Hillsong founder Brian Houston drops bombshell announcement on congregation in Australia

The founding father of the Evangelical Hillsong Church in Australia, Brian Houston, dropped a bombshell on his worshippers right now, saying he was stepping except for all church actions whereas he defends allegations he hid his father’s youngster sexual abuse.

The pastor for the highly effective evangelical church was charged in October final yr with one rely of concealing the intense indictable offence of one other individual.

Police allege Houston knew from September 1999 that his father Frank Houston had indecently assaulted a male in 1970.

Frank Houston was a Pentecostal Christian pastor within the Assemblies of God in New Zealand and Australia. He was born in Whanganui.

His son Brian was born in Auckland, and grew up in New Zealand till the household moved to Australia in 1978.

On Sunday, Brian Houston instructed the church’s congregation that the felony cost got here as a “full shock” and he intends to “vigorously defend” it however this meant some modifications.

He revealed to his followers his choice to instantly step down from his present duties as a part of the church management.

“In December throughout our annual board retreat, Hillsong’s exterior authorized counsel gave the board recommendation concerning the present cost I’m going through and that it could be greatest follow for me to step apart utterly from church management throughout the court docket proceedings,” he instructed the congregation on Sunday morning.

“So its prone to be drawn out and take up most of 2022, particularly contemplating the backlog in courts exacerbated by the Covid pandemic. And together with this the board and I’ve been having detailed discussions round necessities for management and we’ve talked concerning the results of the state of affairs with my father, going again a few years as much as the present authorized case, and the influence that this has had on me emotionally.

“So the result’s Hillsong’s international board really feel it’s in my and the church’s greatest curiosity for this to occur, so I’ve agreed to step except for all ministry duties till the tip of the yr.”

The 67-year-old added he should be “totally dedicated” to arrange his case and work intently along with his legal professionals to defend the cost and “set the report straight”.

In September final yr, he additionally stepped apart as a director of all Hillsong boards.

Earlier this week, the Hillsong founder’s court docket matter was delayed as soon as once more after his legal professionals instructed a court docket he would plead not responsible.

Attorneys for the mega-church founder requested through electronic mail Houston’s matter be adjourned so prosecutors and authorized counsel may maintain a case convention in February and re-list the matter.

In court docket paperwork, police allege Houston failed to inform the authorities his father had allegedly indecently assaulted a male in 1970, regardless of believing his father had dedicated the assault, and understanding he had info which may assist a prosecution.

“Believing that Frank Houston dedicated that offence and understanding that he had info that could be of fabric help in securing the prosecution of Frank Houston for that offence,” court docket paperwork allege that he “didn’t carry that info to the eye of NSW Police”.

The interval of the cost is from September 15, 1999 to November 9, 2004, the day after Frank Houston’s dying.

Hills Police Space Command started investigating experiences Houston had knowingly hid info associated to youngster intercourse offences in 2019.

Houston based Hillsong within the Sydney suburbs in 1983, whereas his father was head of the Assemblies of God in New Zealand till 1971.

The court docket matter was adjourned to March 3.