Young & Free: (Sitting down L to R) Tyler Douglass, Alexander Pappas, Melodie Wagner, Aohdan King, Rene Sieff. (Photo credit: Bella Beach)

NASHVILLE, TENN. -October 10, 2013 -Hillsong's Young & Free has launched their first album, "We Are Young & Free," and has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian albums chart as well as on the Praise and Worship albums chart. In addition it debuted at No. 22 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and No. 6 on the Overall Digital Albums chart.

Last weekend in New York City to a sold-out crowd at the famed Radio City Music Hall, Young & Free unveiled new music, plus a performance of their single "Alive," which was one of the musical highlights of Hillsong's first ever U.S. conference. The band continues a run of dates in November opening for worship trailblazers Hillsong UNITED in the U.S.

Given that it's rare for Hillsong to unleash a brand new music team, the launch of Young and Free has predictably captured the excitement of Christians across the globe. Yet while music writers have positively reviewed the new pop sound and the album tops charts around the world, those behind Young and Free are focused on bigger - and deeper - issues. They want to change the world!

Laura Toggs, Hillsong's youth pastor and the driving force behind the new youth-focused team, says "Young & Free exists to give voice to this generation and to give our youth an identity. God is calling a generation who will rise up, and who will know deep and unending joy in Jesus Christ." Fans can watch "Our Story," a mini-doc at www.hillsongyoungandfree.com that highlights the early stages of the band as they crafted the songs and heart of Young & Free. Also available at http://hillsongcollected.com/leadership/yf-day-1 the band is posting daily devotionals based on all the songs from "We Are Young & Free."

Hillsong senior pastor Brian Houston said the launch of Young and Free was intentional. He explained that while the new team was "created for teenagers, the whole church comes alive" to the music. "I feel very strongly that we are called to release generations, to be more loyal to the future than we are to the past," he said.

Worship Leader Magazine stated: "This stellar collection of songs from Hillsong are exciting and uplifting modern pop tunes with smooth, clear vocals, aimed at today's teenagers and the music styles they love." While Hallels gave a glowing review saying, "The music is glorious with an unprocessed sound that galvanizes you, whatever your age, towards the Throne." Louder Than Music concluded, "Hillsong Young & Free is a brilliant, fresh addition to the Hillsong family. It's like the younger brother, who dresses a bit more cool, likes to play loud music, and has too much energy."

About YOUNG & FREE:
Young & Free is the sound of Hillsong Youth. They are a youth ministry by name, but by identity they are individuals who have found hope, salvation, joy, forgiveness and a future in Jesus Christ. Their songs are the overflow of their hearts and a reflection of life in Jesus.

About Hillsong Church:
In August 1983, Brian and Bobbie Houston founded the Hills Christian Life Centre in the Hills District of Sydney, Australia. It has grown from a congregation of 45 to what is said to be the largest local church in Australian history. It has now expanded to be a global church with local expressions in significant cities; with churches in Australia, London, New York, Paris, Cape Town, Stockholm, Germany, Kiev, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Each week, tens of thousands of people across the globe call Hillsong Church 'home' and the reach, impact and influence of this local congregation is seen across many nations.

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