The Sydney Morning Herald reports,
Hillsong Church to come under scrutiny at royal commission into child sex abuse
The popular Hillsong Church will come under the scrutiny of the child sexual abuse royal commission when it examines Australia’s Pentecostal institutions at its next public hearing in October.
It will look at allegations made against Frank Houston, who admitted sexually abusing a boy in New Zealand in the 1970s.
Houston was sacked by his son Brian Houston, now the Hillsong Church’s senior pastor, when the allegations became public in 2000. The disgraced evangelist died in 2004.
Frank Houston, widely regarded as the father of Australia’s Pentecostal movement, admitted sexually abusing a boy in New Zealand in the 1970s.
Houston snr is widely regarded as the father of Australia’s Pentecostal movement, through his work with the Australian Assemblies of God, now known as Australian Christian Churches.
Hillsong has grown into one of Australia’s biggest movements with 30,000 weekly churchgoers.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse will also look at the response of Australian Christian Churches to allegations of child sexual abuse made against former church youth worker Jonathan Thomas Baldwin.
Baldwin was sentenced to eight years’ jail in 2009 after being found guilty of molesting a teenage boy he met through his role as a youth pastor at a Sunshine Coast church.
Maroochydore District Court heard the abuse started in 2004 and continued for an 18-month period, occurring at a church sleepover, a car park near the church and during a Gold Coast holiday.
The royal commission will also examine the response of the Northside Christian College and the Northside Christian Centre, now Encompass Church, to allegations of child sexual abuse made against former teacher Kenneth Sandilands.
Encompass Church pastor John Spinella said the church welcomed the inquiry and said it was co-operating with royal commission staff.
“As a church we have recognised these past failures and take the opportunity to apologise for the suffering and pain endured by those who were abused,” he said.
The public hearing will begin in Sydney on October 7.
(EDIT 19/09/2014: This article was also published in the Brisbane Times:
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/hillsong-church-to-come-under-scrutiny-at-royal-commission-into-child-sex-abuse-20140918-10il3c.html)
Hillsong Church Watch 
Frank Houston was not the father of Pentecost. He started CLC which became Hillsong under his son. The author is misleading and seeking to smear.
Harry is correct.
The history of Australian Pentecostalism goes back to 1909 with Janet Lancaster, who sought the baptism with the Holy Spirit, was joined by others, so they started meetings, and, with William Jeffrey as pastor, opened the first church, the Good News Hall in Melbourne. He then started a Pentecostal church in Parkes in 1914.
They invited South African Pentecostal Evangelist Fredrick van Dyke who held revival meetings in the 1920s which assisted in the beginnings of the movement, and it was later formalised under the Apostolic Faith Mission, which was subsequently to become the Assemblies of God.
Van Dyke also heaped with the setting up of the Foursquare movement. Then in the 1930s William Cathcart set up the Apostolic Church.
Frank Houston wasn’t born until 1922. Se didn’t move to Sydney until 1977.
This is basic Australian Pentecostal history 101.
How did the Sydney Morning Herald journalist to get it so terribly wrong when it’s all on the record, and why did you repeat her error without checking the facts first and giving a clarification?
“and why did you repeat her error without checking the facts first and giving a clarification?”
Because the article is about the Royal Commission into child sex abuse, not the historical origins of Pentecostalism in Australia?
Happy now Gordy/Facelift? Give us a little tick on our homework, can we come out of the naughty corner?
Churchwatcher – I agree – your post wasn’t about ‘history’ per se, however, in the interests of those of us who remain faithful to the word of God, I believe it fair to mention a brief history, (as shown below) so that the “newbies” won’t mix us up with those of the Hillsong and C3 ilk, who have clearly backslidden (if they ever had truth in the first place,) and have gone after other gods…
The following link will provide a basic ‘history’ of beginnings, even though part of it is slanted heavily towards the Revival Centres and British Israel variants:
https://www.cai.org/about-us/australian-pentecostal-history
Please note that I do note endorse the CAI movement or their doctrinal stances.
The truth is, that we are living in the here and now and cannot return to the past. Regardless of the heritage that some of those early pioneers left to us, “Pentecost” has, by and large, gone to seed and we are left to deal with the “tares” that have sprung up amongst the wheat and by so doing, have attempted to spoil the crop.
God is not mocked – He knows those who are His, regardless of what name is placed above each door of a place that calls itself a church… It is high time that those who know the error of these days, separate themselves from it.
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Rev 18:4)
You can clearly see from this and other expose’ websites, what happens to those who choose to stay inside corrupt institutions, and become the high priests of “Babylon”…
they clearly indulge in various sins, and as God’s judgement on them falls, they become ‘plagued’ by all sorts of scandals and government/media investigations.
Let God be true, and every man stand a liar…
Academic – the comment was in response to our regular stalker Facelift/Steve Rowe (now known as On The Record) who seems to think it’s his job to police “every jot & tittle” on this site. Normally he would be blocked.
It’s OK Churchwatcher – I understand – I posted all that history material so folks could get it right, and understand the differences between genuine people of the faith and those who have hijacked the AOG et al and turned it into a money grubbing cult…
The sad fact is that these kinds of abuses can occur anywhere, but some incidents have involved people from churches in this country.
It does need investigation so that the church can be purged of the evil that wishes to hide behind an apparent “cloak of righteousness”, and those who are guilty of such crimes against the innocent can be brought to justice.
gordy’s like a submarine. you know he’s always somewhere nearby just under the surface of the water. he only comes up when he’s ready to fire.
a health forum i used to be on had lots of them and always called them ‘lurkers.’
nfg
Hello, NFG – well, lets turn the sonar on and get the depth charges ready, and see if we can sink that nasty little “mini-sub” before it attempts to ‘torpedo’ the discussion…
blip – blip – blip…
hey austin. it apears Cap’n Gordy keeps coming on here flying different flags every time he shows up, hoping nobody will recognize him. but as usual, CW sunk him…
“[…] Cap’n Gordy keeps coming on here flying different flags every time he shows up, hoping nobody will recognize him.”
His signature stupidity swathed in a mantle of self-righteous umbrage gives him away every time. For someone acting as the self-appointed apologist-in-chief of movements that are constantly congratulating themselves on being “bright, relevant, and contemporary”, Gordy certainly is dry-as-dust boring (not to mention the fact that he is the very antithesis of their target demographic).
Someone should do the world a favour, and pension him off.
“[… Gordy] only comes up when he’s ready to fire.”
And even then, he invariably misses.
Poor old “On the Record” is actually “Off the Planet”, as usual. The spirits of confusion and mind control that are abroad in the C3 movement are well and truly off the leash inside poor old Gordy’s head.
(If anyone wants to throw him into a real lather, just ask him what he thinks of Kong Hee, that famously non-tithing pastor who has been unmasked as a pathological liar in the Singaporean courts, and who is best mates with Phil “What’s Discernment?” Pringle).
“Poor old “On the Record” is actually “Off the Planet.”
AA, that’s interesting because before i read your post i almost said “Off his Rocker”..
nfg
@Harry – it is difficult to actually determine the first roots of Pentecost in Australia. One of its starting points was a visit by evangelist Smith Wigglesworth back in 1922.
He and an associate toured the east coast, with Wigglesworth moving on to New Zealand afterwards. Another earlier move down in Melbourne is detailed below.
The associate did a lot of early outreach type work here in Queensland, with a resultant group of small assemblies, most of which began as house meetings. Those converts were decidedly not like today’s (for the most part) “plastic pentecostals”, who seem to thrive on hype, glitz and greed. Early converts thrived on separation from the world and a love for God and the things of God.
While the writer of the SMH article has obviously not done a whole lot of research (or they may have had it edited out by others before publication) the fact remains that Frank Houston had a part to play, whether his efforts in the 1970’s were genuine or not.
It seems to me to be a matter of opinion as to whether Houston senior has been smeared or not. He was a self confessed pedophile, and although stating the facts may be hurtful towards his remaining family members, they are the facts Harry.
Here’s a link to a Thesis (PDF – 332 pages) on the ecclesiology of the AOG with notes on its roots, both historical and theological:
Click to access 02wholex.pdf
The beginnings of Pentecost here in Australia go way back before the time of Frank Houston and the CLC and they have very little to do with Azusa Street, as Wigglesworth was a part of the English branch of what eventually morphed into the AOG, Elim and other English denominations in time to come. Their culture had marked differences compared to the American AOG of that time.
Here’s a brief quote from Barry Chant, church historian, re early beginnings:
“The Pentecostal movement in Australia began less than a decade after the earliest reported incidents of the phenomenon in the United States of America, before any institutionalization and earlier than the formation of the larger denominations.
From its beginning Australian Pentecostalism differed from its overseas counterparts, in that it was primarily a middle class movement, not one of the disenfranchised. Its origins were among people of relatively comfortable economic status.
‘Deprivation theories’ have proven inadequate to explain Pentecostalism’s origins in Australia and its distinctive doctrine and practice of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Chant 1999, p.541). Its beginnings were more rural than urban in comparison to the United States or Great Britain and the first Pentecostal church was pioneered and pastored by a woman, Sarah Jane Lancaster.
Over half of the congregations by 1930 were established and led by women. It was both a cosmopolitan and an indigenous movement. Although it benefited from overseas influences, the leadership and major work was carried out by Australians. Once the movement was underway, visitors from America, England and other nations helped to ‘shape the movement but not to make it”. (Chant 1999, 204-5).
If you’re wondering what happened to “pastor” Sarah Jane, here’s a link to a brief bio:
http://www.womenaustralia.info/leaders/biogs/WLE0330b.htm
Pity there was not a Royal Inquiry to this Pedophile in NZ.
I was involved in a “counselling session” in a tent meeting in Spreydon, Christchurch NZ by Frank Houston between 1962-65. when I was a youth.
His laying on of hands and counseling about sexuality was bizarre at worst and outright abuse.
I emailed Houston Jnr and had a reply from his pet goon/mouthpiece who disavowed all knowledge and said as Brian was a minor when my abuse happened not their problem. BUTTHEYCOVERED IT UP…..as did the NZ AOG who were just covering their posteriors as they too were riddled with immorality and sexual happenings by the heirachy.
At least the Catholic Church is now being proactive in NZ when a local priest in Blenheim wa stripped of his priestly duties and named in the churches NZ wide the sunday last, they day before he was charged in court.
I suppose they will try to wriggle out of it but Brian and others know more and knew more than they revealed but wanted at all cost to keep their lifestyle and riches IMHO.
Further to above George Aghajanian the general managerand spin doctor has a lot to answer in not aaddressing complaints about Houston jnr covering things up IMHO.
I remember being at Hillsong on the day Brian told the congregation. There wasn’t a word said about the person who was molested. No prayer or compassion for them at all. Just sugar coating and damage control, followed by a lengthy standing ovation for Brian. It was disgusting.
Should be persons not person
Average pedophile hss scores of victims just check statistics
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I have had a day to reflect and ponder about the nameless ones who to this day may struggle with their sexualality, sprituality and identity because they put their trust in Houston Snr,and other pederists and immoral leaders of the Australia/New Zealand Pentecostal Movement.
It saddens me to think that lives can be ruined by men who get off on a pwer trip, not necessarily a sexual high by exerting authority ove others.
Unfortunately Brian Houston and his Board especialyy George the gatekeeper have perpetuated the “secrets and lies” that arethe glue that holds sexual abuse together.
I only hope and pray that the new NZ government pursue similar actions in NZ against the leadership of NZ AOG who also covered it up.
Thank you for the time …..
Very sad.
Me and my wife were very kindly treated and hosted by Frank and Hazel Houston in both Sydney and New Zealand.
I have nothing but great respect for Brian Houston as he handles this very difficult situation.
We need to pray and encourage all those who have been affected by this; this is not a time for gloating or ‘I told you so’ self righteousness.
We in the Body of Christ are too quick to condemn our own.
The law will rightfully pursue this matter as the Church has failed to judge and discipline those involved.
As for those in both NZ and Australia (many of them Pastors and Church leaders) who knew about this and said nothing, you are the greatest cowards of all, not interested in the welfare of God’s people, only interested in the size of the crowd and the adulation that follows. Shame on you.
I’m happy to say that God led us out of that crappy ‘performance’ denomination/movement 14 years ago and brought us into a far more productive and God honoring ministry extending into Asia and Africa.
Before you go and label me as a one eyed Houston supporter, please refrain, I am not, I was sexually abused as a young man by my sports coach and am still suffering the emotional impact of that abuse some 40 years later.
Sexual abuse is the worst kind of betrayal.
It is a known thing that pedophiles suxh as Houston seek out the vulnerable or in my case was taken by a famuly member for counselling and “deliverance” at a tent meetibg back in the sixties in NZ.
I hope that there will be some sirt of spill off and adressing of culpability by AOG NZ will comw about though if you look at wgi followed Houston ie Willians and Hughes, they had “duscretions” they wanted xovered up as well IMHO.