
Faith on Trial: Hillsong
Subscribe to Crime X+ today. From humble beginnings in a suburban Sydney warehouse to an international pentecostal powerhouse, Hillsong has changed the world around it, counting politicians, business tycoons and A-list celebrities among its true believers. Talking to one of those who has since turned her back on Hillsong, reporter Stephen Drill found himself asking: How did the church get so powerful? And is Hillsong really everything it claims to be? On his journey to find out the truth, Stephen follows the money, exposing disturbing claims of worker exploitation, complicated consensual sexual relationships and a culture where women are allegedly told to physically submit to their husbands.
A ground-breaking eight-part investigation, Faith on Trial: Hillsong will leave you asking what you can believe in.
Faith on Trial is hosted, written and produced by Stephen Drill and Andrea Thiis-Evensen. The executive producer is Dan Box.
Go to faithontrial.com.au for more.
Theme song: The Jordan Singers, By His Grace, 2022.
Latest episodes

Jun 7, 2025 • 38min
Dear Rachelle - Australia's new true crime obsession
A young woman murdered in an Australian country town. People too afraid to speak for decades are finally breaking their silence. What happened in 23-year-old Rachelle Childs' final nine hours? Now, 24 years since Rachelle was murdered, an unstoppable cold case team has assembled to drive this live investigation. Tips from the public are pouring in - could you hold the missing piece that cracks the case? Dear Rachelle is hosted and investigated by journalist Ashlea Hansen, who teams up with retired detective and renowned cold case specialist Damian Loone. Listen to this preview episode and search for Dear Rachelle in your podcast app and hit "follow" to have new episodes delivered to your feed. Eligible News Corp Australia subscribers receive new episodes early at dearrachelle.com.au and enjoy access to videos, articles, interactive evidence and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 4, 2025 • 3min
NEW PODCAST: Dear Rachelle
A killer is on the loose in an Australian country town. Excited for the June long weekend, bubbly 23-year-old Rachelle Childs leaves work, calls her sister, and is dead within hours. Her burning, partially naked body is found nine hours later in bushland on a lonely coastal road. Her killer has never been caught. Now innocent people, once too afraid to speak, are breaking their silence. If you’re looking for your next true crime podcast obsession, search out Dear Rachelle. An unstoppable cold case team is reinvestigating and uncovering damning new evidence. Could this finally be the break the family needs? Dear Rachelle is hosted and investigated by journalist Ashlea Hansen, who teams up with retired detective and renowned cold case specialist Damian Loone. The first episode of Dear Rachelle is now available on all podcast platforms. If you’re looking for your next true crime podcast binge and you want to be first to hear what’s next, visit dearrachelle.com.au - your News Corp Australia subscription grants you access to podcast episodes three weeks before everyone else, as well as exclusive access to videos, interactive evidence, behind-the-scenes content, and more. Dear Rachelle is a podcast from True Crime Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 17, 2023 • 10min
Not Guilty
Brian Houston, charged with concealing his father's child sex abuse, receives a not guilty verdict. Brett Sengstock gives a statement about the abuse. Ongoing battle for justice and support for victims discussed.

Apr 18, 2023 • 37min
The Verdict
Subscribe to Crime X+ today. Inside the courtroom where Brian Houston has pleaded not guilty to a charge of concealing his own father's child sex abuse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 11, 2023 • 39min
Submit
Subscribe to Crime X+ today. What Hillsong teaches its young female students about sex.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 4, 2023 • 31min
The Missing 40 Minutes
Subscribe to Crime X+ today. What really happened in the Pullman Hotel when Brian Houston knocked on the wrong room door. Listen to Faith on Trial early and ad free by subscribing to Crime X+ on Apple Podcasts. New episode released every Wednesday. Go to faithontrial.com.au for more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 28, 2023 • 27min
The Affairs
Subscribe to Crime X+ today. What happened when a New York pastor met a girl, ruining his own life and rocking the faith of his followers. Listen to Faith on Trial early and ad free by subscribing to Crime X+ on Apple Podcasts. New episode released every Wednesday. Go to faithontrial.com.au for more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 21, 2023 • 28min
Miracles tonight
Subscribe to Crime X+ today. What it’s like to lose yourself inside a Hillsong service. Go to faithontrial.com.au for more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 16, 2023 • 27min
First fruits
Subscribe to Crime X+ today. God wants you to be rich, according to Hillsong. He also wants you to give 10 per cent of your money to the church. Go to faithontrial.com.au for more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 14, 2023 • 25min
Slave Labour-ish
Subscribe to Crime X+ today. Are Hillsong's faithful willing volunteers or simply being exploited? Go to faithontrial.com.au for more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.