Who Founded Hillsong Church
Hillsong Church was founded by Brian Houston and his wife Bobbie Houston in 1983 as Hills Christian Life Centre in the Hills District of Sydney, Australia. Brian Houston served as the global senior pastor and president of Hillsong Church for decades before stepping down from leadership roles following an internal review and his resignation in early 2022. The resignation followed a review into allegations of sexual misconduct and marked a major turning point in the church's public profile.
Under Brian Houston's leadership, Hillsong grew from a small parish into a global megachurch network with campuses in more than 20 countries and a weekly attendance estimated in the tens of thousands before the restructuring. The church became widely known for its contemporary worship music, with groups such as Hillsong Worship and Hillsong United releasing albums that charted on the Billboard 200 and won multiple Grammy and Dove Awards. Hillsong Worship albums have appeared on major Billboard charts, contributing to the church's visibility in mainstream media and the music industry.
Hillsong Church Structure and Leadership After the Founder
Global Leadership and Governance Changes
After Brian Houston's departure, Hillsong Church restructured its governance, appointing a new global senior leadership team and introducing a council-based oversight model to manage operations across its international campuses. The church announced a pause on new campus openings and launched an independent review of its culture, policies, and safeguarding practices to address the controversies that led to the founder's exit. Hillsong's organizational changes have been documented in filings and public statements aimed at demonstrating accountability to members, donors, and regulators.
Music Ministry and Brand Licensing
Hillsong Music remains a central part of the church's operations, with Hillsong Worship and Hillsong United continuing to produce albums, tour internationally, and license music for use in churches worldwide. The church's worship brand generates revenue through album sales, streaming royalties, conference tickets, and licensing fees, with Hillsong Conference drawing thousands of attendees annually to Sydney and other host cities. Forbes reported on the financial and reputational impact of the leadership changes on the church's global operations and brand partnerships.
Hillsong Church Finances, Assets, and Global Reach
Revenue Streams and Property Holdings
Hillsong Church operates as a registered religious organization with income derived from tithes, offerings, conference registrations, merchandise, music licensing, and real estate. The church owns and operates worship venues, community centers, and offices in major cities including Sydney, New York, London, Paris, and São Paulo, with property values reflecting its global expansion over the past two decades. Public filings