Scandals of Hillsong (with Heather Ford)

What happens when a global worship brand is built over a fault line of secrecy, abuse, and greed? How did Hillsong Church’s meteoric rise—from chart‑topping music to celebrity pews—collide with allegations of child sexual abuse concealment, volunteer exploitation, LGBTQ exclusion, and a leadership implosion that shook the megachurch world?

In this episode, hosts Adrienne Barker and Joseph Lobosco—with guest Host Heather Ford—unpack Scandals of Hillsong: from Brian & Frank Houston to Carl Lentz and Hillsong NYC/Dallas; from the 2014–2015 Royal Commission findings to 2023 parliamentary accusations about lavish spending; and the August 2023 courtroom verdict that capped a decades‑long saga. This is a hard‑hitting true crime podcast deep dive into a megachurch’s rise, reckoning, and fallout.

Tune in to hear:

1983 – Origins & brand power: Brian and Bobbie Houston found Hills Christian Life Centre in Sydney; worship music and a sleek brand fuel global growth—long before hidden scandals erupt.

Late 1999 – Confession, non‑reporting & hush money: Brian confronts father Frank Houston, who admits to historic child sexual abuse; leaders handle it internally, don’t go to police, and arrange a payout—Frank is quietly retired and later dies in 2004 without charges.

2014–2015 – Royal Commission findings: The inquiry concludes Brian failed to report Frank’s offenses and had a conflict of interest; investigators cite multiple victims across Australia and New Zealand, and police later bring concealment charges against Brian.

2015 – LGBTQ controversy: After two male choir members in Hillsong NYC get engaged, leadership states Hillsong “welcomes all people” but “does not affirm all lifestyles,” barring openly gay couples from leadership roles.

2010s – Volunteer exploitation claims: Former members describe grueling unpaid labor and leaders using volunteers for personal errands, stoking backlash over a “cool Christianity” brand built on free work.

Nov 4, 2020 – Carl Lentz fired: Hillsong announces Lentz’s dismissal for “leadership issues,” breaches of trust, and “moral failures”; he admits infidelity as an outside review probes broader misconduct in NYC.

Jan–Feb 2021 – Dallas implosion: Pastors Reed & Jess Bogard abruptly resign and Hillsong Dallas is shuttered amid serious allegations; a leaked report later details a rape accusation tied to earlier NYC years and wider culture concerns.

Feb 2021 → Apr 2022 – NYC report & leaks: An independent investigation delivered to Hillsong’s global board details inappropriate sexual relationships, nepotism, intimidation, wage violations, and explicit images circulating among leaders; a former nanny publicly alleges years of abuse by Lentz.

Jan–Mar 23, 2022 – Leadership crisis: While stepping aside to fight a concealment charge, Brian faces two internal misconduct complaints (inappropriate texts to a staffer; a drunken hotel‑room incident) that breach Hillsong’s code of conduct; he resigns on March 23, 2022.

Spring–Fall 2022 – Disaffiliations: In the wake of Brian’s exit, at least nine of Hillsong’s 16 U.S. campuses break away and rebrand; pastors and leaders worldwide resign as oversight and culture come...