Aodhán King Opens Up About What Happened To Hillsong Young & Free

Aodhán King Opens Up About What Happened To Hillsong Young & Free. The future of Hillsong Young & Free, the high-energy youth worship collective that once captivated young Christians across the globe, remains uncertain as the group continues an indefinite hiatus following the controversies that shook Hillsong Church in the early 2020s.

In a recent reflection, founding member and former frontman Aodhán King offered an honest look at how the group’s momentum gradually slowed, revealing how ambitious plans were overtaken by a series of unexpected challenges that included global disruption, personal life transitions, and institutional turmoil.

According to King, conversations had already begun in 2019 about expanding the collective’s reach beyond its existing framework. Members were exploring ways to grow as a ministry and step into a more independent role.

“We started talking around 2019 about how we could branch out more as a ministry,” King explained. “The conversations were really fruitful. It felt like we had the blessing to go and do what we felt Young & Free needed to do.”

The collective entered 2020 with bold expectations. A full calendar of tours, events, and creative projects promised to mark a defining year for the group. Those plans were quickly halted when the global outbreak of COVID-19 brought live gatherings around the world to a standstill. Like many artists, the band initially shifted its focus toward writing and recording music during lockdowns.

Soon after, a deeper wave of disruption arrived as scandals within Hillsong Church began dominating headlines. Among the most high-profile developments was the dismissal of pastor Carl Lentz following personal moral failures, a moment that triggered wider scrutiny of the church’s leadership and internal culture. The fallout led to sweeping structural changes and large-scale staff layoffs that impacted hundreds of employees, including many connected to the church’s creative and music departments.

King said the ripple effects touched each member of the group differently. For many, the sudden pause forced a period of reflection and reevaluation.

“It was interesting to see how everyone processed it,” he shared. “A lot of the guys in the band experienced it in their own ways.”

After years of constant touring and ministry commitments, the unexpected time at home allowed life to unfold in new ways. Several members began focusing on family life and personal milestones that had long been postponed.

“People started having kids,” King noted. “These guys had spent about ten years on the road. Suddenly, they were home with their wives for an extended time.”

The shift also led many members to explore entirely new professional paths. Keyboardist Jack pursued aviation and now works as a pilot for Qantas. Bassist Tom Furby moved into the technology sector, where he now leads an IT department at a company full-time. Vocalist and worship leader Melody relocated to London to focus on songwriting as her main career.

Looking back, King acknowledged that the season naturally pushed everyone in different directions.

“Everyone just had to move on,” he said.

Most of the collective’s last major releases came before the controversies that reshaped the church’s global operations. Activity from the group has been largely quiet since the early 2020s. Leadership changes within Hillsong’s global structure in 2023, and King’s confirmation in 2025 that he had stepped away from Young & Free, further signalled the group’s dormancy.

Even so, the music created by Hillsong Young & Free continues to echo through youth gatherings and worship services around the world, reminding listeners of the movement’s original spirit.

As Hillsong Church continues its process of rebuilding amid a reduced global presence, the story of Young & Free reflects a broader moment of transition. What began as a passionate youth movement with global ambitions ultimately evolved into a narrative shaped by crisis, personal growth, and the realities of institutional change.

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