The Truth About Justin Bieber’s Relationship With Hillsong Church

Justin Bieber is making headlines, and it’s not because of his music. The Grammy award-winning singer took to Instagram to clear up rumors about his connection to Hillsong Church, the Christian mega-church with over 28 locations across the globe that has hosted visitors such as Vannessa Hudgens, Kevin Durant and Chris Pratt (via Us Weekly and Refinery29).

The “Lonely” singer posted on his Instagram stories to squash rumors that he was planning on taking over the popular church after his former friend, Pastor Carl Lentz, was fired (via Refinery29). His post read: “I’M NOT STUDYING TO BE A MINISTER OR ANYTHING EVEN CLOSE TO THAT. HAVE NO DESIRE FOR THAT,” the Canadian pop star wrote (via Entertainment Tonight). “BTW HILLSONG IS NOT MY CHURCH. FOR CLARITY I AM A PART OF CHURCHOME.”

Churchome is a Christian-affiliated congregation with locations throughout California and Washington with famous members including Kourtney Kardashian, Ciara and Russell Wilson. Bieber continued in his Instagram Story, writing (via ET), “Church is not a place. We are the church,” he wrote in a separate Instagram Story (via Us Weekly). “We don’t need a building to connect with god. God is with us wherever we are.”

Hillsong Church played a significant role in Justin and Hailey Bieber's relationship

So who is Carl Lentz and how close is he to Justin Bieber? Well, the former pastor reportedly played a large part in Justin’s religious journey. Justin even moved into Lentz’s family home in 2014 “for a month and a half, and they worked through stuff,” according to GQ. Lentz told the magazine in a 2015 interview, “This boy is 21. He’s in a horribly toxic world. He is trying to do his best to figure this out. He has never been anybody but who he has professed to be, which is a work in progress.” Wentz supposedly also helped Justin through his breakup with ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez, who he dated on and off from 2010-2018. According to TMZ, the pair had a falling out some time in 2018.

For Justin and wife Hailey Bieber, Hillsong was a constant in their relationship for quite some time, with the two being spotted attending services together as early as 2014. In a 2020 interview with Elle, Hailey said, “Being able to share that with each other — to have that bond of faith and spirituality—is so [critical] for us. It’s the most important part of our relationship, following Jesus together, being a part of the church community together. It’s everything.”

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