A bunch of us from I-HEART went on a “creative excursion” this afternoon for inspiration. We ventured to the NSW State Library for World Press Photo 2009

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So having succeeded in being intentionally ambiguous to date, it's probably overdue of me to expand on that which is 'the I heart revolution'...

Let me break it into 3 parts...

The first and second really serve as a precursor to the third and absolutely most important part..

But first a bit of the 'why?'

Our travels have led us to some of the most amazing places in the world, and allowed us to meet too many remarkable people to give adequate reference to.. We've experienced humanity in all it's beautiful diversity; a people spread across different nations - different cultures, differing circumstances and facing different challenges.. Yet for all our differences, one thing remains constant.. People are people.. We are all united in our humanity and in our need for truth and faith.. - Geography, ethnicity, social class and background bare no relevance when it comes to the fact that people, whether they realise it yet or not were created for the sole purpose of worship toward their Creator.. It's the meaning of life.. Ponder no more.. The amazing thing is that in our travels, no matter where we've found ourselves on the planet, we've experienced a movement of passionate people committed to that end.. PART ONE and PART TWO of THE I HEART REVOLUTION is about giving voice to these people and telling this story...

PART ONE/// WITH HEARTS AS ONE..
Live Music DVD

From rwanda to capetown, buenos aires to mexico city, los angeles to toronto, london to budapest.. shanghai to sydney.. We've recorded almost every united worship service for the last 2 years.. Bottled just some of the moments and put them together for all who'd choose to hear.. The end result is the sound of a generation across the earth singing praise and worship to our God.. The sound of the nations joining as one in the same song..

We've recorded a double album worth of songs old and new, and I have to say, it's all about the people and the passion of their worship toward God.. It's very live... A little rugged in places, but that's the beauty of it - it's not about 'united' or even the songs.. It's about the heart cry of a generation consumed with their Maker..

There's something special about unity.. Music has the ability to cross borders and break down walls, and when it's purpose is putting voice to our reason for being alive, something powerful happens.. You realise you're a part of something that is happening all over the world; Something much bigger.. Personally I've been so encouraged in my faith just seeing and hearing the global Church declare the praises of God with hearts as one.. No doubt you will be too..

PART TWO/// WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Coming 2009...

If part one is about the confession of our lips.. Part two is about our action..

It takes off exactly where part one left off.. We have literally hundreds + hundreds of hours of footage.. We've documented the entire journey, and we're putting it together in a way that captures what we've been so blessed to experience; The passion, the hunger and the urgency of a generation across the earth desperate to live the life God designed for them... We've captured the worship.. But we've also captured the places.. We've talked to the people.. We've documented some of the best and worst the world has to offer and have told the story in a way that inspires, but also challenges us all to live the worship life that goes beyond just the confession of our lips, but would direct us toward action - Reaching out to the lost and the broken.. Helping the poor and oppressed..  Pursuing justice and fairness for all people..

In short we are releasing a feature length documentary in a double DVD pack + a whole lot of worship.. There's so much more to it, but you'll have to wait and see...

And all of this serves to set up for the main part...

PART THREE/// THE MOVEMENT..
Set to launch 2009..  But it really starts now...

This is where YOU get involved.. part one and two are the story and the mission.. They are united projects aimed at giving us all a global perspective.. Part three is about YOU.. About your projects.. About telling the stories of everyday heroes.. People who are taking it to the streets.. Who aren't just doing Church, but who are stepping out and BEING the Church.. And this is what will decide whether we're a part of generation of hype and good intentions - who sung the songs and talked about making a difference but with little action.. Or whether we can truly say we were a part of global revolution.. A movement of passionate people who laid down our own personal agendas for the good of others and the cause of Christ.. Who stood up and DID something.. With no agenda but LOVE..

I HEART.

It's a locally focused initiative which, if we work together, will have global impact..

Think of it as a GLOCAL project...

Imagine a global online community where at any moment you can see what other like-minded people all around the world are doing locally to make a difference.. It's about being the change.. Locally, and together having global effect..

A social justice hub where the Church can use it's voice and be heard on the issues of injustice that face so many.. And be mobilised to action and operate as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ..

It will work when we as the Church take up the call to act on the 'opportunities' that we all have every day to love our neighbours - near and far.. It doesn't matter where you live, or what you have.. There are no excuses.. Everyone can love.. Opportunity is there for anybody willing to open their eyes to it..

Practically it'll depend entirely on all of us choosing to act..  We're gonna do our best to set up a platform and a network where we can be educated on the issues.. Be directed to ways we can help.. Be inspired by the stories of others.. And share our own experiences and challenges... But ultimately this is about YOU taking up the challenge to live your life for OTHERS....

SO THERE IT IS.. I BELIEVE WE'RE ON THE EDGE OF A MOVE OF GOD LIKE NEVER BEFORE.. I REALLY DO.. BUT GOD ALWAYS RESPONDS TO US EARNESTLY AND DILIGENTLY SEEKING HIM!!! SO CHASE HIM!! DESIRE MORE!! BUT BE READY TO NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.. PREPARE YOURSELF TO LIVE UNCOMFORTABLY; TO BE INCONVENIENCED, BUT TO SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY!!! IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS.. THE UNSEEN.. THE SELFLESS.. IT'S TRUE WORSHIP.. IT'S WHAT WE WERE MADE FOR..!!

MUCH LOVE...

jth

More Information @ hoyts. com. au

Purchase Tickets @ http://hoyts.ninemsn.com.au/buytix/IHeartRevolution.asp

www.theiheartrevolution.com

Pastor Phil Dooley, who recently moved to South Africa with his family to plant Hillsong Cape Town, has written to us about his experiences during the recent riots that left 10,000 people displaced in Cape Town alone. ⁱ

"Last night, May 24, a few of us went down to Ocean View Police Station to see how we could assist with the refugee situation brought on by the xenophobic attacks in townships.

We were confronted with some pretty serious needs that a small group of willing volunteers from the local community were attempting to deal with. Refugees were being transported on the back of trucks with only the clothes on their back and a few personal belongings.

The most urgent need was for blankets...they needed at least 200. It was 9.30pm and no one had any suggestions on how to get these...I went through my phone address book, which isn't too long as I haven't been here more than 6 weeks and called those I thought might be able to help. Ron Martin from Joyce Meyer Ministries is the man! He had 150 blankets and much non-perishable food at their offices, so we headed down there and loaded up our car. Blair and Mike joined us with bottles of water, warm clothes and other necessary supplies...

We headed back to Ocean View police station sorted out our documents so we could head into the camp. Discussed what was going on with volunteer leaders, like Rev. John Thomas from Fish Hoek Baptist Church (this guy was in the thick of the action!).

We jumped in the cars and headed out to "Soetwater" where their refugee camp is. We drove through the dark and until we reached the entrance...2 big gates, 3 metres high, plus barricades and lots of police officers with guns greeted us without smiles...Brad who had made us aware of the situation got out and explained to them what we were doing and showed our stamped papers. The gates swung open and we drove in.

It was now after 11pm...it took a few minutes to get to the camp, and when we got there the first thing I had to do was slow down to avoid running over people huddled together sleeping on the side of the road under blankets...there were tents set up and they were packed full of refugees all trying to get some sleep. Others were outside with blank expressions on their faces, working out what to do next with life.

We unloaded the blankets, clothes, food, and hygiene supplies. The beautiful volunteers mainly women were overjoyed with what we provided, even though it didn't seen like much considering the need...we stayed for a while chatted to some of the guys, found out what was needed urgently and then left to get some sleep...and spread the word that more help is needed!

Today, Sunday May 25, another 400 (at least) refugees are said to be arriving. Needs are: blankets, baby bottles, sterilising equipment, food, clothes, toilet paper, tarps to cover the ground for sleeping, plus volunteers to help with distributing supplies and providing food. I know a number of people have been stirring into action, let's keep doing what we can to help make a difference in this situation."

To connect with this team or to assist financially, please visit www.hillsong.co.za and click on the "news and events" page.

QUICK FACTS:
Attacks began on May 11, in Alexandra, north of Johannesburgⁱⁱ with the murder of two immigrants.ⁱⁱⁱ Now, as gangs have been beating, raping, killing and burning foreign nationals^iv more than 50 people have died^v and 35,000 have fled^vi to refugee centers across South Africa.^vii

These 35,000 - like most displaced people - are in desperate need of food, shelter and sanitary facilities.^viii Sadly, large percentages of those displaced are Zimbabweans who initially moved to SA to escape persecution.^ix

There also are concerns for the ongoing safety of victims as many are undocumented foreign nationals fearing risk of deportation if they participate in the justice process.^x

For more information:
NOTE: This is an ongoing issue. Please research yourself to stay informed on the latest developments.

Mbeki says South Africa 'disgraced' by xenophobic riots as death toll rises to 50, The Independent, May 26, 2008
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/mbeki-says-south-africa-disgraced-by-xenophobic-riots-as-death-toll-rises-to-50-834318.html

Mbeki condemns violence as a 'disgrace', The Guardian (UK) May 26, 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/26/southafrica.zimbabwe

Mbeki calls migrant attacks "absolute disgrace", Herald Tribune (International) May 25, 2008
http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/05/25/africa/OUKWD-UK-SAFRICA-VIOLENCE-MBEKI.php

South Africa: Punish Attackers in Xenophobic Violence, Human Rights Watch (International May 23, 2008
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/05/23/safric18935.htm

UN refugee agency 'deeply concerned' over xenophobic attacks in South Africa, UN News Centre, May 23, 2008
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26771&Cr=xenophob&Cr1

Malawi-born Security Guard Flees Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa, Heads Home, International Organization for Migration (United Nations) May 23, 2008
http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/featureArticleAF/cache/offonce?entryId=17265

UN agency distributes blankets to victims of xenophobic violence in South Africa, UN News Center, May 22, 2008
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26758&Cr=xenophob&Cr1

South Africa burns in 'outsider' riots, The Age (Australia) May 21, 2008
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/south-africa-burns-in-outsider-riots/2008/05/20/1211182801242.html

i Mbeki says South Africa 'disgraced' by xenophobic riots as death toll rises to 50,' The Independent, May 26, 2008 See: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/mbeki-says-south-africa-disgraced-by-xenophobic-riots-as-death-toll-rises-to-50-834318.html (accessed 26.5.08)

ii HRW (2008) 'South Africa: Punish Attackers in Xenophobic Violence,' Human Rights Watch (International May23, 2008 See: http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/05/23/safric18935.htm (accessed 26.5.08)

iii South Africa burns in 'outsider' riots, The Age (Australia) May 21, 2008 See: http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/south-africa-burns-in-outsider-riots/2008/05/20/1211182801242.html (accessed 26.5.08)

iv Mbeki says South Africa 'disgraced' by xenophobic riots as death toll rises to 50,' The Independent, May 26, 2008 See: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/mbeki-says-south-africa-disgraced-by-xenophobic-riots-as-death-toll-rises-to-50-834318.html (accessed 26.5.08)

v Simao, P. (2008) 'Mbeki condemns attacks on migrants and vows action,' Washington Post, May 25, 2008 See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/25/AR2008052501366.html (accessed 26.5.08)

vi Mbeki says South Africa 'disgraced' by xenophobic riots as death toll rises to 50,' The Independent, May 26, 2008 See: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/mbeki-says-south-africa-disgraced-by-xenophobic-riots-as-death-toll-rises-to-50-834318.html (accessed 26.5.08)

vii Simao, P. (2008) 'Mbeki condemns attacks on migrants and vows action,' Washington Post, May 25, 2008 See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/25/AR2008052501366.html (accessed 26.5.08)

viii UN agency distributes blankets to victims of xenophobic violence in South Africa, UN News Center, May 22, 2008 http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26758&Cr=xenophob&Cr1=

ix UN refugee agency 'deeply concerned' over xenophobic attacks in South Africa, UN News Centre, May 23, 2008 See: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26771&Cr=xenophob&Cr1= (Accessed 26.5.08)

x HRW (2008) 'South Africa: Punish Attackers in Xenophobic Violence,' Human Rights Watch May 23, 2008 See: http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/05/23/safric18935.htm (accessed 26.5.08)