Joel Houston - Song Writer for God.

A vast majority of Christians world wide know the Australian Pentecostal Church Hillsong, and a vast majority of Churches world wide sing their worship songs on a weekly basis. It's always an exciting time of the year when it's time for Hillsong Live's new album release, to hear what worship music they have created this time (for the people who can't afford or make it to the yearly Hillsong Conference). Each album improves, and each song becomes much more intricately structured, each track filled to the brim with praise.

One of the integral components to Hillsong Live and also Hillsong United is the lead pastor's son, Joel Houston (who is now co-pastor at Hillsong NYC) and on a personal level, the songs he writes are some of my favourites. Joel seems to specialise in what I describe as 'epic' worship, lengthier tracks that build and build into a massive explosion. I typically will be listening to these tracks on a daily basis and they never fail to send shivers down my spine as I listen to them. I had the privilege of attending 2011's Hillsong OneDay Conference and experienced these songs in a live setting, with around 10,000 other worshippers and the presence of God and the power of the songs is such an experience to be felt.

Below are a few of the songs that Joel has written over the years.

Rise - Hillsong Live, album: God Is Able

Rise, is currently my favourite track on God Is Able. It's a brilliant way to start the album and is written specifically to prepare the Church's heart for worship.

With Everything - Hillsong Live, album: This Is Our God

With Everything has one incredible build up that just explodes at the end, and when experienced live, with thousands of other worshippers singing in unison, it is almost an outer body experience! It really brings you right there with God.

Beautiful Exchange - Hillsong Live, album: A Beautiful Exchange

The title track from the above mentioned album, remains one of Joel's most atmospheric and hypnotic worship songs, which he supposedly wrote in his head as he was surfing one day in Bondi Beach. Another track that truly shows his heart and love for Jesus. 

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! ...