Australian televangelist John McMartin has been found guilty of indecent assault, according to a letter from his former church.
McMartin was the New South Wales state president of Australian Christian Churches, formerly called the Assemblies of God in Australia.
In November 2020, police charged McMartin with a “sexual incident” from 2013. Police say the incident occurred with a 19-year-old member of the church.
The woman told police that McMartin groped her while she was at his home. His wife, she said, was out of the country.
McMartin admitted he gave the girl a massage but said he did not touch her sexually.
McMartin’s sentencing is scheduled for March 2023.
Previously, McMartin founded and served as the senior pastor and CEO of Inspire Church in Liverpool. He resigned from his roles in October 2021.
“We are sorry for all the hurt and pain this has caused to the woman, the families concerned, and to many other people in our congregation,” the letter from Inspire Church’s executive leaders, elders, and board stated.
According to The Roys Report, an Inspire Church spokesman said the church’s board “is completely focused on a restructuring that will result in a church of the highest ethical standards with the earnest desire that our congregation can heal from the recent controversies and move forward, united in the glorification of God.”
Earlier this month, McMartin testified during a special hearing in Australia over claims that Brian Houston of Hillsong Church reportedly covered up his father’s sexual abuse.
McMartin testified that Brian told him about the alleged abuse in November 1999.
McMartin’s sons are also involved in ministry. One of his sons, Brendan, is a senior pastor of Inspire Church Wagga, which was formerly part of the Inspire Church network.
Brendan recently announced that the church would be renamed Together Church in 2023. Brendan, however, is also accused of sexual misconduct.
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Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
