Former Hillsong pastors Sam and Toni Collier embroiled in public cheating, abuse scandal
By TJ Sheridan // Church Scandal // EEW Magazine Online
Now estranged husband and wife, Sam and Toni Collier, former leaders of Hillsong Atlanta, share an embrace before the congregation during happier times (Credit: Sam Collier/Instagram)
Less than two years after Pastor Sam Collier and his wife, Toni Collier, disassociated themselves from Hillsong Church due to ongoing scandals within the ministry, they now find themselves in the midst of a scandal of their own.
The couple, who branched off and established Story Church Atlanta, shocked supporters with their public social media feud Friday, Dec. 1, where they announced the end of their marriage and accused each other of misconduct.
Then Hillsong Atlanta pastors Sam and Toni Collier with Hillsong Founders Brian and Bobbi Houston in June 2021 (Credit: Facebook/Toni Collier)
The irony is that in March 2022, the two distanced themselves from Hillsong Founder, Brian Houston, after he resigned from the ministry amid allegations of concealing child sex offenses committed by his late father.
Now allegations are swirling around the couple once celebrated for pioneering racial reconciliation efforts in Hillsong’s network.
Photos: Sam Collier/Toni Collier/ Facebook
So, what went wrong exactly?
According to Toni, her husband has repeatedly cheated on her, while Sam claims that his wife is a serial abuser.
In a post published the morning the scandal broke, Toni stated, "I'm in the middle of the hardest season of my life. I am heartbroken, yet still hopeful," followed by an explanation that she decided to end her marriage with Sam due to his continued infidelity.
She said that despite attempts at reconciliation and counseling, she felt it was impossible for them to maintain a "sustainable or God-honoring marriage." In order to focus on healing and protect her children, Toni announced she would be taking time away from public speaking and social media.
Credit: Toni Collier/Instagram
Moments later, in dramatic fashion more characteristic of mainstream celebrities than Christian pastors, Sam Collier — best known as Hillsong Church's first Black pastor — hit back forcefully, calling his wife a liar who had abused him throughout their entire marriage.
In a since-deleted statement, he claimed they were divorcing each other and that he had tried to divorce her seven times before but was convinced to stay despite the abusive behavior.
Later, Sam issued an apology for his previous remarks on the divorce situation: “I would like to apologize for my earlier comments regarding my divorce. It did not reflect the leader I am or my sincere feelings. I was emotionally overwhelmed and angry at the highest level. These past two months have been extremely exhausting.”
Credit: Sam Collier/Instagram
Days before their messy marital woes became public knowledge, there were signs that trouble was already brewing, when Toni posted photos of herself and her two children posing at another church minus Sam.
Expressing gratitude for a supportive church community, she said she “went to a safe, honest church with my babies today” and “sat next to dear friends who held grief with me.”
(Credit: Facebook/Toni Collier)
While not directly addressing her husband's infidelities at that moment, she alluded to "the disgusting behavior of leaders and their attempt to cover up addictions, infidelity, and manipulation," adding that such toxic patterns have caused many people to feel disheartened and question their faith.
Sam and Toni Collier led the Georgia-based branch of Hillsong for roughly a year before they announced their departure on March 23, 2022.
Before their much publicized split from the global mega ministry, the going had been rough for the Colliers since the beginning.
According to Sam, it was only eight days after Hillsong first announced the Colliers’ addition to the pastoral staff—and before the Hillsong Atlanta location officially opened— news of one of Hillsong’s most popular pastors, Carl Lentz, and his adulterous affair went viral.
With the cloud of controversy looming, the Colliers pressed forward and opened the church, welcoming thousands to their new location despite persistent negative headlines about Hillsong. Months later, the Colliers learned that a new and negative documentary, “The Secrets of Hillsong,” was set to be released by FX.
Soon after, Founder Brian Houston resigned from Hillsong amid sexual misconduct allegations, sparking a negative chain reaction. Members and donors began leaving before the Colliers finally renounced their affiliation.
Citing the numerous scandals plaguing the church as the primary reason for their resignation, Sam wrote in an Instagram post that it had become too challenging to lead and nurture a growing congregation under such circumstances.
At the time of his exit, Sam spoke to WGCL and said, "We had so many congregants saying I don't know if I can trust this place” and determined “that it might be better to replant a new place that people can believe in and trust in.”
Sadly, that trust is broken again.
VIDEO 1
Prior to his own scandal, watch Sam Collier explain why his scandal-plagued connection to Hillsong had to be broken.
VIDEO 2
Before the public breakdown of the Colliers’ marriage, watch Toni Collier discuss the repeated conflicts and tensions that plagued their union.
Toni Collier discusses how she and her husband, Pastor Sam Collier, dealt with intense conflict and anger in their marriage. (Clip courtesy of Better Together TV/TBN)
