Interview with Louise Sin Fai Lam from England

Louise Sin Fai Lam is from England. She is  27 years old and she is currently doing her Diploma in Pastoral Leadership at Hillsong International Leadership College. Read more about Louise's experience of Hillsong college below.

What made you come to Hillsong College?

I knew that there was more to my relationship with God and my purpose in life and I needed to do something drastic in order to grow. I knew that Hillsong had amazing teaching and worship and that the college was very practical as well as academic. I was inspired by the fact that it would grow me as a person and that it would not just be information input.

What has surprised you about moving to Australia?

How much I love it! Everyone here is so amazing and embracing. It's really not that different from England. I felt at home straight away. It has exceeded my expectations by far. The thing that has surprised me most about church is how organized and professional everything is. Everything is thought through and everything has a purpose and a reason behind it. The church is moving in a specific direction and everyone has a common goal.

What has been your favorite subject during the years you have been at college?

World Religions. I think I was scared this class would challenge my beliefs too much, but it actually ended up strengthening my faith. It helped me to understand other people from other religions and connect with them better. Being here I have realized it is okay to ask the hard questions and that God is stretching me through it. It builds trust and relationship with God, rather than separating me from Him.


What has challenged you the most during your stay?

 I came to college not having dealt with a lot of issues from my past. Dealing with those issues has been the hardest part. Even though I know I came to college to build and grow my character, I did not know or realize how challenging that would be!

What, out of the things you have learned at Hillsong College, will you be using 10 years from now?

So many things! One of the main things is to have vision. Without vision you have a purposeless life without direction. Being able to pin point that and to attach that to church is something I will use in the future. 


What is one of the main things that God has done in your life while being at college? 

He has definitely worked on my character. I don't even recognize the person I was when I came. I am definitely a lot more confident now and I trust God a lot more than I did before! He has been chipping away and He has been helping me with relationships with other people and my relationship with Him. I have never had as many and as good friends as I have here.

Do you feel more equipped to do what God has called you to do after having been at Hillsong College?
 

Definitely! One of the areas I really feel equipped in is leadership. Coming to college I have gotten the tools of how to lead people. I could be kind of a dictator before and do everything on my own. Now I have learned to work in a team and delegate things. I also feel more equipped in how to build relationship in a team and how to value the people more than the task.

Where do you serve in church?
 

Saturday night and Sunday mornings I help out at the Connection Zone in church. I help people who are new to church get planted, and I help them feel welcome and connected. I also run a street for the Street Team program in Blacktown. There are lots of different locations in the city where Hilsong Church runs Street Teams, but the one I am involved in is in Blacktown. We go there every Saturday to bless the locals in the community and do odd jobs including gardening and cleaning. The aim is to reach out and build relationships, in a non aggressive way. We want to help the community flourish, bless people and show God's love in a practical way.

What is the very best thing about studying at Hillsong College? 
 

It's so awesome to be with people from all around the world who have the same goal and purpose – to learn more and grow in God. It is great to serve together and have this experience together. The world suddenly becomes very small and your view very open and broad.

Have you gotten what you came for?

Yeah, more than I realized I needed! I feel like I can achieve a lot more than I thought I could before. I didn't have any expectations, because I didn't know what it would be like. It's been mind blowing!

What are you going to do after college?


I want to do missions. I want to get involved in uniting the different mission organizations and equipping them. Before I had no vision, but now I can actually say that is my goal!

Is college worth it?

What a silly question! OF COURSE it is! I am SO glad I came. It's ridiculous. I can't imagine not having come. Even though it can be hard and challenging sometimes it is totally worth it. I wouldn't change it for the world!