A FALL FROM GRACE
YOU South Africa|30 March 2023
Credited with making Christianity cool, Hillsong megachurch has been rocked by a series of scandals 
MAXINE PETERS
A FALL FROM GRACE

IT’S an institution that’s been called a leader in making Christianity cool for the modern age. No rigid pastors in three-piece suits with a Bible under their arm at this charismatic mega-church – over here leaders rock beanies, tattoos, Ray-Ban sunglasses and ripped jeans. 

Hillsong Church – which has churches in 30 countries – has attracted many followers and high-profile parishioners including the likes of singer Justin Bieber, actress Vanessa Hudgens and model Kendall Jenner with its come-as-you-are approach. 

But the church now has a heavy cross to bear as it faces bombshell allegations that officials have been misusing funds, laundering money and evading tax. 

Andrew Wilkie, an independent member of the Australian parliament, claims senior pastors were selling their souls and splashing cash on everything from business-class flights to private jets, designer gifts, custom skateboards and entertainment. 

Some of the luxury expenses listed in a leaked financial report include R81 250 on a Cartier watch and R31 250 on Louis Vuitton luggage. 

“Hillsong followers believe that the money they put in the poor box goes to the poor, but that money is actually used to do the kind of shopping that would embarrass a Kardashian,” Wilkie says. 

Hillsong’s global senior pastor, Phil Dooley, is the one under fire for buying the watch and paying for business-class flights for himself and his family. 

But the Australian pastor, who helped start Hillsong Church South Africa, says he made it clear to the board when he took on the position that he’d travel with his family to ensure their health and the strength of his marriage. 

Esta historia es de la edición 30 March 2023 de YOU South Africa.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición 30 March 2023 de YOU South Africa.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE YOU SOUTH AFRICAVer todo
BALLON IN THE BAG
YOU South Africa

BALLON IN THE BAG

Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante says his Ballon d'Or win is a victory for Spanish football

time-read
4 minutos  |
14 November 2024
IT WAS ALL A LIE
YOU South Africa

IT WAS ALL A LIE

A new doccie exposes the Grey's Anatomy writer who fabricated her life story

time-read
5 minutos  |
14 November 2024
'I WILL NEVER GIVE UP'
YOU South Africa

'I WILL NEVER GIVE UP'

After her husband, anticorruption activist Alexei Navalny, was poisoned and murdered by the Kremlin, she became the public face of Russia's opposition. In this candid interview Yulia Navalnaya opens up about life on the run, her perilous family life and why she's continuing her husband's fight to save their country

time-read
10+ minutos  |
14 November 2024
AGREE TO DISAGREE
YOU South Africa

AGREE TO DISAGREE

Trevor Noah on how his childhood squabbles with his mother inspired his delightful new book

time-read
4 minutos  |
14 November 2024
PAUSE THE CLOCK
YOU South Africa

PAUSE THE CLOCK

Researchers have discovered that the ageing process spikes at 44 and 60. Here's what you can do to slow it down

time-read
5 minutos  |
14 November 2024
MPOOMY ON TOP
YOU South Africa

MPOOMY ON TOP

We chat to SA's most popular female podcaster about love, loss and her booming success

time-read
4 minutos  |
14 November 2024
MY BROTHER IS NOT TO BLAME
YOU South Africa

MY BROTHER IS NOT TO BLAME

Tinus Drotské says his sibling, ex Bok Nǎka, is the victim in the brawl with a neighbour that landed up in court

time-read
4 minutos  |
14 November 2024
MATT THE RECLUSE
YOU South Africa

MATT THE RECLUSE

A year after his friend's tragic death, the actor continues to shun the spotlight

time-read
4 minutos  |
14 November 2024
A LEAP OF FAITH
YOU South Africa

A LEAP OF FAITH

After her husband tried to kill her by tampering with her parachute she thought she'd never trust a man again-but now she's found love

time-read
5 minutos  |
14 November 2024
THEY'RE MY KIDS!
YOU South Africa

THEY'RE MY KIDS!

This West Coast woman treats her monkeys as iftheyre humans and animal activists are not happy about it

time-read
4 minutos  |
14 November 2024