Houston - The sisterhood: how the power of the feminine heart can become a catalyst for change and make the world a better place

1. part one
   THE BEGINNINGS
2. part two
   THE WONDER YEARS
3. part three
   THE SISTERHOOD

BOBBIE HOUSTON, together with her husband, Brian, is the founder and global senior pastor of Hillsong Church; as well as the founder of Colour Conference and the Colour Sisterhood. The Colour Sisterhood is a worldwide movement of women united to make a difference and make the world a better place. With a contagious zest for life, Bobbie passionately believes in the potential of all people and is devoted to the Cause of Christ. She is a wife, mother, grammy, friend, pastor, creative visionary, communicator, author, role model, and mentor. She and her husband, Brian, have three grown children.

It has long been both my honor and privilege to traverse the earth and glimpse what God is doing in and among His daughters. And yet nearly a decade ago I was arrested by what I experienced at Colour... in the far-away land of Australia I found a Sisterhood. Never before had my life and ministry been so profoundly touched. I watched as this message spread beyond a gathering of women to strengthen houses of worship. When I learned this story was to be scribed my heart leapt. Now every woman can find herself written in the beauty and the strength of THE SISTERHOOD. Thank you, Pastor Bobbie, for capturing this story so well.

Lisa Bevere, author, advocate, minister, and co-founder of Messenger International

The Hillsong Colour Conference is a powerful example of the strength and sisterhood Godly women have when they come together. What an amazing movement the Lord is building all across the earth through Hillsong Conferences.

Joyce Meyer, Bible teacher and bestselling author

We are so grateful for this book! Pastor Bobbies leadership in our lives has drastically influenced how we see mankind and the role of the church to aid hurting humanity around the globe. Every time Bobbie speaks, she paints a prophetic picture of the church, and as church leaders we are grateful for her voice to be heard through this book.

Judah & Chelsea Smith, author and
pastors of City Church, Seattle and Los Angeles

I have been waiting for this book for twenty years. It is more than a messageit is a mandate and invitation to every woman on the earth. I have been personally woven into the fabric of this movement since day one, have seen its global influence and know of nothing else like it. It has helped to shape and frame my life and ministry and is a sight to behold. The Colour Conference has literally transformed the way many approach womens ministry, and has been the catalyst for numerous gatherings birthed from this vision. My dear friend Bobbie Houston has penned the story and heartbeat of Sisterhood magnificently, and as she shares her story, she will inspire you to step into yours.

Christine Caine, author and founder
of the A21 Campaign

Bobbie Houston has labored to lead and encourage a global movement of women to understand their value and to make a difference in the world. She has a unique ability to communicate in a way that is practical and revolutionary. Her words are poetic, and her passion is contagious. I know that by the time you finish her book, you will not be the same. You will have a clearer picture of why you are here and a real desire to love God and people. My friend Bobbie is the real deal, and this is the story of an everyday girl who said yes to God and began the greatest adventure ever. Why dont you join us?

Holly Wagner, pastor of OasisLA

Life changing! Thats the word that comes to mind when I think of my friend Pastor Bobbie Houston. She has championed Gods daughters around the world, reminding us of the beauty and grace of our calling. This is a book for this moment in our history. Dive in and join this global sisterhood.

Sheila Walsh, Bible teacher and bestselling author

Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scriptures noted (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible. Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.lockman.org)

Scriptures noted (ESV) are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version).

Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures noted (JUB) are taken from the Jubilee Bible. Copyright 2000, 2001, 2010, 2013 by Life Sentence Publishing, Inc. Used by permission of Life Sentence Publishing, Inc., Abbotsford, Wisconsin. All rights reserved.

Scriptures noted (KJV) are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Scriptures noted (MSG) are taken from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scriptures noted (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scriptures noted (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures noted (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT). Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

HarperCollinsPublishers

First published in the USA by FaithWords

a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

First published in Australia in 2016

by HarperCollinsPublishers Australia Pty Limited

ABN 36 009 913 517

harpercollins.com.au

Copyright 2016 by Bobbie Houston

The right of Bobbie Houston to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

HarperCollinsPublishers

Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

Unit D1, 63 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand

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195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007, USA

ISBN 978 1 4607 5209 8 (pbk)

ISBN 978 1 4607 0694 7 (ebook)

Cover art created by Hillsong Ministry

Cover designed by Jay Argaet, Nicole Scott

Cover photo by River Bennett

Cover copyright 2016 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.

This book is dedicated to the feminine heartto every girl-child or woman who has ever contemplated her existence or questioned her value, to those who have suffered innocently or unjustly at the hands of others or stood bravely for those they believed in and loved.

It is dedicated to precious sisters who have gone beforewomen who have walked paths that we may never have to travel, who paved away and paid a price for the freedoms we know. Women whose names may not be known this side of eternity but who courageously resisted mediocrity and opposition, believing that life is a gift, that womanhood is precious, and that a higher way exists.