Three senior pastors at a Hillsong-style megachurch have been forced to resign after a cheating scandal was exposed to the entire congregation, Daily Mail Australia can reveal.
Former policeman Corey Turner, his wife Simone and Stacey Hilliar – a married mother and self-styled prophet – were leaders of Neuma Church, a Pentecostal revival church based in Melbourne, until they all abruptly resigned in February.
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 to an affair in a statement to his 28,000 Instagram followers, saying he entered a ‘fog of deception’ because his soul was tired.
“It is important that I publicly admit that the recent allegation against me about my involvement in a morally inappropriate relationship is unfortunately true,” he wrote.
The statement prompted his teenage son Zack to pledge his support to his dad, saying: ‘Proud of you dad!’
Turner did not mention her lover in the statement.
Hilliar and Ms Turner have remained silent since the scandal was revealed.
Corey and Simone Turner (pictured together) retired as senior pastors at Neuma church
Stacey Hilliar (pictured) also resigned as senior pastor and prophetic pillar at Neuma
Pictured, left to right: Stacey Hilliar, Simone Turner and Corey Turner
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.
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’.
One churchgoer responded to her son Zack’s supportive comment, saying: ‘This is (probably) the most special 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 is pictured preaching during a service at Pentecost Church, Neuma
Stacey Hilliar is pictured with her husband Jai. They have four children together
Others posted heartfelt messages of support with another saying: ‘A father who is transparent and faces mistakes is definitely a father to be proud of.’
In the statement, Mr Turner went on to explain that he and his wife were committed to repairing their marriage.
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.
Hilliar, who is married with four children, has remained silent since the scandal was revealed.
She was in church leadership, like Mr and Mrs Turner, but also described herself as a ‘prophetic pillar’ who had heard ‘the voice of God’ from the age of nine.
While being interviewed on a podcast called God Conversations, Hilliar 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 wanted . The Lord said.’
She ran an online training course for those who wanted to ‘increase their prophetic gifts’ but her website appears to have been taken down within the past few weeks.
Mr. Turner and Ms Hilliar have praised each other on social media several times.
Corey and Simone Turner have three children (pictured together). Zack Turner, far right, supported his father after the cheating scandal
Stacey Hilliar is pictured with her four children. They are based in Melbourne
In 2020, Mr Turner said she was a “fiery woman of God” and “one of the best preachers you will ever hear”.
In 2015, Hilliar said he had ‘such a strong anointing on his life’.
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.”
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.