Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston steps down to fight charge of concealing child sex abuse
Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston announced Sunday he was "completely" stepping down from church leadership as he prepares to defend himself against a charge of concealing child sex abuse.
Houston, 67, was charged last August after being accused of knowing his preacher father, Frank, allegedly abused a boy in the 1970s, but he did not come forward with the information to police and allowed his father to retire quietly.
"These allegations came as a shock to me, and it is my intention to vigorously defend them," Houston said in a statement on the Hillsong website.
During a board meeting in December, Houston was advised by Hillsong's external legal counsel that it would be best to step aside during court proceedings, according to the statement.
'I vehemently profess my innocence': Hillsong megachurch founder Brian Houston charged with concealing child sex offenses
"I have said, including in a prior statement, that I intend to fight the charge and welcome the opportunity to set the record straight," he said.
Houston and his wife, Bobbie, founded Hillsong Church in Australia in 1983. For nearly four decades, the church has grown to include celebrity attendees at locations in 30 countries.
Hillsong Church pastor Carl Lentz was fired in November 2020 after he displayed leadership issues and narcissistic behavior, Houston told "Today" in an exclusive interview last May. Lentz had relationships with celebrities including Justin Bieber, who lived at his home.
'Carl was Carl': Megachurch founder says ex-pastor Carl Lentz had 'leadership issues' in interview
“I have reflected many, many times, and I'm acknowledging that mistakes have been made and that there are things where we need to get far better, much better. I'm not shrinking back from that,” Houston said during the interview.
Houston has been based in the USA in recent months, and he and his wife plan to remain "fully engaged in church life."
Contributing: The Associated Press
Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com.