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Hillsong paid for founder Brian Houston’s Soho House membership, massages, Spotify

Brian Houston’s seven-figure salary has been revealed along with a suite of expenses the megachurch paid for including membership of a club frequented by the Sussexes.

Laura Jayes speaks to Stephen Drill about Faith On Trial podcast

Hillsong paid Brian Houston more than $1 million a year, but he still charged the church for his $11.99 Spotify subscription.

A review of the Christian megachurch’s financial documents, tabled in Federal Parliament, reveal the breakdown of the Hillsong founder’s earnings and expenses claims.

Mr Houston, 69, also charged the church $4,700 for a membership to Soho House - the exclusive club where Prince Harry and Meghan had their secret first date in London.

The global club has a branch in West Hollywood and Los Angeles, near where Mr Houston sometimes stays.

Brian Houston was paid more than $1 million a year by Hillsong. Picture: Getty
Brian Houston was paid more than $1 million a year by Hillsong. Picture: Getty

Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, George Clooney have been regulars at the Californian Soho House clubs, but Kim Kardashian was denied a membership.

The documents also reveal his wife Bobbie was paid more than $400,000 a year by the church but charged them $143 for an “airport massage”.

It comes as Hillsong held a crisis meeting on Thursday night to respond to accusations of money laundering and fraud using church members’ money.

Hillsong members were encouraged to attend in person as the meeting was not broadcast online, which is the church’s standard practice.

Hillsong's financial documents were tabled in Federal Parliament under parliamentary privilege.
Hillsong's financial documents were tabled in Federal Parliament under parliamentary privilege.
Hillsong financial documents show what Brian Houston’s expenses.
Hillsong financial documents show what Brian Houston’s expenses.

Mr Houston also charged Hillsong for his subscription to The Daily Telegraph, documents show.

Other items charged to the church included $86 for dog grooming, an $85 pool inspection, a $136 picture for Brian Houston’s office and $16 for picture frames.

Mr Houston’s wife Bobbie Houston charged the church $9.27 for pens, while other expenses listed were $4.09 for parking for an “errand” and $13.98 for “parking for shopping”.

The details came from a whistleblower’s documents which Independent Federal MP Andrew Wilkie tabled in parliament.

Mr Wilkie said under parliamentary privilege that Hillsong used “private jets like Ubers” and accused the church of money laundering and fraud.

Brian Houston charged Hillsong for his membership of Soho House, the exclusive club that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are members of.
Brian Houston charged Hillsong for his membership of Soho House, the exclusive club that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are members of.

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A new podcast, Faith On Trial, has also accused the church of interrogating women about their sex lives, teaching women to physically submit to their husbands and mistreatment of abuse victims.

Mr Houston, who quit the church in 2022 after two women complained about his alleged behaviour, has been trying to rebuild his profile in America.

However, after the Faith On Trial podcast called his lawyer this week, Mr Houston posted on Instagram that he had been caught drink driving in Newport Beach, California, last year.

The Hillsong expenses show the amount spent on gifts.
The Hillsong expenses show the amount spent on gifts.

Mr Houston preached at Church Unleashed in Long Island, New York last week, where he claimed he had been persecuted.

“Hey, no one likes opposition, I’ve got a PhD in opposition, I know what it’s like to be opposed and to be persecuted and to be lied about and to come under incredible demonic attack,” he said in the sermon.

“But the anointing breaks the yoke and the devil can’t steal the anointing on your life, he can’t.”

stephen.drill@news.com.au

Originally published as Hillsong paid for founder Brian Houston’s Soho House membership, massages, Spotify

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/faith-on-trial/hillsong-paid-for-founder-brian-houstons-soho-house-membership-massages-spotify/news-story/25a0b229544592c34f81ed45c294f8c8