Additionally, Kimes accused the former pastor of “crossing more boundaries.”

“When I was sitting in the hot tub with the kids, he would get in, positioning himself close to me so his hands could graze my legs,” she recalled of one incident.

“Then the physical encounters escalated,” she explained. “While he never had intercourse with me and never kissed me, I was physically violated by his unwanted and repeated sexual touching of my intimate areas. I froze. Every time, I froze.”

Kimes said Lentz’s “inappropriate touching and suggestive text messages were addressed by both lead pastors on two occasions during my time serving in their home.” But despite coming forward, Kimes alleged that she was “blamed and silenced” in both instances.

Following Kimes’ claims, Hillsong Church founders Brian and Bobbie Houston issued a statement, which read in part, “After the termination of the former Lead Pastor of Hillsong East Coast, it was clear the issues were significant and because of our concerns, we initiated an independent and lengthy investigation into the culture of all four Hillsong East Coast locations.”

“In the process of seeking clarity, hearing Leona Kimes’ experience was very disturbing,” the statement continued. “We have respected Leona’s privacy and her deeply personal story. She has now decided to share her experience so that she and her husband can continue moving forward as a family.”

The founders said they are “committed to learning more about how to identify such trauma and bring meaningful support to anyone who has experienced it.”