There have been several scandals and controversies surrounding Hillsong Church in recent years. Here are some of the key events that have happened:

• Expansion and success: Hillsong is a non-denominational Christian church that began in Australia in 1983 and quickly expanded to a global audience, including the U.S. and nearly 30 other countries. The churchs rapid growth can be credited to its casual, almost secular style, and its music for the congregants resembles a Kings of Leon concert. Church services are regularly held in venues like nightclubs.

• Celebrity involvement: Hillsongs services drew in young people in big cities, where services were held in concert venues, such as Irving Plaza and the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. The congregants were fashionable and included celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Kevin Durant, and Vanessa Hudgens. Mr. Lentz, the lead pastor of Hillsong’s New York branch, also became a celebrity.

• Scandals and controversies: Hillsong has been embroiled in several scandals and controversies in recent years. These include allegations of sexual abuse, racial discrimination, labor exploitation, and cover-ups of child sex crimes. In November 2020, Carl Lentz, the lead pastor of Hillsongs New York branch, was fired from the church due to "leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures." Lentz later admitted to being "unfaithful in my marriage, the most important relationship in my life." In March 2022, Hillsongs founder, Brian Houston, resigned after the church said that an internal investigation had found that he behaved inappropriately toward two women, breaching the churchs code of conduct. As of March 2023, ten out of sixteen U.S. locations have closed, including branches in Phoenix.

In summary, Hillsong Church has faced several scandals and controversies in recent years, including allegations of sexual abuse, racial discrimination, labor exploitation, and cover-ups of child sex crimes. The churchs founder, Brian Houston, resigned in March 2022 after an internal investigation found that he behaved inappropriately toward two women. As of March 2023, ten out of sixteen U.S. locations have closed.