That’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison sharing the stage with Brian Houston, the leader of the Pentecostal Hillsong church, at its recent conference in Sydney.
Hillsong has become a global phenomenon – 150,000 members in 23 countries. It’s very multicultural and can be very generous. In January, it raised $1.3 million for bushfire victims.
But Hillsong is also controversial, mainly because of its perceived connections with the Liberal Party. There is obviously the friendship between Scott Morrison and Brian Houston.
But members of Hillsong, and similar Pentecostal churches, have also become active within the Liberal membership.
Writer Lech Blaine has been investigating Hillsong’s influence for the current edition of The Monthly.
Presenter: Andrew West
Producer: Muditha Dias
Sound Engineer: Simon Branthwaite
Editor: Joe Gelonesi
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