, be mine. ALICE: [hands covering her ears] Stop! (echoing…) [Alice’s voice echoes into the sudden darkness, as all cast on-stage stand motionless. Book lies closed on the ground near her. Soundscape with echoing distant voices of Rabbit & Billboards asked her who she is (from earlier). A reference to the book makes her drop to her knees & and slowly open it. Letters & words begin to pour out onto the screen, creating a giant mirror. Her pure reflection in that mirror slowly comes into sharp focus. ALICE: I am Alice! Redemption Narration: And so the book was re-opened. With each turn of phrase Her soul could breathe again. With each turn of page, Her world was created anew Word upon Word, Truth upon Truth. Grace upon Grace. And by the still waters of reflection, her soul remembered who she was. For once upon a time there was a girl and a book. Once lost. Now found.

2014 Colour Sydney, Elisha & Caitlin

2010 Colour Conference, Gary Clarke volunteers to be ‘the tea bag’, London

THE COLOUR

R WAV E - W H E R E LOV E A N D LU N AC Y C O L L I D E

2016 Colour Photoshoot, Sahara & Renae

T H E H O LY S P I R I T - J O H N 1 4 : 2 6

(AMP)

2009 Colour Photoshoot, Nikki at dawn on Balmoral Beach

2015 Colour Conference, Sydney

...OH I CAN SEE IT NOW OH I CAN SEE THE LOVE IN YOUR EYES L AY I N G YO U R S E L F D O W N R A I S I N G U P T H E B R O K E N TO L I F E . YO U TA K E

OUR

FAILURE

YOU

TA K E

OUR

WEAKNESS

YOU

SET

YOUR

T R E A S U R E I N J A R S O F C L AY S O TA K E T H I S H E A R T, L O R D I ’ L L B E YOUR VESSEL THE WORLD TO SEE YOUR LOVE IN ME.

Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) (words & lyrics, Hillsong Music Australia)

“I BELIEVE THAT THE WEAPON THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST MUST BRING TO THIS CURRENT GLOBAL TABLE OF UNREST AND CRISIS IS PRAYER. IT’S A WEAPON THAT MANY OUTSIDE OF FAITH MAY NEVER TRULY UNDERSTAND NOR EVER APPRECIATE - BUT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY DO OR DON’T PRAYER IS WHAT ENGAGES THE SPIRITUAL REALM THAT IS SO OFTEN AT THE CORE AND CAUSE OF TODAY’S PROBLEMS.” (excerpt Chapter Twenty-one - The Sisterhood, Bobbie Houston)

Over the past 25 years of Colour, the Spirit of God has heightened our hearts to the realm of prayer, whether that be through the prayer maps we created to fight the injustice of human trafficking, or our #middaybabymidday prayer reminder that kept the needs of the world in the middle of our day with a reminder to pray without ceasing. In 2017 however, this prompt became a moment within the conference that has created a story that we couldn’t even have dreamed of. I was walking through the backstage of the ICC one Colour Conference morning and the Spirit of God reminded me of a moment from our trip to Israel we had taken all of our lead pastors on. When we were at Shiloh, the site of the old temple, I felt a prompting to grab one of the young team there to film me praying a prayer in the same spot Hannah had prayed in her longing for a child that would become Samuel. I prayed for those who longed for a child, spontaneously filmed a prayer not knowing that this would be a significant moment for Colour Conference the year after. So back to 2017 Colour Conference, that morning at the end of worship I jumped up and told the conference about this prayer and how God had reminded me of it to show this morning. I asked those who were believing for a child, or who were believing with someone for a child, to stand and allow this prayer to be for them. Hundreds of women stood both for themselves and for others. There was a tangible presence of the Spirit of God, and as we took the conference around the world that year, we continued to pray for women in each conference specifically about fertility. The miracle of that morning was the emails and stories that started to pour in over the next few months, story after story of miraculous conception and God speaking to women in that moment, even women that hadn’t been in the room but had been sent a video by friends who had been in the room. There were stories of adoption and fostering, as well as natural conception and I started to gather a folder of all of the photos and stories. This folder has continued to grow and grow and today as at March 2021 we have 469 individual stories of children who have been born, I believe, as a result of that moment of prayer and listening to the Spirit of God. Prayer has never been a last resort for the Sisterhood and my “Israel Prayer” folder has become a constant reminder of the love of our Saviour who cares about the deep desires of our hearts and is always working behind the scenes to work miracles on our behalf.

THEREFORE CONFESS YOUR SINS TO EACH

OTHER AND PRAY FOR EACH OTHER SO THAT YOU MAY BE HEALED. THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS PERSON IS POWERF UL AND EFFECTIVE. JAMES 5:16 (NIV)

IF WE DON’T KNOW HOW OR WHAT TO PRAY, IT DOESN’T MATTER. HE DOES OUR PRAYING

IN AND FOR US, MAKING PRAYER OUT OF OUR WORDLESS SIGHS, OUR ACHING GROANS. ROMANS 8:26-27 (THE MESSAGE)

MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART BE PLEASING TO YOU, O LORD, MY ROCK AND MY REDEEMER. PSALM 19:14

( N LT )

FOR MY WORDS ARE WISE, AND MY THOUGHTS ARE FILLED WITH INSIGHT. PSALM 49:3

( N LT )

2020 Colour Photoshoot, Summer

s e l a h , p a u s e , p o n d e r, w r i t e

A N D YO U K N OW I T ’ S N OT A M E S S AG E W I T H O U T A T- S H I R T !

2016 Colour Photoshoot, Laura

2016 Colour Photoshoot, Heather

One Love, One Heart, One Sisterhood

Defined by genuine empathy, the influence of this host of world-changers is being felt in the 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 their 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 to coloursisterhood.com and peruse through the various humanitarian initiatives as we seek to reflect, respond and rally to His cause. Together we can make a difference.

2018 Colour Photoshoot, Renae

Bobbie’s sponsored Compassion children; Rahab, Loyce, Goretti

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2014 Colour Gift, Eunice

The footprints of orphaned & abandoned babies in a clinic in Uganda

2008 Colour Invitation, Leniah

“IS THIS NOT THE FAST THAT I HAVE CHOSEN: TO LOOSE THE BONDS OF

GO FREE, AND THAT YOU BREAK EVERY YOKE? IS IT NOT TO SHARE YOU

THE POOR WHO ARE CAST OUT; WHEN YOU SEE THE NAKED, THAT Y

THEN YOUR LIGHT SHALL BREAK FORTH LIKE THE MORNING, YOUR H

SHALL GO BEFORE YOU; THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE YOUR R YOU SHALL CRY, AND HE WILL SAY, ‘HERE I AM.’ “IF YOU TAKE AWAY

SPEAKING WICKEDNESS, IF YOU EXTEND YOUR SOUL TO THE HUNGRY

IN THE DARKNESS, AND YOUR DARKNESS SHALL BE AS THE NOONDAY. T

DROUGHT, AND STRENGTHEN YOUR BONES; YOU SHALL BE LIKE A WATE

FAIL. THOSE FROM AMONG YOU SHALL BUILD THE OLD WASTE PLACE

AND YOU SHALL BE CALLED THE REPAIRER OF THE BREACH, THE RE

FROM THE SABBATH, FROM DOING YOUR PLEASURE ON MY HOLY DAY

HONORABLE, AND SHALL HONOR HIM, NOT DOING YOUR OWN WAYS, N

THEN YOU SHALL DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD; AND I WILL CAU

WITH THE HERITAGE OF JACOB YOUR FATHE

ISAIAH 58:6

F WICKEDNESS, TO UNDO THE HEAVY BURDENS, TO LET THE OPPRESSED

UR BREAD WITH THE HUNGRY, AND THAT YOU BRING TO YOUR HOUSE

YOU COVER HIM, AND NOT HIDE YOURSELF FROM YOUR OWN FLESH?

HEALING SHALL SPRING FORTH SPEEDILY, AND YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

REAR GUARD. THEN YOU SHALL CALL, AND THE LORD WILL ANSWER; THE YOKE FROM YOUR MIDST, THE POINTING OF THE FINGER, AND

Y AND SATISFY THE AFFLICTED SOUL, THEN YOUR LIGHT SHALL DAWN

THE LORD WILL GUIDE YOU CONTINUALLY, AND SATISFY YOUR SOUL IN

ERED GARDEN, AND LIKE A SPRING OF WATER, WHOSE WATERS DO NOT

ES; YOU SHALL RAISE UP THE FOUNDATIONS OF MANY GENERATIONS;

ESTORER OF STREETS TO DWELL IN. “IF YOU TURN AWAY YOUR FOOT

Y, AND CALL THE SABBATH A DELIGHT, THE HOLY DAY OF THE LORD

NOR FINDING YOUR OWN PLEASURE, NOR SPEAKING YOUR OWN WORDS,

USE YOU TO RIDE ON THE HIGH HILLS OF THE EARTH, AND FEED YOU

ER. THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HAS SPOKEN.”

6 -14 (NKJV)

Beautiful street child photographed in Jaipur, India

Grace that redeems

Grace that forgives

Grace that heals

Grace that makes a way forward

THE MIRACLE STORIES OF GULU, NORTHERN UGANDA 97

Photographs taken in the field by Bobbie Houston

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In 2015 a photo of a little boy, Ayan Kurdi, broke the world’s heart. He lost his life when he was washed away from his father in a desperate flight to escape Syria. We as a Sisterhood chose NOT to look away but to truly engage with this issue that was front of mind for so many. Through partnerships we sought to find solution and help for those struggling to reach safety, we raised funds and awareness and even local solution in our communities for the families that actually reached our shores. But these issues are far from over. There were 79.5 million forcibly displaced people at the end of 2019 due to persecution, conflict or violence. 1% of the worlds population is currently displaced. This includes 26 million refugees (40% are children) 68% of which are from Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar. There is always more work to do. O R P H A N S . S I S T E R S . N AT I O N S

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and journal your thoughts, ponderings and God whispers...

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Making the world a better place “Who could have imagined that the clink of a teacup, the click of some knitting needles, the sound of sneakers on the sidewalk, and the rattle of coins in a can could become the deafening sounds of freedom? But they did.” (excerpt Chapter Twenty - The Sisterhood, Bobbie Houston)

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2011 Colour Invitation, Renae

2011 Colour Photoshoot, Renae in the original Walk for Freedom shirt

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Gift Moment Colour Conference 2020 in Sydney, Australia

WALKING FOR ORPHANS, SISTERS, NATIONS, THE CAPTIVE, THE HURTING. WALKING FOR HEALTH, WELLBEING, LIFE & F UN... ONE LOVE, ONE HEART,

ONE SISTERHOO

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OD.

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T H E P R AY E R M A P S # M I D DAY B A BY M I D DAY #THESISTERHOODFIGHTCLUB

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The Living Hope Initiative - the Stampeding Stilettos

BEING OUR SISTER’S KEEPER

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In the early days of Colour we would amuse all by telling how many cups of coffee were consumed, or how many rolls of “loo paper” were used (#hello), or how many words would have been spoken by thousands of fun loving women. These days we have far more exciting things to share. Immeasurable response has happened as women have returned to their own churches and fields - however in this milestone year we want to PRAISE GOD for the 23 827 Compassion children sponsored within Colour conferences across the world including for the first time in Cape Town, South Africa in 2018. For the approx. 23 000 families and individuals impacted through the Local Impact initiatives since 2010 across the local cities where Colour was hosted, and for the $3.5 million (in Australia alone) that has passed through the Colour Sisterhood for the many humanitarian projects. Thank you to one and all for seeking to be the change. Your willingness and generosity has impacted multitudes.

B O B B I E , O U R PA R T N E R S A N D T H E C O L O U R S I S T E R H O O D T E A M

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Beautiful children photographed infront of a Vision Rescue bus Mumbai, India

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A moment in London with some of the Hillsong lead girls, 2013

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‘Historic venues’, London

#fav :)

A GALLERY OF WO

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ORLDS COLLIDING

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2013 Colour Conference, Kiev

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Colour Conference ,Cape Town

Christine having fun with her ‘heritage’, Colour London 2015 ‘The Wave’

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Colour Conference 2016, London

Colour Conference 2019, New York City

Our 100th Conference was celebrated in Cape Town, South Africa

MY HEART BURSTS ITS BANKS, SPILLING BEAUTY AND GOODNESS. I POUR IT OUT IN A POEM TO THE KING, SHAPING THE RIVER INTO WORDS: “YOU’RE THE HANDSOMEST OF MEN; EVERY WORD FROM YOUR LIPS IS SHEER GRACE, AND GOD HAS BLESSED YOU, BLESSED YOU SO MUCH. STRAP YOUR SWORD TO YOUR SIDE, WARRIOR! ACCEPT PRAISE! ACCEPT DUE HONOR! RIDE MAJESTICALLY! RIDE TRIUMPHANTLY! RIDE ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH! RIDE FOR THE RIGHTEOUS MEEK! “YOUR INSTRUCTIONS ARE GLOW-IN-THE-DARK; YOU SHOOT SHARP ARROWS INTO ENEMY HEARTS; THE KING’S FOES LIE DOWN IN THE DUST, BEATEN. “YOUR THRONE IS GOD’S THRONE, EVER AND ALWAYS; THE SCEPTER OF YOUR ROYAL RULE MEASURES RIGHT LIVING. YOU LOVE THE RIGHT AND HATE THE WRONG. AND THAT IS WHY GOD, YOUR VERY OWN GOD, POURED FRAGRANT OIL ON YOUR HEAD, MARKING YOU OUT AS KING FROM AMONG YOUR DEAR COMPANIONS. “YOUR OZONE-DRENCHED GARMENTS ARE FRAGRANT WITH MOUNTAIN BREEZE. CHAMBER MUSIC - FROM THE THRONE ROOM - MAKES YOU WANT TO DANCE. KINGS’ DAUGHTERS ARE MAIDS IN YOUR COURT, THE BRIDE GLITTERING WITH GOLDEN JEWELRY. “NOW LISTEN, DAUGHTER, DON’T MISS A WORD: FORGET YOUR COUNTRY, PUT YOUR HOME BEHIND YOU. BE HERE - THE KING IS WILD FOR YOU. SINCE HE’S YOUR LORD, ADORE HIM. WEDDING GIF TS POUR IN FROM TYRE; RICH GUESTS SHOWER YOU WITH PRESENTS.”(HER WEDDING DRESS IS DAZZLING, LINED WITH GOLD BY THE WEAVERS; ALL HER DRESSES AND ROBES ARE WOVEN WITH GOLD. SHE IS LED TO THE KING, FOLLOWED BY HER VIRGIN COMPANIONS. A PROCESSION OF JOY AND LAUGHTER! A GRAND ENTRANCE TO THE KING’S PALACE!) “SET YOUR MIND NOW ON SONS - DON’T DOTE ON FATHER AND GRANDFATHER. YOU’LL SET YOUR SONS UP AS PRINCES ALL OVER THE EARTH. I’LL MAKE YOU FAMOUS FOR GENERATIONS; YOU’LL BE THE TALK OF THE TOWN FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.” PSALM 45 (THE MESSAGE)

Fo r e v e r y s t o r y

t h e r e ’s a b a c k s t o r y

and a backstage,

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made up of an

ocean of wonderful people,

co-labourers and friends

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and journal your thoughts, ponderings and God whispers...

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# B

M B

E Y

M M

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memory: the process and power of remembering what has been learned (Merriam-Webster dictionary)

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2002 Colour Invitation, Laura, Alana, Lauren, Alicia, Rachel These memories inspired the ‘Waterfalls + Flags’ chapter in The Sisterhood book

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that time... colourful gloves with fake fur (and flower) edges helped ‘kindness rule in our hearts’. #memories

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that time... when the gift moment became a logistical nightmare but we managed to get thousands of soaps handmade by refugee women into the hands of delegates across 4 continents. Yay to Carl and the events team! #memories

that time... army boots, (more) tulle, a leather belt and a beautiful girl helped to bring Micah 4 & 5 to life. #memories

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“...AND

YOU,

TOWER

THE

FLOCK,

THE

STRONGHOLD OF THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, TO YOU SHALL IT COME, EVEN THE FORMER DOMINION SHALL COME, THE KINGDOM OF THE DAUGHTER OF JERUSALEM.” ... “ARISE AND THRESH, O DAUGHTER OF ZION; FOR I WILL MAKE YOUR HORN IRON, AND I WILL MAKE YOUR HOOVES BRONZE; YOU SHALL BEAT IN PIECES MANY PEOPLES; I WILL CONSECRATE THEIR GAIN TO THE LORD, AND THEIR SUBSTANCE TO THE LORD OF THE WHOLE EARTH.” M I C A H 4 : 8 ,1 3

(NKJV)

“NOW MUSTER YOURSELVES IN TROOPS, DAUGHTER OF TROOPS; THEY HAVE LAID SIEGE AGAINST US...” MICAH 5:1

(NASB) 2008 Colour Invitation, Lucille

S O G R A T E F U L F O R T H E M E N W H O H A V E C O N S T A N T LY B E L I E V E D I N US,

AND

CONTINUE

BELIEVE

US.

YOU

ARE

INDEED

THE

M E N S P O K E N O F I N P R O V E R B S 3 1 . “A C A P A B L E , I N T E L L I G E N T , A N D V I R T U O U S W O M A N , W H O I S H E W H O C A N F I N D H E R ” (PROVE RBS 31:10, AM P). THANKS FOR HELPING US ON OUR JOURNEY OF BEING FOUND.

150

151

that time... a ‘colourful striped dress’ traveled the world, reminded us of a world in need of Jesus, and no-one stacked it on the travelator. #memories

2010 Colour Invitation, Danika

that time... the creative team flew to Perth, drove 7 hours in a van and 2 hours on a boat only to discover the PINK Lake is only spectacularly pink from outta space. #memories (the things we do for love)

154

2014 Colour Photoshoot, Amanda & Renae

that time... our global LOVE BALL blew into the East River in NYC, became a UN security alert, and was rescued by Joe on a surfboard. #memories (LOL he’s on his phone on the surfboard)

2015 Colour Photoshoot, Times Square - New York

158

that time... the ship fell from the roof onto the stage in the middle of the “Israel Prayer” video in LA and all the doughnuts fell onto the floor! #memories

that time... there was a spelling error on our Siserhood PJ set. #memories

160

2020 Colour Memories, Brooke wearing the Sisterhood PJ set

that time... giant poppies emerging from the stage inspired a second whisper to be heard from Heaven “tell the girls to go home and flourish and if they do, they will change the world” - (closing moments Colour 2011) #memories

IF I SPEAK WITH HUMAN ELOQUENCE AND ANGELIC ECSTASY BUT DON’T LOVE, I’M NOTHING BUT THE CREAKING OF A RUSTY GATE. IF I SPEAK GOD’S WORD WITH POWER, REVEALING ALL HIS MYSTERIES AND MAKING EVERYTHING PLAIN AS DAY, AND IF I HAVE FAITH THAT SAYS TO A MOUNTAIN, “JUMP,” AND IT JUMPS, BUT I DON’T LOVE, I’M NOTHING. IF I GIVE EVERYTHING I OWN TO THE POOR AND EVEN GO TO THE STAKE TO BE BURNED AS A MARTYR, BUT I DON’T LOVE, I’VE GOTTEN NOWHERE. SO, NO MATTER WHAT I SAY, WHAT I BELIEVE, AND WHAT I DO, I’M BANKRUPT WITHOUT LOVE. LOVE NEVER GIVES UP. LOVE CARES MORE FOR OTHERS THAN FOR SELF. LOVE DOESN’T WANT WHAT IT DOESN’T HAVE. LOVE DOESN’T STRUT, DOESN’T HAVE A SWELLED HEAD, DOESN’T FORCE ITSELF ON OTHERS, ISN’T ALWAYS “ME FIRST,” DOESN’T FLY OFF THE HANDLE, DOESN’T KEEP SCORE OF THE SINS OF OTHERS, DOESN’T REVEL WHEN OTHERS GROVEL, TAKES PLEASURE IN THE FLOWERING OF TRUTH, PUTS UP WITH ANYTHING, TRUSTS GOD ALWAYS, ALWAYS LOOKS FOR THE BEST, NEVER LOOKS BACK, BUT KEEPS GOING TO THE END. I CORINTHIANS 13:1-7 (THE MESSAGE)

that time... three sisters told their unique stories of finding their way home. ‘The Road Leads Home’ a trilogy of three films capturing the true spirit of Sisterhood. #memories

164

165

166

that time... we took communion for our friends, communities, family and world... #memories

167

that time... a shopping bag became a tool for love and reconcilliation on the streets of Sydney, Australia. #memories

168

169

170

IN LOVING MEMORY OF SY ROGERS (December 15 1956 - April 19 2020) “Sy was truly one of the kindest people you could ever meet. He exemplified grace and freedom and a passion to always bless others. We will miss you Sy. You ran your race perfectly, always giving honour to your Saviour King.” With love and affection always Bobbie and your Colour family

171

E D

Y S

Relax, everything’s going to be all right; rest, everything’s coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way! Jude 1:2 (The Message)

172

173

174

175

2012 Colour Photoshoot, Melbourne

that time... we took the Sisterhood declaration to the streets. #memories

“I

SISTERHOOD

DECLARATION.

DECLARATION THAT IS BOLD AND STRONG, QUIET AND CONFIDENT. A DECLARATION ABOUT VALUE AND IDENTITY, PURPOSE AND MISSION. IT IS A DECLARATION

INTENTIONAL

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.

HAS

COURAGEOUSLY WOVEN ITS WAY THROUGH TIME AND HISTORY AND CONTINUES TO WEAVE ITSELF ACROSS

OUR

LIVES

AND

F UTURE.

OUR

COLLECTIVE HERE AND NOW – AND BELONGS TO ANY FEMININE SOUL, WHO SOMEHOW BELIEVES THAT SHE WAS BORN FOR MORE THAN WHAT IS

178

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 BEAUTIF UL, FEMININE AND GRACIOUS, AUTHORITATIVE AND GENTLE AND ABOVE ALL ELSE, WELCOMES THE BROKEN AND DISCARDED. WHICHEVER WAY YOU SEE OR UNDERSTAND IT,

IS A GROWING MOVEMENT OF WOMEN ACROSS THE EARTH. OUR HOPE IN YOU READING AND ABSORBING THE TRUTH WITHIN THESE WORDS, IS THAT YOUR HEART WILL BE ENLARGED AND BLESSED.

LET’S

TAKE

WHAT

OUR

HAND

AND GENUINELY USE IT FOR GOOD. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE.”

179

PSALM 84:1-2,5-12 (THE MESSAGE)

“WHAT A BEAUTIF UL HOME, GOD-OF-THE-ANGELARMIES! I’VE ALWAYS LONGED TO LIVE IN A PLACE LIKE THIS, ALWAYS DREAMED OF A ROOM IN YOUR HOUSE, WHERE I COULD SING FOR JOY TO GODALIVE! ... AND HOW BLESSED ALL THOSE IN WHOM YOU

LIVE, WHOSE

LIVES

BECOME

ROADS

YOU

TRAVEL; THEY WIND THROUGH LONESOME VALLEYS,

180

2015 Colour Photoshoot, Cheryl & Laura

...COME UPON BROOKS, DISCOVER COOL SPRINGS AND POOLS BRIMMING WITH RAIN! GOD-TRAVELED, THESE ROADS CURVE UP THE MOUNTAIN, AND AT THE LAST TURN --- ZION! GOD IN F ULL VIEW! GOD-OF-THE-ANGEL-ARMIES, LISTEN: O

GOD

JACOB, OPEN YOUR EARS --- I’M PRAYING! LOOK AT OUR SHIELDS, GLISTENING IN THE SUN, OUR FACES, SHINING WITH YOUR GRACIOUS ANOINTING. ONE DAY SPENT IN YOUR HOUSE, THIS BEAUTIF UL PLACE OF WORSHIP, BEATS THOUSANDS SPENT ON GREEK ISLAND BEACHES...

182

2014 Colour Photoshoot, Renae

...ALL SUNSHINE AND SOVEREIGN IS GOD, GENEROUS IN GIF TS AND GLORY. HE DOESN’T SCRIMP WITH HIS TRAVELING COMPANIONS. IT’S SMOOTH SAILING ALL THE WAY WITH GOD-OF-THE-ANGEL-ARMIES.”

184

2013 Colour Photoshoot, Renae

2021 Colour Photoshoot, Olivia and Maria

2021 Colour Photoshoot, Steph

188

2018 Colour Photoshoot, Renae and Shema

190

2020 Colour Photoshoot, Renae, Mikaela and Smokei

192

2019 Colour Photoshoot, Smokei SALVATION IS NO SMALL THING!

194

2019 Colour Photoshoot – PEACEFUL PROTEST

196

2017 Colour Photoshoot, Purity

197

198

2017 Colour Photoshoot, Renae

200

2021 Colour Photoshoot, Maria, Olivia, Steph and Smokei

2020 Colour Photoshoot, Renae

202

Thank you to those who helped to pull this endeavour together, especially to Nicole Scott, Catherine Thambiratnam and all of the other Hillsong team and volunteers who gave their time and commitment to make this available to you. Thank you to all of the photographers who have captured the Colour journey and the spirit of Sisterhood over the last twenty five years. There are too many to name individually but we are grateful for their commitment to capturing our journey together. Finally, we are eternally grateful for God and His kindness, that He would choose to use us to bring His eternal message to the women of the earth. Thank you for trusting us with that message and let us remain worthy of carrying it into the next season.

Excerpts from The Sisterhood, Bobbie Houston ©2016 Scripture quotations from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993,1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www. zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.TM Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 19 60,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Thank you to the following for allowing us to use their images Son Of God Image courtesy of MGM Media Licensing. Photograph used with permission Ami Vitale/Contributor/Getty Images.

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H I

THE HOUSE

Hillsong is a contemporary Christian church with a genuine heart to bring the inclusive love, redemptive message and social concern of Christ to the world. Founded in 1983 by Brian and Bobbie Houston, Hillsong is passionate about championing the local church and is on mission to see God’s kingdom established across the earth. For more information visit hillsong.com

THE COLOUR SISTERHOOD

The Colour Sisterhood is a growing movement of women around the world who have aligned their heart and spirit to ‘be the change’ in the worlds they inhabit. Its focus is both local and global. Women are encouraged to respond to the needs in their local communities, and to collectively bring solution to various major global challenges and injustice. For more information visit coloursisterhood.com

THE COLOUR CONFERENCE

he Colour Your World Women’s Conference commenced in 1997 and is hosted by Bobbie Houston and Hillsong Church. It is in essence, an outflow of Hillsong’s local Sisterhood ministry. It gathers leaders and women from every age and walk of life and its core value is to place value upon womanhood and champion the potential within women. For more information visit colourconference.com

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ISBN 978-1-922076-57-1 First released at Colour Conference 2016 ©2015 Hillsong Church Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photopy, recording or any other - without the prior written permission of the publisher. Published by Hillsong Music Australia.

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