You may be aware of the fact that the New Zealand Herald has published a series of three articles by journalist Chris Barton regarding an alleged sexual abuse claim against Wayne Hughes, senior pastor of Takapuna AoG and the former general superintendent of AoG-NZ. You can read the latest story, which provides a fairly complete picture of the allegations at:
On March 8, 2005 I commenced a series of emails to the AoG-NZ hierarchy (named above) about another alleged "cover-up" viz that of a settlement which allegedly occurred between AoG-NZ and Peter Fowler who alleged sexual molestation by the late Frank Houston who was eulogised in the official AoG-NZ National magazine (Summer 2005 edition). There was no mention of Frank's admitted paedophilia in that "testimonial". To honour a man who hid such disgraceful criminal activity for so long is the ultimate shame. Frank's son Brian Houston head of HILLSONG and president (General Superintendent) of AoG-OZ, and others, have presented the idea that Frank's serious moral failure was a one-off event more than 30 years ago. I know and Brian Houston knows and probably most of the AoG hierarchy know that is a LIE. There are indications that the problem was on-going. The Bible warns:
Sadly we are in those days that are described by Jeremiah and his question should haunt us all
If you are a leader or pastor you cannot remain neutral in this matter. If you do nothing then the Bible condemns you for that very failure.
1) If you are a member of Assemblies of God in New Zealand or Australia you should contact your general secretary at one of the following email addresses and ask leading questions about the accusations of cover-up over many years. You should do that NOW and you should also ensure that the matter is tabled as an item on your General Conference agenda. If you are not a member of the Conference but are a member of a local AoG Church I suggest that you show this email to your pastor and discuss the matter with him ASAP and that you then contact the respective National General Secretary as follows:
It wouldn't hurt to copy your inquiry to both offices and include the National General Superintendents as well:
2) You should specifically ask if the respective hierarchy knows of the alleged clandestine settlement by AoG-NZ with Peter Fowler and request that the terms of any settlement be disclosed to the AoG members.
After numerous email exchanges between me and Peter Fowler, whom I advised throughout, and between me and the AoG hierarchies of New Zealand and Australia, which are in my files, on July 13, 2003 I received the following statement from Peter Fowler:
Dear Philip
I am very pleased to be able to report that I have reached a settlement with AOGNZ and the Lower Hutt AOG. The terms of the settlement are confidential to the parties and the only public comment I can make is the following statement:
"Peter Fowler and the Assemblies of God in NZ and the Assembly of God Lower Hutt Church have confidentially in a Christian spirit resolved all differences between them relating to the alleged abuse of Peter Fowler by Frank Houston"
You will note that no settlement has been reached with Frank Houston or his representatives and I am still free to pursue proceedings against Houston. So far, Houston and his representatives have continued to refuse to meet or engage in any dialogue with me.
Thank you so much for your assistance in helping me to reach this point. Had it not been for your initial support and understanding I may not have been able to achieve any form of settlement, closure or healing. I remain deeply grateful and I wish you well in all your future endeavours. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance to you and any other victims who may contact you.
With best wishes
Peter Fowler
I (Philip Powell) do not know whether there was an exchange of money as part of the above settlement. If there were then I think Peter Fowler was entitled to all that he received. My concern is the "cover-up" and whether that "cover-up" involved AoG-OZ and HILLSONG, with their millions. After all Brian has told us all in his most ridiculous book that we "need more money". My question is: "Has he or Hillsong or AoG-OZ in some clever way re-funded any settlement payments made by AoG-NZ?" The HILLSONG and AoG-OZ and AoG-NZ members have a right to know and should be asking questions.
AN ASIDE:
Incidentally the matter is getting rather sinister. Yesterday I received a reliable report from a writer who is investigating HILLSONG in respect of their "SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICE" that at the recent "Colour Your World" HILLSONG women's conference it was claimed, from the platform, that Rehab the harlot of the Old Testament and Sarah who was at one time childless and Frank and Hazel Houston are "Watching over us and cheering us on". The person who reported to me said that there were strong undertones of Roman Catholicism with encouragements for women to emulate so called "Mother Teresa". What appeared to be Roman Catholic type theology was being preached. At one point there were references to "domestic goddesses" when the conference attendees were encouraged to run around with laundry baskets . The comment from my informant was that the way women were treated was "degrading and horrible."
3) If you have any clear facts relating to the most recent allegations against Wayne Hughes and the Takapuna Church you should contact either the writer of this email or Chris Barton at the NZ Herald at the following email addresses:
If you are a Christian then you will want to obey the Bible so I'll try to exegete a couple of the above texts in comparison with others. We should remember that God's Word never contradicts itself. You be the judge:
Proverbs 28:13
He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins.
Superficially some who "cover" their sins do appear to "prosper", but their "success" is only temporary. To quote Jeremiah's rhetoric question, "What will they do in the END" (Jer 5:31). Men who cover their sins will never finally prosper. So how do we justify the idea that "love covers ALL sins"?
1 John 4:8
He who does not love does not know God; for GOD IS LOVE.
1 John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. GOD IS LOVE; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.
Only God can "cover" sins and HE does it by what the Bible calls "propitiation".
1 John 2:2
And he is the PROPITIATION for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 4:10
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the PROPITIATION for our sins.
The word "propitiation" could be rendered "mercy seat". In the Old Testament the mercy seat was upheld by the law and guarded by the shekinah glory of God's presence. It was effective only so long as both God's law and God's presence prevailed. Human intervention, outside of God's instruction, always resulted in a cancelling of the effect of God's mercy. That was why Uzzah perished - c/f 2 Samuel 6: 3-8.
Every effort by man to "cover" sin results in a "cover-up". It won't and can't work.
God who is LOVE covers sin by first exposing it to His Light, which is the light of Truth. He calls for open and full confession and for true repentance. Then thank God HE "covers" our sins forever.
Those who engage in any "cover-up" do despite to themselves and to all who seek to witness to the Grace and Truth which are in Christ Jesus.
May the Lord open our eyes.
Once more we at CWM call for action. If the AoG hierarchies will not come clean on this whole mess, then you as an individual. after duly warning them, should heed the instruction of Scripture:
2 Corinthians 6:17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
This applies to AoG members in both hemispheres and in the entire world.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Philip L. Powell
Prophecy
