Brian Houston is speaking out after an explicit pornographic video briefly appeared on his X account Thursday, insisting the shocking post was the result of a hack.
The former Hillsong Church global pastor told his more than 500,000 followers that his account had been "compromised overnight," and that any unusual posts, messages, or links shared earlier in the day were "not legitimate." While Houston said the content had been reported and deleted, followers quickly pointed out that the video initially remained visible for several hours before finally being removed.
The incident immediately sparked widespread reaction online, with supporters urging people not to jump to conclusions while critics questioned how the breach occurred. Some followers also expressed concern over the visibility of the explicit content given Houston's large Christian audience and ministry influence.
This is not the first time Houston has claimed his social media account was hacked. In 2024, he similarly stated that unauthorized users had accessed his X account after strange posts suddenly appeared online. At the time, his team said the login activity reportedly originated from within the United States and urged followers to ignore anything "out of the normal."
Houston remains one of the most recognizable and controversial figures in modern Pentecostal Christianity. The Australian preacher resigned from Hillsong Church in 2022 following misconduct allegations and years of public scrutiny surrounding both personal controversies and the global church movement he helped build. He has consistently denied wrongdoing in several high-profile legal and public disputes over recent years.
Despite stepping away from Hillsong leadership, Houston and his wife, Bobbie Houston, launched a new digital ministry platform called Jesusfollowers.tv in 2024. The online ministry describes itself as a place to encourage believers, strengthen faith, and provide "a trustworthy voice of hope and inspiration."
The latest social media controversy once again places Houston at the center of public conversation - highlighting both the intense scrutiny surrounding high-profile Christian leaders and the growing risks public figures face in an era of hacking, viral controversy, and instant online backlash.
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