Three senior pastors of a Hillsong-style megachurch have been forced to resign after a congregation-wide fraud scandal was exposed, Daily Mail Australia can reveal.
Former police officer Corey Turner, his wife Simone and Stacey Hilliar – a married mother and self-described prophet – were leaders of the Neuma Church, a Pentecostal revival church based in Melbourne, until they all abruptly resigned in February.
The church council sent an email to the congregation on February 3 stating that the leadership changes were due to health issues and “unforeseen circumstances.”
On February 23, Mr Turner confessed to an affair in a statement to his 28,000 Instagram followers, saying he was caught in a “fog of deception” because his soul was tired.
“It is important that I publicly acknowledge that the recent accusation against me regarding my involvement in a morally inappropriate relationship is unfortunately true,” he wrote.
The statement prompted his teenage son Zack to pledge his support for his father, saying, “Proud of you, Dad!”
Mr Turner did not name his lover in the statement.
Ms Hilliar and Ms Turner have remained silent since the scandal came to light.
Corey and Simone Turner (pictured together) resigned as senior pastors of Neuma Church
Stacey Hilliar (pictured) also resigned as senior pastor and prophetic pillar of Neuma
Pictured, from left to right: Stacey Hilliar, Simone Turner and Corey Turner
Neuma has 12 branches in Australia, Thailand and the US, and sermons delivered in large concert halls are known to send worshipers to the floor in frenzied scenes of moaning, crying and praying.
According to the email to members, the board was informed of the affair through an anonymous complaint. The leaders resigned when confronted.
It is not disclosed how long the infidelity had been going on.
Mr. Turner and Ms. Hilliar went to Europe in October 2023 with other church staff.
In his statement, Mr. Turner said: “As of the end of 2023, I did not adequately guard my heart, seek help from trusted spiritual fathers, take decisive action, or get the necessary rest I needed due to the increasing fatigue in my body. own soul.’
“In a fog of deception that clouded my emotions and judgment, I sinned and compromised my relationship with God, my marriage covenant, my character, and my call to ministry.”
Mr Turner said he was grateful to his family, and his wife in particular, “who have faithfully supported me and embraced me in my weakness.”
One churchgoer responded to his son Zack’s supportive comment, saying, “This is (probably) the most amazing thing I’ve read in a long time.”
Corey and Simone Turner are pictured left and right, with former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny, in 2019
Stacey Hilliar preaches during a service at the Pentecostal Church in Neuma
Stacey Hilliar is pictured with her husband Jai. They have four children together
Others issued heartfelt messages of support, with another saying: “A father who is transparent and faces up to failures is definitely a father to be proud of.”
In the statement, Mr. Turner further explained that he and his wife were determined to repair their marriage.
Within weeks of the scandal coming to light, Mr Turner shared photos and videos of himself with his wife and three children spending time together and going on holiday.
Ms Hilliar, who is married with four children, has remained silent since the scandal came to light.
She served on the church board, as did Mr. and Mrs. Turner, but also described herself as a “prophetic pillar” who had heard the “voice of God” since she was nine.
While being interviewed on a podcast called God Conversations, Ms Hilliar said: ‘I grew up with the voice of God being very familiar to me, it was very normal for me to talk to mum and dad about my dreams and how I felt like the said gentleman.’
She provided an online training for those who wanted to “increase their prophetic gifts,” but her website appears to have been taken down in recent weeks.
Mr Turner and Ms Hilliar have praised each other a number of times on social media.
Corey and Simone Turner have three children (pictured together). Zack Turner, far right, supported his father after the fraud scandal
Stacey Hilliar is pictured with her four children. They are based in Melbourne
In 2020, Mr Turner said she was an “incendiary woman of God” and “one of the best preachers you will ever hear”.
In 2015, Ms Hilliar said he had “such a strong salve on his life”.
The Neuma church board’s email to members in February read: “The board has received a complaint from a member of the church alleging that Pastor Corey Turner was in an inappropriate relationship.”
“The allegation was presented to both pastors and communicated to Australian Christian churches… Both pastors were immediately dismissed by the board pending an internal investigation.”
“Understandably, both ministers were under great stress and the board was concerned for their health and well-being, as well as that of their families.”
The church will not conduct an internal investigation because all parties involved have withdrawn.
However, the Australian Christian Churches – a network of Pentecostal churches – will continue to investigate the matter.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr Turner, Ms Hilliar and Neuma Church for comment but received no response.