Brian Houston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brian Houston
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| Born | 17 February 1954 Auckland, New Zealand
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| Occupation | Pastor |
| Spouse(s) | Bobbie Houston |
| Children | 3 |
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Brian Charles Houston (born 17 February 1954) is a pastor from New Zealand and Australia. He is best known as the founder of Hillsong Church. This church started in Sydney, Australia, but now has locations all over the world.
For many years, Houston was a key leader in the Christian community in Australia. From 1997 to 2009, he was the national president of the Australian Christian Churches. This is a large group of churches in Australia. In 2022, Houston stepped down from his leadership roles at Hillsong Church.
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Early Life and Family
Brian Houston was born in Auckland, New Zealand. His parents, Frank and Hazel Houston, were officers in the Salvation Army. When Brian was three, his family joined the Assemblies of God in New Zealand. They started a church in Lower Hutt, near Wellington, where Brian grew up with his brother and three sisters.
After finishing school, he studied at a Bible college for three years. Soon after, he met Bobbie, who would become his wife. They met at a Christian event on Papamoa Beach in New Zealand and got married in 1977.
Houston and his wife Bobbie live near Sydney, Australia. They have three children: Joel, Ben, and Laura. All of their children are also involved in leading Hillsong Church.
Starting Hillsong Church
In 1978, Brian and Bobbie Houston moved to Sydney, Australia. He worked as an assistant pastor for his father, Frank, at the Sydney Christian Life Centre. He also helped start churches on the Central Coast and in Liverpool, both in New South Wales.
In 1983, Houston decided to start a new church. He rented a school hall in a suburb of Sydney called Baulkham Hills. The first service for this new church, called the Hills Christian Life Centre, was on 14 August 1983. This church grew and later became known as Hillsong Church.
Leadership and Music
Leading Christian Groups
In 1997, Houston became the president of the Assemblies of God in Australia. This group is now called the Australian Christian Churches. He also helped create a network of churches that represented about 200,000 people who attended church regularly.
In 2018, Hillsong Church became its own denomination. This means it is no longer part of the Australian Christian Churches. It now sees itself as a global church.
Famous Church Music
Houston also started Hillsong Music Australia, which is the music part of Hillsong Church. This music ministry became very successful. It created popular music groups like Hillsong United and Hillsong Worship.
Every year, Hillsong records a live album. Churches around the world sing songs from these albums. Some of their most famous songs include "Mighty to Save" and "Shout to the Lord".
Books by Brian Houston
Houston has written many books about faith and life. Here are some of them:
| Title | Year | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Get a Life | 1996 | ISBN: 978-0957733619 | No longer in print |
| You Can Change the Future | 1999 | ISBN: 978-0957733626 | No longer in print |
| You Need More Money | 1999 | ISBN: 978-0957733602 | No longer in print |
| How to Build Great Relationships | 2002 | ISBN: 978-0957733671 | |
| How to Live a Blessed Life | 2002 | ISBN: 978-0957733633 | |
| How to Flourish in Life | 2003 | ISBN: 978-0957733688 | |
| How to Make Wise Decisions | 2004 | ISBN: 978-0957733602 | |
| How to Live in Health & Wholeness | 2005 | ISBN: 978-0975206003 | |
| Selah | 2006 | ISBN: 978-0975206027 | |
| For This Cause | 2006 | ISBN: 978-0957733657 | |
| Selah 2 | 2007 | ISBN: 978-0975206034 | |
| For This I Was Born | 2008 | ISBN: 978-0849919138 | |
| Live Love Lead | 2015 | ISBN: 978-1455533428 | |
| There Is More | 2018 | ISBN: 978-0735290617 |
