Hillsong ‘Recruiting’ Kids - Club volunteers accused

One parent alleged that two of her children were attending a PCYC homework group that was being run by two Hillsong volunteers who one evening visited her home demanding she sign forms allowing her children to attend Hillsong Church activities.

The alleged activity follows Central revelations last week that a petition supporting the Rosebery proposal for a 2700-seat superchuch contained alleged fraudulent entries. "They came around at dinner time with the forms filled out and told me the girls wanted to go," the parent, who declined to be named, said.

"They were so pushy that it put me off.

"They were supposed to be helping with homework, but instead they were ear bashing my children with religion.

"I'm sure they do some community good, but it's my choice to get involved not theirs."

The Waterloo woman said she believed other parents had had similar experiences.

South Sydney PCYC manager Caroline Bateson denied there had been problems with Hillsong volunteers. "A few years ago, I worked with two volunteers who were members of Hillsong Church," she said in a statement.

"In my experience, they never mentioned anything about church or talked with any of the young people about church, or religious beliefs." Ms Bateson said that there were no longer any members of Hillsong involved at the PCYC, but would not confirm that she was once a volunteer for Hillsong.

Redfern and Waterloo community group REDWatch held a public meeting two years ago in response to community concerns about Hill-song's activities.

"The main issue that we heard was from parents worried that the volunteer base at PCYC was being supplied by Hillsong people and that those people were influencing the kids to go to Hillsong activities," spokesman Geoff Turnbull said.

Hillsong had not responded to Central's questions at the time of going to press.

Picture: Phil Rogers - South Sydney PCYC, where volunteers are alleged to be recruiting.