Hillsong Church Founder Brian Houston Announces He Will Start a New Church

Talia Wise
12-08-2023

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Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston has announced he and his wife Bobbie will launch a new church next year.

The 69-year-old was the former global senior pastor of one of the world's largest congregations that once boasted 50,000 members in 30 countries. 

But nearly two years ago, Houston resigned after being placed on a disciplinary sabbatical due to issues of alcohol abuse and inappropriate conduct involving women.

In 2021, the New South Wales Police Force also accused Houston of covering up information about an incident where his father reportedly abused a boy in the 1970s. In August, Brian Houston was declared "not guilty" by an Australian court on the one charge of concealing his father's child sex crimes.

But earlier in the year, he had been sentenced to three years probation, a $140 fine, and other penalties by a California court after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.

Despite the swirl of accusations and allegations, Houston announced in an email to church members that he and Bobbie "have no intention of retiring" and since stepping down have spoken at several churches in the U.S.

"I still have a sense of bright hope for the future and I know God is not finished with me yet. We have no intention of retiring. As Bobbie would say, 'the final chapters of our lives are not yet written'," he wrote at the time.

Houston then announced in November that they will be launching a church in 2024 writing on X, "Bobbie and I are starting a weekly online ministry and church in 2024. I'm excited about building this new community."

Houston shared on the social media site he also has plans to write a "very authentic and transparent" autobiography.

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About The Author

Talia
Wise

Talia Wise has served as a multi-media producer for CBNNews.com, CBN Newswatch, The Prayer Link, and CBN News social media outlets. Prior to joining CBN News she worked for Fox Sports Florida producing and reporting. Talia earned a master’s degree in journalism from Regent University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia.
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