Everybody just told me that I did a bad thing, but I'm now forgiven. Ultimately Lentz's undoing at Hillsong came because he was "unfaithful" to his wife of 17 years, Laura, which he publicly acknowledged in 2020. About | Hillside Ms. Lentz resigned from her position at the church, according to Mr. Houston. LACPC has been a church that was established in the greater Los Angeles area since January of 1976. Pastor Doug and his wife, Brie, have lived and served in Petaluma for almost all of their lives. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. ", (According to producers, Carl Lentz and Brian Houston have not responded to requests for comment regarding allegations in the docuseries. Ms. Lagata, a former volunteer, said that when high-profile entertainers or sports stars would try to slip into the main seating area, content to worship with ordinary churchgoers, ushers were often instructed to guide them to the special section in front, or to whisk them backstage to meet Mr. Lentz. According to the series, at least eight men have come forward with accusations of abuse by Frank Houston between 1965 and 1977. The actor filed for divorce from husband Jim Toth in the court near their home in Nashville. Get the latest chatter, from Kensington Palace and beyond, straight to your inbox. It's made the make you feel something. Learn more about our team at Hillside Church of Bloomington, located in Bloomington, MN. I would have liked to say this with my voice, to you, in person because you are owed that. We, the Lentz family, dont know what this next chapter will look like, but we will walk into it together very hopeful and grateful for the grace of God.. A post shared by Carl Lentz (@carllentz) on Nov 5, 2020 at 12:12pm PST. HILLSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH 2021. The members of Hillside would vote to call Pastor Wayne Phillips as Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Mission. These kind of swells of emotion and huge, momentous chord progressions. James & Justine Oates | Associate Pastor + Youth Director Zschech penned the 1993 song "Shout to the Lord" for the church's Hillsong band, and it was such a hit that in that same decade, according to the docuseries, "Hillsong began licensing its music to Christian organizations around the world, creating an exponential source of revenue and exposure.". He seemed to disappear for months at a time, appearing onstage at church only intermittently. That it honors the church, and that it honors God. Flush with royalties totaling a reported $100 million per year, Brian pursued aggressive expansion for Hillsong throughout the '90s and early 2000s while also cultivating its growing network of colleges, annual conferences and more. Over 2500 persons have called Freedom Hillside their church home since the first worship service was held in the Hillside Theater. Carl Lentz, speaking at Hillsong NYC, became not just a friend to celebrities but a celebrity himself. Our general right now, he has gone down, Mr. Termini told the camera. That does not line up.". Hillsong has churches on six continents and has attracted celebrity worshipers like Selena Gomez and Kevin Durant. In 2015, the Royal Commission found Brian guilty of failing to report his knowledge of the abuse. He seemed to disappear for months at a time, appearing onstage at church only intermittently. Janice Lagata, who was an early attendee at the New York branch, recalled leaders referring to a well-known verse from 1 Samuel that reads in part, Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. The verse is traditionally interpreted as an exhortation to look past appearances. One Sunday evening a few weeks after Mr. Lentzs departure, John Termini, an executive pastor, spoke to the church about its future, acknowledging its recent difficulties. The founder of the Hillsong Church, Brian Houston, who was found to have engaged in conduct of serious concern by the church. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. A week and a half after the messages were found, he was fired. People are a core value. Fired Hillsong Church pastor Carl Lentz: I cheated on my wife ", She continued, "The toxicity at Hillsong seems to clearly come from the top down. The staff built this culture, and made them a big deal, Ms. Lagata said. Hillside Covenant Church 2060 Magnolia Way, Walnut Creek, CA 94595-1696. ", Episode 2 focused, in part, on the downfall of Lentz due to "moral failures.". On Jan. 30, 2022, Brian Houston announced that he would temporarily step down from Hillsong leadership to "vigorously defend the charges against him." Amid Hillsong Churchs numerous ongoing scandals, the singer went on social media to continue distancing himself from his former place of worship and correct some false tabloid narratives about his career trajectory. Months passed, but according to Anna, the situation only escalated in April 2019 once she asked her father to advocate for her. In addition to serving as the Senior Digital TV Editor, she has edited for Lifestyle and News verticals across the site. In 2016, Hillside Church underwent another name change, to Hillside Church of the CMA. Episode 1 traced the roots of the modern Hillsong Church to New Zealand, where Frank Houston began his ministry. I was unfaithful in my marriage, the most important relationship in my life and held accountable for that. Lawsuit filed to retake Hillside Church from local man "For a good many years, Brian Houston has proven to be successful in terms of systemic cover-up," said Shoebridge, "but then thankfully we had the Royal Commission, and they really lifted the lid on exactly what went on in Hillsong. The two became so close that Mr. Bieber moved in with the Lentz family temporarily in 2014. Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed (TV Series 2022) - IMDb Hillside Church of God, Sunday Night, 4-30-23, Pastor Alvin Radford Matthew graduated from Portland State University as a History major, with an emphasis on the early church in the first three centuries. He stepped away from what happened in New Zealand to expand the market in Australia. They wanted to protect the founder of Hillsong. This failure is on me, and me alone and I take full responsibility for my actions. The Hillsong global board said that whatever the circumstances at this time, this person did not deserve to be placed in the situation she found herself in by Pastor Brian. By 2010, Hillsong was opening its first church in the United States, and Mr. Lentz and his wife, Laura, moved from Virginia to New York to help Joel Houston lead it. Jonah has been in church his whole life but really began to feel a call into ministry during his eighth grade year. One docuseries participant (known simply as Doreen to protect her identity) said, "This was a very, very known thing about Carl. Hillside Church About See all 12319 Hwy 146 Mont Belvieu, TX 77580 We are discovering our identity in God, and influencing our world with the love and message of Jesus Christ. Hillsong confirmed the existence of this letter to Vanity Fair, adding that after a three-month inquiry into the claims, it learned that some of the allegations were true.. ", She continued, "Ultimately it is about conquering territories bit by bit and whatever it takes to achieve that. Hillside Church of God, Sunday Night, 4-30-23, Pastor Alvin Radford Darlene Radford 21 subscribers Subscribe 0 Share No views 55 seconds ago We do not own the copyright to this music. ", In episode 2, journalist and Beyond Belief author Elle Hardy noted that Brian "built [Hillsong] up from 45 people in a school hall in western Sydney. Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed TV Series 2022 TV-14 2h 58m IMDb RATING 6.6 /10 628 YOUR RATING Rate Play trailer 2:00 2 Videos 5 Photos Documentary Features several ex-members of the church who share harrowing allegations of the trauma, abuse, homophobia and financial and labor exploitation that created a culture of chaos at Hillsong. He worked as a greeter at a Gucci store on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles. Watch Online. Just three years later, Bieber had moved on, Lentz had left the church in disgrace, and Hillsong's leadership was on the cusp of a dramatic shakeup in the wake of criminal sex abuse concealment charges. "If you were a church that is open and trusting, why would you get your members to sign an NDA?" Brian Houston [and his wife Bobbie] are absolute millionaires many times over, and they live a very luxurious life at the behest of their congregation. Gary also helps our Farm Drive ministry since He currently serves on our Emergency Response Team. Check-In Give Events Livestream More. Pastor Doug obtained his Masters of Divinity degree from Gateway Seminary and obtained his BA degree in Philosophy and Religion from San Francisco State University. Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed on discovery+ probes the culture and personalities including embattled founder Brian Houston and disgraced pastor Carl Lentz behind the global religious phenomenon. If convicted he faces up to five years in prison. Hillside LA, 2241 N. Eastern Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90032 info@hillsidela.org, CHILDRENS SERVICE (Nursery - High School): 11:00AM-12:30PM, Hillside LA, 2241 N. Eastern Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90032, United States. Anyone can read what you share. In case it wasnt already obvious when Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey Baldwin unfollowed their former pastor Carl Lentz on Instagram in November, the pop star kicked off the new year by clearing up any ambiguity about his megachurch allegiances. Shoebridge cited close "connections" between Hillsong and the former police commissioner in New South Wales, as well as the state's former premiere (governor) and prime minister. Instead of old hymns and dry sermons on Sunday morning, Hillsong and the churches like it offer a slick concert punctuated by a message that often sounds more like a self-help seminar. When leaked audio of Hillsong leadership's conversations about Lentz's "narcissistic behavior" and his firing hit YouTube, it raised eyebrows among some members of the church and media, according to the docuseries. I think so many of my sources have placed the blame squarely on Brian Houston for just creating this poisonous culture.". I would have liked to say this with my voice, to you, in person because you are owed that. He was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, and showed up on Kourtney Kardashians Instagram. (Houston deleted the tweet and apologized to Ed, who deemed it disingenuous. "They want you to believe Brian Houston is doing this all for God and the Kingdom. (Mr. Keatinge said he did not recall telling Ms. Zurasky that she was unfit for leadership when he dismissed her.). About HILLSIDE LA We exist to love Jesus, love our neighbors and do God's work. Hillside is a community of faith, hope, and love who believe God's grace is available to anyone through faith in Jesus Christ. When you lead out of an empty place, you make choices that have real and painful consequences. The family behind Hillsong Church had been mapping out its course to "take over the world" for decades, an insider explained in the discovery+ docuseries . had breached Hillsongs pastor code of conduct. This action was not taken lightly and was done in the best interests of everyone, including Pastor Carl, Hillsong founder Brian Houston said in a statement obtained by People. Megachurch says Houston, who has stepped down as leader of the church, breached its code of conduct. "Was it a lucky coincidence that Bieber got involved with Hillsong?" Matthew has a passion for teaching God's word with an expository fashion. No pastor of a big church can have personal relationships with every parishioner. (According to the docuseries, Hillsong has an estimated 44 limited liability companies registered in the United States alone.). Bieber even lived with Lentzs family for a month and a half. Stephen McCurtis, 68, admitted kissing the girl on the mouth, according to sheriff's . Hillside Evangelical Free Church Jul 2016 - Present6 years 10 months San Jose, CA Hillside refers to the location of our campus on Communication Hill in South San Jose. 12319 Hwy. That all stems from the top.". Her co-leader, who had also raised alarms, was removed from his position, too. Hillsong finally found a place in the global zeitgeist in 2017, thanks in large part to celebrity pastor Carl Lentz's bond with Justin Bieber. So glad you came! Fox News Mostly Avoids Airing How It Paid Out $787 Million For Spreading Election Lies. They have two small boys and have been serving Hillside Church since 2014. If youre a pastor, youre more important than everyone else, said Josh Canfield, who used to attend the church and sang with the local churchs worship band. He had reprimanded Mr. Lentz at other times over the years, he said, including after the pastor was photographed doing shots with Mr. Bieber. Instead, those who want to deepen their connections to the community often take on volunteer work. ", Said Karim, "He just doesn't know how to have compassion [for] others because he thinks he's the only one who suffers.". Anna was a student at Hillsong College in the fall of 2018 when she alleges that Jason Mays a married Hillsong staff administrator and the son of human resources head John Mays sexually assaulted her, drunkenly groping and kissing her without her consent at a party. Hillside Church is an exciting, contemporary ministry. Around this time Mr. Lentz became friends with Mr. Bieber, the young pop star. John Bingham, pastor of the Hillside Baptist Church, Springfield, Missouri, was born in Ennis, Texas. Once Anna's report was lodged in May 2019, Jason was charged with assault with an act of indecency, the docuseries explained. Pastor David is a born again ex-Prodigal (Gang member/Addict) who is dedicated to serving God and fellow man. Leadership | hillsidebc Leave your mark. The Lentzes sold their home in Montclair in October. The 92-year-old media mogul announced his engagement to the 66-year-old former dental hygienist a scant two weeks ago, following last years divorce from his fourth wife, Jerry Hall. A: No. And you can't help but reflect on the history of Frank Houston in that regard. Lentz, Houston, and Hillsong did not immediately return PEOPLE's requests for comment. But on the tabloid website TMZ, a more hopeful narrative quickly emerged. ANDREW ABEL. And I was like, Wow, that's a slap in the face. At a time when many Americans have abandoned regular churchgoing, Hillsong attracts thousands of young churchgoers through soaring music and upbeat preaching. He holds a degree from Capital Bible College. By now, Hillsong is not just a church, but a brand. Also concerning for the participants in the series were mandatory non-disclosure agreements students had to sign before matriculating to Hillsong College. Lead Pastor - Hillside Evangelical Free Church - LinkedIn I am deeply sorry for breaking the trust of many people who we have loved serving and understand that this news can be very hard and confusing for people to hear and process, he wrote. Join Us This Weekend! Mr. Houstons father was accused in the late 1990s of sexually abusing a young boy decades earlier. Check your email to verify your subscription. This resulted in him knocking on the door of a hotel room that was not his, entering this room and spending time with the female occupant.. Finish. When you accept the calling of being a pastor, you must live in such a way that it honors the mandate. But then he said something that triggered me. Last month, it all came crashing down for Mr. Lentz in a scandal that has cast a shadow on one of the most influential megachurches in America. One of those men was Brett Sengstock, who declined to participate in the series due to ongoing legal proceedings, but whose story prompted a 2014 investigation by the Australian Royal Commission into Institution Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. So to those people, I pray you can forgive me and that over time I can live a life where trust is earned again. Our Team - Hillside Community Church 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Ex-Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz's new megachurch accused of 'inappropriate' Easter service, Disgraced Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz hired by new church: 'We believe in Carl', Hillsong megachurch hit with sexual assault lawsuit by student, Hillsong's bombshell Carl Lentz report leaked: sex, lies and manipulation. ", Former Hillsong Sydney member Tanya Levin affirmed, "Music is a really huge department because it's so critical to [the church's power of] hypnosis. Hillside Church Mankato - Our Team Her attempts to meet with a staff leader were brushed off, she said. Our Team - Hillside Community Church Engage With Us Click to see address, gathering times and campus specific information. The members of Open Table would vote to transfer their assets to join Hillside. Associate Pastor. The docuseries concluded by drawing a direct line to Frank Houston, who died in 2004. I am deeply sorry for breaking the trust of many people who we have loved serving and understand that this news can be very hard and confusing for people to hear and process. "He kept saying a lot that we were so similar, me and him, that we found each other because we were both broken," said Karim. Carl Lentz, former pastor of Hillsong NYC oversaw a church where sexual misconduct and abuse were common, according to a report leaked to The Christian Post. Following investigation of the second incident, he agreed to take specific action including stepping down from leadership for a period. He pleaded not guilty on all charges. Following media reports on Friday, the church's global board said in a statement that Houston had breached Hillsong's pastor code of conduct in two incidents over the past decade. [Now] he's got churches in 130 countries and 150,000 a week, and he will protect the brand at all costs. So to those people, I pray you can forgive me and that over time I can live a life where trust is earned again.. Surprise! If youre a celebrity, youre more important; if youve done something to make you famous, or if youre rich, youre more important.. Lentz baptized Bieber in 2014 in an NBA players custom-built bathtub, he told GQ, and the two guys were best buds for years. A representative for Mr. Lentz declined to comment on a detailed list of questions about his tenure at Hillsong and his departure. A USC graduate, she joined the Los Angeles Times in 2003 and has 30 years of journalism experience in Southern California. Paparazzi have photographed Mr. Lentz riding his bicycle, taking an evening stroll with his family and meditating shirtless on the beach. Lanford Beard has been with PEOPLE since 2015. But Bieber was the most prominent Hillsong devotee, and his commitment to a path of faith and atonement came at a time when Bieber was navigating several unflattering outbursts, including a 2014 arrest, an egging incident (also in 2014) and an incident involving a confiscated capuchin in 2013. Coincidentally he is an avid Large Mouth Bass Fisherman, who is now a "Fisher of Men," who actually grew up on El Pescador Ln (The Fisherman's Lane). And a sense that for all the celebrity surrounding the church, its soul was harder to find. Mr. Lentz, who was raised in Virginia Beach, spent years looking for his calling. Episode 3 dug into some facets of that "poisonous culture," including the code of secrecy and the extreme expectations of both students and volunteers. The Lentzes have two daughters and a son. It is important that we establish the truth and then do everything we can to ensure our church is both a safe place and one that seeks to glorify God in all that we say and do., In December, a 2018 letter from high-level volunteers came to light that claimed there were verified, widely circulated stories of inappropriate sexual behavior amongst staff/interns at the church. Pastor Art loves giving back to his community and helping our unhoused neighbors in El Sereno and Northeast Los Angeles. Sengstock took years to come forward, he said, because when he told his mother, she warned him, "You don't want to be responsible for turning people from the church and sending them to hell. "If the church's whole thing is based on that one guy or girl [they are always] one misstep away from literally imploding the entire thing. But as Mr. Lentzs profile rose, many congregants felt the focus on fame and cultural power that had helped the church grow was overwhelming its spiritual mission. Your ministry is now eroded, it's built on sand in a lot of ways," said Kirby. Anne Wermiel/NY Post; UPI/John Angelillo (inset). On Wednesday, just one day before the premiere of the docuseries, it was announced that Houston had resigned following complaints that he behaved inappropriately towards two women in two separate incidents. But more than that, many were concerned about the growing cult of personality forming around Lentz and how Brian Houston would respond to Lentz's perceived power eclipsing his own. Vera and Zhenya Kasevich, then the leaders of Hillsong Kiev, believe the audio was intentionally leaked and claim they had previously told Houston of other issues with Lentz (such as "behaving in an unpastorly manner, including smoking and drinking"). After Lentzs dismissal, the church also decided to put the NYC branch he oversaw under investigation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. The founding pastors, Brian and Bobbie Houston, took Lentzs termination as a church hypepriest personally, with Brian writing in his email, While I have no doubt in my heart that this is the right course of action, I must mention Bobbies and my personal sadness, as we have known Laura her entire life and Carl for well over 20 years.. Mr. Houston pressed his father, who has since died, into retirement when he found out. Pastor | Freedom Hillside Church I now begin a journey of rebuilding trust with my wife, Laura and my children and taking real time to work on and heal my own life and seek out the help that I need.. But it was Frank's son Brian who borrowed from American Pentecostal church practices and resolved to scale up the church, then known as the Sydney Christian Life Centre, on a global level. Learn More WATCH OUR LATEST MESSAGE This story has been shared 387,646 times. Even in the contemporary era of megachurches, Hillsong stands apart. After initial phone calls, they declined to participate in this series, citing a desire to move on from the stress of their experiences. Their most popular song, the soaring ballad Oceans (Where Feet May Fail), has been streamed more than 235 million times on Spotify. "The more you say no to him, the more he kept coming back," she continued. Welcome - Hillside Fellowship Pastor Art was born and raised in El Sereno. KARA SKOGG. ", Said Levin, "The bullying, the intimidation, the fear it's very, very real.". The second investigation concerned a complaint the church received in 2019, about behaviour which Hillsong attributed to medication and alcohol. But in the early 2000s he made his way to Australia, where he attended a school operated by Hillsong Church. View All Locations Online Rancho Cucamonga Office Hours 5354 Haven Avenue Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday (909) 980-2191 info@hillsidechurches.com Prayer Messages Events / Calendar Blog Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. And the formula works. But there was another side to Hillsong in its most popular branch in America, according to many current and former attendees: a pastor who was so swept up in ministering to the famous that ordinary congregants felt neglected.