2023 ChurchLeaders.com, All rights reserved. Mr. We just got a second-hand new carand I was so excited about it. Investigators noted that Bogards decision to force his accuser into signing an NDA was also another example of his abuse of power. This Hillsong megachurch branch has been deemed beyond immediate redemption. Its such a rough season. He spent most of his Stake-in-the-ground type decisions to hold me through the seasons. Former Hillsong Members Say Tithes Funded Pastors' Lavish Lifestyles Its really hard to lead people in a place you havent gone yourself. The Pastors of Hillsong Dallas Have Resigned - RELEVANT The church added: 'Many factors, all amplified by the pandemic, have resulted in the difficult decision to pause all operations at Hillsong Dallas for now.'. A family walked to our house, knocked on our door, and asked if my sister or I would want to go to youth group or church with themso I went. Reed and Jess Bogard, lead pastors of the Dallas location, abruptly resigned in early 2021, leading to the Dallas church being shuttered for the foreseeable future. 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. We create opportunities to experience God but we allow them to choose for themselves. 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 Ms. 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. Mays,the son of the church's head of human resources John Mays, pleaded guilty to 'assault with an act of indecency' in 2019, according to the outlet. I think the bill was $600 to $700, Walker recalled. Life is meant to be lived. We ask that the media and all other parties respect and protect her privacy.. When Jessica isn't writing, she enjoys West Coast Swing dancing, reading, and spending time with her friends and family. 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. The culture of Hillsong is the problem, and the pastors, from continent to continent and coast to coast, are simply the byproduct of the culture., Megan Phalon, who also worked with the Bogards while a congregant at Hillsong NYC, told The Post the email initially left her in shock and feeling hopeful that Brian was actually acknowledging the wrong that the Bogards had done., Her brief hope, however, was overshadowed by a now-deleted tweet Brian Houston sent on Sunday in response to a Christian Post article detailing allegations that married Hillsong staff administrator Jason Mays assaulted then-Hillsong College student Anna Crenshaw in May 2016. Many factors, all amplified by the pandemic, have resulted in the difficult decision to pause all operations at Hillsong Dallas for now.. Others, however, believe the megachurch needs to have a much deeper reckoning before it can be anywhere close to redeemed for its leadership failures. 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. I feel so incredibly privileged to be called a Christian. More Hillsong pastors resign amid megachurch's ongoing scandal To (rightfully) be more respectful of privacy, I deleted my comment. US News | Former Hillsong Members Say Church Pastors Used Tithes On She made the allegation for the first time in conversations with Hillsong leaders and an investigation was commissioned as a result. We just submitted to Hillsong leadershipsubmitted our dream to Brian and Bobbyand for 9 years, we served as executive pastors, always knowing it was a dream and desire to lead something of our own. Before the footage switched to a livestream of his sermon, Brian Houston shared his thoughts on Bogards news. When we start to get an eternal perspectivewe can see our lives in light of eternity. Jud was born to Roxane and Nicholas Bogard in Boston, MA, on July 8, 1976. ChurchLeaders original article written on January 5, 2021 below. Bogard was ousted from the church along. Before becoming the lead pastor at Hillsong Dallas, Pastor Reed Bogard served alongside recently fired Hillsong New Yorks Pastor Carl Lentz. [redacted] recalls that at around this point, Mr. Bogard undid his pants. But there was another girl who had started to vibe with Reedand I found out she was doing his laundry and making him apple pies. Before becoming top dog at the Texas branch, Reed Bogard served as the head of finances at Hillsong NYC, where former members alleged that he and Jess exploited congregants for free labor and used tithe money to fund their luxury lifestyles. Former Hillsong NYC congregant Jenna Babbitt, 27, told The New York Post she provided childcare services for several pastors, including the Bogards, and revealed how church expense cards were used for personal items, like purchasing food for the kids in her care. and Chelsea Smith with campuses in Seattle and Los Angeles. But before I had a platform, I was preaching. I fell in love with Dallas the moment we flew in 18 months ago. Mr. 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. Investigators found that despite the nature of the case, the failure to adequately investigate it and the substantial passage of time since it happened, a jury would have likely found that Bogard had sex with the former junior staffer against her will. The details have never been made public until now. Church leaders did know about the affair and had for years, but they thought it had always been consensual, the report claims. Several factors worsened by the coronavirus pandemic worked against the church in fulfilling that promise, the Houstons said. 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. We are honest with our church about not being perfectnobody is. I have nothing to do with Hillsong anymore. Hillsong Churchstated at the time that it launched an independent investigation "into the inner workings of Hillsong NYC/ East Coast" after hearing concerns from people affiliated with those churches. Honestly, we didnt think about Dallas when planning to plant a church. Now, it has emerged that he had an affair between October 2013 and 2014 with a junior female staffer. [redacted] stated that as soon as she and Mr. Bogard sat down at a table at the bar, they each ordered a drink. Megachurch fires worship artist over extramarital affair | Church In a comment on this article yesterday, I foolishly included information that was wrong for me to share, Brian wrote in a reply. New York's statute of limitations for reporting rape cases can be as long as 20 years. Bogard claimed that they arranged to meet at the bar around 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. read more. A number of things in this article are factually wrong, but abuse is NEVER ok. My understanding is that Anna was originally abused in her fathers church in Pennsylvania. Lets be more unified than ever before, said Houston. Citing investigation participants privacy, the email only vaguely details the pastors as having failed to meet the commitments and standards of Hillsong, before offering a brief apology to those who felt disappointed or hurt.. Reed and Jess Bogard met at Hillsong International Leadership College in Australia and later returned to the U.S. to plant the three Hillsong churches with which they have been involved. It is understood no reimbursement protocols were in place for money spent on the cards. 20:07 BST 25 Mar 2022 We called our friends to come see our new car. I was an 18-year-old girl with the attitude that I didnt need a man. This story has been shared 677,807 times. In part, Ms. [redacted] now believes that she went to the bar to satisfy her own curiosity, investigators said. 6. '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 and his wife said at the time. 12 years ago, we were living in New York. Reeds announcement to you right now, not sure whether that comes as a shock, said Houston, but I must say Reed and Jess have given their heart and soul to the pioneering of Hillsong Dallas over the last couple of years, and were grateful for that, were grateful for the great work theyve done. Leaked Report Faults Hillsong for Promoting Reed Bogard - ChurchLeaders Thats a tactic a lot of these pastors use to keep their secrets, he charged. Hillsong Church Senior Pastor Brian Houston of Sydney, Australia, speaks at Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on Oct. 7, 2016. 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, Reed Bogard continued, and we just really feel like its time to transition off of our staff and take some time to remain healthy, get healthy, and to really see what this next season holds for us., Bogard expressed his gratitude toward Brian and Bobbie Houston, the. He was fired by Brian Houston and retreated from the limelight, which he had enjoyed with his celebrity following. Former Los Angeles service pastor Nicole Herman told the Post she was told to 'fill' the cards, adding: 'We had a team count the tithes after every service and they would allocate X amount of money for the PEX cards. UPDATE: Brian Houston Announces Dallas Hillsong Closing After Pastors Misuse of Funds, ChurchLeaders original article written on, In addition to helping plant Hillsong Dallas and Hillsong LA, the Bogards helped plant Hillsong NYC while, It has been an incredible ride thus far,, ina prerecorded message prior to Sundays livestreamed sermon, which was delivered by Hillsong pastor, . It's unclear what prompted the woman to claim six years later that Bogard had raped her. 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].. Mr. How do you manage to help so many people and still take care of yourself and your family? Hillsong ChurchAustralia found out about it in 2014. In November 2020, Hillsong NYC lead pastor Carl Lentz was fired for "moral failings" including an extramarital affair with a Brooklyn jewelry designer. God can use you where you are. The Bogards had been a part of the Hillsong NYC team under Lentz's leadership before moving to Dallas and launching the church there. Well see you all next month on September 2nd for our next Equipped by Faith first-Wednesday gathering. 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 worship chain after over a decade of employment there. Reed and I have been talking over a period of time, and we both agree that it would be a perfect time for them to come to a new season in their life, he said at the time. In the email, the Houstons also blamed a lot of the reasoning for the Dallas closure on the coronavirus pandemic. We do all of these seasons together and I try to make sure nothing competes with our relationship, our kids, or our family. When did you know it was time to start your own church? Bogard's departure from the church is the latest in a string of scandals to have plagued the organization. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Were really intentional with the kids about not feeling any pressure as being a pastors kid. Houston wrote in his email that 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 current pandemic was also cited as a reason for the Dallas church closure. In early January, the lead pastors of Hillsong's Dallas church, Reed Bogard and his wife, Jess Bogard, resigned with little explanation. 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. Susan Greene. And this is yet another example of the abuse of power that seems to have permeated the entire relationship, they said. The Church isnt a building. In January, it was revealed that the Bogards and other church staff allegedly usedworshipper donations to fund their lifestyles using the cash to pay for luxury apartments, designer clothes, cars and restaurants. "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. Former Hillsong Dallas Lead Pastor Reed Bogard and his wife, Jess, were under investigation for leadership failures when they abruptly resigned in January, Hillsong Church Global Senior Pastor Brian Houston said Saturday while announcing a pause in the operation of the Texas campus. Opportunity, Fun, Success, Dreams & being your best self! Matched at Yale for plastic surgery residency. 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. It was Gods greatest blessing to us. Thank you for allowing God to use you to touch the lives of others in our city! Walker recalled one day while he was out with Jess Bogard and two of his friends, she bought them matching $100 jackets before taking them out to dinner at a pretty nice, pretty expensive Italian restaurant called North Italia. A leaked call later revealed that Hillsong leadership had concerns about Lentz prior to revelations about his marital unfaithfulness. As we were establishing Hillsong Church in Dallas, the pandemic swept across the globe and quickly changed the shape of our growing church in the city, the Houstons explained. 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. There was no indication from the investigation that the rape allegation was reported to law enforcement. 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. Hillsong Dallas pastors Reed and Jess Bogard. I have a very active daily relationship with Jesus. For clarity, I am part of Churchome.. You are bold, beautiful, and inspiring. Two of the megachurch's lead pastors from their Dallas branch, Reed Bogard and his wife Jess Bogard, made an announcement during their Sunday sermon, saying, "We just really feel that it's. Leaders in the church have also faced recent allegations including sexual assault. When we were in Australia, we knew we wanted to come to the United States. [redacted] says that Mr. Bogard ignored her comment and continued his climb on top of her. 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. The Bogards resigned less than two months after former Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Lentz was fired last Novemberover leadership issues and moral failures, including being unfaithful to his wife. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. As the coronavirus swept the world in late 2020, the church learned that the affair didnt start out consensually. Lentz, an alumnus of Houston car wash duties, extended the tradition. Friday Highlight! NOVEMBER 2020: Carl Lentz admits cheating on his wife of 17 years with Brooklyn designer he met during the pandemic, DECEMBER 2020: Former memberYolandi Bosch claims publicly the church is a cult that controls members, 2021: Creative director Darrell Barnett fired for sending shirtless selfie, JAN 2021: Reed Bogard and wife fired for misappropriating funds, AUGUST 2021: Head of church Brian Houston charged with covering up his father's alleged sex crimes against minors, MARCH 24, 2022: Houston steps down as it's claimed he was inappropriate to two women, MARCH 25: Woman's rape claim against Bogard becomes public. Disgraced pastor Lentz entered a program in early December to treat mental health issues following his firing, at an outpatient facility that specialized in 'depression, anxiety and pastoral burnout,' according to People Magazine. Houston is now facing claims that his father, who founded the church, covered up sexual abuse during his tenure in charge. The board came up with a plan that Mr. Bogard would not be permitted to serve in leadership in any capacity for twelve months, he would not be on platform for 12 months and he would undergo counseling, investigators said. We had a mutual friend who thought we would be good together. We had 6 more months of hanging out, were engaged in February, married in July, and had a honeymoon baby. What happened with my relationship with Hillsong is once I did report to church, that's when things started going downhill,' she told the Christian Post. 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. Our first service was May of last year. Bogards description of the amount of drinking is very different. Hillsong Dallas pastor Reed Bogard is accused of rape Liked by Jasmine Bogard. I love to be around people, to communicate, or to give others an understanding of God. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. By Adam Schrader and Lauren Fruen For Dailymail.com, Published: 20:16 EDT, 10 April 2021 | Updated: 19:59 EDT, 11 April 2021. We've received your submission. I want to get to heaven exhaustedusing every opportunity I had to share about God's grace and love. More Hillsong Pastors Resign as Justin Bieber Confirms He's Left the Kelly told investigators that even if Bogard did not physically force himself on his accuser she did not have the ability to say no. He got off the plane and I was greeting students. Be sure to follow us on social media @equippedbyfaith and subscribe to our newsletter at info@equippedbyfaith.com to receive weekly Bible Reading Plan devotionals, Equip Group meet-ups, and other special updates! The investigators further explained that it was concerning that Hillsong Church never considered the power imbalance between the two Bogard and his accuser once they were informed about the relationship. 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! In April 2021, former Hillsong Dallas Lead Pastor Reed Bogard and his wife, Jess, abruptly resigned from their positions. He then reached down between the seat and the door and pulled the lever that released the seat back. Why Dallas? This, however, was not sufficient for Annas father, Ed Crenshaw. We try to create a normal life in the midst of something nobody has ever experienced before. 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. Significantly, Ms. [redacted] now discloses that at the time she said, no, I dont think we should do this, investigators said. She was an 85-year-old widow and felt it was her calling in life to bring young girls under her wing. (RNS) The lead pastors of Hillsong Dallas church have resigned, adding to two months of transition and turmoil in the global megachurch. Jeff Bogard - President - R.E.A. Homes | LinkedIn The comments below have not been moderated. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. She was so sweet and patient with me. Repent and change your waysGod can use you wherever youre at. Lets believe God for great things ahead.. 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 campuses in the USA. I would ask her questions, convinced I had done a sin that couldnt be forgiven. So the church got together to sponsor me to go. The Bogards helped former pastor Carl Lentz plant Hillsong NYC in 2010. Return to homepage. Reed Bogard, pastor of Hillsong Dallas in Dallas, Texas, announced Sunday that he and his wife, Jess, are stepping down as pastors in order to pursue health and to transition into a new season in their lives. It was natural for me to want to preach. Brandon Walker, 28, also worked with the Bogards in Texas. Sight Magazine - Hillsong Dallas pastors, who helped start NYC location Its not going to happen.. Just going to church and knowing Him was better than the life I was living. 'Jason grabbed me, putting his hand between my legs and his head on my stomach and began kissing my stomach. On Sunday (Jan. 3), Reed Bogard announced his and his wife's resignation in a prerecorded message that aired during the church's streaming worship service. Along with the former junior staffer and Bogard, the following individuals were interviewed as part of the internal investigation: a former Hillsong NYC congregant; Shannon Kelly, a former creative director at Hillsong NYC; Amanda and Robert Fergusson, a husband and wife team of Bible teachers and key leaders of Hillsong Church; Jess Bogard, wife of Reed Bogard; Lauren Brooks (sic), a former creative producer at Hillsong NYC; Tolu Badders, chief operating officer and executive pastor at Hillsong Church NYC; Kane Keatinge, Hillsong NYC staff pastor; Carl Lentz, former Hillsong NYC lead pastor who wasfired in November 2020 over leadership issues and moral failures, including being unfaithful to his wife; Laura Lentz and Ben Houston. But we will NOT be brainwashed, JAN MOIR: Harry's war of grievance against the press is only going to hurt his father ahead of his Coronation, Biden to set up migrant processing centers in Guatemala and Colombia to try and stop an influx of migrants and authorizes Army Reserves to head to the border - with Title 42 ending in just 12 DAYS, 'If he was an NBA player, he'd be home': Family of Texas man awaiting EXECUTION in China say Biden is 'cherry picking' high profile cases - as Ted Cruz calls for him to be freed 10 years after he was jailed on 'bogus' drug charges, Human remains found at a swimming beach on Lake Mead are finally identified as a Las Vegas man who went missing on a fishing trip with his brother in 1998, to uphold the standards of Hillsong leadership.'. Trending News Shooter at Christian Nashville Elementary School Kills 3 Kids, 3 Adults Early in our process, the Bogards decided to resign from Hillsong Church. Then youll discover 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 I stay fueled and motivated honored that God would choose me and have a relationship with me. At night when Im tired and want to go to bed and see the dishes in the sink, I do them because I know the next morning with the boys will be crazy and Ill feel better if I do it now.
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