The recognisable face of Western Pentecostalism in modern days comes in the form of the Hillsong - a worldwide chain of churches attended by the likes of Justin Bieber and various Kardashian-Jenners.
'It has been called Australia's most powerful brand, a money machine, and even a cult', writes Hardy.
Other A-listers who have been spotted attending the church in the past, according to reports, include; Hailey Baldwin, Chris Pratt, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Nick Jonas and Hailee Steinfeld.
Since the movement was founded in 1983, with 45 people gathered at a school hall in Western Sydney, Hillsong has 150,000 weekly worshippers and locations in thirty countries on six continents.
It was founded by Brian Houston, an Australian pastor and evangelist, with his wife Bobbie and was originally known as the Hills Christian Life Centre.
Houston and other pastors of the church are biblical literalists, however stay away from the controversial bible-bashing rhetoric and spread their message in way that appears to be benevolent.
'Instead of delivering a thundering sermon against gay marriage, a Hillsong preacher is more likely to tell you that you must love yourself first and then find love—albeit with the coda that you should find love in the way God tells us to in the Bible', Hardy explains.
Within three years Hillsong hosted its first worship music conference and in 1988 the church's self-titled group released their debut album, Spirit and Truth.
Hillsong has become one of the most successful music brands in the world today with an estimated 50 million people around the world sing their songs each week. (more...)
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