A female ‘prophet’ from a Hillsong-style megachurch has broken her silence and confessed to an affair with a married church leader.
Stacey Hilliar – a married mother and self-described prophet – abruptly pulled out of Neuma Church, a Pentecostal church based in Melbourne, in February after a cheating scandal was revealed.
Ex-policeman Corey Turner, his wife Simone and Mrs Hilliar all resigned from leadership positions at the Neuma church after the scandal became public.
Turner admitted to having an affair with Hilliar last month while both parties were married to other church leaders.
On Saturday, Hilliar shared a lengthy statement on Instagram on behalf of his family after investigations into the incident were completed.
A female ‘prophet’ from a Hillsong-like megachurch has broken her silence and confessed to an affair with a married church leader
“Mine, Stacey’s, poor choices from Nov 2023 – Jan 2024, for which I offer no excuses, are soberly addressed and worked through in private as our family seeks healing and restoration, looks to the future, united,” she said.
‘For the pain and disappointment I have caused so many people, I am sorry. I own my part and I own my sin. No one else is responsible for my choices. I simply offer my apologies and ask for your forgiveness.
‘I am committed to the restoration process delivered by ACC (Australian Christian Churches) and honor their leadership.’
On Saturday, Hilliar shared a lengthy statement on Instagram on behalf of his family after investigations into the incident concluded
Ms Hilliar confirmed that she and her husband, Jai, have both stepped down from their roles at the church following the strong recommendation of the senior pastor.
“For some, this statement has taken too long, but we have been committed to honoring the integrity of the ACC investigative process that began in early February,” she said.
“I, Stacey, resigned on February 2, 2024 from my executive role due to my clear breach of the code of conduct to which I am responsible.”
Stacey Hilliar is pictured with her husband Jai. They have four children together
She went on to express the couple’s sincere love and thanks to the church community. “For the past 12 years, our family has had the privilege of serving and being a part of one of our nation’s great churches, Neuma Church,” she said in a statement.
‘We have been honored to serve and walk alongside some of the most incredible people – friends, families and leaders – we are privileged to know and love you. We miss you.
‘As we look to the future, we give thanks to our Neuma Church family, the wider Body of Christ, the ACC and to our gracious, kind and forgiving God who is our hope and our restoration.’
Stacey Hilliar is pictured preaching during a service at Pentecost Church, Neuma
The church board sent an email to the congregation on February 3 saying the leadership changes were due to health issues and ‘unforeseen circumstances’.
On February 23, Mr Turner confessed his ‘sin’ in a statement to his 28,000 Instagram followers, saying he entered a ‘fog of deception’ because his soul was tired.
Neuma has 12 branches in Australia, Thailand and the United States, and sermons delivered in large concert halls have been known to set the faithful into frenzied scenes of groaning, crying and praying on the floor.
According to the email to the members, the board was made aware of the situation via an anonymous complaint. The leaders resigned when confronted.
How long the infidelity had been going on remains undisclosed.
Corey and Simone Turner are pictured, left and right, with former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife, Jenny, in 2019
Turner and Hilliar traveled to Europe with other church staff in October 2023.
In his statement, Mr Turner said: ‘Towards the end of 2023 I was not adequately guarding my heart, reaching out for help from trusted spiritual fathers, taking decisive action or getting the necessary rest I needed from the heightened levels of fatigue in my 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 calling to ministry.’
Turner said he was grateful for his family, and especially his wife, ‘who has faithfully stood by me and embraced me in my weakness’.
Pictured, left to right: Stacey Hilliar, Simone Turner and Corey Turner
It appears that both parties are committed to repairing their marriages.
Within weeks of the scandal being revealed, Mr. Turner posts pictures and videos of himself with his wife and three children enjoying time together and going on vacation.
Ms Hilliar, who is married with four children, was in the leadership of the church, as were Mr and Mrs Turner, but also described herself as a ‘prophetic pillar’ who had heard the ‘voice of God’ from the age of nine.
She previously said: ‘I grew up with God’s voice being very familiar to me, it’s very normal for me to talk to mum and dad about my dreams and what I felt the Lord was saying.’
Corey and Simone Turner (pictured together) retired as senior pastors at Neuma church
She ran an online course for those who wanted to ‘increase their prophetic gifts’ but her website appears to have been taken down within the past few weeks.
The email from the Neuma church board to members in February read: ‘The board received a complaint from a member of the church alleging that Pastor Corey Turner was in an inappropriate relationship.’
‘The allegation was put to both pastors and communicated to Australian Christian Churches … Both pastors were immediately suspended by the board, pending an internal investigation.’
“Understandably, both priests were under significant stress and the board had concerns about their health and well-being as well as that of their families.”
Stacey Hilliar (pictured) also resigned as senior pastor and prophetic pillar at Neuma
The church will not proceed with an internal investigation because all parties involved have recused themselves.
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 did not receive a response.