Ex-Hillsong pastor denies assault charges

Motivational speaker and former Hillsong preacher Pasquale "Pat" Mesiti will fight allegations he attacked his wife on New Year's Eve.

The 56-year-old, who describes himself on his website as an "income acceleration coach" whose goal is to help create 10,000 millionaires, did not appear in Sydney's Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday when the case came before a magistrate for the first time.

Mesiti has been charged with two domestic violence offences, common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, both of which were allegedly committed against his wife Andrea in the northwest suburb of Glenhaven between 10pm on December 30 and 10.35pm on December 31.

He has entered a plea of not guilty on both counts.

Mesiti is due back in court next month, but in the meantime must comply with an interim protection order that prevents him from approaching Andrea Mesiti within 12 hours of consuming alcohol or illicit drugs.

The former evangelical preacher, who lives in Kellyville Ridge in Sydney's affluent Hills district, has penned a number of self-help books including Staying Together Without Falling Apart, billed as a definitive guide to helping men and women "thrive together in a modern day relationship".