Hillsong's chief pastor posts defiant message saying he is 'armed for battle' against 'the Devil' - as he prepares for his day in court over claims he failed to report his father's abuse of a little boy
- Brian Houston invokes the power of prayer as he prepares for court
- Scott Morrison sought White House invitation for his friend Houston
- Megachurch founder faces charge of failing to report father's abuse to police
- Pentacostal pastor says 'I thank God that we are armed for battle'
Hillsong founder Brian Houston has issued a biblical message of defiance as he vows to clear his name in court next week.
The embattled head of the Hillsong megachurch invoked 'the Devil' and 'weapons of warfare' in an Instagram video - apparently a veiled reference to his imminent legal fight.
Houston is due to come before a magistrate next week, charged with concealing his now-dead father Frank's sexual abuse of a child decades ago.
A royal commission found that Frank Houston had confessed to abusing the boy during trips to Sydney from his home in New Zealand in 1969 and 1970.
Hillsong head Brian Houston (left) and his wife Bobbie (right) find strength in prayer
Over the weekend the Pentecostal pastor told his followers in a video message that 'I woke up this morning thinking about the weapons of our warfare.'
Quoting a bible passage from second Corinthians 10:4, Houston told viewers of his Instagram video that God provides weapons.
'You have mighty weaponry, an armoury available to you and it will pull down strongholds.
'The thing about strongholds is the Devil tries to use them to put a stronghold on you ... And so we decide no, I have mighty weapons. And one of the most powerful weapons we have, I think sometimes one of the most underestimated, (is) prayer.
'Prayer changes things.'
Prime Minister Scott Morrison (centre) is a friend of Brian Houston (right) and his wife Bobbie (left)
Houston and his wife Bobbie moved to America last April and he recently led prayer services in Monterrey, Mexico. The couple was given permission to leave Australia despite the border being closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In August, the NSW Police revealed detectives had served a court attendance notice on 67-year-old Houston's lawyer in Sydney.
Houston will face Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on October 5.
The global reputation of the church, known for its glamour, pumped up gospel rock music and celebrity following, is at risk from the court proceedings.
The charge against Houston is one of concealing a serious indictable offence.
Hillsong's 'global senior pastor' said he will 'vehemently' defend the case in court. But if found guilty, he faces up to five years in jail.
'These charges have come as a shock to me given how transparent I've always been about this matter,' he said in a statement last month.
'I vehemently profess my innocence and will defend these charges, and I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight.'
The charge against Houston may also have political consequences in Australia.
In 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed that he had sought an invitation for his friend Houston to attend a state dinner at Donald Trump's White House.
The NSW Police investigation into Brian Houston was public knowledge at the time.
Frank Houston died in 2004, aged 82, after arranging for his victim to be paid $10,000 at a meeting at a McDonald's restaurant.
His son Brian said he did not report the matter to the police as he did not think it was appropriate because the victim was by then 35 or 36 years old.
Brian Houston will face Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on October 5
Houston used his video message to thank those who continue to support him.
'Bobbie and I are blessed that so many people all over the globe have said they are committed to praying for us. I love being part of a global family, the church of Jesus Christ around the world, and I thank God that we are armed for battle.'
A commenter, Raybevan said: 'Love it mate. Thanks for being such an example of steadfastness. You and Bobbie have been such Rocks in my life. Your future is amazingly bright. Stay strong my friend.'
