GRAMMY Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling Hillsong Worship has announced their withdrawal from a planned cross-country arena tour with Casting Crowns and We The Kingdom that is set to kick off later this month. Their withdrawal comes in the wake of some “difficult days” at Hillsong Church, per the band’s official statement (which you can read in full below). Hillsong Church co-founder Brian Houston recently resigned from his role as Global Senior Pastor amidst complaints of misconduct involving two women.
In response to the tour announcement, Casting Crowns and We The Kingdom offered this message on social media: “Our prayers are with the Hillsong Church as they walk through a really tough season. Hillsong Worship is staying home and loving their people through tough times. Casting Crowns & We the Kingdom are moving forward to encourage people on the road.” For the latest tour itinerary and to purchase tickets, visit PremiereProductions.com.
Hillsong Worship full statement (4/6/22):
With the generous and gracious support of our friends and partners Casting Crowns and Premier Productions, Hillsong Worship has asked to be withdrawn from the upcoming Casting Crowns/Hillsong Worship tour with We The Kingdom. Whilst we are deeply disappointed to have to make this difficult decision, we do feel that is the right one at this time in our history and the decision that, for us, requires the most faith.
Uniquely, Hillsong Worship is not and has never been a band. We are an extension of and expression of Hillsong Church – a collective of our local church worship teams. All of us are either on staff at Hillsong Church or volunteers at our local campuses. Right now, our church is walking through some difficult days and navigating significant change. Our community is hurting but hope-filled. With the full support and endorsement of our senior church leadership, we believe the decision not to go on tour this month is the one that puts the health and well-being of the people of our team first. Now is the time for us to humbly seek the Lord, to grieve in hope and to heal in community, together.
We are devastated to have to withdraw from this tour we have been planning and praying into for over a year, to let down our friends Casting Crowns, We the Kingdom and Premier Productions who mean the world to us, and to let down all of you who were planning on coming. We are so sorry. We would love to encourage you to hold onto your ticket and head along to these nights which are going to be so full of life, joy and encouragement in God’s presence. We know you will be ministered to deeply by the Lord through our friends Casting Crowns and We the Kingdom, who are absolutely incredible.
God bless you all. We truly look forward to worshipping with you again and celebrating what the Lord has done in our midst as we fully surrender to His will and purposes. – Hillsong Worship