The Royal Commission held a public hearing in Sydney from Tuesday 7 to Friday 17 October 2014.

The public hearing inquired into the responses by Australian Christian Churches (a Pentecostal movement in Australia) and two affiliated churches to allegations of child sexual abuse.

The scope and purpose of the public hearing was to inquire into:

1. The response of the Sydney Christian Life Centre and Hills Christian Life Centre (now Hillsong Church) and Assemblies of God in Australia (now Australian Christian Churches) to allegations of child sexual abuse made against William Francis “Frank” Houston.
2. The response of the Northside Christian College and the Northside Christian Centre (now Encompass Church) in Bundoora, Victoria and Assemblies of God in Australia (now Australian Christian Churches) to allegations of child sexual abuse made against former teacher Kenneth Sandilands.
3. The response of Australian Christian Churches to allegations of child sexual abuse made against Jonathan Baldwin.
4. The systems, policies, practices and procedures for the reporting of and responding to allegations of child sexual abuse of:
   
   1. Australian Christian Churches;
   2. Hillsong Church; and
   3. Northside Christian College and Encompass Church.
5. Any other related matters.