Nick's Second Year at Hillsong!
It's been the most amazing year of my life.
In July of 2013, I felt that my next step was going to be attending Hillsong International Leadership College here in Sydney, Australia. Before I had made up my mind, I decided there were three things I wanted to get out of my journey: To build relationships with people from all over the world; To challenge my suburbian-American views on Christianity and ministry; and To better myself as a musician and as a worship leader by practicing my craft here. In the months passed, I got so much more than I could have imagined.
My time here at Hillsong has challenged the way I live my day-to-day life, the career paths I've chosen, and the way that I interact with people both inside and outside the church. This college is, first and foremost, a leadership college. I'm learning how to be an effective leader for other people and for myself. I'm learning how to hear the call of God, and how to tune in to the ebb and flow of His Spirit. I'm being pushed to write songs for His house and for the masses, writing by myself as well as in collaboration with the amazingly talented and anointed people that I get to do every day of my life here with.
When I left, I never thought I'd be gone for a year. Even now, I can't believe I've been in Australia for this long already—and simultaneously, it feels like home to me. This church, and more importantly the people in it, are not only on the forefront of breaking new ground through the songs of worship that come from our weekly services (as they are most noted for back home); they are on the frontlines of evangelism and ministry all around the globe, reaching people and spreading God's Kingdom where it will inevitably grow and flourish.
In short, I'm so blessed to be here and I truly feel that I've only hit the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential I can find in myself. My second year will throw me into the next level of challenges, growth and relationship with God and His people. I'm asking that you will all continue to support me as you have so graciously, through prayer and petition as well as whatever finances you feel led to contribute to help me cover cost of tuition. I've been blessed with an amazing job that covers my rent and weekly needs, and am hoping to work through this holiday season to pay for tuition, but nothing is definite at this point and I might not be able to meet the deadline by the time tuition is due.
I'm so, so, SO thankful for every ounce of encouragement and good wishes coming from you all back home. I wish there were another way I could show you what life is like here, but hopefully my words have been enough. Please contact me on facebook or via email if you have any questions or just want to talk to me about what I'm doing here. I'm sending all of my love and gratitude to you, and I can't wait to bring this all home with me.
Yours truly,
Nick
