

Lentz also baptized Bieber, who, for his part, did a lot to raise the star power of Hillsong: Bieber attended the church with his ex Selena Gomez, rumored ex Hailee Steinfeld, and wife Hailey Baldwin Bieber. Justin Bieber was famously close with Lentz, even briefly moving in with the pastor in 2014. Which celebs have been linked to Hillsong over the years? Former Hillsong pastor Brian Houston stated in 2015 that gay people cannot take active leadership roles, noting that the church welcomes everyone to attend but does not “affirm all lifestyles.” Lentz previously called abortion “sinful.” According to the Daily Beast, LGBTQ+ congregants were allegedly referred to conversion therapy for years until the church distanced itself from the practice in 2011. Hillsong has additionally faced criticism for some of its conservative attitudes. The FX documentary also includes allegations of racial discrimination within the church from several Black women, as well as reporting about allegedly exploitative treatment of volunteers. He joins a list of Hillsong pastors that have resigned or been fired following accusations of sexually abusing young boys, concealing said abuse, breaching the church’s moral code, engaging in extramarital affairs, sexually abusing or raping women, bullying, evading taxes, and using church donations to fund lavish personal lifestyles.
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In November 2020, Lentz was fired for “leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.” Lentz, who was arguably Hillsong’s most famous American pastor, has confessed that he had cheated on his wife, Laura, with their family’s former nanny, Leona Kimes (though he has denied her allegations of sexual abuse and since claimed that he was sexually abused as a child). It’s possible that the figure has dropped, given that many locations have since closed - while the church once had 16 locations in the U.S., its site currently only lists six. However, the Hillsong press office clarified to the Times that the number is a pre-pandemic estimate. Celebrities deserve a place to pray.” The church’s site states that globally, an average of 150,000 people attend every week. Celebrities deserve a relationship with God. “People say we cater to celebrities,” Lentz told GQ in 2015. Famous attendees could reportedly reserve their spots in a special section. The New York Times once described Hillsong as the “leading edge of cool Christianity.” Services are known for feeling like a mix of a sermon and a pop concert - you may be familiar with their hit worship songs like “Shout to the Lord,” “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” and the Grammy-winning “What a Beautiful Name.” Lentz, former pastor for Hillsong NYC, wore brands like Gucci and Supreme while speaking to packed congregations. Founded in 1983 in Australia, Hillsong grew to become a megachurch with locations in 30 countries.
