Brian Houston Debunks Andrew Wilkie’s Documentation
Brian Houston Debunks documentation tabled by Andrew Wilkie in proof of his Claims of Money Laundry and Tax Evasion by Hillsong Church. The Independent Federal member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie has on Thursday petitioned against Hillsong Church over claims of financial crimes. He also accused the founder, Brian Houston of reckless spending of the church’s money on shopping, private jet, and luxury retreats. Wilkie said the church money was used “to do the kind of shopping that would embarrass a Kardashian”
Consequently, he tabled thousands of documents before the parliament to validate his claim. Among the documentation, was the alleged document of four members of Houston family and friends enjoying a three-day luxury retreat in Cancun, Mexico using $150,000 of church money.
Following Wilkie’s attestation, Pastor Houston took to his Twitter to debunk his documentation. He pointed out in the tweet that Wilkies’s allegation was misleading. “It is absolutely false that Houston family had a holiday in Mexico, financed by Hillsong Church,” He wrote
He stated that Hillsong Church was an international denomination across the world. To clarify the said Mexico retreat, he stated that there was a global strategy meeting in Mexico. Including that, it involved senior team members from different continents.
In addition, he made known that he was in the USA as of then, but the choice of Mexico for the meeting was influenced by the request of Pastor Phil Dooley who was unable to fly from South Africa to the USA due to COVID constraints. “It was held in Mexico at the request of Pastor Phil Dooley because he was unable to fly direct from South Africa to the USA because of covid rules”
Furthermore, Houston wrote that the meeting was held in a board room, with attendants in their official role.
2/. It is absolutely false that the Houston family had a holiday in Mexico, financed by Hillsong Church.
— Brian Houston (@BrianCHouston) March 14, 2023
3/. The facts are there was a global strategy meeting in Mexico which involved senior team members from South America, USA, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. At the time Bobbie and I were based in the USA for a few months and a flight to Cancun from Dallas is less than 2 hrs.
— Brian Houston (@BrianCHouston) March 14, 2023
4/. . It was held in Mexico at the request of Pastor Phil Dooley because he was unable to fly direct from South Africa to USA because of Covid rules. He first needed to be 7 days in another country.
— Brian Houston (@BrianCHouston) March 14, 2023
5/. The meetings we had were held in a board room each day and a lot was accomplished. Every person who attended was there in their official roles at the church. While there, I also spoke at Hillsong Mexico before returning to the USA.
— Brian Houston (@BrianCHouston) March 14, 2023