Carl Lentz is an American pastor. He gained popularity for being linked with celebrities, including Justin Bieber. Until 2020, he served as the lead pastor of Hillsong Church New York. However, he got fired from that role.
Biography
Stephen Carl Lentz, born on November 6, 1978, is a well-known American pastor, author, and entrepreneur.
Originally from Virginia Beach, Carl attended Frank W. Cox High School, where he played basketball. After high school, he became a walk-on player for the basketball team at North Carolina State.
Despite not being particularly religious during his upbringing, Carl attended a Baptist church. One evening, at his parents’ suggestion, he went to church to meet Steve, the pastor of Hillsong Church, who was a guest. The service had a profound impact on him, leading him to enroll at Virginia Wesleyan for his sophomore year.
While he initially joined the Hillsong International Leadership College in Australia, the rapid changes in his life became overwhelming. He returned to the United States and attended a Bible college in California, where he got his first tattoo—a sword on fire—near Sunset Boulevard.
A year later, he went back to Australia to complete his Bible studies and encountered his future wife, Laura.
Age
Carl Lentz was born on the 6th of November 1978.
Family Life
During his time at Hillsong College, Carl met Laura, another pastor, and they eventually got married. Both Carl and Laura have a strong and dedicated faith in Jesus. They are enthusiastic about spreading the good news in a way that resonates with a generation searching for something greater than themselves.
As of the time of this publication, three of Carl and Laura’s children are under the age of seven.
Education
From 1998 to 2000, he went to North Carolina State University. Later, as an adult, Carl moved to Los Angeles to attend The King’s College and Seminary. After that, he studied at Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney, Australia, affiliated with Hillsong Church.
While still in college at the age of 20, Joel Houston, the son of Hillsong founder Brian Houston, suggested the idea of starting a Hillsong Church campus in New York City.
After earning his theology degree in 2003, he returned to Virginia Beach. There, he became ordained and began working with young people.
Ministry
In 2010, Lentz played a key role in establishing Hillsong NYC in New York City. He performed the baptism for Justin Bieber and also attended Kevin Durant’s baptism. Lentz formed friendships with several other well-known personalities.
His association with Justin Bieber brought him significant fame, leading to appearances on Kourtney Kardashian’s Instagram and an interview with Oprah Winfrey. He was part of a circle that included Rich Wilkerson Jr., the pastor who officiated Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s wedding.
Known for his distinctive style, Lentz sported tattoos, edgy glasses, and a fashionable wardrobe. His attire, described as a “uniform” by Women’s Wear Daily, often included a Saint Laurent leather jacket, ripped jeans, a low-cut T-shirt, and a Rolex. His unique style influenced the dress code at Hillsong, with pastors and staff gradually adopting a similar fashion sense and even imitating his Southern-inflected accent.
Carl Lentz Affair & Scandal
On November 4, Hillsong founder Brian Houston sent an email to the congregation, announcing the dismissal of Mr. Lentz due to leadership challenges, breaches of trust, and recent moral shortcomings.
After the news broke, Mr. Lentz admitted to infidelity in his marriage, the most important relationship, to his nearly 700,000 Instagram followers.
On May 31, 2021, Leona Kimes accused Carl of manipulation, control, bullying, misuse of authority, and sexual assault. She served as the family’s babysitter, and the assaults allegedly occurred between 2011 and 2017.
Following the scandal, Carl Lentz took a lengthy break from ministry and social media. However, in May 2023, he returned, sharing a post about self-reflection and seeking guidance from mentors. He acknowledged the need to take responsibility for his actions, committing to personal growth and healing. He also announced the premiere of a docuseries.
Titled “The Secrets of Hillsong,” the four-part docuseries, based on an investigative series by Vanity Fair, premieres on May 19 on FX. It includes the first interviews with the Lentzes since the cheating scandal and features accounts from ex-congregants accusing the church of various issues, from discrimination and graft to sexual abuse.
Net Worth
We don’t know exactly how much Mr. Lentz is worth right now. However, in 2020, some sources suggested that Carl’s worth was around $700,000 to $800,000 USD.
Social Media
You can find Carl Lent on the following social media platforms:
- Instagram:Â @carllentz
- Twitter:Â @carllentzNYC
