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Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston facing criminal charges: accused of concealing child sex offences.

By churchwatcher on August 10, 2021

[EDIT: The below Hillsong media statement has been updated to reflect their actual recent media statement. We unfortunately provided a link to a September 2019 media statement. This article now reflects the latest media statement.]

Hillsong founder Brian Houston says he is “obviously devastated” by the charges of concealing child sex offences laid against him. Source

OVERVIEW:

Access to the Royal Commission timeline so readers can come to their own conclusions as they delve deep into the ‘2016 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse’.
Police report on Brian Houston.
Read Hillsong’s media response to the media coverage of Brian Houston’s charges.
News reports and articles on recent developments with Brian Houston.

HILLSONG’S MISLEADING MEDIA STATEMENT:

Church Watch Central has been closely monitoring and documenting the Hillsong scandal surrounding Brian Houston’s attempt to cover-up the details surrounding his father’s sexual abuse of children. This article exists to provide links to some of our popular resources that captured key pieces of evidence from both inside and outside the findings of the Royal Commission. We also post relevant reports and news articles from around the world, covering these latest developments.

We would like to direct our newer readers to our exhaustive timeline of events that encapsulate relevant details surrounding Frank Houston’s crimes, and Brian Houston’s coverup:

Timeline & Source Material: Related to Frank Houston’s Pedophilia Coverup

When you compare Hillsong’s recent media statement to what was actually uncovered at the Royal Commission, the statement below only reinforces Hillsong leadership’s lack of clear biblical integrity. Their claim “those who seek to spread rumours and baseless information via social media that these comments may also be subject to a defamation action” is nothing more than a hollow threat, considering the majority of “baseless information” are documents that can be easily accessed from the 2014 Royal Commission website.

A MESSAGE TO HILLSONG MEMBERS:

It’s time for Hillsong members take note of how their leaders react to anyone who questions their integrity. If you are a Hillsong member reading this, surely it’s time to start paying attention? How many more times will Hillsong leadership bring the body of Christ into ill repute by covering up Frank Houston’s crimes?

Have you not ears to hear, eyes to read or the minds to understand what God’s Word says about men like Brian Houston? Have you failed to hear what Jesus says to false teachers like Brian Houston, “Depart from you criminals, I never knew you.” These ‘lawless ones’ hide in plain sight every Sunday, maligning the God’s Word. They have no shame twisting God’s Word for their gain. Will you continue to put up with their ‘lawlessness’, under the pretence of ‘worship’ and ‘loving God and neighbour’?

The following statements are not “rumours and baseless information via social media”. These statements come directly from the New South Wales Police Department:

Church leader charged over alleged concealment of child sex offences

A church leader has been charged over the alleged concealment of alleged child sex offences.

In 2019, an investigation commenced by officers attached to The Hills Police Area Command into reports a 67-year-old man had knowingly concealed information relating to child sexual offences.

Following extensive investigations, detectives requested the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) review their brief of evidence.

Earlier this week, the ODPP provided advice to police, and following further inquiries, detectives served a Court Attendance Notice for conceal serious indictable offence on the man’s legal representative about 2pm today (Thursday 5 August 2021).

Police will allege in court the man knew information relating to the sexual abuse of a young male in the 1970s and failed to bring that information to the attention of police.

The man is expected to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 5 October 2021.

Source: ‘Church leader charged over alleged concealment of child sex offences’. (Archive)

Hillsong writes,

An important message from the Hillsong Board

Dear Church,

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Ps 121:1-2

At this time it is comforting to know that God is in control of every situation, and as we bring you this update, we do so in the knowledge that He alone is our strength and our help.

By now you would have heard the media reports that yesterday afternoon NSW police served Pastor Brian Houston’s lawyer with a court attendance notice.

These charges relate to many years ago when Pastor Brian found out about his father’s actions. We have always been open and transparent with the church about his father Frank, and Pastor Brian has shared his pain with you many times over the past twenty years.

As you are aware, this matter has been ongoing since the Royal Commission in 2014 and has been the subject of much media speculation – most of it inflammatory and much of it inaccurate.

We want to do our best to ensure that you have accurate and timely information about this development. Pastor Brian has said in a statement, “These charges have come as a shock to me given how transparent I’ve always been about this matter. I vehemently profess my innocence and will defend these charges, and I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight.”

As you will understand, neither Pastor Brian or the church, can legally comment on the details as the matter is now before the court. We simply ask that he be afforded the presumption of innocence and due process as is his right.

Since our appearance at the Royal Commission in 2014, our church has published various statements relating to this matter which may be found in the Newsroom. If you’d like more information, we encourage you to review this.

The Hillsong Church leadership team will continue to look to God for His wisdom and guidance, and we thank you for your ongoing prayers and support for Pastors Brian and Bobbie and their family.

If you’d like to talk to a pastor or need help in any other way please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We look forward to having you join us at church this weekend, whether online or in person, as we worship together and give thanks for what God has done and will do.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18

Warm regards,

The Board of Hillsong Church Australia