Hillsong pastors step down

Reed and Jess Brogard

The lead pastors of Hillsong Dallas are stepping down after 15 years to take some time out to "get healthy". 

In a pre-recorded message, Reed Bogard and his wife Jess said the last 10 years of living in church-planting mode had "really taken a bit of a toll" on their family.

The couple, who have three children, said it was the right time to transition out of leadership at the church and "take some time to remain healthy, get healthy and to really see what this next season holds for us."

"It has been an incredible ride thus far. We have had some crazy days, some great days, seen God do many, many miracles," Reed said.

"We are so grateful for that. With that said, the last 10 years of being in church-planting mode has really taken a bit of a toll on Jess and I and our family."

They also expressed their thanks for Hillsong's senior pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston "for believing in us and entrusting this to us."

"They have trusted so much along the way. They have been the greatest cheerleaders, the greatest supporters," Jess said.

"I never met two people who believe in people so much. We are just so grateful for you, Pastors Brian and Bobbie."

In their time with Hillsong, the Bogards have helped to plant three different campuses, including the Dallas church, LA and New York City, which is the midst of leadership change following the ousting of its pastor Carl Lentz. 

Lentz was let go last year because of moral failures and an investigation is ongoing after more complaints were made about the NYC branch. 

The investigation is looking into "all concerns and any wider cultural issues."

The Bogards did not mention Lentz or developments at the NYC branch in their resignation announcement.

News
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day

A major fire tore through one of Amsterdam’s best-known historic buildings in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seriously damaging the property and forcing people to leave nearby homes.

Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures

Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism. 

We are the story still being written
We are the story still being written

The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.

Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas
Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas

International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.