First-Ever African American Pastor, Sam Collier, Leads Hillsong Atlanta
As the country rapidly re-opens with a flurry of post-pandemic activities, apparently the faith community is finally returning to some semblance of normalcy in terms of how worship is conducted and where will it be conducted. For many of us, we have been anticipating a global revival, spiritual resurgence, and complete paradigm shift from the way we’ve done “church” in the past. We are desperately ready for transformative change and tangible demonstration of power in the universal Church at large.
Well, this is exactly what’s happening with the newly instituted Hillsong Atlanta and Pastor Sam Collier along with his phenomenal wife Toni. They are trailblazing a new way through the church to reach broader and diverse audiences, and usher in a new reality of hope, peace, unity, reconciliation through the presentation of the Gospel message.
Hillsong Atlanta launches after several months of successful worship events that have drawn 2,200 in-person attendance and more than 30,000 people online, culminating with a major inauguration on last weekend at the Atlanta Events Center with a host of special guests and Hillsong Global Senior Pastors, Brian and Bobbie Houston.
Artists like Lecrae, Mack Brock, Natalie Grant, Andy Mineo, Todd Galberth, Chante Cann and more have been part of the widely popular pre-launch worship nights, setting the tone for the diverse world-class worship music that will be a hallmark of Hillsong Atlanta. Moreover, diversity and multiculturalism is at the heart core of Hillsong Atlanta in every aspect.
“The soil has revolutionary and liberating energy within it. We believe that Contemporary Christian Music and Gospel, Pop and Hip Hop can effectively co-exist on a Sunday Morning, just like brothers and sisters who don’t look alike can effectively worship together. Jesus can unite us even in different expressions of the same message. Therefore, I’m excited to see what a Church like ours could become in a city like Atlanta!”
According to Collier, there were three services held on kickoff day with nearly 2,000 in person attendees and nearly 30,000 online views. The services were electric to say the least, with GRAMMY-award artist, Jonathan McReynolds, leading worship followed up by special messages from Senior Global Pastors, Brian and Bobbie Houston flying in from Australia (base). Pastor Sam also shared a powerful message on racial reconciliation and revolution of values in Atlanta started by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., over 50 years ago. Dr. Bernice A. King and several family members attended services and was honored publicly.
This historical collaboration with Hillsong has given Pastor Sam a platform to build the local vision and expand it throughout the south and across the nation. This is so critical because we saw that our world was rocked as we were shocked to see the explosion of cultural tension, racial division, political division exposing the deep, deep division in the Church. For me, personally, it was absolutely appalling and eye-opening. Ironically, it took the peak of the pandemic to expose so many shocking realities that most weren’t even aware existed.
“Church should be a place where black and white, Asian and Hispanics, republican or democrat can come together under the auspices of Christ Jesus and sit down at the table and finally learn how to love each other.” No absent of real issues but talking about those issues with love at the center.
Collier after serving in two major ministries in Atlanta — was exposed to both spectrums of the church experiences in terms of race and culture. He and his wife desperately wanted to find a balance and have a combined representation that represented the true family of God. Essentially, the Lord told them that they would have to build it! After sharing his comprehensive vision, Hillsong graciously invited not only a partnership but permanency in ushering in a different kind of church addressing the relevant needs of our community.
After a year of virtual services for most churches, Collier’s embrace of a simultaneous fully digital and fully physical approach, with major outside partnerships, is a first. Pastor Sam Collier has partnered with Facebook and Lightworkers to augment and transcend the traditional church model. Facebook Executive, Nona Jones, Head of North American Community Partnerships and Faith Global was also in attendance.
Facebook and Collier are co-discovering how to launch a robust online church, which will pave the way for churches in the future to reach a broader audience while still meeting the in-person attendees’ needs. Lightworkers is also set to stream the services, further underscoring Hillsong Atlanta’s digital commitment. Currently, Lightworkers reaches over 20 million people monthly.
“It’s unbelievable to think that an organization as large as Facebook has agreed to help shape what the future of the digital Church could be, with a new yet prayerfully innovative family like us,” said Collier. “Facebook has lent its development team to Hillsong Atlanta and together we are working on tools that will one day be able to help all churches.”
Hillsong Atlanta will be among the revolutionary forerunners and catalysts of representing a new trajectory of what we can expect and anticipate for churches post-pandemic. It was the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said “It is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o’clock on Sunday morning…” Well, it is time to walk our talk and now is the urgent time for our churches to tangibly reflect (look like) the Kingdom of God, and not our own segregated (man-made) kingdoms which cannot prevail in the grand scheme of global footprinting and impact!
What an uber-exciting time to be a part of the re-awakened Church! Stay woke.
Follow Hillsong Atlanta on Facebook @HillsongAtlanta, Instagram @HillsongAtlanta and online at Hillsong.com/Atlanta