What does the Australian ministry, a charismatic Evengalical church, neoliberal tech companies, and the state of late-capitalism all have in common? Yes girls and gays, it's the beginning of our ongoing mini-series / extensive deep-dive covering the wild and disturbing world of the newly emerging megachurch: Hillsong. Starting as an independent Pentecostal branch off the long-standing Australian institution, Hillsong spread across multiple countries and continents bringing in now over a 100,000 members each week, plus half a million online, watching and engaging in their radical and new-wave form of religious and spiritual practice. From their record-breaking Christian-rock albums to the multiple independent college programs and pricey-stage productions, Hillsong is a vast network of contemporary Instagram-ready entertainment venues veiled under the promises of the Spirit and the Gifts of God. Our series begins with a background and context of their ministries' inner-workings, plus explanations for how their brand grew to such large numbers, and why their glitzy celebrity connections have brought their beliefs into the American consciousness…

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• Joan Summers: Twitter, Instagram.
• Matthew Lawson: Twitter, Instagram.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 4

Links:

• Hillsong: the evangelical megachurch that helped save Justin Bieber's soul — and image (Vox)
• Justin Bieber Had a 'Legitimate Problem' with Xanax and Sex While 'Depressed': 'It Got Dark' (People)
• CARL LENTZ Hesitates to Congratulate Bieber on Engagement ... AFTER MAJOR FALLING OUT (TMZ)
• Justin Bieber Gets Spiritual Healing With Pastor Carl Lentz (The Blast)
• Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger (People)
• The rise of the star-studded, Instagram-friendly evangelical church (Vox)
• Chris Pratt Defends Hillsong Amid Claims It's Anti-LGBTQ: 'Nothing Could Be Further from the Truth' (People)
• Selena Gomez Opens Up About First Time Leading Worship at Hillsong Concert to Perform 'Nobody' (The Christian Post)
• Selena Gomez Shares Tearful Testimony at Hillsong Conference: 'I Am Enough, I'm a Child of God' (The Christian Post)
• Kendall Jenner looks sensational in wide-leg leather trousers as she joins brother-in-law Kanye West at Hillsong's midweek church service (DailyMail)
• Kevin Durant Talks Baptism At Hillsong NYC Church (The Christian Post)
• 'It feels like Arcade Fire - it's epic!' Vanessa Hudgens reveals she and boyfriend Austin Butler are followers of the Australian Pentecostal super-church Hillsong (Daily Mail)