The following day, he apologized for the tweet. read more. At the end of the day, you have to get a little gritty in your decisions and understand that we only have one life. The fact that no Church leader appears to have even considered this issue is a cause for concern," investigators said. I stay fueled and motivated honored that God would choose me and have a relationship with me. Without discounting the strength of a prosecution case due to the passage of time, it is likely that a jury, evaluating the interplay, would have found that Mr. Bogard acted without obtaining (or, under the circumstances, having any reasonable expectation of being able to obtain) actual consent by Ms. [redacted].. "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.. 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. Its such a rough season. 20:07 BST 25 Mar 2022 The indefinite pausing of Hillsong Dallas is the latest in a series of scandals, transitions and general tumult facing the . I walked into the Hillsong arena conference, a naive young girlI grabbed my senior pastor and said, I didnt know there were this many Christians in the world! I just decided I wanted to be part of this church for the rest of my life. The former junior Hillsong NYC staffer who asked not to be publicly named in this report when contacted by The Christian Post, said she has been trying to move on with her life. We had 6 more months of hanging out, were engaged in February, married in July, and had a honeymoon baby. He has been criminally charged in Australia over the allegation that he turned a blind eye to his father's abhuse - which he vehemently denies. Lets believe God for great things ahead.. For clarity, I am part of Churchome. Churchome is a multisite, megachurch led by Judah and Chelsea Smith with campuses in Seattle and Los Angeles. Play it now! For clarity, I am part of Churchome.. The Houstons said that Reed Bogard had been suspended from 'his pastoral duties' while the church reviewed complaints from members that he failed 'to uphold the standards of Hillsong leadership. The Bogards had been a part of the Hillsong NYC team under Lentz's leadership before moving to Dallas and launching the church there. In 2019, New York state extended the state statute of limitations for reporting second-degree rape to 20 years and third-degree rape to 10 years. 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. (RNS) The lead pastors of Hillsong Dallas church have resigned, adding to two months of transition and turmoil in the global megachurch. Darnell Barrett, another member of the church, was fired in 2021 for sending a shirtless picture to someone else in the congregation. The Bogards resignation came after Hillsongs leadership suspended their pastoral duties as they investigated members complaints they werent upholding Hillsongs leadership standards. Other former church members have compared it to a cult and detailed incidents of sexual assault. New Hampshire is crowned beer capital of America and Washington DC has biggest number of winos, official data shows so how boozy is your state ? In addition to the allegation of rape, which allegedly took place one night on Manhattans Upper East Side in October 2013, details highlighted in the report show Bogard drinking heavily, using marijuana, and generally bullying staff while serving at Hillsong NYC prior to being promoted as lead pastor of Hillsong Dallas. It was very disappointing to learn that, while some of you experienced the Bogards as dedicated pastors, many others have experienced leadership that failed to meet the commitments and standards of Hillsong Church, the Houstons continued. In an email to members, founders Brian and Bobbie Houston addressed the church's investigation into former Dallas pastor Reed Bogard and his wife, Jess Bogard, who resigned in January after. An internal investigation commissioned by Hillsong Global into former Hillsong Dallas pastor Reed Bogard showed that his abrupt resignation in January 2021 was due to a rape accusation by a junior female staffer with whom he had an affair with for months. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. Were going to make mistakes, but if we are open about our humanity then I think we can go far together. With the boys, I try to be as real as possible. I have nothing to do with Hillsong anymore. Mr. You are bold, beautiful, and inspiring. Sweeping, smiling, encouragingthat was my ministry. A year later, after a crazy night of partying, I decided I wanted to give the whole God thing another shot. Brian Houston categorically denies he had knowledge of this serious allegation when Reed Bogard was selected as the Lead Pastor for Dallas, Hillsong Church said in a statement to CP. In early January, the lead pastors of Hillsong's Dallas church, Reed Bogard and his wife, Jess Bogard, resigned with little explanation. 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. Reed Bogard, 38, and his wife, Jess Bogard, 35, the lead pastors of the Australia-based institution's Dallas branch, are stepping away from the once -celebrity- beloved international. Its selling point are its army of young, glamorous and trendy pastors who give concert-like sermons and appeal to Instagram-savvy, younger worshippers. She added: 'I bought a designer purse and $100 or $200 of food from Dean & DeLuca for visiting pastors.'. How would you encourage someone else in how to pursue their calling or purpose? Shannon observed that from her point of view, of all the people Mr. Bogard could have chosen, Ms. [redacted] was probably the most vulnerable.. I have a very active daily relationship with Jesus. 'I felt like I could not say anything about the Jason incident because his friend had said not to, insisting that he was a good guy and this was not a normal behavior for him.'. The good news is were all going through it together." The Church isnt a building. Investigators reported that Bogard was "stood down publicly from the platform in Los Angeles for a period of either eight or twelve months," noting that "stories differ.". She made the allegation for the first time in conversations with Hillsong leaders and an investigation was commissioned as a result. Once they were in the car, things quickly got out of hand. We went to meet them on an access road and I saw a red Hummer coming in our direction. The scandal appears to have impacted his relationship with Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey, as both unfollowed him on Instagram after having spent extensive time with him. By the end of 2014, leaders at Hillsong Australia were apparently aware of the affair yet didn't "look into matters." Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. Bogard then asked Ms. [redacted] to take off her pants. A year and a half into my journey at that church, I wasnt able to go to our Hillsong conference because I couldnt afford it. The two then had sexual intercourse., Bogard told investigators that he has no recollection of the accuser "saying 'no' at any time while they were in the car. By posting your comment you agree to the house rules, By Ms. It was reported that the Bogards used fundsused to purchase ATVs, expensive meals, designer clothes, and items for their children. My teenager said something in response to COVID the other dayhe said, This is the worst year of my life!" Everything's a flex, everything's a show.'. In April 2021, former Hillsong Dallas Lead Pastor Reed Bogard and his wife, Jess, abruptly resigned from their positions. Another former New York City congregant Jenna Babbitt, 27, said she was given one of the cards to buy items for the children of Reed and Jess Bogard, who she babysat. Youre a mom, wife, and lead pastorhow do you find the time to grow in your relationship with God? ), Scientists may have worked out how to increase lifespans by 80 PERCENT - in lab study of cells, Sudan's Islamists use online networks and AI to make their move and spread claims that they are poised for victory - just like the Taliban did - as democracy leaders flee, Nikki Haley says Biden will likely DIE within five years: 2024 hopeful attacks presidents age after he announced his run for President, Record one in FOUR high school students say they are gay, bisexual or 'questioning' their sexuality, official CDC data shows - double the 2015 figure. 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. It was Gods greatest blessing to us. 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. [redacted] says that Mr. Bogard ignored her comment and continued his climb on top of her. 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. I would ask her questions, convinced I had done a sin that couldnt be forgiven. In 2020, star pastor Carl Lentz was exposed for cheating on his wife with a Brooklyn-based jewelry designer. On Sunday, Reed Bogard announced his and his wife's resignation in a prerecorded message that aired during the church's streaming worship service.a prerecorded message that aired during the church's streaming We just try to figure it out the best we canmaking mistakes and learning from them along the way. I have truly lost all faith that any of this will be made right, Phalon said. 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. I had no money, was a young, grimy little 13-year-old girlbelieving big things for her life. Many factors, all amplified by the pandemic, have resulted in the difficult decision to pause all operations at Hillsong Dallas for now, Brian and Bobbie Houston, the husband-and-wife team who co-founded Hillsong and currently share the title of global senior pastors, wrote to congregants in a Saturday email that was forwarded to The Post. Bogard, who now works as a director of business development for Keller Williams in Michigan, said he was done with all things Hillsong as well. Significantly, Ms. [redacted] now discloses that at the time she said, no, I dont think we should do this, investigators said. I followed the music one Sunday morning and found a church. Another former Hillsong congregant who spoke with the Post was 27-year-old Jenna Babbitt, who started attending Hillsong NYC in August 2011. We've received your submission. 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. I thought, "Surely thats not them" But they had also just gotten a new car. In addition to helping plant Hillsong Dallas and Hillsong LA, the Bogards helped plant Hillsong NYC while serving alongside recently disgraced pastor Carl Lentz. My husband was a pastors kid. We create opportunities to experience God but we allow them to choose for themselves. Pastors Reed and Jess Bogard met at Hillsong College, and Reed later established the church that would become Hillsong NYC. How did your spiritual journey evolve? So the church got together to sponsor me to go. Shannon stated that Mr. Bogard had an enormous amount of power and that Mr. Bogard was someone that if you said no to, it would be used against you in a lot of different ways. I always ask people, What do you love? I believe God places a natural thing in us to where we are inclined to do the things we lovepursuing that will show you what your gifts are. BGM LOVES the local church!!! As the coronavirus swept the world in late 2020, the church learned that the affair didnt start out consensually. 'It was very disappointing to learn that, while some of you experienced the Bogards as dedicated pastors, many others have experienced leadership that failed to meet the commitments and standards of Hillsong Church,' the Houstons wrote. Bogard's departure from the church is the latest in a string of scandals to have plagued the organization. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reed Bogard (@reedbogard) Instagram photos and videos reedbogard Follow 51 posts 4,857 followers 510 following Reed Bogard Living my best life w/ my beautiful wife Jess & 3 amazing boys! Former Hillsong Dallas Pastor Reed Bogard resigned after he was accused of rape, investigation reveals. I think the bill was $600 to $700, Walker recalled. It was very disappointing to learn that, while some of you experienced the Bogards as dedicated pastors, many others have experienced leadership that failed to meet the commitments and standards of Hillsong Church, Brian Houston said, in part, at the time. 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. I want to be the first to apologize to those who felt disappointed or hurt, and I pray that God does a swift work in bringing peace and healing.. Reed and Jess Bogard, the former lead pastors of Hillsong Dallas before their sudden and quiet resignation in January. The Houstons examination has now concluded after interviewing members of the church who asked the church not to reveal personal details. In a comment on this article yesterday, I foolishly included information that was wrong for me to share, Brian wrote in a reply. 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. More than six years later, on or about October 2020, Hillsong Church Australia learned of additional allegations concerning Ms. [redacted] and Mr. Bogards affair. I totally get it. 'I'm not interested to support an organization that's willing to treat abuse the way I've seen them treat abuse. But before I had a platform, I was preaching. By Well see you all next month on September 2nd for our next Equipped by Faith first-Wednesday gathering. Kelly told investigators that even if Bogard did not physically force himself on his accuser she did not have the ability to say no. ', Megan Phalon, left, said the pastors 'bought four-wheeler ATVs' to drive around the city. Hillsong admittedin December that it knew about 'serious allegations' against the church in 2018 and 'found some were true'. We called our friends to come see our new car. I would wish I could have a relationship with Him, but I felt unqualified. Hillsong East Coast made nearly $13 million in 2019; 88 per cent of that came from 'tithes & offerings.' Right now were in North Dallas High School, and after COVID, were excited to do something in Frisco as well as Downtown Dallas. 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 . I havent been a part of that organization for over a year, he said when contacted by CP. By Adam Schrader and Lauren Fruen For Dailymail.com, Published: 20:16 EDT, 10 April 2021 | Updated: 19:59 EDT, 11 April 2021. Thats why we originally moved to New York. I would meet with Mary every Tuesday afternoon and we would read the Bible together. Photo via Hillsong.com. ChurchLeaders original article written on January 5, 2021 below. Primary Sidebar. Return to homepage. It's unclear what prompted the woman to claim six years later that Bogard had raped her. The investigation was commissioned by Hillsong Global in October 2020, shortly after senior church officials first learned that the former junior staffer alleged that her first act of sexual intercourse with Bogard in his car after a late night out together was non-consensual. The couple had served in New. Everything that you have in that deposition is obviously something that I did, and I said in the context of a legal deposition. Bogard claimed that they arranged to meet at the bar around 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. Houston is currently facing criminal charges for allegedly concealing sex abuse committed by his father decades earlier. Lets believe God for great things ahead.. It doesnt matter how many mistakes youve made. Less than two weeks after Reed Bogard abruptly resigned as lead pastor of the now-defunct Hillsong Dallas in January 2021, an internal investigation commissioned by Hillsong Global showed that the married father of three was accused of rape by a junior female staffer with whom he had a monthlong affair while serving at Hillsong NYC years earlier. There was a lot of eating out, a lot of Airbnbs very nice Airbnbs rented for guests and staff who were between homes, Walker alleged. It wasnt Jesus perfection that drew me to Himit was His ability to accept me as I am. "The last 10 years of being in church planting mode has really taken a bit of a toll on Jess and I and our family," Bogard said. He was fired by Brian Houston and retreated from the limelight, which he had enjoyed with his celebrity following. In the email, the Houstons also blamed a lot of the reasoning for the Dallas closure on the coronavirus pandemic. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 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. 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. Last April, Hillsong paused its Dallas campus after Pastors Reed and Jess Bogard resigned in January as they were being investigated for leadership failures and accused of overusing church expense cards . We have one shot at this and we dont get a do-over. How are you teaching these values to your kids? Hillsong Church was founded in Sydney in 1983 and has since expanded into a global chain with locations across the United States, UK, and other countries. We accepted their resignations and acknowledged the time that the Bogards spent establishing our Dallas location,' the Houstons wrote in the email. [She] just dropped over $1,000 for no reason.. Stake-in-the-ground type decisions to hold me through the seasons. Ms. [redacted] stated that she probably participated in the kiss. To (rightfully) be more respectful of privacy, I deleted my comment. I said, "It sucks bud. The church then said it would understand if its members opted to attend local churches in Dallas rather than watch Hillsong broadcasts online. I fell in love with Dallas the moment we flew in 18 months ago. I dont want to get to heaven and think I could have done more with my life.
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