Eleventh hour twist in Hillsong lawsuit after parishioner Anna Crenshaw accused church worker of fondling her bottom

A settlement between Hillsong Church and a female parishioner in a lawsuit over her indecent assault at the hands of a church employee has been scrapped at the last minute.

The civil case relates to the indecent assault of Anna Crenshaw by church staffer Jason Mays when she was 18 years old.

In a statement of claim, Ms Crenshaw said she was 'sexually assaulted by (Mays) whilst (Mays) was an employee of (Hillsong) and in his capacity as a worship leader'.

She alleged she had suffered harm, injury, and loss as a result of the church's negligence and breach of contract.

In the Penrith Local Court in January 2020, Mays pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault.

He was sentenced to a two-year conditional release order and no conviction was recorded.

In its defence filed with the court, Hillsong denied it had acted negligently towards Ms Crenshaw.

A settlement was reached between the parties on April 29, the day the week-long civil hearing was due to start in the NSW Supreme Court.

However, Ms Crenshaw's lawyer said the settlement 'has not been forthcoming due to a disagreement between the parties.'

The hearing will go ahead later this year, the court was told.

Justice Robertson Wright adjourned the matter to May 13 to set a date for the hearing.

Ms Crenshaw is claiming damages, aggravated damages and exemplary damages in her lawsuit against the church.

She came to Australia to study a Bachelor of Theology at Hillsong College and began attending Hillsong Church services.

According to court documents, the indecent assault occurred in April or May, 2016, at the house of another Hillsong member, where she was present with Mays and other students.

In her statement of claim, Ms Crenshaw said Mays 'put his right hand on the inside' of her left thigh.

And when she stood to leave, she said that he wrapped his arms around her upper leg and began kissing her exposed stomach.

In the court documents she said Mays left 'his hand between her inner thigh and fondling her bottom and vagina.'

She said he repeatedly said 'no, don't go'.

Mays, in his defence, denied 'the allegation that he fondled (Ms Crenshaw's) bottom and vagina'.

Hillsong, in its defence, denied Mays 'was acting in any capacity relating to his paid employment or volunteer duties with Hillsong' at the house.