As I stated in this post, a reader informed me that they were aware of an earlier press release. Here is that original press release:
MEDIA RELEASE
27 October 09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hillsong Church severs ties with Mercy Ministries
Hillsong Church has cut ties with Mercy Ministries around the world following an ACCC investigation into Mercy Ministries Inc.
The Church supported the US founded Ministry through donations, and over the years a number of Hillsong staff served on the Ministry’s board.
Pastor Houston said the current investigation has left him with no choice but to end Hillsong’s association with the organisation.
“Hillsong Church did not initiate the program but offered support by way of donation and number of individuals served on the board and worked as staff at the Ministry over the years.”
“It is not my place to speak on behalf of Mercy Ministries, or to take responsibility for their actions, they are a separate organization.”
“It is so important that we continue to support, and work in cooperation with organisations doing great things in our community and around the world, but we have learnt some lessons by working with an organisation we ultimately did not have control over.”
“To ensure that this does not happen again it is important that we take immediate action to protect the reputation of our church moving forward.”
Pastor Brian Houston has ordered an immediate internal audit of Hillsong staff to identify what boards its workforce is associated with. Pastor Brian said he would recommend to the church’s executive leadership team that they no longer participate on other not for profit boards.
New guidelines would also be introduced for all staff to create new boundaries around their involvement with external boards.
“I take this matter very seriously and it is a shame that action in relation to a separate organisation can overshadow so much of what we as a church stand for,” Pastor Brian said.
Pastor Houston informed thousands of Hillsong attendees at a leadership meeting on Tuesday that the church has severed any affiliation with Mercy Ministries internationally, and would not be associated with any attempt by Mercy Ministries USA, to recommence within Australia, under that or any other name.
Pastor Houston said he would encourage those who have been involved with Mercy Ministries Inc. in Australia, to take responsibility, by co-operating with ongoing investigations.
I am not ware of any media release by the ACCC, indeed I thought their original investigation carried out last year had amounted to nothing. I wonder what the ACCC has uncovered for Brian Houston to pre-empt the damage of any findings.
It does increasingly appear that some sort of misconduct/ impropriety can be traced back to Mercy Ministries International for as Brian has stated he does not want anything do do with them now or in the future.
It does strike me as odd though, this late parting of the ways. I would have assumed that with such close ties, such Christian Fellowship, any wrong doing would have been apparent to Hillsong insiders long before today.
Related posts:
- Hillsong distancing itself from Mercy Ministries One of my readers suggested I take a gander at...
- Mercy Ministries engaged in misleading conduct, directors forced to pay $118,154 The ACCC (The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) has released...
- The Evangelical back scratching network – Gloria Jeans, Compassion and Mercy Ministries Now while Gloria Jeans has pulled their funding and...
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How convenient, to be able to just disassociate yourself like that.
Yep its all love and kisses till money and reputation are on the line
Hi Sean,
Finally, some justice for the girls who were broken and damaged by their experiences at Mercy. If nothing else, for people to recognise they are not the liars they were portrayed to be.
My prayer is that past and present residents will be able to find the true "healing" they need via proper supportive, informed, trained, educated and truly loving channels.
Sean, for all your help through this entire mess, thankyou again.
TG
Hi Tanya,
Hope all is well with the career. It is good news. I would hope that this will highlight to the government the need for appropriate services for vulnerable women.
PS living in South Aus now, currently studying.
http://web.archive.org/web/20070906065516/www.cpa.org.au/garchve06/1264hillsong.html – It seems Hillsong is always just close by when somebody cries “rip-off”!
The charitable arm of the Hillsong church was stripped of a $414,479 Federal grant after it falsely claimed the support of a western Sydney Aboriginal group to win the money.
But far from showing contrition for its actions the Pentecostal church has gone on the attack claiming the Riverstone Aboriginal Community Association (RACA) is part of a “witch-hunt”.
Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) dropped Hillsong Emerge as a partner in a million dollar micro credit scheme as a result of the revelations.
RACA spokeswoman Vilma Ryan* said Hillsong was no better than a “mission manager”.
The scandal proved the church could not be trusted to work with indigenous communities, she said.
“We call on Hillsong to come clean”, Ms Ryan said.
“Aboriginal people have had a long history of dealings with church-based groups.
“Many have recently apologised for their treatment of our people.”
“We are hopeful we can move past the harmful approach of the days of the government-appointed mission manager.
“The Federal Government needs to explain why it never checked up on statements made in the Hillsong application that it approved”.
Prime Minister John Howard announced the National Community Crime Prevention Program funding in August last year, hailing the “partnership” as evidence of the success of the shared responsibility approach to Aboriginal service delivery.
“All applications were carefully considered by the Advisory Group for the Greater Western Sydney region”, Mr Howard said at the Blacktown launch of the project.
But the Prime Minister was contradicted by evidence given to February’s Senate Estimates Committee.
Attorney-General’s Department Assistant Secretary Dr Dianne Heriot told the hearing the Department did not bother to check whether the elders named in the application supported the project.
But Dr Heriot said other checks were undertaken on the eligibility of the organisation, the nature of the project, local need, previous applications for government funding and financial management.
Dr Heriot claimed to only become aware of concerns about the grant from “local gossip”.
Hillsong then stalled on two meetings with the Department, in December and January, to explain why RACA claimed to have no knowledge of the grant proposal.
At a hastily convened meting Hillsong Chief Executive, Leigh Coleman, hand wrote a letter offering RACA $280,000 “in return for its silence” over the faked letters of support.
Hillsong Emerge first applied for a grant of almost $500,000 with the support of (RACA) but withdrew the application and submitted a second application.
But the second grant application used letters of support and ideas from RACA without the Indigenous body’s permission.
“Hillsong has met all the objectives of the projects it has received funding for”, Mr Coleman said.
“We have always met the reporting and governance criteria outlined by the government.
“We believe we have become a scapegoat in a political game.
“A number of politicians and government officials have come out in our defence”.
How many near-misses before the money trail is followed all the way, one wonders…
I assumed that the ACCC investigation had fizzled out too. I'd be very interested to learn of the outcome.
I'm inclined to wonder whether Hillsong is just protecting its image after realising that it had backed the wrong horse, or if there where things even it didn't know were going on. :-\\
Definitely protecting its image, though, as I have said its very late in the game for them to realize that they have mud on their faces. I think there is something beyond the complaints made by the women. Possibly financial mismanagement- we'll just have to see.
I just read about this on the Brisbane Atheists forum today, and immediately thought of you, Sean. There is no doubt in my mind that you played a part in the downfall of Mercy Ministries, in your various exposes of their evilness. Just wanted to offer my heartfelt congratulations on a job bloody well done!!!!!
While I agree that I played a part and I honestly and humbly accept the congratulations being written it was a team effort
Yea, I second the congratulations. Without you, Sean, Mercy would never have come tumbling down in Australia.
I also want to thank you for all you've done Sean. You've always been a step ahead on the news and fantastic in keeping MM in the spotlight and telling people about them. Thank you
Glad to have been of service.
I don't think you should judge before you look at every little thing that Hillsong does do. Yes, they recieve lots of money, but they also give most of it away to the community. They provide FREE, yes Free Healthcare in both Hills and City, and free counselling – all by trained doctors and counsellors.
The reason they would sever ties with Mercy is not because they are pre empting any wrong doing, but to protect the church from bad media publicity. As always, the media only gives you what they want you to hear. They will not focus on the good works they do.
Secondly, I am really suspicous this is actually an earlier press release. Hillsong released a press release on the same day, and also, in every single press release they release, they do not refer to Brian Houston as Pastor Houston, but as Senior Pastor, Brian Houston. The current investigation did not leave him with no choice, the fact that Mercy ministries shut down BEFORE hillsong released the press release.
Finally, no matter how it may seem, I am not a supporter or attender of Hillsong. I do attend church and have my own negative views on Hillsong but I also look at the good that they do.
Mark,
It is quite clear that I am speculating.
The reason they would sever ties with Mercy is not because they are pre empting any wrong doing, but to protect the church from bad media publicity. As always, the media only gives you what they want you to hear. They will not focus on the good works they do.
Please read what I wrote again. I am suggesting that Huston is attempting damage control and that I find it a little odd that he has left it so late in the game. Hillsong have been aware of this scandal since day one. To come out now severing all ties is decidedly strange.
Secondly, I am really suspicous this is actually an earlier press release.
I have confirmed with my source that this release came from Hillsong themselves directly. The difference in formatting could be down to the fact that this release was sent out to certain individuals rather than the later public release.
"They provide FREE, yes Free Healthcare in both Hills and City"
Free health care from a bulk-billing medical centre is free in the same sense that counselling at Mercy Ministries is free if you assign your Centrelink benefits. Someone is paying.
Hi Peter,
I don't think I explained myself first time around – the free healthcare is NOT from bulk billing medical centres. They are doctors and counsellors from the church that give their time. They do ask if the counseling has helped you that would contribute a little bit, but not one cent comes from bulk billing Medicare.
Hillsong Church has been doing wonderful things for the community for over 25 years now, there are thousands of people who would say that they have been helped by the work of Hillsong. Sure they might have made a few mistakes here & there, but from where I sit, it always seems that these happen in the goal of helping others.
I don't understand why people are so against them. Our community needs more people like those at Hillsong & other churches who care about others & seek the benefit of them & their community.
Why do we always focus, look for & comment on the negative. Sean – why don't you spend as much energy on looking for the best in Hillsong, and others? You may be pleasantly surprised .
but from where I sit, it always seems that these happen in the goal of helping others.
So all is fair as long as the intention was good? That makes the removal of aboriginal children from their parents and the forced labour of immigrant children alright as well. Let's not criticize the church any church for they wrong they do, because they do so much right? I am sorry but If that's your attitude I think that you have a somewhat skewed view on things.
Against them – they are agresively evangelical, the love they give is conditional.
Why do we always focus, look for & comment on the negative. Sean – why don't you spend as much energy on looking for the best in Hillsong, and others? You may be pleasantly surprised </I.
So we should not hold anyone to account for the wrong they do? Hillsong push a false message and fleece the flock while they do it. Sure they do some good things but in the end its not really to help humanity is it, its to increase the power of the church and to push forward an outdated and dangerous ideology.
Hillsong Church has been doing wonderful things for the community for over 25 years now, there are thousands of people who would say that they have been helped by the work of Hillsong. Sure they might have made a few mistakes here & there, but from where I sit, it always seems that these happen in the goal of helping others.
Not entirely sure what you are getting at? Sure Hillsong probably helps some people in some fashion. But you seem to be saying that it doesn't matter what you do as long as your intentions are good. I am reminded about a saying something about a road to hell being paved…
I don't understand why people are so against them. Our community needs more people like those at Hillsong & other churches who care about others & seek the benefit of them & their community
We need good community minded people yes. These do not necessarily come from nor are they necessarily generated by churches.
Why do we always focus, look for & comment on the negative. Sean – why don't you spend as much energy on looking for the best in Hillsong, and others? You may be pleasantly surprised
Ah yes lets not criticize institutions when they do the wrong thing just because they might do good things eh? As for spending energy on Hillsong. I think I could count the number of posts made about Hillsong on one hand. Maybe you need to step back and lose the persecution complex – no?
Sean,
I agree with Jason…. Why dont you actually have a real look and see the impact across not only australia but the GLOBE, that the church as a whole is making..
I understand that such bitterness and judgment can only come from your own bad experience and hurt, but maybe try writing about something worthwile… Sex slavery. drug traffiking. Childhood abuse, Poverty both nationaly and internationaly, the homeless, the list is never ending so why not look into something worthwile.
you are not a female nor have you worked or attended mercy ministries or Hillsong right?
please correct me if you have…
so how can you write articles based of "sources" who only focus thier energy into destroying something or someone who has done nothing but try to serve them?
Well CHARLIE, Which Church are we talking about. The church behind the execution of gays in Uganda? The Church that campaigns against condom use in Africa? The church that spreads fundamentalism resulting in children burnt as witches? I understand that such bitterness and judgment can only come from your own bad experience and hurt, Well then your understanding is rather limited. I have had no bad experience with Christianity. Being fooled by it for most of my life is only a slight embarrassment when compared to the depths of human suffering. but maybe try writing about something worthwile… Sex slavery. drug traffiking. Childhood abuse, Poverty both nationaly and internationaly, the homeless, the list is never ending so why not look into something worthwile I do find writing about what I do worthwhile. I have worked with the homeless, the sexually abused, the mentally ill so I tend not to write too much about them. you are not a female nor have you worked or attended mercy ministries or Hillsong right? please correct me if you have… meaning what exactly, that I can't have an opinion that I can't criticise someone if they are plainly seen to be doing something wrong? so how can you write articles based of \”sources\” who only focus thier energy into destroying something or someone who has done nothing but try to serve them? It's this thing called evidence, you collect what you can, assess its credibility and then make a judgement. Not all that hard – the legal system makes good use of it regularly. According to your logic, we can not trust the word of persecuted Christians living in china because they act against the Party that tries only to serve them. So Charlie, how bout you take off your rose coloured glasses, stop defending Hillsong at the drop of a hat and comment on the topic of the post.
Charlie,
You're also under the mistaken assumption that these practices don't harm people, and don't harm people's faith. My faith was destroyed by a place just like Mercy Ministries, and I don't want to see other Christians faith destroyed needlessly. Plus, exorcismdeliverance is an extremely dangerous practice. In Africa, its lead to the death of hundreds of children.
John
Of course all these Western women with their western problems like drug, alcohols, eating disorders, self harm – if they have good, traditional values instilled in them, they would not have all these problems. And society would not need all these ministries like Mercy Ministries. Why, all these donations to help the Mercy Ministries, provide a sheltered home for these women, doing renovations to make it a homely place for them, trying to help them with their problems, and yet these women turned around and said the ministry is trying to 'exorcise' them, abuse them etc etc. I cannot believe this. Of course Mercy Ministries is using Christian beliefs and principles to help the women with their problems. Because like what I said before, if they have good values, know who they are in God's eyes, know they are worthy and valuable, they would not harm themselves.
Debra,
Interesting point of view.
Of course all these Western women with their western problems like drug, alcohols, eating disorders, self harm – if they have good, traditional values instilled in them, they would not have all these problems.</I.>
What are these trdational values of which you speak? Maybe, honour you father while he rapes you night after night?
Why, all these donations to help the Mercy Ministries, provide a sheltered home for these women, doing renovations to make it a homely place for them, trying to help them with their problems, and yet these women turned around and said the ministry is trying to 'exorcise' them, abuse them etc etc. I cannot believe this.
Why yes how dare they complain about psychological abuse when they are given such wondrous gifts, paid for out of their own centrelink money.
I think you got off at the wrong century, try the Middle Ages.
What are these trdational values of which you speak? Maybe, honour you father while he rapes you night after
I notice you tend to misinterpret and twist what people are saying. They say with good intention and you twist it around.
Well, if these women comes from broken homes where their parents are screwed up, then I emphatize with them and they definitely need help. That's what I mean. If their families are screwed, they will be screwed up as well, unless they are strong and can rise above this. Look at Elisabeth Fritzl, she is strong and now trying to live her life again.
However, if they come from decent families and they go out and take drugs and alcohol in excess because its fun, cool and popular and then end up with issues like drug and alcohol addiction, unwanted pregnancies, eating disorders etc etc. I have heard of women, they do not want to eat anything before they go to the pubs so they can drink more. I mean have you seen some women after some parties, they are loud, drunk and disorderly. Everywhere, in the news,media etc is sexualised. Women are programmed to think to be beautiful, you need to be thin, wear the latest clothes and makeup. That's why these women have eating disorders, they do not see themselves as beautiful, they want to lose as much weight as possible. I am glad Susan Boyle came and smashed all these preconceptions. A frumpy 47 year old and yet she is beautiful and she has a beautiful gift.
So Sean, the values I am speaking about for these women are – Know who you are, you are beautiful, a valuable and worthy person. No matter what happens in your life, good or bad, rise above them. You do not have to follow the crowd, have a mind of your own. Know what is right, not end up with silly things like injecting heroin into yourself. You are valuable, contribute to your community, society. Once they know this, they will take care of themselves more and not harm themselves.
Why yes how dare they complain about psychological abuse when they are given such wondrous gifts, paid for out of their own centrelink money.
In the first place, they end up in these situations themselves where they are not able to look for a job and support themselves. Why should the government bail them out? The centrelink money is not a huge sum of money, it helps in the expenses they incurred while staying in the Home. If they have the money, they would probably try to misuse them.
That is precisely what I am talking about Western society. You say one thing with good intention and out comes all these twisted misintepretations like yours. Everything, in the media, news etc is sexualised. It all starts in the home, in school, what values these women
I notice you tend to misinterpret and twist what people are saying. They say with good intention and you twist it around
Actually Debra, I asked you to clarify what you meant be traditional values. And now after several paragraphs I still not entirely sure what values you are espousing. But I'd you go back to a point you made early, values need to be instilled. If you come from a broken home, an abusive home, if you are bullied or picked on it effects you ability to cope with life's challenges.
Look at Elisabeth Fritzl, she is strong and now trying to live her life again.<?i>
Really, how do you know this? DO you know what counseling she is recieving? Are you in a position to say how well she is coping?
However, if they come from decent families and they go out and take drugs and alcohol in excess because its fun, cool and popular and then end up with issues like drug and alcohol addiction, unwanted pregnancies, eating disorders etc etc.
Lovely if someone makes a mistake, engages in some risk taking behavior then what, they deserve everything the get? Of all the mentally ill women I have worked with none of them match the discription you outlin above. And when people go out and really wipe themselves out, its usually an indication of underlying issues that they are not dealing with. Please stop watching Dr Phil and think you know anything about the psychology or addiction or self harm.
In the first place, they end up in these situations themselves where they are not able to look for a job and support themselves.<?i>
You know this how? You seem to be saying that they got themselves into this predicament, the should get themselves out – forgetting of course that in some cases we are talking about people with mental illness.
As to Centrelink money funny you should question why the government should give them money – Mercy certainly had no qualms about taking it form the did they.
If they have the money, they would probably try to misuse them.
Again I love the assumptions you make about these women. One the one hand you say that they should be able to look after themselves and get themselves out of their predicament. Yet on the other you don't credit them with the ability to be self determined.
That is precisely what I am talking about Western society. You say one thing with good intention and out comes all these twisted misintepretations like yours. Everything, in the media, news etc is sexualised. It all starts in the home, in school, what values these women
Funny you seem to be living in Western Society, do you not like it, perhaps you could trade places with someone on Christmas Island?
Twisted interpretations? Well I can't help it Debra if you can't present your points with clarity – don't blame me for your own short comings