What Brian and Bobby Houston have achieved is extraordinary.
Over four decades they have turned their Australian Hillsong Church into an international sensation. The couple would probably credit Jesus Christ for their success, but having had celebrities like Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and Kevin Durant linked to the organisation has undoubtedly helped.
Lately though the halo on the carefully tuned Hillsong brand has been losing its lustre. Leader Brian Houston faces court next month to defend charges of concealing child sexual abuse, which he denies.
And now a 60 MINUTES investigation will reveal shocking accusations from two brave women who say they were assaulted by other Hillsong members.
As Tom Steinfort reports, the victims believe the attacks were made even worse by the church’s response: indifference to their suffering so heartless it would surely make Jesus weep.
Reporter: Tom Steinfort – Producers: Thea Dikeos, Sammi Taylor
GAME OVER
It’s no wonder Australia, the United States and United Kingdom have been shoring up defence ties and beating their chests with multi-billion-dollar announcements about building nuclear-powered submarines.
It’s all about countering China’s expansion, which at the moment seems to be progressing unhindered. And there’s no better example of the communist regime’s bullish ambition than what it is systematically destroying in Hong Kong. Democracy.
The freewheeling spirit of the former British colony is being smashed into submission with brutal crackdowns, mass arrests and the end of free speech. Liam Bartlett explains it really is game over for pro-democracy activists who are now faced with a stark choice: either back Beijing or be punished.
Reporter: Liam Bartlett – Producers: Garry McNab, Sammi Taylor
In response to the Anna Crenshaw promo, Jason Mays has responded on social media. He says that he has never been contacted by the media, which would indicate that 60 Minutes didn’t contact him for him to give his version of what happened.
Mays pleaded guilty to “Assault with act of indecency”, with the agreed statement of facts stating that he put his hand “midway up her thigh” and then put his “arms around the upper legs and crotch and bottom area on the outside of the complaintants’ clothing”. He admits he was drunk and says he has no memory of what happened. He was remorseful and wrote a letter of apology to the victim. There was a witness amongst the group of people who were there who saw what happened.
Mays was not convicted. He was given conditional release on the basis of being on two year’s good behaviour. Mays was not charged with sexual assault – and according to the agreed statement of facts there was no allegation of sexual assault as no allegation is mentioned.
It will be interesting if 60 Minutes picks up Mays’ social media posts and now includes them in the program.
Don’t defend this man.
So many times married or single men seeing single females and thinking they can say or do as they please.
I experienced the same thing, but it was not physical, but ongoing verbal abuse of a sexual nature and harrassment. Because I was single
I was an easy target.
I never said anything for a long time. Then this verbal abuser grabbed.me. Then I said something, complained about him. The “Christian” leaders asked me to leave.
It’s like they liked him more than me or they didn’t know how to deal with it or they just couldn’t care less.
I get comfort from Scripture..
“He who sins is of the devil.” 1 John 3:8