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Longlisted for the 2024 Walkley Book Award
Longlisted for the 2024 Australian Political Book of the Year Award
'An eye-popping investigation into the "Till on the Hill" . . . David's revelations are nothing short of extraordinary.' - Liz Hayes
In 2023 the curtain finally came down on Brian Houston. The rock star of Pentecostalism, former Global Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church, was acquitted of concealing his father's sexual abuse of a minor, but it was too late. His glittering megachurch had disowned him. How had it come to this? And how did Hillsong, the brightest star of international evangelical Christianity, fall to earth so spectacularly?
Following in his father Frank's footsteps, Brian led Hillsong to become the nation's biggest and loudest Pentecostal church, built on the millions donated by its followers. He would hold audiences of 20,000 in the palm of his hand with a powerful message from God: You need more money.
Houston took his church worldwide, and even made it into the White House. Justin Bieber and several Kardashians were Hillsong regulars. Politicians courted Hillsong, with its magnetic appeal to aspirational Australians, and the church's story became entwined with that of Australia's first Pentecostal prime minister, Scott Morrison, who looked to Brian Houston as a key spiritual influence.
But just as Houston's kingdom was at the very height of its powers, it dramatically fell apart when the church's dirty secrets came tumbling out. Behind the scenes a secret insurrection, led by young Christian women, had mobilised. Journalist David Hardaker had been investigating the Hillsong phenomenon for several years, gaining unparalleled access to former insiders, when he received a tip-off. Something big was going down . . .
'No one understands the Hillsong saga quite like David Hardaker.' - Marc Fennell
'One of the most fascinating religious stories in Australian history, told in all its drama and detail by David Hardaker.' - Tom Tilley
'A morality tale for our age in which unbridled neoliberalism finds its ultimate justification in the word of God . . . also sheds light on the influence of Pentecostalism on Morrison's decision-making as PM and his disregard for secular accountability.' - Sydney Morning Herald
'Investigative journalist David Hardaker unravels the story of NZ preacher Frank Houston and his son, Hillsong founder, Brian Houston. Hardaker digs into the relationship between the "master pastor" and former prime minister Scott Morrison, and Hillsong's grab for social and political influence . . . will still inspire righteous anger. - Herald Sun
'The Hillsong leader's rise and fall is a gripping story' - The Conversation
'The gripping true story behind the downfall of the rock star of Pentecostalism' - WHO
'tells the explosive story of how Brian Houston's family went from humble Kiwi origins to run one of the world's largest megachurches' - The Post
