Australians made history on Wednesday when the country learned they’d unanimously voted in favor of same-sex marriage.
Home-base to one of the largest megachurches in the world, Australia’s own Hillsong Church pastor, Brian Houston, released a statement in response to his country’s newest ordinance.
Stating that Australia had overwhelmingly voted in favor of same-sex marriage (BBC reports a staggering 61.6 percent) Houston has only one hope for the way believers and nonbelievers move forward:
“My hope is that once this becomes law, Australians will move forward in unity and love, viewing one another without labels.
I believe every person is created by God with a plan and purpose, and the focus of Hillsong Church has always been – and will always be – to point people to Jesus.
My personal belief in the Bible’s teachings on marriage will not change, and the work of our church will continue as usual as it does in many parts of the world where same sex marriage is legal.”
His statement echoes a similar press-release from August in which the megachurch pastor cited “faith and biblical teaching” as measures for determining what the Bible constitutes as marriage.