Faith on Trial: Hillsong

True Crime Australia•truecrimeaustralia.com.au

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.

Follow on

Episodes

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 retir...

Jun 07, 2025•38 min

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 c...

Apr 04, 2025•3 min

Not Guilty

Brian Houston's day in court arrives on a charge of concealing his father's child sex abuse. Hear the verdict and what Houston and victim Brett Sengstock have to say. To hear the full bonus episode subscribe to Crime X+ on Apple Podcast today, or visit faithontrial.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 17, 2023•10 min•Ep. 9

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 18, 2023•37 min•Ep. 8

Submit

Subscribe to Crime X+ today. What Hillsong teaches its young female students about sex. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 11, 2023•39 min•Ep. 7

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....

Apr 04, 2023•31 min•Ep. 6

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 28, 2023•27 min•Ep. 5

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 21, 2023•28 min•Ep. 4

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 16, 2023•27 min•Ep. 3

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.

Mar 14, 2023•25 min•Ep. 2

The Big Eagle

Subscribe to Crime X+ today. Hillsong's rise to global megachurch - or how Hillsong founder Brian Houston took over the world. Go to faithontrial.com.au for more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 09, 2023•28 min•Ep. 1

Introducing - Faith on Trial: Hillsong

From humble beginnings in a suburban Sydney warehouse to an international pentecostal powerhouse, Hillsong has changed the world around it, filling stadiums with screaming congregations and counting politicians, business tycoons and A-list celebrities among its true believers. Talking to one of those believers, who's 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...

Feb 21, 2023•4 min

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android

Open in Metacast