On Sunday, Reed Bogard announced his and his wife's resignation in a prerecorded message that aired during the church's streaming worship service. I met a beautiful lady named Mary. 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 stay fueled and motivated honored that God would choose me and have a relationship with me. I assure you there are more factual errors on the part of your staff than in Annas story, he wrote in response. "An additional cause for concern is that even within the parameters of the sexual relationship between them, it appears that the sexual activities between the two frequently suggest that they were designed to reinforce the power imbalance between them.. To Phalon, Houstons initial tweet is indicative of the whole ordeal being a game to him., His response was so disgusting. I havent been a part of that organization for over a year, he said when contacted by CP. Her Story: Jess Bogard EQUIPPED BY FAITH They originally met at Hillsong International Leadership College in Australia in 2005 and have since served on Hillsong staff for 14 years in different capacities, including being part of the teams on the ground that planted the Hillsong New York City and Los Angeles . We are those people. Ive been so broken and God has used me regardless. Hillsong Shrinks Dramatically in US - Phoenix Pastor Latest to Pull Out Stroud end up? Hillsong New Jersey Pastor Resigns After Texting Suggestive Photo to He just wants to pass the blame and shame us enough so we stop talking. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. I thought, "Surely thats not them" But they had also just gotten a new car. 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Friday Highlight! BGM LOVES the local - The Bogard Group - Facebook Its not based on feelings and emotions. 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Specifically, in discussions with certain leaders of Hillsong NYC, Ms. [redacted] asserted to them, apparently for the first time, that her sexual experience with Mr. Bogard, at least initially, had not been consensual, the report said in a summary. Bogard was ousted from the church along with his wife last year amid claims they had been misappropriating church donations to fund their lavish lifestyle. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. Hillsong pastors splurged tithes on luxury, ex-members say | Church In January, Reed and Jess Bogard, lead pastors of the Dallas location, abruptly resigned during a Sunday morning service. Another former Hillsong pastor Michael Guglielmucci admitted to faking a cancer diagnosis in 2008 while receiving donations to help pay for his 'treatments,' Vanity Fair reported. Thank you, Jess! 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. The Bogards resignation came after Hillsongs leadership suspended their pastoral duties as they investigated members complaints they werent upholding Hillsongs leadership standards. Former members of the church told the New York Post how staff would use pre-paid expense (PEX) cards with funds made from tithes. 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. Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. The lead pastors of Hillsong Dallas church have resigned, adding to two months of transition and turmoil in the global megachurch. Early in our process, the Bogards decided to resign from Hillsong Church. Houston later said the couple, who had served in New York with . A pair of Hillsong docuseries planned, examining the megachurch's Exclusive: Sex abuse allegations by Carl Lentz's former nanny put Play it now! We all struggle with insecurity and comparison. During the interim, Hillsong leaders will help to provide for and support Hillsong Dallas. When it comes to caring for people you have to know when to help them yourself and when to pass them to people on your team. Its not going to happen.. Former Hillsong Church Pastor Reed Bogard Has Been - Perez Hilton Now on April 10, 2021, Hillsongs global senior pastor Brian Houston emailed church members that leadership has decided to pause all operations at the Texas location. Disgraced pastor Lentz entered a program in early December to treat mental health issues following his firing, at an outpatient facility that specialized in 'depression, anxiety and pastoral burnout,' according to People Magazine. Several factors worsened by the coronavirus pandemic worked against the church in fulfilling that promise, the Houstons said. 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. The Bogards resigned less than two months after former Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Lentz was fired last Novemberover leadership issues and moral failures, including being unfaithful to his wife. It shows that Hillsong Church Australia first learned of the sexual affair between Bogard and the junior staff member in the second half of 2014. 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. More than six years later, on or about October 2020, Hillsong Church Australia learned of additional allegations concerning Ms. [redacted] and Mr. Bogards affair. 2. When did you know it was time to start your own church? We met at the leadership school at Hillsong, Australia. What happened with my relationship with Hillsong is once I did report to church, that's when things started going downhill,' she told the Christian Post. 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. It was reported that the Bogards used fundsused to purchase ATVs, expensive meals, designer clothes, and items for their children. Updated April 12, 2021: A few months ago, Pastor Reed Bogard and his wife, Jess, resigned as pastors at Hillsong Dallas. Hillsong Churchstated at the time that it launched an independent investigation "into the inner workings of Hillsong NYC/ East Coast" after hearing concerns from people affiliated with those churches. In early January, the lead pastors of Hillsong's Dallas church, Reed Bogard and his wife, Jess Bogard, resigned with little explanation. He spent most of his read more. Its really hard to lead people in a place you havent gone yourself. Youre a mom, wife, and lead pastorhow do you find the time to grow in your relationship with God? Equipped by Faith is a ministry of AMEN Church and a registered 501c3 non-profit organization created to equip and empower women of faith. Mr. Hillsong pastors 'used worshipper donations to fund wealthy lifestyles Lentz, an alumnus of Houston car wash duties, extended the tradition. And this is yet another example of the abuse of power that seems to have permeated the entire relationship, they said. Lentz was fired from Hillsong in 2020. We have one shot at this and we dont get a do-over. The report was submitted to George Aghajanian, general manager and a director of Hillsong Church Australia and its international entities, on Jan. 11, 2021. He laterreleased a statement claiming that he lied about having cancer because he was addicted to pornography. This Hillsong megachurch branch has been deemed beyond immediate redemption. 6. By the end of 2014, leaders at Hillsong Australia were apparently aware of the affair yet didn't "look into matters." 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. Pastors Reed and Jess Bogard met at Hillsong College, and Reed later established the church that would become Hillsong NYC. She was an 85-year-old widow and felt it was her calling in life to bring young girls under her wing. Hillsong shutters Dallas church following report of pastor's lavish Hillsong Church has enormous compassion for the other party involved in this situation. 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. Brandon Walker, 28, who helped the Bogards plant Hillsong Dallas, told the New York Post that he witnessed a lot of toxic activity, including $1,100 per day Airbnb rentals. God wont take you to the next level until you allow him to use you where youre at. This last season, Ive had to put more time and effort into my family and kids so I havent done as much speaking in church. 9. Church leaders did know about the affair and had for years, but they thought it had always been consensual, the report claims. Jasmine Bogard - Jackson, Mississippi, United States - LinkedIn "Thereafter, Mr. Bogard was returned to full Pastoral duties, and was eventually awarded a promotion to Lead Pastor in the newly created Church location in Dallas, Texas," the report adds. 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. Liked by Jasmine Bogard. Then COVID happenedand it feels like were going to be starting from scratch all over again. Megachurch fires worship artist over extramarital affair | Church It was revealed that the two were under investigation for "leadership failures," resulting in the closure of that campus. Just going to church and knowing Him was better than the life I was living. I dont have any comment on that. When contacted about the report in February, Hillsong Church said Brian Houston, who resigned Wednesday after it was revealed that two women made seriouscomplaints of misconduct against him in the last 10 years, was not aware of the rape claims against Bogard when he was chosen to lead Hillsong Dallas in 2019. Church leaders were led to believe the relationship was consensual and "consequences to both [parties] were meted out accordingly," investigators revealed. Lentz was found to have had at least one extramarital affair and abused his authority during his pastoral role at the New York location. Trending News Shooter at Christian Nashville Elementary School Kills 3 Kids, 3 Adults In 2020, star pastor Carl Lentz was exposed for cheating on his wife with a Brooklyn-based jewelry designer. How would you encourage someone else in how to pursue their calling or purpose? By posting your comment you agree to the house rules, By 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. The Christian Post obtained a copy of the investigation report in which lawyers said it was still a possibility that Bogard could face criminal charges. The Bogards helped former pastor Carl Lentz plant Hillsong NYC in 2010. I lift my hands in worship, even when I dont feel itand it fills my spirit. You are bold, beautiful, and inspiring. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. Bieber responded on Instagram, saying that the story was fake news and adding, And btw, Hillsong is not my church. [redacted] recalls that at around this point, Mr. Bogard undid his pants. I gave my life to Jesus and have never looked back. In a statement Crenshaw made toMargaret Aghajanian, Hillsong Church's head of pastoral care oversight, she said a friend of Mays encouraged her not to report the alleged incident. Hillsong Church pauses Dallas campus after completing investigation of former pastors. 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'. Bogard did present as aggressive.. It was natural for me to want to preach. Ms. [redacted] recalled the disoriented falling sensation of the seat back suddenly going back when shed not realized it was about to do so. When the time is right and we have identified and trained suitable lead pastors, we will consider relaunching.. We called our friends to come see our new car. The journey continues after 4 years of college, 4 of med school, 5 of PhD #neverstops #mdphd. The findings of the investigation conducted by the New York City law firm Zukerman Gore Brandeis & Crossman, LLP, are highlighted in a report reviewed by CP. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Ms. In November 2020, Hillsong NYC lead pastor Carl Lentz was fired for "moral failings" including an extramarital affair with a Brooklyn jewelry designer. There were women there that needed to hear about the hope and love of Jesusand when I began to understand that, I realized that place was my ministry. 'That's when I saw how they dealt with abuse, and it's something I'm not willing to overlook in my relationship with the church.'. Anna Crenshaw, now 23, told the Christian Post this week thatJason Mays, a married Hillsong staff administrator, assaulted her at some point before 2018 when she reported the incident. Zukerman Gore Brandeis & Crossman, LLP, did not respond to requests for comment. 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. Jeff Bogard - President - R.E.A. Homes | LinkedIn [redacted] stated that as soon as she and Mr. Bogard sat down at a table at the bar, they each ordered a drink. In announcing his resignation, Reed Bogard, 38, said he and his 35-year-old wife: Just really feel that its time to transition off of our staff and take some time to remain healthy, get healthy and to really see what this next season holds for us.. "In recounting various liaisons, Ms. [redacted] consistently talks about how Reed wanted to have sex, so we had sex, and similar comments, always indicating that Mr. Bogard was the initiator. Ive never met two people who believe in people so much, said Bogard, adding that he believes the best is yet to come for Hillsong Church in general and for Hillsong Dallas in particular. Use what is in your hand to fulfill what is in your heart. "The last 10 years of being in church planting mode has really taken a bit of a toll on Jess and I and . of Hillsong Church, for supporting and trusting him and Jess. The subordinate staffer recalls Bogard offered her a ride home, but the former pastor told investigators she asked for the ride home.