Is Hillsong Church Still Open? Know about the Scandals

Hillsong Church

Hillsong Church, also known simply as Hillsong, is a charismatic Christian megachurch with a global presence. It originated in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, Australia, in 1983, under the leadership of Brian Houston and his wife Bobbie.

Initially established as Hills Christian Life Centre, the church later became known as Hillsong. It was affiliated with the Australian Christian Churches, the Australian branch of the Assemblies of God, until 2018 when it separated to form its own denomination.

Hillsong is renowned for its contemporary worship music, which has garnered significant acclaim and popularity worldwide. Groups such as Hillsong Worship, Hillsong United, and Hillsong Young & Free have achieved notable success in the music industry with numerous hits to their credit.

Despite its global success and recognition as a corporate brand, Hillsong has faced a series of scandals and criticisms that have impacted its reputation in recent years. In March 2022, Brian Houston stepped down as the global senior pastor following an internal investigation that revealed his involvement in inappropriate behavior with women on two occasions in the 2010s. Phil and Lucinda Dooley, who had been serving in an acting capacity, assumed the role of senior global pastors after Houston’s departure.

Is Hillsong Church Still Open?

Despite the ongoing issues within the church, Hillsong Church remains open and active. The church has multiple locations worldwide, and individuals can use the “find a church” feature on the Hillsong website to locate a nearby congregation. For those unable to attend in-person services, the church provides online platforms to access remote sermons and engage with the community.

Executive producer Dan Johnstone described Hillsong Church as a “cultural phenomenon” that has extended beyond religious culture into pop culture. The docu-series aims to explore the church’s story and its impact on individuals within its community. It consists of three parts, with a newly released fourth part, and can be watched on TLC or streamed on Discovery Plus.

Despite the controversies surrounding Hillsong, individuals with varying levels of knowledge about the scandals or those intrigued by the culture of a megachurch of this scale can delve into the docuseries to follow the unfolding story.

What Happened to Hillsong Church?

Hillsong Church, once known to many Christians as a beacon of light, faced significant controversy in November 2020. The church’s New York City pastor, Carl Lentz, was dismissed by Hillsong founder Brian Houston due to what Houston referred to as “moral failures.” Lentz’s termination was primarily attributed to his infidelity within his marriage.

However, the infidelity scandal was not the only reason behind Hillsong’s tarnished reputation. The documentary series “Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed,” featured on Discovery Plus, shed light on numerous former members who came forward with distressing allegations of trauma, abuse, and exploitation. These accounts revealed a culture of chaos within the church, with allegations of financial misconduct and labor exploitation.

In January 2022, Brian Houston resigned from his positions within Hillsong amid ongoing accusations that he attempted to conceal instances of alleged child sexual abuse involving his late father. Houston, despite maintaining his innocence, chose to step down from his influential roles within Hillsong. This development occurred during a period when the church’s reputation continued to suffer.

As a result of these events, Hillsong Church, although still holding significance for some Christian followers, has become infamous to many others. The accusations of misconduct, abuse, and the subsequent resignation of its founder have contributed to the perception of a church marred by greed and contradictions.

Hillsong Church History

Hillsong London is a church that originated from the Hills Christian Life Centre in Greater Western Sydney, Australia. It was planted in 1992 by Gerard and Sue Keehan as the London Christian Life Centre and later became known as Hillsong Church London in 2000.

During the years 2000 to 2002, Hillsong London held its gatherings in various West End theatres and university halls across London. In late 2004, the church completed a two-year residency at the Mermaid Conference and Events Centre, where it conducted seven services per weekend. It subsequently moved to the Dominion Theatre, hosting four services on Sundays, with a seating capacity of approximately 2,200 people.

In August 2005, Hillsong London expanded its services to Leatherhead, Surrey, located southwest of London. In 2011, services commenced in Tonbridge, Kent, situated southeast of London. The church experienced significant growth and drew 3,000 attendees to the Excel Centre in East London for the first Hillsong Conference Europe in 2006.

On September 13, 2009, Hillsong London celebrated its ten-year anniversary by holding a service at The O2 Arena. In 2013, the church established the Warehouse Project near Millwall FC’s stadium, The Den.

Hillsong London has organized a special Christmas event called “Carols at Wembley Arena” at the SSE Arena, Wembley, which has been sold out in 2015. Additionally, in 2019, a new congregation was launched in Croydon, attracting an approximate attendance of 600 people.

Through its various locations and events, Hillsong London has established a significant presence in the capital city, bringing its message and worship to diverse communities in and around London.