Who are Australia’s biggest megachurch ‘rockstar’ pastors
They’re the faces of some of Australia’s most popular Christian ‘megachurches’, but who exactly are the ‘rockstar pastors’ headlining the services of these global brands? Read the list.
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They’re the faces of some of Australia’s most popular Christian megachurches, leading heaving crowds through rock ‘n’ roll hymns and rousing sermons.
And over the past decade the movement has grown, thanks largely to millions of dollars pledged every year from thousands of the committed followers.
The men and women leading the organisations have become the subject of intrigue.
Here are some of the nation’s ‘rockstar’ church pastors.
Brian and Bobbie Houston – Global Senior Pastors, Hillsong Church
Husband and wife duo Brian and Bobbie Houston are the well-known faces of the Hillsong megachurch, after having founded the global worship brand in 1983.
Originally the ‘Christian Life Centre’ in Baulkham Hills, the couple have expanded the Hillsong church globally, boasting over 150,000 members across the world currently.
On March, 24 this year however, Brian Houston, 68, officially resigned from Hillsong after 39 years leading the megachurch, following allegations of inappropriate conduct made against him.
The Daily Telegraph reached out to Hillsong for comment from Houston on this however had no response.
The married couple of 20 years have one son, Joel Houston, 43, who also is a pastor at Hillsong, and is the lead singer of the Hillsong United band.
The couple also own a palatial gated property in the Hills Shire, worth up to $4 million.
Jonathan ‘JD’ Douglass – City Campus Pastor, Hillsong Church
With over 130,000 Instagram followers, JD, 40, is a famous face among the Christian community.
Having been with the Hillsong Church since he was just four years old, JD has grown up to become an integral part of the Hillsong framework, working with Hillsong United within the youth worship team since it first began over 20 years ago.
JD and wife Lauren, share three children, Indie, Sailor and Jones.
Nathanael Wood – NSW State Pastor, Hillsong Church
Nathanael Wood is the NSW State Leader for Hillsong in Australia. He and wife Bec share four children, Mitchell, Lincoln, Cooper & Annika and live in Sydney.
Phil and Chris Pringle – Founders and Senior Pastors, C3 Church
Husband and wife Phil and Chris Pringle founded C3 Church, formerly known as Christian City Church in 1980.
Originally from New Zealand and living in a “hippies commune”, the couple moved to Sydney’s Northern Beaches following the growth of the church in over 60 countries, reaching 100,000 people globally.
Every week more than 61,000 Australians attend C3 services either in person or online.
The high school sweethearts have been married for over 40 years, sharing three children and four grandchildren.
Mr Pringle, 69, has also developed a television program which airs worldwide called Your Best Life.
However after almost after 40 years of governing the Sydney C3 churches, the couple have passed the baton of leadership to Alex and Jessen Lee, the leader pastors of C3 at Silverwater.
In 2020 it was reported that Mr Pringle owned a $4 million mansion overlooking Mona Vale beach.
The C3 Church in 2021 was the subject of a claim saying the church pressured members to donate large amounts of money, offering “miracles” in return.
“The church culture teaches you that the more you pray and donate the bigger the miracle — I felt an enormous pressure to conform to help my brother who was sick,” former member Alex Carlyle said.
John Pearce, C3 Global Executive Director responded to this claim saying:
“While being part of C3 is an overwhelmingly positive experience for the vast majority of our members, we realise that some people’s expectations of being part of this community are not realised.
“As a community deeply committed to caring for individuals, we regret any situation where this happens.
“C3 Church has never compelled Church members to give – giving is always optional. The Church believes the concept of tithing has its foundations in the bible and the Church is based on its teachings.
“Specifically, the Church has never taught that miracles are granted through giving money,” he said.
Alex and Jessen Lee- Lead Pastors, C3 Church
Alex and Jessen are the lead pastors of the C3 Church in Sydney, based in Silverwater after having taken over Phil and Chris Pringle.
The couple have aligned themselves with C3 for over 10 years, having ‘served’ as youth and young adult pastors and Alex has also been a member of C3’s executive leadership team for the past two years.
In June 2021, the couple welcomed their son Oakland.
Brad and Alison Bonhomme - Senior Pastors, Horizon Church
Brad and Alison are the Senior Pastors of Horizon Church, based in the Sutherland Shire.
Mr Bonhomme has spent over 20 years serving in ministry alongside his wife, who has also worked in the corporate environment simultaneously.
The couple were first appointed as leaders of the Shirelive church (as it was formally known) in October, 2013.
The Horizon Church, which is over 73 years-old, has locations across Sydney including in Western Sydney, St Andrews, as well as in Western Australia and Indonesia.
The names Brad and Alison may also associated with Australia’s first pentecostal Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, who has been a member of the church’s congregation since 2007.
The pastors have two children and are currently living in ‘The Shire’.
Tom and Barbara Inglis – Senior Pastors, Sydney Life Church
Tom and Barbara Inglis are the faces of Sydney Life Church (SLC) after having founded the Neutral Bay based church in 2002 with their four children.
The couple who were originally based in Scotland and South Africa, then moved to Southern California before leaving for Sydney, where they say they felt a call from God to start a church.
Louie and Denise Antoniou – Senior Pastors, Westside Church
Louie and Denise Antoniou are from non-Christian backgrounds however when they were in their twenties, “radical transformations” lead them to become involved in the church.
The couple have been involved in the church for over 20 years and in 2009 became ordained as pastors with Australian Christian Churches.
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