He’s back to right his wrongs.
Almost two years following Brian Houston’s formal resignation as the global senior pastor of Hillsong Church due to allegations of misconduct by two women, he is preparing for a return with a fresh online ministry and church scheduled for 2024.
Announced on X, his recent social media platform post, Houston, 69, shared plans with his wife, Bobbie, to launch a new ministry. “Bobbie and I are starting a weekly online ministry and church in 2024,” he mentioned last Wednesday, expressing enthusiasm about this upcoming community-building endeavor.
However, no specifics regarding the nature of this new ministry were disclosed in Houston’s announcement.
This news comes on the heels of an earlier announcement by Houston’s daughter Laura Toganivalu and her husband, Peter, who, after resigning as global pastors of Hillsong Young & Free, the church’s youth ministry, unveiled their plans to launch a new church.
Houston’s departure from Hillsong’s boards in September 2021 occurred amid legal issues connected to allegations that he concealed instances of sex abuse committed by his father, Frank Houston, dating back decades. He stepped down from his leadership role at Hillsong Church for the entirety of 2022. Despite asserting his innocence, an Australian court acquitted him of these charges in August, reasoning that he had valid reasons for not reporting the abuse based on the victim’s wishes.
Prior to his acquittal, Houston pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and related charges, resulting in probation, fines, and mandatory counseling and programs. Court records highlight a subsequent change in his plea, while other charges against him were dismissed.
Among the stipulations of his sentence, Houston was mandated to complete an alcohol program, undergo victim impact counseling, and participate in self-help meetings until April 11, 2024.