Hillsong's Brian Houston Hopeful of the Future Despite Waiting for the Verdict on His Criminal Trial

Hillsong Church's founding pastor Brian Houston is hopeful about the future despite awaiting the verdict on a criminal charge that he concealed his father's sexual abuse of a young boy. Houston says he will focus on "building for the future" until June 2023 when the verdict will be announced.
"The last three weeks have been rigorous to say the least but we have felt the prayers of so many," Houston wrote on Instagram Thursday, days after he told the Downing Centre Local Court in Australia that his father, Frank, was a "serial pedophile."
Houston was formally charged last August with failing to report his father's abuse of a young boy after a two-year investigation by the New South Wales Police. Authorities charge that Houston, 68, "knew information relating to the sexual abuse of a young male in the 1970s and failed to bring that information to the attention of police."
Brett Sengstock was sexually assaulted by Frank Houston, who was at the time a travelling preacher based in New Zealand, inside his family's Coogee home in January 1970.
Brian Houston, 68, vehemently denies the claims and says his decision to not go to police when he learnt of his father's offending in October 1999 did not amount to a cover up. Houston claims that he respected the wishes of his father's victim, Sengstock, by not reporting the allegation to authorities. Frank Houston died in 2004.
"Obviously I can't comment on my court case but there's to be two more days of submissions in June 2023," he wrote on Instagram. "The delay is frustrating but it is what it is and Bobbie and I will be using the time committed to building for the future."
Tags : Brian Houston Hillsong hillsong church Frank Houston Brian Houston trial Brian Houston sex scandal Brian Houston sex offence cover-up
Hot Trends
-
Hawk Nelson Chats It Up With Fans As Part Of The Family Christian Stores Hawk Nelson 'Takeover'
-
Wanda Bell Launches LadyBellRadio.com 24/7 Gospel Music Platform
-
Michael W. Smith Celebrates His 40th Wedding Anniversary
-
Recent Accident Inspires Forrest Frank’s New Single "Lemonade (feat. The Figs)"
-
Chris Rice Maintains Public Silence Following Abuse Allegations; Focuses on Writing and Speaking
-
New Documentary “J. D. Greear Unmasked” Exposes Power Struggles Within the Southern Baptist Convention
-
Forrest Frank Turns Pain into Praise with New Single “Lemons Into Lemonade”
-
Darlene Zschech's Daughter Weds
-
Angelo & Veronica Announce New Album "Created For You"
-
for KING & COUNTRY: 'Crave,' The Story Behind The Album
-
Andrew Ripp Reveals How His Mother Inspired "In Good Hands"
-
Miriam Webster on Working with Hillsong Worship, Darlene Zschech & Her Own Music
-
Marvin Winans Joins Justin Bieber on Surprise Album SWAG
-
Bryan & Katie Torwalt Share the Story Behind "Sound Mind"
-
Christian Music Artist Jamie Slocum Dies After He Was Hit by a Bus
Most Popular
-
Hawk Nelson Chats It Up With Fans As Part Of The Family Christian Stores Hawk Nelson 'Takeover'
-
Wanda Bell Launches LadyBellRadio.com 24/7 Gospel Music Platform
-
Michael W. Smith Celebrates His 40th Wedding Anniversary
-
Recent Accident Inspires Forrest Frank’s New Single "Lemonade (feat. The Figs)"
-
Chris Rice Maintains Public Silence Following Abuse Allegations; Focuses on Writing and Speaking
-
New Documentary “J. D. Greear Unmasked” Exposes Power Struggles Within the Southern Baptist Convention
-
Forrest Frank Turns Pain into Praise with New Single “Lemons Into Lemonade”
-
Darlene Zschech's Daughter Weds
-
Angelo & Veronica Announce New Album "Created For You"
-
for KING & COUNTRY: 'Crave,' The Story Behind The Album
-
Andrew Ripp Reveals How His Mother Inspired "In Good Hands"
-
Miriam Webster on Working with Hillsong Worship, Darlene Zschech & Her Own Music
-
Marvin Winans Joins Justin Bieber on Surprise Album SWAG
-
Bryan & Katie Torwalt Share the Story Behind "Sound Mind"
-
Christian Music Artist Jamie Slocum Dies After He Was Hit by a Bus