Retired pastor and preacher Brian Houston was born on February 17, 1954, and is an Australian-New Zealander. Hillsong Church is a global organization with headquarters in Sydney. He served as the organization’s originator and church pastor. From 1997 until 2009, he served as the nationwide leader of Australian Christian Churches, the Assembly of God’s Australian affiliate.
Houston left his position in the church in January 2022 after being legally accused in Australia for reportedly covering up his father’s suspected sexual assault of a minor, which he learned about in the 1990s. Houston declared that he was innocent and said he planned to enter a “not guilty” statement during the prosecution, which was set to begin in October 2022. Let’s know more about what happened to Brian Houston.
What Happened to Brian Houston?
Houston was assigned to the post of senior pastor on May 10, 1999, when his father, Frank Houston, resigned from the job. Frank looked hurried,” according to Brian Houston, when he handed him his house of worship.
This was until it was discovered that Frank had sexually abused children. Houston said that he learned of the accusation that his father had physically molested an Australian kid in October 1999 when he appeared at proceedings conducted by the Royal Commission fifteen years later.
Houston’s testimony and the proof offered to the committee showed that his father had admitted to abusing children in November 1999. Yet, according to reports, Houston would not call the police but pushed his father into seclusion.
Houston received condemnation from the royal commission for failing to disclose the accusations of sexual harassment against his dad and for failing to avert a blatant confrontation of concern when looking into his father while also holding the position of nationwide prez of the Assembly of God.
Why did Brian Houston resign?
Brian Houston, the founder of the enormously successful worldwide megachurch Hillsong, departed after an official investigation showed that he had acted improperly with two women. At an urgent employee meeting on Wednesday, Hillsong’s interim leader, Pastor Phil Dooley, said that an honest assessment of the church’s administration system would begin.
The Hillsong administration confirmed the departure, which resulted from a slew of controversies involving the organization, in a release that said, “We understand that reform is necessary.” However, Mr. Houston did not immediately issue a proclamation accepting his departure.
Mr. Houston’s departure came following his leaving his church in January, claiming the necessity to defend himself against an accusation of hiding his father, also a pastor, Frank Houston’s previous sexual abuse of children.
The church has developed into a highly lucrative business in recent years, leading the way in evangelical Christianity and contemporary Christian heritage. As stated by the church, it had churches all over the globe and a current average membership of 150,000 at its height just a couple of years ago.
Mr. Houston served as Hillsong’s dynamic image for many years. He was well-known for being friends with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and was frequently shown with strong government leaders and famous people. However, the church has faced controversy and condemnation lately, much centered on its governance.
When Silence broke
Brian Houston, the founder of Hillsong Church, has shattered his month-long quiet with a clip posted on social networks as he gets ready to defend himself against accusations that he covered up his father’s offenses of child sexual abuse.
According to prosecution filings, investigators claim Houston was aware, starting in September 1999, that his dad had molested a minor immodestly in 1970. Yet, despite thinking his father was responsible for the attack and being aware that he possessed evidence that would help with an eventual conviction, Houston is accused of failing to alert authorities of this knowledge.
On Thursday morning, Houston restated his resolve to fight the accusation that he misled the New South Wales police about his discredited father, Frank, who was accused of abusing children in the 1960s and 1970s.
Additionally, he stated that he wished to clear up any confusion regarding the claims made regarding his personal life and his “sudden” departure from Hillsong this year. Houston’s trial was postponed by the judge on Thursday for three weeks starting on December 2. He has entered a not-guilty response to one allegation of hiding a severe impeachable offense committed by some other individual. In 2004, Frank Houston expired.