A female ‘prophet’ from a Hillsong-like megachurch has broken her silence, confessing to an affair with a married church leader.
Stacey Hilliar – a married mum and self-described prophet – abruptly resigned from Neuma church, a Pentecostal revival congregation based in Melbourne, in February after a cheating scandal was exposed.
Former policeman Corey Turner, his wife Simone, and Ms Hilliar all resigned from leadership positions at the Neuma church after the scandal became public.
Mr Turner admitted to having an affair with Ms Hilliar last month, while both parties were married to other leaders within the church congregation.
On Saturday, Ms Hilliar shared a lengthy statement on Instagram on behalf of her family after investigations into the incident concluded.
A female ‘prophet’ from a Hillsong-like megachurch has broken her silence, confessing to an affair with a married church leader
‘My, Staceys, poor choices from Nov 2023 – Jan 2024, for which I offer no excuses, are being soberly processed & worked through in private as our family seeks healing and restoration, looking to the future, united,’ she said.
‘For the pain and disappointment I have caused to so many people, l am sorry. I own my part and I own my sin. Nobody else is responsible for my choices. I simply offer my apology and ask for your forgiveness.
‘I am committed to the restoration process provided by the ACC [n Christian Churches] and honour their leadership.’
On Saturday, Ms Hilliar shared a lengthy statement on Instagram on behalf of her family after investigations into the incident concluded
Ms Hilliar confirmed she and her husband, Jai, have both stood down from their roles within the church at the strong recommendation of the Senior Pastor.
‘To some, this statement has taken too long, however, we have been committed to honouring the integrity of the ACC investigation process that commenced in early February,’ she said.
‘I, Stacey, resigned on 2 February, 2024 from my executive role due to my clear breach of the code of conduct for which I am responsible.’
Stacey Hilliar is pictured with her husband Jai. They have four children together
She went on to express the pair’s sincere love and thanks to the church community. ‘For the last 12 years, our family has had the privilege of serving and being part of one of our nation’s great churches, Neuma Church,’ she said in a statement.
‘We have been honoured to serve and walk with some of the most incredible people – friends, families & leaders – we are privileged to know and love you. We miss you.
‘As we look to the future, we offer our thanks to our Neuma Church family, the wider Body of Christ, the ACC & to our gracious, kind & forgiving God who is our hope and our restoration.’
Stacey Hilliar is pictured preaching during a service at Pentecostal church, Neuma
The church board sent an email to the congregation on February 3 saying that 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 , Thailand and the US, and sermons delivered in large concert-style venues have been known to spark the faithful into frenzied scenes of moaning, crying and praying on the floor.
According to the email to members, the board was alerted to the affair 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
Mr Turner and Ms Hilliar went to Europe together, along with other church staff, in October 2023.
In his statement, Mr Turner said: ‘Towards the end of 2023 I didn’t sufficiently guard my heart, reach out for help from trusted spiritual fathers, take decisive action or get the necessary rest I needed from the compounding levels of fatigue in my own soul.’
‘In a fog of deception that clouded my emotions and judgement I sinned and compromised my relationship with god, my marriage covenant, my character and my calling to ministry.’
Mr Turner said he was grateful for his family, and his wife in particular, ‘who have 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 exposed, Mr Turner shared photos and videos of himself with his wife and three children enjoying time together and going on holidays.
Ms Hilliar, who is married with four children, was on the executive team of the church, 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.
She previously said: ‘I grew up with the voice of God being very familiar to me, it being very normal for me to talk to mum and dad about my dreams and what I felt like the lord was saying.’
Corey and Simone Turner (pictured together) resigned as senior pastors of Neuma church
She ran an online training course for those wanting to ‘increase their prophetic gifting’, but her website appears to have been removed 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 n Christian Churches … Both pastors were immediately stood down by the board, pending an internal investigation.’
‘Understandably, both pastors were under significant stress, and the board had concerns about their health and wellbeing, as well as that of their families.’
Stacey Hilliar (pictured) also resigned as senior pastor and prophetic pillar of Neuma
The church will not proceed with an internal investigation because all parties involved have resigned.
However, the n Christian Churches – a network of Pentecostal churches – will continue to look into the matter.
Daily Mail contacted Mr Turner, Ms Hilliar, and Neuma church for comment but did not receive a response.