Meet the Christian Band Who Wrote Justin Bieber's 'Favorite Song'
Hillsong's Young & Free is a band of young people dedicated to seeing a revival in their generation.
Right now, they're traveling across America on their "Youth Revival" tour and the group says they're happy with the response by the crowds.
"Young people have been more open to Jesus," Aodhan King told Efrem Graham of Studio 5, CBN's weekly entertainment program.
"I think when we started Young and Free, we never thought that we'd be coming to the USA," King said.
"Although we always hoped maybe that we would, I think being here and being able to play in front of people and lead worship, it's been surprising but I think it's cool.
"It's been awesome to see people respond in such a positive way," he added. "It's amazing."
Although Hillsong United initially served as the worship team for Hillsong Church's youth, the band members slowly transitioned as they "grew past the role" when they got older and started families.
That's when church leadership recognized the need for "a band that expresses what's going on in our youth group."
King says they were approached by their senior pastors and youth pastors about forming Hillsong Young and Free.
Alexander Pappas says their goal has been to write songs that are not just appealing to youth, but ones that could reach those who need to hear the positive message of the gospel.
"The mandate… (is) that we would write songs that represented our youth ministry," he said. "And not only that, but songs that young people would want to sing to, that they would want to dance to, and ultimately, songs that would resource them to show their friends at school, to even get beyond the four walls of the church."
"I feel like God's hand has been over it all these years," Pappas added. "It has to be."
What's more, Pop Star Justin Bieber is one of their biggest fans.
"I think it's really cool that someone as influential as he is, is making a stand for Jesus," said Melodie Wagner. "The fact that he is listening to worship music and can use his platform to get the message out there about Jesus and who he is and what he has done is just an honor."
Bieber called Young & Free's, "This is Living," his favorite song in an Instagram post earlier this summer.
He also posted a picture showing him with Carl Lentz, pastor of Hillsong New York.
And a video Bieber just put on social media earlier this month shows him at a Hillsong conference wearing one of Y&F's shirts.
The band hopes they can continue reaching all people with the message and love of Jesus.
"We want to keep reaching people - the nameless, the famous," Wagner said. "That's what it's about. God is about people, and we want to be about people."
