FIUSM Exclusive: Hillsong United concert inspires hundreds

By: Sanah Faroke/Contributing Writer

While many concerts are classified as cutesy, glittery, or typically “fun,” Hillsong United’s Aftermath Tour brought a whole new meaning to an adjective rarely used to describe a concert: depth. Depth in every sense of the word—from heartache to desire to hope and love—all depicted in their Christian worship music, which filled the air and the hearts of the audience from the ones closest to the stage, to those up top.Traveling all the way from Australia, where the band first began in Hillsong Church, the concert was an experience to all those present, inspiring change: to be better Christians and carry this encounter beyond the four walls of the American Airlines Arena, applying it throughout their lives.

Worship leaders Joel Houston, Jad Gillies and JD led the audience in song, but first began with a word of prayer, asking the audience to raise their hands. The audience’s spirits were lifted as the whole stadium responded to the bands’ request; the view was breathtaking, as if the crowd was reaching out toward God.

Performing songs from their current album, “Aftermath”—“Bones,” “Take Heart” and “Avalanche”—to old favorites like “Hosanna” and “Freedom Is Here,” the crowd echoed the lyrics with closed eyes and hands up in the air.

Hillsong’s music does not contain mainstream lyrics about partying, drinking, having sex or falling in love; they go past worldly issues and enter a realm of spirituality which makes them so distinctly unique.

“Whether you are listening to our newest album or our very first,” said Houston on the Hillsong website, hillsongunited.com, “Our prayer and passion is that you are empowered to live life with God, encouraged to stay on the course and excited about all that He has for your future.”

The band played fast-paced and slow, meditative songs, reflecting the ups and downs we all are confronted throughout life, with God as a constant. Within one song’s interlude, we were given an opportunity to sing, hum, or pray, so when I began to hum a known tune created by Hillsong, I noticed others around me, one by one, cooing the same tune until soon, the stadium began to echo.

Steven Padilla, a junior and accounting major, said, “The concert ministered to me. God reminded me of my journey and why I fell in love with the power of the cross and His grace and love.”

While the crowd sang these songs in unison, Hillsong surprised us all, incorporating Spanish in the chorus rendition of “Take It All.” While some, like me, who are non-Spanish speakers were clueless, nevertheless, our spirits never faltered.

As the song concluded, Houston snickered and said, “You guys are crazy.” He informed the audience that they had decided to record their live performance in Miami for the first time. The way Hillsong United presented itself connected with the young generation, our generation, as students. They’re influencing a generation that is “rising up to take their place,” the place of the former generation to love God with all they’ve got.

The members of Hillsong are young, but their instrumental use appeals greatly to a culture yearning for the Lord. God is using Hillsong United to awaken our generation; for us to adhere to His calling, especially as college students striving to be educated for a life we would like to live.

Whatever you’re interested in or love, it is because God planned for it to be so—to use you for His glory. We are living in the ‘Aftermath’, said Houston.