“On behalf of Christians everywhere, we want to honour tonight Australia’s oldest organisation – The Bible Society,” said Joel A’Bell who is the lead pastor of Hillsong Australia. He was joined on stage by Hillsong Global lead pastor, Brian Houston.

Hillsong Conference is all about championing the cause of the Church of Jesus Christ — across every nation, denomination, age and background. Delegates come from all Christian denominations to meet together. The Australian conference was held at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney this year.

Shortly after the worship, Joel A’Bell took to the stage and began by saying that every year at Hillsong Conference they honour a significant organisation or person.

“Let’s really really thank God for those that faithfully get the Word of God around the globe so selflessly.” – Brian Houston

A’Bell pointed to the 200 international Bible Society delegates from the United Bible Societies Roundtable gathering (the largest annual United Bible Societies event, where the UBS community decides which projects they will support in the coming year) who had made the journey from Manly to attend the evening session of Hillsong Conference. “We honour all of you, but one special person we want to honour tonight is Bible Society Australia CEO Dr Greg Clarke.”

Greg Clarke receives the Bible on behalf of Bible Society Australia

Joel and Brian Houston shared the stage to honour Bible Society and Bobby Gruenwald – founder and inventor of the YouVersion Bible App from Life Church. Over 250 million people have downloaded the Bible App. They were both asked to stand as the crowd applauded.

The text on stage in large font and bright lights it said, “We honour you Dr Greg Clarke and Bobby Gruenewald.”

“Between the written word and the digital word, we’re so excited for what’s going to come next.” – Joel A’Bell

Hosts took Clarke and Gruenewald their large, gift-wrapped King James Version Bibles, open to Psalm 119 with verse 105 – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” – in the middle of the page.

“So between the written word and the digital word, we’re so excited for what’s going to come next,” said A’Bell.

“Let’s really really thank God for those that faithfully get the Word of God around the globe so selflessly, who so often allow the word to go out for free in any way they can, putting Bibles in the hands of people. It’s a pretty powerful thing that you’re doing, so thank God for it,” said Houston.

Bible Society Australia was honoured at Hillsong Conference Teagan Russell