Brian Houston Steps Down as Hillsong's Global Senior Pastor as He Faces Criminal Charge

Brian Houston has announced that he has stepped down as Hillsong's global senior pastor at least until the end of 2022. Houston is preparing to defend a criminal charge alleging he had covered up his father's child sexual abuse. The Hillsong board has appointed Phil and Lucinda Dooley as the acting gobal senior pastors in the time being. The Dooleys were lead pastors of Hillsong Church Cape Town.  

"The board and I have had detailed discussion around the requirements for leadership," Houston reveals."We have talked about the effects of the situation with my father, which go back many years up to the current legal case, and the impact this has had on me emotionally.

The result is that the Hillsong Global Board feel it is in my and the church's best interest for this to happen, so I have agreed to step aside from all ministry responsibilities until the end of the year."

Houston said he needed to be "fully committed to preparation and engagement with the case and work closely with my lawyers in defending this charge."

The 67-year-old pastor has been accused by the NSW police of knowing about the sexual abuse of a young male in the 1970s involving his late father Frank Houston - but failing to tell police. To which, Houston responds, "These allegations came as a shock to me, and it is my intention to vigorously defend them." 

Please be in prayer for Brian and Bobbie Houston in this stressful period of their lives. 

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