Hillsong Church Senior Pastor Brian Houston of Sydney, Australia, speaks at Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on Oct. 7, 2016. Thats where my motivation comes from. The journey continues after 4 years of college, 4 of med school, 5 of PhD #neverstops #mdphd. She confirmed she participated in a deposition concerning the allegation but would not say anything more than what was already included in the report. He laterreleased a statement claiming that he lied about having cancer because he was addicted to pornography. Hillsong Dallas pastor Reed Bogard was secretly accused of raping a younger, female staffer who he had an affair with in 2013, it has been revealed. Bieber responded on Instagram, saying that the story was fake news and adding, And btw, Hillsong is not my church. We just got a second-hand new carand I was so excited about it. I gave my life to Jesus and have never looked back. Weve had some crazy days, some great days seeing God do many, many miracles, and so were so grateful for that., Reed and Jess Bogard met at Hillsong International Leadership College in Australia and later returned to the U.S. to plant the three Hillsong churches with which they have been involved. Houston wrote in his email that it was very disappointing to learn that, while some of you experienced the Bogards as dedicated pastors, many others have experienced leadership that failed to meet the commitments and standards of Hillsong Church., The current pandemic was also cited as a reason for the Dallas church closure. In January, Reed and Jess Bogard, lead pastors of the Dallas location, abruptly resigned during a Sunday morning service. The Houstons said Reed Bogard, who along with his wife allegedly used church funds lavishly, had been suspended from his pastoral duties as complaints that he failed to uphold the standards of Hillsong leadership were being investigated. Before becoming top dog at the Texas branch, Reed Bogard served as the head of finances at Hillsong NYC, where former members alleged that he and Jess exploited congregants for free labor and used tithe money to fund their luxury lifestyles. Brian Houston categorically denies he had knowledge of this serious allegation when Reed Bogard was selected as the Lead Pastor for Dallas, Hillsong Church said in a statement to CP. At night when Im tired and want to go to bed and see the dishes in the sink, I do them because I know the next morning with the boys will be crazy and Ill feel better if I do it now. We just try to figure it out the best we canmaking mistakes and learning from them along the way. Lentz was fired from Hillsong in 2020. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. ', Megan Phalon, left, said the pastors 'bought four-wheeler ATVs' to drive around the city. But Reed and I lead the church togetherwith our arms linked. At the time, the Bogard's said the move was being made for them to "get healthy, and really see what this next season holds for us." Hillsong Church co-founder Brian Houston praised them at the time. Hillsong Church has enormous compassion for the other party involved in this situation. This, however, was not sufficient for Annas father, Ed Crenshaw. Mays,the son of the church's head of human resources John Mays, pleaded guilty to 'assault with an act of indecency' in 2019, according to the outlet. On Sunday (Jan. 3), Reed Bogard announced his and his wife's resignation in a prerecorded message that aired during the church's streaming worship service. We do all of these seasons together and I try to make sure nothing competes with our relationship, our kids, or our family. 20:07 BST 25 Mar 2022 Everything that you have in that deposition is obviously something that I did, and I said in the context of a legal deposition. Bart Barber, Majority of pastors love to preach but few like counseling and discipling believers more: study. There was a lot of eating out, a lot of Airbnbs very nice Airbnbs rented for guests and staff who were between homes, Walker alleged. Im a big believer in being sent" and not being one of the went." An internal investigation commissioned by Hillsong Global into former Hillsong Dallas pastor Reed Bogard showed that his abrupt resignation in January 2021 was due to a rape accusation by a junior female staffer with whom he had an affair with for months. Ben Houston, Brian Houstons son, who was leading Hillsong LA and serving as Bogards boss when the former junior staffer first revealed her sexual relationship with him to Hillsong senior leaders, told investigators that he had spoken with his father and members of the churchs global board about the relationship. The investigators further explained that it was concerning that Hillsong Church never considered the power imbalance between the two Bogard and his accuser once they were informed about the relationship. Others, however, believe the megachurch needs to have a much deeper reckoning before it can be anywhere close to redeemed for its leadership failures. Shannon stated that from the way Ms. [redacted] spoke about the relationship with Mr. Bogard, it was something Mr. Bogard put pressure on Ms. [redacted] to do, investigators added. I had no money, was a young, grimy little 13-year-old girlbelieving big things for her life. Once they were in the car, things quickly got out of hand. 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Pop star Justin Bieber, who has attended Hillsong in the past and who was friends with Lentz, has distanced himself from Hillsong after a Dec. 31 report suggested that the star had plans to go into ministry at Hillsong NYC. This story has been shared 677,807 times. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. 'It was very disappointing to learn that, while some of you experienced the Bogards as dedicated pastors, many others have experienced leadership that failed to meet the commitments and standards of Hillsong Church,' the Houstons wrote. Globally, church leaders have faced a number of allegations over the years, from sexual assault to revelations that former celebrity pastor Carl Lentz cheated on his wife of 17 years while other former Hillsong members have compared it to a 'cult'. The subordinate staffer recalls Bogard offered her a ride home, but the former pastor told investigators she asked for the ride home. For clarity, I am part of Churchome.. Reed and I have been talking over a period of time, and we both agree that it would be a perfect time for them to come to a new season in their life, he said at the time. Hillsong Church is once again facing some serious allegations. [redacted] stated that as soon as she and Mr. Bogard sat down at a table at the bar, they each ordered a drink. Months on the heels of a sex scandal that rocked its Hillsong NYC location, Hillsong Church is now facing allegations of financial abuse as a number of former members accuse pastors of splurging tithe money on lavish expenses. However, the leader of the Australia-based global megachurch assured members of the young Dallas congregation that they would eventually get new lead pastors, and they were not going to be forsaken.. Thats why we originally moved to New York. 2023 ChurchLeaders.com, All rights reserved. In part, Ms. [redacted] now believes that she went to the bar to satisfy her own curiosity, investigators said. We are those people. 5. Reed and Jess Bogard, the lead pastors of the Dallas branch the Hillsong Church, have resigned via a prerecorded message that aired during the megachurch's January 3 service, according to Religion News Service. Pastor Bobby Houston once said in response to the balance questionI dont look at life or ministry as something you balancebecause that word implies that something may get dropped. We received several complaints regarding Reed Bogards failure to uphold the standards of Hillsong leadership. And we are so excited for Dallas as a new room of Hillsong Church is launching! How are you teaching these values to your kids? Ms. [redacted] now reports that at this point, she said no. Mr. Bogard began to apply his hands to Ms. [redacteds] breasts. Rather, life has ebbs and flows." I have truly lost all faith that any of this will be made right, Phalon said. 2. In November 2020, Hillsong NYC lead pastor Carl Lentz was fired for "moral failings" including an extramarital affair with a Brooklyn jewelry designer. Babbitt stated that she was also given a PEX card to pay for the food of the children she cared for but was never asked to explain the purchases. Both Bogard and his rape accuser offered varying accounts of their first sexual encounter which happened inside his car on Manhattans Upper East Side after they had a clandestine meeting at a local bar, investigators said. I said, "It sucks bud. A leaked call later revealed that Hillsong leadership had concerns about Lentz prior to revelations about his marital unfaithfulness. Whether abuse happens in Pennsylvania or Australia, its tragic.. He was fired by Brian Houston and retreated from the limelight, which he had enjoyed with his celebrity following. 'I'm not interested to support an organization that's willing to treat abuse the way I've seen them treat abuse. The church is facing increasing scrutiny after recent revelations that former celebrity pastor Carl Lentz, pictured in 2017, cheated on his wife of 17 years, View of the now closed Dallas Hillsong Church where pastors allegedly used worshipper donations to fund their lifestyles. Everything's a flex, everything's a show.'. But I believe God speaks through leadership. Ms. [redacted] admits that she complied. On Sunday, Reed Bogard announced his and his wife's resignation in a prerecorded message that aired during the church's streaming worship service.a prerecorded message that aired during the church's streaming We had 6 more months of hanging out, were engaged in February, married in July, and had a honeymoon baby. Bogard even summoned Ms. [redacted] to his own apartment on his last day in New York for sex, even though the building where he lived was occupied by most of the senior leaders of the New York church and Ms. [redacted] would be exposed to coming and going there.. Right now were in North Dallas High School, and after COVID, were excited to do something in Frisco as well as Downtown Dallas. The following day, he apologized for the tweet. In a comment on this article yesterday, I foolishly included information that was wrong for me to share, Brian wrote in a reply. She has always had a passion for the written word and has been writing professionally for the past five years. UPDATE: Brian Houston Announces Dallas Hillsong Closing After Pastors Misuse of Funds, ChurchLeaders original article written on, In addition to helping plant Hillsong Dallas and Hillsong LA, the Bogards helped plant Hillsong NYC while, It has been an incredible ride thus far,, ina prerecorded message prior to Sundays livestreamed sermon, which was delivered by Hillsong pastor, . Babbitt, who said she gave. "The last 10 years of being in church planting mode has really taken a bit of a toll on Jess and I and our family," Bogard said. Another former Hillsong congregant who spoke with the Post was 27-year-old Jenna Babbitt, who started attending Hillsong NYC in August 2011. She made the allegation for the first time in conversations with Hillsong leaders and an investigation was commissioned as a result. When the time is right and we have identified and trained suitable lead pastors, we will consider relaunching.. She stated people did not say no to Mr. Bogard, investigators said. According to the investigation, Reed Bogard's extramarital relationship with the junior staffer at Hillsong New York occurred from September 2013 through January 2014. I am grateful that there has been some action made as a result of person after person sharing their negative experience of Hillsong Church, but there needs to be a lot more progress made by Hillsong Church and specifically Brian Houston in light of all of the stories that have come out recently, Jenna Babbitt, a current Dallas resident and former Hillsong NYC congregant, told The Post. Jess Bogard and her husband, Reed, are the Lead Pastors of Hillsong Dallas! We showed them our car and I remember watching as they drove offI looked back at my new carthe car that 5 minutes ago had represented Gods blessing over my lifeand I began to compare my car to theirs. Crenshaw told the outlet that the treatment she received for Hillsong after coming forward with her allegations of abuse ruined her relationship with the church. Kelly told investigators that even if Bogard did not physically force himself on his accuser she did not have the ability to say no. By Adam Schrader and Lauren Fruen For Dailymail.com, Published: 20:16 EDT, 10 April 2021 | Updated: 19:59 EDT, 11 April 2021. A year and a half into my journey at that church, I wasnt able to go to our Hillsong conference because I couldnt afford it. Church leaders did know about the affair and had for years, but they thought it had always been consensual, the report claims. You dont have to have it all together to make an impact for Jesus. Many factors, all amplified by the pandemic, have resulted in the difficult decision to pause all operations at Hillsong Dallas for now.. Citing investigation participants privacy, the email only vaguely details the pastors as having failed to meet the commitments and standards of Hillsong, before offering a brief apology to those who felt disappointed or hurt.. Stroud end up? My parents divorced when I was 11 and I moved with my dad and my sister to a small back house in a town of 200 people. 7. I followed the music one Sunday morning and found a church. Use what is in your hand to fulfill what is in your heart. Lenz was fired in November for having an affair but has put on a united front with wife Laura, who also worked for the church before she too was fired0. In all honesty, we could have gone out and done something earlier, but it wouldnt have had as much impact without the blessing of a healthy house. Updated April 12, 2021: A few months ago, Pastor Reed Bogard and his wife, Jess, resigned as pastors at Hillsong Dallas. I love to be around people, to communicate, or to give others an understanding of God. The lead pastors of Hillsong Dallas church have resigned, adding to two months of transition and turmoil in the global megachurch. Reed Bogard, 38, and his wife, Jess Bogard, 35, the lead pastors of the Australia-based institution's Dallas branch, are stepping away from the once -celebrity- beloved international. Ms. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Jess and Reed were a byproduct of an unhealthy spiritual environment that reproduces the same type of leader over and over again, added Babbitt, who baby-sat for the Bogards during her years in NYC. In response to The Posts request for comment, Hillsong sent Houstons apology tweet. Now that we got it, I believe we can finally move on.. I stay fueled and motivated honored that God would choose me and have a relationship with me. In an email to members, founders Brian and Bobbie Houston addressed the church's investigation into former Dallas pastorReed Bogard and his wife, Jess Bogard, who resigned in January after revelations they used donations tofund their luxury lifestyle. Primary Sidebar. NFL Draft 2023 LIVE: The Carolina Panthers have the No. By posting your comment you agree to the house rules, By In early January of 2021, Pastor Reed Bogard, who helped found Hillsong NYC and Hillsong LA and was up until this point the senior pastor at Hillsong Dallas, released a short, curt, prerecorded message during the January 3 service announcing that he and his "pastrix" wife Jess were resigning. , updated Last April, Hillsong paused its Dallas campus after Pastors Reed and Jess Bogard resigned in January as they were being investigated for leadership failures and accused of overusing church expense cards . In 2020, star pastor Carl Lentz was exposed for cheating on his wife with a Brooklyn-based jewelry designer. Ms. [redacted] stated that she probably participated in the kiss. Equipped by Faith is a ministry of AMEN Church and a registered 501c3 non-profit organization created to equip and empower women of faith. It was very disappointing to learn that, while some of you experienced the Bogards as dedicated pastors, many others have experienced leadership that failed to meet the commitments and standards of Hillsong Church, Brian Houston said, in part, at the time. 'Jason grabbed me, putting his hand between my legs and his head on my stomach and began kissing my stomach. A few other Hillsong resignations have followed Lentz, including Darnell Barrett, creative director of Hillsong Church Montclair in New Jersey, as well as Reed and Jess Bogard from Hillsong Dallas, which has since closed. [redacted] says that Mr. Bogard ignored her comment and continued his climb on top of her. The body of Christ is made up of a lot of different parts. Without discounting the strength of a prosecution case due to the passage of time, it is likely that a jury, evaluating the interplay, would have found that Mr. Bogard acted without obtaining (or, under the circumstances, having any reasonable expectation of being able to obtain) actual consent by Ms. [redacted].. While this was happening, Bogards accuser told investigators that she felt very conflicted being at the bar with him because she felt like she had put herself in that position and had been asking herself, do I like him?. The Houstons said that Reed Bogard had been suspended from 'his pastoral duties' while the church reviewed complaints from members that he failed 'to uphold the standards of Hillsong leadership. Investigators reported that Bogard was "stood down publicly from the platform in Los Angeles for a period of either eight or twelve months," noting that "stories differ.". The fact that no Church leader appears to have even considered this issue is a cause for concern," investigators said. Trans swimmer Lia Thomas is now telling women what feminism is - and if we protest then we're bigots. Hillsong Dallas pastor Reed Bogard was secretly accused of raping a younger, female staffer who he had an affair with in 2013, it has been revealed. When I try to step out of my lane, I get out of Gods grace. Lentz was found to have had at least one extramarital affair and abused his authority during his pastoral role at the New York location. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. I would meet with Mary every Tuesday afternoon and we would read the Bible together. It was very disappointing to learn that, while some of you experienced the Bogards as dedicated pastors, many others have experienced leadership that failed to meet the commitments and standards of Hillsong Church, the Houstons continued. Play it now! Hillsong East Coast made nearly $13 million in 2019; 88 per cent of that came from 'tithes & offerings.' Just going to church and knowing Him was better than the life I was living. I thought, "Surely thats not them" But they had also just gotten a new car. What are the biggest obstacles youve had to face up to this point? I apologize for any pain I have caused. We have one shot at this and we dont get a do-over. In April 2021, former Hillsong Dallas Lead Pastor Reed Bogard and his wife, Jess, abruptly resigned from their positions. RNS. Hillsong Church Senior Pastor Brian Houston of Sydney, Australia speaks at Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016. Another former New York City congregant Jenna Babbitt, 27, said she was given one of the cards to buy items for the children of Reed and Jess Bogard, who she babysat. These complaints included the misuse of worshipers tithes. My husband was a pastors kid. He said he saw Jess 'drop over $1,000 for no reason' on clothes and dinner one day., adding: 'There's no accountability. Ms. But God continues to remind me to stay in my own lane. The announcement comes as vindication for those who previously spoke out against the Bogards. He also claimed that when money was used on volunteers, it was done manipulatively. Houston later said the couple, who had served in New York with Lentz . We can glorify the pastor and the preacherbut truth be told, if we dont have great people financing the Kingdom of God, people loving people, people serving through outreachthen we dont make up the full body of Christ. Buying us expensive gifts, giving us money, like, I got your back, so when I need you to have my back, this is something to remember.. God wont take you to the next level until you allow him to use you where youre at. Why Dallas? We ask that the media and all other parties respect and protect her privacy.. Houston told the investigators that "the nature and extent of such discipline were handed down by top leadership in Australia," the report reads. It has been an incredible ride thus far, said Reed Bogard ina prerecorded message prior to Sundays livestreamed sermon, which was delivered by Hillsong pastor Brian Houston. We called our friends to come see our new car. Along with the former junior staffer and Bogard, the following individuals were interviewed as part of the internal investigation: a former Hillsong NYC congregant; Shannon Kelly, a former creative director at Hillsong NYC; Amanda and Robert Fergusson, a husband and wife team of Bible teachers and key leaders of Hillsong Church; Jess Bogard, wife of Reed Bogard; Lauren Brooks (sic), a former creative producer at Hillsong NYC; Tolu Badders, chief operating officer and executive pastor at Hillsong Church NYC; Kane Keatinge, Hillsong NYC staff pastor; Carl Lentz, former Hillsong NYC lead pastor who wasfired in November 2020 over leadership issues and moral failures, including being unfaithful to his wife; Laura Lentz and Ben Houston. Ms. It remains unclear if the allegation has ever been reported to the police. A shiny new red Hummer. Reed and Jess Bogard, the former lead pastors of Hillsong Dallas before their sudden and quiet resignation in January. Photo via Hillsong.com. I felt his arms and hands wrapped around my legs making contact with my inner thigh, butt and crotch,' she wrote in the 2018 statement reviewed by the Christian Post. In an email to members, founders Brian and Bobbie Houston addressed the church's investigation into former Dallas pastor Reed Bogard and his wife, Jess Bogard, who resigned in January after. I was paid once for one job, Walker said, recalling how Reed Bogart once gave him some $600 as a favor when he needed some cash. 'I felt like I could not say anything about the Jason incident because his friend had said not to, insisting that he was a good guy and this was not a normal behavior for him.'. I felt the Holy Spirit stop me, Dont be the positive policejust sit and empathize. So I responded from that place. (RNS) The lead pastors of Hillsong Dallas church have resigned, adding to two months of transition and turmoil in the global megachurch. 8. This Hillsong megachurch branch has been deemed beyond immediate redemption. Reed and I have been talking over a period of time and we both agree that it would be a perfect time for them to come to a new season in their life, which means a new season also for Hillsong Dallas., The church will be getting new lead pastors, which is exciting, said Houston, although he added, We want to make the right decision, so were not going to rush it., During the interim, Hillsong leaders will help to provide for and support Hillsong Dallas. Significantly, Ms. [redacted] now discloses that at the time she said, no, I dont think we should do this, investigators said. Reed Bogard, pastor of Hillsong Dallas in Dallas, Texas, announced Sunday that he and his wife, Jess, are stepping down as pastors in order to pursue health and to transition into a new season in their lives.
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