01: Hillsong Church is becoming an “emerging religious powerhouse in Australia, ” both because of its influential music ministry and the new interest politicians have in such megachurches and their members.
The Sydney-based church, with close to 18,000 weekly attenders, is known by evangelicals for its music ministry and festival, with a recent CD of its worship music becoming the best-selling recording in the country. Politicians are also increasingly seeking to win the hearts and minds of such evangelicals due to their increasing influence and financial power.
Peter Costello, the government’s Treasurer and a candidate for Prime Minister, recently addressed the church, citing it as an example of the faith and values needed to restore the country.
(Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation transcript, broadcast: 7/14/04)