(WARNING: you might end up wanting to come with me)
-Promo Videos
-College Life
-Chapel Services!
[for more information: clicking on the title "Hillsong College: are you up for the task?" will take you to the official website]
Greetings...
Greetings to all my dear friends and family!
Recently after graduating with my AA&S in General Studies from Lord Fairfax Community College, I applied and was accepted to Hillsong International Leadership College (HILC) in Sydney, Australia. As of right now, I am enrolled in their one year program starting the middle of January 2009. Words simply cannot explain the level of my excitement about this next phase and new adventure in my life!
“At Hillsong College you will be immersed in an environment of praise, surrounded by a company of people passionate to change the world...”
- Mark and Sandy Hopkins [Executive Vice Presidents of HILC]
My Story...
Not until last Thanksgiving when my older sister, Rachel, and her husband, Andy, came back from a Hillsong Conference, did I even know about this undeniably awesome opportunity. As they promoted the college during the conference, Rachel proceeded to tell me later that all she could think of was, “This is such a perfect fit for Briana!” After spending hours on their website one night pouring over information, looking into details, and after a few days of presenting my requests to God, I knew that this was not just a radical or premature decision. Especially when my parents whole-heartedly agreed with my choice to travel 
across the planet, the minute that I asked for their opinion, I knew that Hillsong was where God wanted me to be in 2009.
["acceptance phone call"- on the beach with Rachel!]
The Mission...
I will be pursuing a Certificate IV in Ministry with Worship Music as my focus. During the weekdays I will attend leadership training classes, and on the weekends attend and serve at Hillsong Church. Brian and Bobbie Houston, Presidents of HILC and Senior Pastors of the church, will play a core role in my learning experience, as well as Worship Pastor and Music Advisor Darlene Zschech and other respected and passionate teachers. My heart and my mind are completely open to whatever God has in store for me during this time before I come back to finish my Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. I want to learn how to be a true leader, be trained in biblical teaching, and be on fire for Him!
“The Church that I see is a Church so committed to raising, training, and empowering a leadership generation to reap the end-time harvest that all its ministries are consumed with this goal. I see a Church whose head is Jesus, whose help is the Holy Spirit, whose focus is the Great Commission…”
-Brian Houston
Your Help...
There are several steps for this process to be complete, the application and acceptance being only the first. For example, I am required to pay the course fees, health cover, and accommodation fees before receiving a Confirmation of Enrollment, which is in turn, required to apply for my Student Visa. They also suggest setting aside approximately $300/week for apartment rental and cost of living; and although I am continuing to work before I leave and will be applying for my Work Visa in order to maintain a part-time job throughout the year, I am sending you this letter to ask for your financial and prayerful help to raise a total of approximately $23,000 (depending on the ever-changing value of the U.S. dollar compared to the Australian dollar) and to make this dream of mine possible.
Checks can be made payable to Gateway Bible Church (write “Briana Nickless” in the memo). Gateway Bible Church, P.O. Box 861556, Warrenton, VA 20187
Please know that I have you all in my heart!
My sincere thanks,
Briana Nickless
