Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or more.
The court sentenced Houston to three years of probation, a $140 fine and will be required to complete a three-month first offender alcohol program by May 11; victim impact counseling by July 10; and participate in self-help meetings for a period of one year until April 11, 2024.
According to court records, Houston initially pled “not guilty” to driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or more, and failing to display two license plates on the vehicle he was driving. However, on April 11, he changed course, pleading “guilty” for the formal charge of driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or more.
Houston is yet to be sentenced for an enhanced charge of driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.20% or more.
Ahead of his sentencing, Houston shared a now-deleted statement on social media admitting that his decision to drive drunk was “foolish.”
“I made the foolish decision to drive just 2 or 3 hundred meters (yards) to park the car and I am grateful to God that no damage or injury occurred,” Houston wrote. “At the time it seemed like all hell had broken loose within Hillsong Church and I was under immense pressure and emotional strain. Clearly that is not an excuse, and I take full responsibility for my actions.
“Thirteen months have past (sic) since that incident occurred and I am now in a much stronger place within my spirit and soul,” he continued. “I am grateful to God for his sustenance and grace, and I am grateful for trusted ministry friends who, along with Bobbie and our family, have offered their constant love and support in a very difficult and disruptive season. We are looking forward together to a fruitful season ahead.”
Houston was arrested in February 2022, less than a month before he resigned as global senior pastor of Hillsong Church.
