IN part one, written by Neil Richardson on January 9, 2000 published in VANGUARD August 2000 pages 25 to 32, reference was made to the memorable line, "Houston, we have a problem" quoted in the Hollywood blockbuster Apollo 13, an Oscar-winning portrait of the `routine' moon trip that went horribly wrong. Readers of our Vanguard article were provided with a brief introduction to the three AoG Houstons _ Brian, wife Bobby and father Frank. We claimed that they and their policy are flawed biblically, and published an in depth critique of Brian Houston's book You Need More Money. Vanguard promised a sequel, which has been long in coming, for which we make no apology, as the timing is quite clearly in the purpose of the Lord.
In the most recent CETF (Issue 24, December 2001) I wrote the following:-"Shortly after that time {1977} when Andrew Evans and his group managed to oust Ralph Read then General Superintendent of AoG in Australia and his group, Frank Houston moved across to Sydney ostensibly on the basis of some vision or dream, though strong rumour has it in New Zealand that there were other rather ominous reasons for his move across the Tasman. In fact Rev Barney Coombes, a minister in Canada telephoned me, while I was in New Zealand, with the information that during one of his ministry visits to that country the rumour was so strong that he travelled from Palmerston North to Lower Hutt to put it personally to Frank Houston, who denied all wrong doing. When I presented this and some other allegations to Frank in a personal confidential letter he denied every allegation and threatened me with legal action. Basically I told him to be my guest and have heard nothing further on the matter. That was at least two years ago. I have the letters on file."-

After writing the above -- the full column is headed Australian Christian Churches Head: guilty of immorality (CETF Dec 2001 pages 11-12) - I confess to having felt a bit uneasy but sensed it had to be published. Before going to press we received official AoG information that proved that the rumour, to which I referred was in fact correct and so we inserted the STOP PRESS announcement about Frank Houston on page 121. Since then there have been a number of significant developments, which indicate that the reasons for the Houstons' move across the Tasman from Wellington to Sydney in 1977 were more ominous than I had previously surmised. A report published by the prestigious Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) on Wednesday March 27 2002 makes reference to one of Frank Houston's alleged victims considering legal action against the "church" over what is alleged to be a sexual abuse that occurred more than 30 years ago.
As a consequence of my having named him, Rev Barney Coombes (BC) sent an email headed "A personal letter to Philip Powell, Frank Houston and Brian Houston", in which it is acknowledged that what I claimed about Coombes' action is substantially correct. In my response to BC, I maintained that he wrongly interpreted and applied a text of scripture and therefore proceeded inappropriately in this case. Had he acted, back in the 70s, in the way the Bible requires this whole scenario could have been avoided. In a follow up email BC told me that he would have reported the accusation against FH to the police if the person had been a juvenile.
The emails that passed between BC and me are published in full christian-witness.org/active/mail/barneyC.html except for the deletion of the name of one of Frank Houston's alleged victims. The first and my response were copied to AoG officials in Australia. Brian Houston has blocked my mail and I do not have Frank Houston's contact details or I would have copied my response directly to them. In what follows I have quoted Barney Coombes' email in part.

-From: Barney Coombs bcoombs@saltlight.org
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2002 9:27 AM
Subject: re-Frank Houston.
"I responded to Philip that it was true that I had visited Frank in Lower Hutt. The reason being, that after a meeting at which I was preaching, I had been approached by a person who stated that Frank had behaved improperly towards them . . . I did not find it an easy thing to confront a fellow brother engaged in the ministry of our Lord Jesus with such a serious matter . . . I was driven to within three blocks of the address, by Fraser Hardy, who was totally unaware of the purpose of my mission, and only found out a year later by some other means. I told Philip that Frank had denied any misconduct and that after praying together, I left." There was nothing further I could do except report back to the person *2who had first made the complaint to me, saying that Frank had denied that he had done anything wrong."

The following is the story published by the SMH, as it now appears on our CWM web site at christian-witness.org/php_cwm/articles/art_art.php3?article=15 with a link to the original article which was cut due to space constraints in the newspaper. We have the author's permission, on behalf of the SMH to republish this article with credit to the SMH. It included a photograph of Pat Mesiti with clenched fist in a Nazi-like salute and the caption _ "Glory days _ Pat Mesiti, former national director of Australian Christian Churches."

`Sex misconduct': evangelist sacked

Date: March 27 2002
By Kelly Burke, Religious Affairs Writer © Sydney Morning Herald

He was one of Australia's most prominent and internationally lauded evangelists - a champion of Christian youth and a motivational speaker who convinced thousands that the pursuit of money and fame was a godly business. Now Pat Mesiti is in disgrace and in hiding, sacked as national director of Australian Christian Churches and stripped of his licence to minister.
Gone is the "Pat Mesiti Ministries" signage that distinguished the entrance of his Castle Hill mansion. But the 4000-strong congregation of the Assemblies of God church Hillsong, where Mr Mesiti is based, remains in the dark. According to Assemblies of God (AoG) documents obtained by the Herald Mr Mesiti was sacked after allegations of sexual misconduct. It is understood the allegations were not of a criminal nature.

"We are aware that the above information may be a surprise and shock to some of you and therefore we have deliberately chosen to restrict this letter to our ordained and probationary ministers," the confidential document said. "We cannot see any reason for this to be announced to your church or further afield."
The national president of AoG, Brian Houston, who is also Hillsong's senior pastor, denied there was a cover-up. "This whole area of sex abuse and predatory behaviour is devastating ... but I believe we have tried to deal with this issue with integrity and honesty," said Mr Houston, speaking from Los Angeles.
But the scandal may prove devastating on more than one front for the church, which has spent two years rebranding itself as Australian Christian Churches and persuading other less powerful pentecostal denominations to climb on board. In 2000 Mr Houston was forced to sack his father, Frank, after he confessed to what the church's national executive has described as "serious moral failure" while he was an AoG minister in New Zealand.
Mr Houston senior was NSW's most senior AoG figure and the man credited with converting the champion jockey Darren Beadman, who later trained as an AoG pastor.
The AoG's national executive vice-president, John Lewis, conducted the Frank Houston investigation at the invitation of his son. Mr Lewis said the offences were so serious that Mr Houston senior, now in his early 80s, was not even given the option of quietly retiring. The Herald has been contacted by one of Mr Houston's alleged victims, who is now considering legal action against the church.
Brian Houston said that of the AoG's 2000 Australian ministers, no more than five in any year were exposed and disciplined for sexual misconduct. He went on to defend the former AoG New Zealand general superintendent Jim Williams, who serves as a pastor in Brisbane but whose licence in New Zealand was permanently revoked for sexual misconduct.
Mr Mesiti is undergoing what the church terms a three-year "restoration process".

Later on Wednesday March 27 and following the above report in the SMH, Australia's TV Channel 10 aired a story about Pat Mesiti's sexual misconduct. They showed his large home in suburban Sydney, which it is thought he has vacated. Brian Houston's statement about the effect of predatory sexual activity and sexual abuse in the context in which it was allegedly made as reported by the SMH must raise considerable concern and many questions. At the time of writing this piece (29/03/02) CWM has received a report that Frank Houston is in New Zealand, where he has been banned for life from ministering at any AoG-NZ church.All of this reflects on a number of important issues, which need to be addressed here and now.

GOD COVERS _ MAN COVERS-UP

Firstly is it right that CWM should publicise this sort of material? Doesn't this constitute "hanging out the Church's dirty linen in public?" I have received a number of emails and letters taking me to task for doing or allowing this sort of exposure in our publications. In some cases we have lost friends and supporters due to this type of activity.
The argument against what we do is based on a variety of reasons, which are more accurately called "excuses" _ i.e. the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie, in other words "baloney". I will list some of them and then give my response being the reason why we do what we do:

• 1) As Christians we should forgive others.
• 2) We must not judge each other.
• 3) Love covers sin - we shouldn't expose it.
• 4) Sin is sin - we shouldn't categorise it
• 5) Love and compassionfor the family
• 6) What will the neighbours think?

As Christians we should forgive others

The Christian gospel is essentially about forgiveness. John MacArthur tells how he replied to a young man's question about what he did for a living. He said, "I tell people how their sins can be forgiven" and then asked, "Do you commit sin?""Oh, yes", was the response, "in fact I am going on this journey to commit some more sin." MacArthur then shared a wonderful incident of testimony and witness to this young man.
Forgiveness and freedom from sin are undoubtedly at the very heart of the gospel. If you read the comments on our Bulletin Board regarding Pat Mesiti whom we referred to in December 2001 CETF you saw how this was in many people's thoughts regarding our action. Are we unforgiving in our exposure of men like Houston. Williams and Mesiti?
In this connection people frequently quote Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do" which is a prayer, as is Acts 7:60, "Lord, do not charge this sin to them", not a proclamation of forgiveness. These statements do reveal the forgiving heart of Christ and of his first martyr, but history shows that there were and are consequences for the rebellious acts of men against God of which the crucifixion of Christ was the ultimate expression. Another thing that is usually overlooked is contained in the phrase "they know not what they do." Can this be said of ministers, who purport to proclaim the unchanging gospel of Christ, which changes sinners into saints?
In Colossians 3:13 we are told to forgive one another "as Christ forgave us." How did Christ forgive us? Did He ignore our sin and simply forgive? The answer is, "No He did not." His forgiveness is predicated upon repentance, which involves confession and a turning away from our sin.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" - 1 John 1:9.

Actually in view of this truth we would be doing Houston, Williams and Mesiti great disservice if we failed to follow the course we are taking. But there is another matter of confusion here in so many people's thinking. Forgiveness is really not something that we can do in respect of the actions of leaders like Pat Mesiti, Frank Houston, and Jim Williams unless we were one of their victims, which raises another important reason for our action as a watchman ministry within the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ _ to reach out a hand to the victims. They should be encouraged to come forward. CWM undertakes to respect the confidentiality of any victim who contacts us.
The late Dr Edwin Orr helped me a great deal to understand this whole matter of sin, repentance and forgiveness when he pointed out that the circle of the sin must be the circle of the confession and repentance. Houston, Williams and Mesiti didn't sin against me so it's not within my province to forgive them or to withhold forgiveness from them. Their sin was against God, themselves, their families, associates including the church family and their victims. Our action, if it is accepted in the spirit in which it is offered, will help them face God, their victims and all those others whom they have affected, including the worldwide settings where they have "ministered". Far better to face things now than when we all stand before the Lord at the great bema judgment seat, if in fact we make it. Unrepentant adulterers and unforgiven abusers of men (homosexuals) won't make the judgement seat of Christ. They will be judged at the White Throne judgement of God and will hear those fearful words, "Depart from me. I never knew you."

We must not judge each other

Shortly after we published our first CETF in 1994 someone left a message on our answer-phone in Hamilton, NZ, where we were living at the time. The female voice commanded, "Judge not." There was no other message and no means of identifying the speaker. The lady had it wrong for two reasons. Firstly because she quoted only a part of what Jesus actually commanded. The words that she used are part of Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged." In applying and interpreting Scripture there is nothing so vital as context. By reading the passage you will find that our Lord warns us against false prophets and tells us that we will know them by examining (judging) their fruit and their root. So clearly He is not saying that it is wrong to judge. If the dear lady had simply considered the full verse she should have known that Christ was teaching that the basis on which we judge others will be the basis on which we will be judged - nothing more and nothing less.
The second mistake that she made, and one which so many make in approaching this matter of judging each other, is that Matthew 7:1 is not the only statement in the Bible about judging. Jacob Prasch carefully and clearly explains the significance of the different Greek words that are translated to "judge" or its derivatives and synonyms *3 but you don't have to be a Greek scholar to understand this. All you need do is compare Scripture with Scripture and rightly divide the Word of God. John 7:24 instructs us to "... judge with righteous judgment." Is this a contradiction of Matthew 7:1? No it is not. The balance of Scripture teaches us that there will be times when we should and MUST judge. At those times we must make sure that our judgment is righteous. This applies equally to judging men or their doctrines."

.. his righteousness ... shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand" Ezekiel 3:20.

In respect of our watchman ministry the several solemn warnings of Ezekiel are never far from my mind. We must expose and warn about Church leaders who sin in public office and who are not properly disciplined. If we don't then God will hold us accountable. In doing this it is inevitable that we will be misunderstood in our motives and in our methods at times even by our friends. I have been prepared to face that eventuality, but what is so disturbing about the current scenario is that "Christians" can apparently minimise or over-look acts which may have criminal connotations in their attempt to judge our motives. On the one hand they tell us not to judge and on the other they judge us. In doing so, in this case, they overlook the nature of true forgiveness and the debt that leaders, who commitcriminal acts, owe to society, which they should be made to face. To cover-up crime has criminal implications. We are not prepared to be a party to that.

Sin is sin - we shouldn't categorise it

Foundational to the Gospel is the way that God always "covers" confessed sin and never "covers-up" un-confessed sin. When we read, "love covers all sins" (Proverbs 10:12 c/f 1 Cor 13:4-7) we are reading about the grace and forgiveness of God experienced through the Gospel. The only way that sin can be forgiven is through disclosure and full and open confession followed by repentance.
Some time ago I bumped into Jim Williams (JW), former General Superintendent of AoG in NZ, at a South Brisbane shopping precinct close to where he pastors a fairly large AoG. I told him that in my opinion he should not be in public ministry. In spite of admitting that, as a pastor, he had been involved in two extra-marital affairs, he asked why I felt he should be excluded from platform ministry. I referred to Paul's instruction to Timothy regarding church leaders:

"He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap" (NIV) - 1 Tim 3:7

He argued that this would exclude a person who broke the speed limit and reasoned that sin cannot be categorised. This type of rationale trivialises wickedness and is wrong on two counts.
Firstly, extra-marital sex is forbidden in Scripture, which, while recognising human authority and social order and requiring that God's people respect the law of the land, does not put the two acts (sexual sins and speeding) at the same level.
Secondly the Bible does make a definite distinction between sexual and all other sins.
"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside the body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body" _ (NIV) 1 Corinthians 6:18

In the Old Testament adultery was punishable by death. The New Testament maintains a high moral standard in sexual matters throughout, where Christ is seen as the bridegroom and the Church as His bride, who must keep herself pure. How can a leader who has disgraced himself and his family in sexual matters continue in the leadership of a group of people who are required to be faithful, loyal and pure? He has lost his "good report" and has therefore forfeited his right to a leadership position in the true Church _ Christ's holy Bride.
Several months after my conversation with JW, Wayne Hughes, current General Superintendent of AoG-NZ wrote an official letter (21/12/2001) relating to Frank Houston and Jim Williams.*4 The letter *5 states that both men have been permanently banned from all AoG platforms in New Zealand. In Williams' case "because of the number of offences over a lengthy period of time in our country, and the fact that some of his victims would have difficulty in seeing him in a position of trust." In the case of FH the lack of full disclosure about his alleged "serious sexual offences" in the letter speaks volumes. In the case of JW the offences are specified as being with females though no ages are mentioned.
Currently there is worldwide outrage regarding the sexual abuse of juveniles, by religious leaders. In Australia the scandal goes all the way to the Governor General who has been accused of covering up abuse of children by Anglican priests when he was Archbishop of Brisbane. From God's perspective adultery and paedophilia may be equally culpable, but from the perspective of society one is a crime and the other is not. Church leaders who are guilty of either should be called upon to confess and repent to the circle where the sin was committed. BUT in the case of paedophilia society itself is involved, by virtue of it being a crime.

Love and Compassion for the family

Cronyism causes colleagues and friends to jump to the defence of "fallen" ministers. So often the appeal is, "we must show compassion;" or "what about the family," or "don't forget all the good work that he did." What staggers me is that so often there appears to be no thought for the victim or the victim's family. If we follow the instructions of Scripture we will inevitably show the greatest possible love and compassion towards everyone. God knows what He is doing and what He is saying and what He has caused to be written in the Bible. We cannot be wiser than God. Scripture requires that leaders who sin should be publicly rebuked.
"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others may fear also" - 1 Timothy 5:20

I told Jim Williams on the occasion of our meeting that at the very least he should have been rebuked in front of his congregation. He said that he had requested that action but the powers that be would not allow it. I presume that the earlier scandals associated with previous senior pastors at Garden City Christian Church, Mt Gravatt influenced this reluctance to do as Scripture requires, but it was wrong and very unwise. When a clear statement about the nature of the moral failure of a leader is withheld, innuendo, rumour, and conjecture run wild and, in the end, more harm is done than is necessary. We cannot be wiser than God.
Those who remember the sad fall of Jimmy Swaggart will recall how it was revealed that Jimmy's fascination with pornography from an early age contributed to his deviance and led to his associating with a prostitute in a clandestine meeting at a sleazy motel. Is pornography evil? The answer is, "Yes, both because of what it is in itself as well as what it is capable of leading to if it is not dealt with ruthlessly.

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness" -- Gal 5:19.

The list of the works of the flesh given in the context of this verse is formidable. While it includes other than sexual sins it is to be noted that the first four relate to this area. "Uncleanness" (Greek "akatharsia") has physical and moral connotations signifying "lust"."Lasciviousness" (Greek "aselgeia") implies unbridled lust, wantonness or filth. Either or possibly both of these words include pornography. Paul warns that those who "do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" [Gal. 5:21]

Sadly, according to recent reports, increasing numbers of ministers and youth leaders feed their minds on pornography. With the advent of the Internet this is a potential land mine of evil that all parents and responsible authorities should be aware of and guard against. Pornography should not feature in glib conversation among Christians.

"For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." - Eph 5: 11-12
As with all other sins the great principles of scripture must be invoked. The circle of the sin should be the area of confession, repentance, cleansing, and forgiveness. With pornography, being largely private and against self and God, open confession is not generally called for. In fact it can be unnecessarily damaging. Counsel and advice are sometimes helpful, but the matter must be dealt with at an individual level and before the Lord and resolutely rejected and turned from. If that is not done it will eat like a cancer that will ultimately destroy spiritual life, well-being and potential ministry.

What will the neighbours think?

I have developed a healthy respect for journalists and the media over my 42 years in full time ministry. I guess this started when I worked closely with a sub-editor of Manchester's prestigious Evening News or Guardian in our own publications work in Britain. Robert Beale took over the Release Publications of our then worldwide evangelistic literature programme when my family and I left UK for Australia in 1978. Over the years I have found that it pays to be open with most journalists and most media outlets. If you are open and respectful they will usually treat you with respect and will not abuse your trust.
Sadly the structured church has presented a very poor image to the world's media in a number of ways. In dealing with the present scenario a journalist told me that the morality of the so-called church was lower than that of herself and her non-churched friends and colleagues. This perception is not helped when Church leaders use tricks and a lack of openness when they are faced with reasonable questions from an interested secular press. I did not initiate contact with the Sydney Morning Herald, but I have been open with them as I will be with all media outlets.
Why should the "church" try to hide things of public interest or concern? Men like Mesiti, Houston and Williams have misused their positions of public trust. They and those who shield them should be open to stringent scrutiny, as should their peers who know the facts and yet fail to make an open disclosure.
If you doubt what I write then just read Ephesians chapter 5 and observe the strong implication in Paul's teaching that those who hide or cover up evil doing are guilty of complicity.

Verse 7 _ "therefore do not be partakers with them."
Verse 11 _ "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove {expose} them."
Verse 13 _ "All things that are reproved {exposed} are made manifest by the light: for whatever makes manifest is light."

Covering up and criticising those who expose sin and crimes are very serious matters. At times it can lead to what is called "aiding and abetting", which, when related to a crime, may be punishable in law.

BEING FRANK

Some years ago Hazel Houston, Frank's wife, wrote a book about her husband. Hazel is a very good writer _ certainly the best of the Houston authors. The title was intended to convey the idea that the book was an open disclosure about Frank, which as things have turned out was clearly not the case.
John Lewis (JL) Assistant President of AoG in Australia claims that when Brian, Frank's son, disciplined his father sometime in 1999 it was based on an allegation of some thirty years previous. The official letter dated 24/12/2001 states "it should be clearly noted this was the first time Brian had received any allegations against his father." *6 The statement is ambiguous but we assume that what JL means is that while the alleged offence relates to 30 years previous a more recent allegation regarding it was the first time Brian had received "any allegations against his father." Does this mean that Brian, Frank's son, knew nothing about his father's alleged sexual misconduct until 1999 notwithstanding the fact that he was brought up in the Houston home? The mind boggles! *7

"Be sure your sin will find you out." - Numbers 32:23

There are two inter-related things that cause me a great deal of concern about this whole scenario. Firstly the lack of openness, on the part of the AoG hierarchy as we have already discussed in part and secondly the obvious lack of discernment in the recent AoG leadership who have been closely associated with the men whom we have named in this article _ Pat Mesiti, Frank Houston and Jim Williams.
Amazingly reporter Kelly Burke of the SMH after contacting the chief officer of AoG who was also the first president of Australian Christian Churches (ACC) reported:

"The national president of AoG, Brian Houston, who is also Hillsong's senior pastor, denied there was a cover-up. "This whole area of sex abuse and predatory behaviour is devastating ... but I believe we have tried to deal with this issue with integrity and honesty," said Mr Houston, speaking from Los Angeles."

The AoG official letters signed by John Lewis of Australia and Wayne Hughes of New Zealand that relate to this matter state:
"We cannot see any reason for this to be announced to your church or further afield."
Maybe Brian Houston does not understand the terms "cover-up" and "integrity and honesty" or maybe he failed to consult with John Lewis and Wayne Hughes to ascertain what they had written.The "in house" disclosures to credentialed and probationary ministers did not occur until December 2001, after CWM and others had gone public about Pat Mesiti. The NZ letter acknowledges:
"However, with clear evidence forthcoming in 1999/ 2000 we {National Executive AoG-NZ} participated in the discipline that was carried out by the Australian A/G Executive, which permanently removed Frank from all ministry in Australia and New Zealand."

One thing is quite obvious, there have been attempts at cover-up and furthermore the rank and file "pastors" were implicitly asked to continue the "cover-up", but it won't work _ at least not this time. There are rumours of a number of cover-ups in the past where Australian AoG pastors, who have been found guilty of sexual misconduct, have been quietly moved to another church. No thought was apparently given to what the new "church" was being exposed to. Not only is this process totally unbiblical, it is also very unwise. Jim Williams was deposed from Garden City Christian Church (AoG), Mt Gravatt and after his two-year "suspension" he simply moved down the road and started another AoG church at Springwood. Was either "church" fully informed of the extent of JW's "sins" for which he was disciplined?

To discern or not to discern?

When Frank Houston visited Britain in the late 60s or early 70s the late WTH Richards refused to meet him at the port of arrival. He suspected that there was something wrong and that FH was trying to establish a reputation as a "big operator" in international Pentecostal circles. My paternal uncle, the late David Powell stopped FH praying for people to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit at the Rotherham Pentecostal Church on that visit.*8
My own association with FH was one of continuous conflict both by way of correspondence and in personal interaction. Before I became a member of the National AoG Executive I made an arrangement to meet FH to discuss my concerns. Frank failed to front and when I discussed this with Andrew Evans (AE), then General Super-intendent of AoG, I was told that FH was afraid to debate matters with me.
I have a number of letters on file, which we may publish on our Web Site to show what have been my concerns over the years if this becomes necessary or thought to be helpful. On one notable occasion AE told me that when FH knew I had been visiting and ministering in New Zealand he became quite agitated. In the light of recent developments that insight was significant and reflects on Evans as well as on Houston, though AE told me that he didn't know why FH appeared to be agitated.
Why is it that some discern that things are not right, while others just go along with it? The early Pentecostals were people of discernment but some of today's leaders seem to be lacking in this essential ingredient. Think of the men who were closest to Houston when the alleged misconduct occurred and those who have been closely associated with him over the years _ Lloyd Averill, Jim Williams, Wayne Hughes, Neil Hetrick, Ian Clark, Andrew Evans, Reg Klimionok, Philip Hills, David Cartledge, and John Lewis to mention some of the more prominent AoG leaders in Australia and NZ. Trevor Chandler's association probably pre-dates the time of the alleged moral failures of FH. Trevor confessed to me the mystery why men don't discern these things.
I think it has to do with doctrine, priorities, method and motives.
CWM has long argued that false doctrine (Nicolaitanism) leads to immoral living (Balaamism) and vice versa. If your doctrine is wrong your living will eventually be affected and that sets up a vicious circle.
This process alters priorities. We must keep Christ central to our focus and our drive. If He is replaced by anyone or anything we cease to be truly spiritual, which militates against discernment. In the current climate Christ has been replaced with Church Growth, prosperity (YOU NEED MORE MONEY) and an unbiblical over-emphasis upon the Holy Spirit. Sadly it is so often just a matter of "follow my leader". Earlier it was Frank Houston, now it is his son, Brian who is setting the trend.
An AoG preacher was recently heard to say that those who drive BMWs are living in the Promised Land while those who criticise are living in the wilderness. That is absurd! If it was meant as a joke then it is an absurd joke as it creates a totally non-biblical impression and focus.
Steve Penny a National AoG official claims that he is the Prophet of Prosperity and that the prosperity emphasis is the "culture of the Kingdom of God." He claims that this is why AoG had to have Brian Houston as its President. Prosperity _ finance _ the culture of the Kingdom of God? This is a philosophy from hell.
All of this affects method. Instead of preaching Christ and Him crucified another gospel about Church Growth or money or sensation seeking is proclaimed. The Holy Spirit withdraws and soon "ichabod"* 9 is written over the work, worship and ways of what has become by that time an apostate church. Discernment is the first thing that goes.

"If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light" _ Matt 6:22. "The LORD says, Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up ... Do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them."_ Jer 45:4-5

Motive is often revealed in the small things of life. When I first visited Andrew Evans' home the thing that struck me was the very large portrait of him in the entrance hall _ not a family portrait just a picture of Andrew Evans. there

"Dr Andrew Evans, Chairman AOG Care SA" was the caption in the offical Family First election literature. Are his credentials bona fide?

Later as I worked closely with him were at least two occasions when I discussed his "doctorate". He openly acknowledged that it was worthless seeing Yongi Cho, who is not academically authorised to bequeath doctorates, bestowed it. He told me that he would have insulted Cho if he had refused and added, "But Phil I don't use it", which is really not the case _ then nor now.
In his recent successful political campaign for a seat in the South Australian Legislative Council theofficial publicity contains a very nice photograph of Dr Andrew Evans head of CARE Australia. Whether this was intended to convey the false idea that AE is a medical doctor is a matter of conjecture. Setting that aside it does, at the very least, project a view that Andrew has a bona fide doctorate of some sort.
There has been a proliferation of deception regarding "doctorates", within ministerial ranks over recent times. I have no problem with genuine degrees that have been earned or even with those, which are bona fide, that have been bestowed. My concern relates to the possible projection of a lie and a question about motive that is frequently raised by scripture in different ways. If a window of deception and pride is opened at the top all sorts of false influences will come flooding in.
The Australasian AoG is in dire straights and sadly its modus operandi has been taken on board by a number of other National Pentecostal Churches. This is threatening the Pentecostal testimony _ worldwide.
The signs have been there for a long time and now it is almost too late to arrest the trend. Maybe the Frank Houston, Pat Mesiti and Jim Williams scenario will cause international AoG-Pentecostal leaders to wake up before it is too late.

HOUSTON -- The Mystic

Shortly after I and my family arrived in the Blue Mountains from Manchester, UK in 1978 I wrote a series of articles for Redemption Tidings (now called Joy) in Britain, in which I gave an impression of life "down-under" and featured some of my fellow Bible College students such as Andrew Evans, Reg Klimionok, David Cartledge, Phil Hills et al, who had progressed to key leadership positions within the AoG structure in Australia.
I described some of the bigger AoG Churches such as Paradise in Adelaide, Garden City Christian Church in Brisbane, Calvary Temple in Townsville and Richmond Temple in Melbourne and the much smaller country Church where I later pastored for eight years _ Living Waters, Kyabram.
Editor Colin Whittaker seemed keen that I continue the series so I decided to do an article on Christian Life Centre (CLC) at Waterloo where Frank Houston was the senior pastor and where things seemed to be booming.
About this time a story was circulating regarding an expression of the Word of Knowledge through Frank who was in an Asian country at the time of its occurrence though it related to the Waterloo congregation.
Barry Smith was the first person I heard tell the story in one of his public meetings. Some of the CBC students, where I was a lecturer, were agog with excitement about what was alleged to have happened.
It was claimed that during Frank's absence from his Church someone stole the offering.
In an amplified telephone message to his congregation FH through a Word of Knowledge identified the person responsible, who was allegedly sitting in the congregation at the time of the telephone link up. As with all of these sorts of stories there was some variation depending on who told it.
I spoke to Frank about the series of articles that I had written for Redemption and suggested that I would do one on CLC. I asked him if he would talk to me about the missing offering story.
Immediately he backed off claiming that God had told him not to talk about it any more. So I decided not to write the article on CLC. There was something that was decidedly fishy about the whole thing.
It was alleged that Brian Houston was chairing the meeting when his father had the telephone link-up.
One well-known AoG pastor in America teaches that in order to build a large church it is necessary to develop an aura based on some sort of mystique. This procedure relies on the gullibility of people for the acceptance of the claims that are made.
Usually these men cannot face up to close scrutiny and so they change tack when challenged. As preachers they rely almost entirely on stories mostly about themselves. They seldom expound the Scriptures, yet for all that are often very popular, which reflects what Paul predicted would happen in the end times:

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but having itching ears, after their own desires they shall gather teachers to themselves, And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" - 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

HOUSTON -- The Opportunist

During our recent residency in New Zealand a person who organised some meetings for me in Rotorua told me about two preachers who are closely linked to Frank Houston and who, back in the 80s, used tricks to get money from their audiences. In those days it was unthinkable to charge a registration or entrance fee for church services as is frequently practised now. My friend followed one of these men around on his preaching tour. He witnessed him stand night after night in front of the congregation and tell them that God had showed him that there were 10 people present who would give $10 each for the work of God and that he had ten envelopes ready. If more than ten people came forward he always had extra envelopes on hand. None was to be denied. Then the next night he would up the ante. Now it was $100 each. On at least three occasions this preacher prefaced his claim about God showing him with the comment that he had never done this before in his entire ministry. Shortly after that tour the other preacher friend of Frank Houston's employed a similar "money trick" in a huge meeting in Auckland.
Influenced by that sort of association it is little wonder that Frank Houston became the opportunist who moved across from Lower Hutt in New Zealand to Sydney claiming that God had given him a vision and then got going in the Kings Cross area, of all places. Small struggling AoG churches became swallowed up by the CLC Empire, the most famed church of which is Hillsong led by Frank's son, Brian. CWM has a related letter and a document on file. These raise questions about church assets in two cases in the Sydney region. If there are other former or current AoG pastors who were affected now is the time for them to stand up and be counted. If there is adequate response to this appeal then a prima facia case for investigation by the NSW AoG could be established. See christian-witness.org/aog/aog.html
What should not be lost sight of is the fact that the Houstons established their own organisation, which is separately constituted and governed, called Christian Life Centres {CLC}. In this context the names AoG and Australian Christian Churches (ACC) are largely fronts that confuse civil authorities and ordinary people as to what is really going on.

HOUSTON -- The Bully

In Gathering The Faithful Remnant © 2002 Christian Witness Ministries (ISBN 0-9580533-0-8) -- page 23 I wrote the following (condensed due to space constraints): *10

"During our sojourn in New Zealand, shortly after I had resigned as General Secretary of AoG in Australia (1992), I received a telephone call from Frank Houston who had been one of my former colleagues on the AoG National Executive. ... Frank told me that God was going to cut me off. He claimed that he had some revelation from the Lord and that when he received these "words" he was never wrong and that whatever being cut off by God signified it was going to happen very soon, if not immediately. I let him talk for quite some time then I interrupted, "Frank I want you to know that my Bible tells me not to fear you and I don't fear you or what you have to say for I have proved you to be a false prophet. You may cut me off, BUT I don't think God will cut me off." He was obviously taken aback by my direct response and went on to accuse me of muckraking whatever that meant. I certainly was not engaged in anything that could equate to what he accused me of but there shouldn't be any muck to rake in any event."In the light of recent occurrences it is quite clear what Houston was up to when he telephoned me. He was trying to bully me into silence and non-action. I guess that's the natural extension of the activity of opportunists who try to create a mystique about them. It's the sort of disposition that resorts to the "don't touch the Lord's anointed" line, when they are challenged or come under scrutiny. Beware the bully, but don't fear him. He really is a coward at heart.Interestingly, as my co-editor Dr Siam Bhayro, whose expertise relates to the ancient languages of the Middle East has pointed out," The Biblical phrase "cut off" is used of someone who has transgressed the Mosaic Law and, as such, is to be cut off from the children of Israel. This is interpreted by most scholars as meaning death!"

Was Mr Houston implying that I had broken one of God's laws and would suffer the consequences? Or was he, in the light of recent disclosures, engaging in some bizarre self-judgement regarding his own hidden past?
I waited for quite some time after this bullying effort by FH then wrote him a letter in which I presented him with a scenario of hidden immoral conduct by a church leader whom I did not name. I stated that he, Frank Houston, would know who the unnamed person was. I suggested that he had the capacity and authority to deal with the situation and that he would be wise to do so. There was no response so I waited and observed that there was no change over a reasonable period of time. I then called Frank's church and asked the receptionist for a private fax number where only Frank would see a private and confidential facsimile letter. I was provided with a number with the assurance that no one would receive the communication other than Frank.
In my confidential letter I referred to my earlier letter regarding the unnamed person and then said, "Frank you are the man." I received an early response signed by Houston, denying what he called "all accusations" and threatening me with legal action. He intimated that any further correspondence from me would not be answered. I wrote back immediately inviting FH to go ahead with his threat. I suggested that his lawyer would probably explain to him the difference between an accusation and an allegation. That was during the mid and later 1990s. If required or considered helpful CWM will publish letters that passed between FH and Philip Powell over the years on our web site. We have nothing to hide.
In 1999 someone must have made a serious accusation against FH, which, according to the official AoG letters written in December 2001, became the basis for a two-stage private discipline. These letters beg the two questions: Why was the discipline private in 1999 and 2000? Why was there a more public disclosure in December 2001?

HOUSTON and Friends

1999, the year when Brian disciplined his father was a significant year for the Houstons. Frank's The Release of the Human Spirit and son Brian's You Need More Money and the business edition of Get a Life were all published that year. Bobbie Houston's (Brian's wife) I'll Have What She's Having was published in 1998.
The names of those who endorsed Frank Houston's book reads like a "who's who" from the false prophets and false teachers camp _ Tommy Tenney (God Chasers), Pat Mesiti (Hills Christian Life Centre _ now disgraced), Dr Michael L. Brown (ex Brownsville AoG Pensa-cola), Bayless Conley (CCC _ USA), Ray McCauley (South Africa), John Arnott (Toronto), Brian Houston (President AoG, Australia).
Here's a few interesting comments, especially in the light of Frank Houston's dark past, taken from the Endorsements pages:

Tommy Tenney _ "He {Frank Houston} takes the elevator of faith to the floors of God's promises that most of us miss. Are you ready to release your spirit?"

Pat Mesiti _ "Frank Houston is a father to a generation of young men and women.

"Michael L. Brown _ "Frank Houston one of the true fathers of the modern Pentecostal movement in Australia, lets you in on the keys that have kept him from spiritual stagnation and allowed him to grow and flow with each fresh move of God."

Ray McCauley _ "Frank Houston has been a father in the faith for many years. He is a role model for young preachers."

Brian Houston _ "Having grown up in the home of Frank Houston, I have first-hand knowledge of the way he lives his life. This book captures the heartbeat and spirit of the man who has had the greatest influence and impact on my life."

Well I think that just about says it all. What did our Lord Jesus Christ say about men being justified or condemned by their words? But I really must quote the Foreword written by Ken and Lois Gott of Sunderland, UK. It caps everything:

"Frank Houston is one of the Body of Christ's all-time giants in God. His long list of ministry experience ranges from working with the Salvation Army to being general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. Even after that, he went to a different country and planted a new church - a church that in turn has planted numerous other churches throughout the nation. What is most amazing is that he did that church planting in his 50's! To him age is no barrier!Frank's book, The Release of the Human Spirit, shares the principles of revival that he has lived by for more than 50 years. It will bless, encourage, and motivate you to receive more from the Father in ways that you never before imagined. You, too, can "break out from what contains and stifles you into a new and glorious freedom!"

Ken and Lois Gott
Revival Now!
International Ministries, Sunderland, England.

How is that men like Gott never appeal to scripture to see if basic concepts are biblical? The whole idea of the release of the human spirit never features in the Bible. At best it is a humanistic motivational idea, which tickles the ears of those who aspire to great things. The spiritual greats of a bygone age never preached or promoted this sort of stuff _ quite the opposite:

"Make me a captive Lord,and then I shall be free;Force me to render up my sword,and I shall conqueror be;I sink in life's alarms,when by myself I stand;Imprison me within Thine arms,and strong shall be my hand."_ George Matheson

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

I had never heard of Ken Gott until I listened to a recording of a testimony he gave at the International Bible Training Institute (IBTI) in UK. He told of his Toronto experience and how he crawled like a drunk across the car park and into the hotel near the Toronto Airport Church. *11 He mocked the Holy Spirit and most seemed to laugh with him. No wonder Ken Gott has no discernment. Frankly he needs to repent and apologise to the whole body of Christ for his part in the deception that he has projected upon the Church and the influence that he has allowed and promoted from Frank Houston.
Yes Frank Houston's influence has been major, but it has had a "down-grade" effect. A number of pastors like Lester Terrill of Blenheim AoG and David Ramah of Grace Church, Malaysia have referred to FH as their mentor. I wonder if they will continue to do so? It really is an ominous reflection. Unless they repent and turn from the "lessons" imbibed from their mentor they too will fall.
Some who read this piece may recall the David Shearman yellow coat incident. David was mimicking FH in that AoG General Conference message in Britain. It was as plain as a pikestaff to me as I watched the video. We understand that it was from David Shearman's church in Nottingham that the replacement principal for David Johnston at Houston's Creative Arts College came. Shearman is an old friend of mine. Sadly of recent times he has refused to communicate with me which is an attitude shared by a number of my former colleagues in Britain and Australasia. Here's hoping this will be a wake up call that maybe our insight, discernment and perception are not so wrong after all.
As I have been writing this I have been thinking about what I would do and what I would say if the occasion arose where I again met with Frank and Brian Houston or for that matter any of my former colleagues. That is something that I have desired as much as most things ever since we launched CWM in 1994 and I have made constant efforts to achieve it. My requests to meet with them have been turned down on the pretext that I am a divisive person in terms of Romans 16:17, though no-one has yet been able to show where I have departed from biblical doctrine as prescribed by that verse, or in what way I meet the description of verse 18.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE which you have learned; and avoid them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." -- Romans 16:17-18

My heart bleeds and my spirit sobs as I reflect on the solemn warnings of Jacob Prasch's article and Siam Bhayro's article in Issue 15 of Vanguard. I am sure they are right in their diagnosis. I pray that their implied prognosis, if accurate, is correct only in degree!

To Frank I would say, "My friend there is forgiveness with God, on HIS terms not on yours or mine. You must make a clear and clean disclosure. Don't cover anything up anymore. Face your victims, your family, your past congreg-ations and your colleagues whom you have deceived over the years and seek the forgiveness of the Lord. You excluded yourself from the right to leadership 30 years ago and now your AoG Colleagues have rightly disciplined you to that extent. You may owe a debt to society if certain current allegations are correct. Sin carries its scars and its consequences."

To Brian I would say, "You were very unwise to discipline your father in 1999. You should have immediately referred the matter to your peers for initial as well as subsequent action. Brian, false teaching, a false gospel, and bad associations always lead to wrong living. You and all of us need to face the reality."

To my AoG former colleagues I would say, "The time is most critical. We must all stop playing with words. It's clean-up time in the Church."

	To all those groups around the world who have been and are being influenced by the Australasian AoG model through their international spokesmen who are frequently invited to National Confer-ences I would say: "Wake up! Stop being deceived by the smooth talk of men who preach about holiness but fail to walk the talk in getting their own house in order back home."

"But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light: for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore he says, awake you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light" --- Ephesians 5:13-14.

Sola Deo Gloria

[ Check out marie claire magazine p40 March 2005 -"Praying For Prosperity"- Ed ]

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*1 URL http://www.christian-witness.org/archives/cetf2002/editorial02.html
*2 In a later email to Philip Powell BC identified this person as a young man. URL http://www.christian-witness.org/active/mail/barneyC.html
*3 Judge Not single tape AJP3077 or 2 tape set AJP3078/79 (slightly more extensive) available from MORIEL Australia, P.O. Box 112, Trafalgar, VIC 3824 - AU$5 per tape plus postage.
*4 www.christian-witness.org/past_mailers/jan02mm.html
*5 http://www.christian-witness.org/active/mail/bh_fh.html
*6 Full text of letter is published at http://www.christian-witness.org/active/mail/bh_fh.html
*7 See Unanswered letter from Darren Boehm to Brian Houston http://www.christian-witness.org/aog/db_art.html
*8 Gathering the Faithful Remnant Authors Aeron Morgan & Philip Powell © CWM 2002 _page 86 -.refer www.christian-witness.org/resources/books/gtf_remnant.html
*9 "Ichabod" appears in 1 Sam 4:21 and means "no glory" or "the glory has departed."
*10 www.christian-witness.org/resources/books/gtf_remnant.html
11 www.christian-witness.org/archives/van1998/bride3_98.htmll

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