There are few people in the world right now who have a closer bond and relationship with Justin Bieber than Carl Lentz. Carl Lentz is the head of the New York branch of the famous Hillsong Church, the Christian organization that's been attracting tons of celebrities and normal folk alike to their sermons, which are more like rock concerts than your typical church event. Carl Lentz is a huge part of why the church has been so successful. With his signature look of ripped skinny jeans and a leather jacket, Carl Lentz is the perfect figurehead for attracting young and eager youths into the church, for better or for worse. And his relationships with celebrities definitely don't hurt his appeal, either.

Justin Bieber and Carl Lentz have been spotted countless times out and about together, shopping for new clothes or partying in bars while laughing. Justin Bieber seems totally at ease with Carl Lentz, and he might just be one of the few people he really trusts, deep down. The nature of their relationship has been the subject of much debate in the media world. Some question just how close their relationship is. It is just a bond between a man and his student? Or is it something much deeper? What's clear is that these close friends seemed joined at the hip, and the truth is that there's much more than meets the eye.

He's The Senior Pastor At Hillsong Church New York

If you've ever heard of Carl Lentz, you've probably heard of the Hillsong Church. The two are pretty much interchangeable, with one representing the other. In an article by NJ, it is revealed that Carl Lentz is not only one of Hillsong Church's most prominent and famous members, but also the head of the entire New York branch of the church. NJ reports that the Hillsong church has sermons every Sunday at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair and the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. And more often than not, Carl Lentz plays a major role in these sermons, getting up on stage and speaking to the entire audience.

NJ reports that the crowd is made up mostly of people in their twenties, and they're all dressed in a way that you wouldn't expect from "typical" church-going folk. In fact, it looks more like a concert.

More on that later. Although Lentz represents the American presence of the Hillsong Church perhaps better than anyone else in the world, he and the organization he represents have not gone without criticism. Some accuse him of running an unseemly organization. But Carl Lentz once admitted to NJ that he even gets criticism from other Christians. He said, "There's always going to be criticism from within that's going to be more frustrating, problematic, annoying than from outside. That's just classic Christian faith stuff. It was happening when Jesus was walking the Earth, and it will always happen."

He's Passionate About Fashion

One of the most striking things about Carl Lentz when you first lay eyes on him is that he definitely does not look like your average man of God, let alone a pastor. His signature look is some ripped skinny jeans, a black leather jacket, and a low cut t-shirt. He definitely has a hipster vibe going on, and that's probably why so many young people are attracted to his church and his organization.

As it turns out, Carl Lentz himself admits that his choice of style is not an accident – he knows that if he wears a priest outfit and preaches, he won't have the same effect on young people.

He once perfectly summed up his connection to fashion in an interview with WWD, saying: “Fashion in a city like this is a barrier. If I wear a priest collar and look like a typical man of God, there’s a price to that. There’s also a price to this, but I’m more willing to pay this one than that one.” Continuing, he stated, “If I’m preaching, I would like people to notice what I wear long enough to not notice it. So if you came in, you’d be like, ‘Cool, guy has a normal outfit on,’ and you forget. Too cool, people are thinking about it the whole time, like, ‘Man it’s almost extra.’ And then you go the other route, it says something about you as well.”

He Once Took A Selfie With Oprah

Carl Lentz has been in the media spotlight as of late, and because of his relationship with Justin Bieber and other huge celebrities, he's becoming one of the most sought after people in the world for interviews and guest appearances on talk shows. We all know that the general rule of thumb is that if you've appeared on Oprah, you're pretty much famous. Well, not too long ago Carl Lentz did just that, and even posed for a selfie with the famous media icon after his interview.

The selfie went viral, and it perfectly illustrated how in touch Carl Lentz is with the young people, even when meeting such a veteran in show business.

During the interview with Oprah Winfrey, Carl Lentz stated that he believes you don't need to be Christian to have a relationship with God. He was quoted by Pulpit & Pen as saying, "No, I believe that when Jesus said that 'I am the way, the truth, and the life,' the way I read that, Jesus said that he is the road marker, he is the map, so I think that God loves people so much, that whether they accept or reject him, he’s still gracious, and he’s still moving, and he’s still giving you massive red blinking lights, for chances to take a right turn when maybe you’d take a left, but I believe God loves people, and that’s what this whole gospel is based on, it’s love..."

He Wrote His Own Book

Despite being a well-known pastor and a celebrity in his own right through the Hillsong Church, Carl Lentz has many more talents than a cool fashion sense and an ability to make Christianity seem "cool." He's also starting to make a name for himself as a writer, having just released a book called "Own The Movement." It's a book which shares a lot of advice, and it's getting a pretty good reception.

He once told NJ, "I think the point of this book is to get people to go like, 'You're not going to get this life back; you have to do something now,'" Lentz says. "If you do that long enough, I think it leads to somewhere special. I speak, obviously, for a living; it's what I do. But writing something; you don't get it back. It's out there forever. It was cool to not have any sort of spin or anybody else's perspective." He also told US Weekly about the chapter of the book which he thinks contains the best advice. He said: "A lot of people have talked to me about a chapter I have about fear and what to do with fear because a lot of people deal with that, anxiety and fear. I think you can use it rather than it use you. So, which you’re scared of, or if you’re dealing with anxiety, you kind of run to it rather than try to hide from it. I think it can become something that becomes fuel."

Justin Bieber Once Lived With His Family

Justin Bieber has become very close with Carl Lentz and his entire family, that much is undeniable. He's even stayed over at his house before, bonding with the entire family. Carl Lentz was once quoted by NJ as saying: "[My daughters] have grown up with Justin. He's just this guy. It's normal for them."

There was a huge rumor that Justin Bieber stayed with Carl Lentz at his house for over 18 months. But as quoted by Global News, Carl Lentz says that rumor was false – Justin Bieber only stayed with him and his family for a period of about a month.

He stated, “Yeah, there was a period where he just needed to get out of dodge, his regular life, and lived with us. He’s got an amazing mom and dad but in this regard we thought maybe it would be cool for a little bit just to check out of the grind that you’re in as one of the biggest stars in the world and just be normal.” Speaking about what it was like to have Bieber around for so long, Global News also quoted him as saying, "We pulled it off for like two days and then the word got out and it was kind of annoying, but overall it was like a pretty special time. Yeah. Uno, card games, Bible studies and just sneaking into coffee shops in Jersey, just hanging out.”

He Thinks Justin Bieber Is Cool And Good Looking

In addition to staying over at Carl Lentz's house in order to avoid the paparazzi and live a normal life for a while, the pop singer seems to have really bonded with this pastor, and now they have a very close relationship with each other. Past articles have commented that the two seem "joined at the hip," and even seem to wear the same clothes as each other. It's clear that there is a very strong connection here, and Carl Lentz will be the first to tell you how much Justin Bieber means to him. Say what you will about their relationship, but Justin Bieber has seemed to benefit from a closer bond with Christianity and Carl Lentz, staying out of trouble for quite a while compared to just a little while ago, when he was involved in quite a few controversies.

Describing what the thinks of Justin Bieber's style, looks and appearance, Carl Lentz once told WWD, “I’m 38, so he’s much cooler and he’s so good looking that he can do so many things. I’m in a very small lane where it’s like ‘Bro, I can’t do that, I can’t wear that.’"

"But, yeah, we talk about it a lot. I mean, not a lot. I would say we talk about sports, we talk about Jesus, clothes, cool shoes. We might go to a store, but it would be included in the whole, like anybody else.”

Carl Lentz Apparently Helped Justin Bieber And Selena Gomez With Their Relationship

It's often hard to know whether or not Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber will ever work things out. But interestingly enough, it seems that Carl Lentz really made an effort to help this struggling couple in the past, according to a 2017 article by People. In an interview with ET Canada, he revealed how much he cared about Justin Bieber's relationship success, especially when it comes to his on and off romance with Selena Gomez. He admitted that he wants them to be together, saying, “I’m rooting for anybody I know to find somebody that makes them better.”

He continued by talking more specifically about Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, saying, “Do I want Justin to find somebody that’s gonna make him better, and have him, you know, live a fulfilled, fruitful life? Yes. Do I think Selena Gomez is amazing, and I’m hoping that she continues to thrive and flourish and be a legend? Absolutely."

"I think the object of serving somebody as a friend is to hear you first, try to figure out what you need the most… and fit into that. So it’s the same way that I would do it with any other friend. I’m not trying to get my point across or try to give heavy-handed advice; I think I’m trying to be a voice of reason when needed.”

He Is More Of A Friend To Justin Bieber Than Anything

In most articles about Carl Lentz, he's portrayed as Justin Bieber's personal pastor. The general insinuation seems to be that Carl Lentz's relationship with Bieber is based primarily on their mutual interest in Christianity, with their own personal friendship being a secondary factor in their bond. But as Carl Lentz himself reveals, it's actually the complete opposite. They've known each other for so long, and Carl Lentz sees himself as more of a friend to Bieber than a pastor. His comments about the star are, for the most part, describing what it's like to hang out with the guy, rather than what it's like to talk about god with the star. As Carl Lentz reveals, Justin Bieber has other people he can rely on for deep discussions about faith.

Carl Lentz is pretty much someone for Justin Bieber to talk to about normal things, and just hang out with.

As quoted by AOL, Carl Lentz once stated that despite the label that he's been given by the media, he's not actually Justin Bieber's pastor. According to the Hillsong pastor, that title is more befitting of a different pastor altogether. He stated, "I have a friend Judah Smith who has an amazing church in Seattle and L.A., and he's really more Justin's pastor than I am. Judah would have that title much more accurately than me."

He Was Spotted Partying With Bieber

As reported by Global News, one of the most controversial moments in his relationship with Justin Bieber was the time when he was caught partying with the star at a New Zealand bar. This was reportedly at the same time the two were attending a conference for the Hillsong Church, and a lot of people pointed out that it was rather strange for Justin Bieber to be partying with a guy who was supposed to be a good influence on the star, and a pastor to boot. The two seemed to be enjoying themselves and each other's company thoroughly, and it was all captured by the paparazzi.

Speaking about the incident, Carl Lentz defended himself and his actions without really revealing why he was drinking with Justin Bieber at the time. But his main message, as quoted by Global News, was that he didn't need to explain why. He stated, “There’s context to that, and I enjoy not giving it. I would say the bigger question for people to ask is, ‘What’s the issue?’ Is the issue drinking [...] That’s one topic. Is the issue me drinking with Justin? That’s another issue, so I always say which issue are you mad about? Is this about me? Is this about Justin? Believe the best, believe the worst. I’m gonna leave it with you.”

He Says That Justin Bieber Turned To Him On His Own, Without Any Help

Some have expressed concerns that Justin Bieber is being influenced too heavily by Carl Lentz and other members of the Hillsong Church, and they're pushing him in a direction that is not true to who Justin Bieber really is.

But as Carl Lentz tells the public time and time again, Justin Bieber is his own person and he alone is responsible for his decisions, both good and bad.

He once told NJ, "Justin Bieber makes his own decisions. People who don't know what a pastoral relationship is like, they would definitely speculate and wonder." He also told US Weekly in an interview that Justin Bieber is the only person responsible for his positive changes recently, and his move towards a new lifestyle. Carl Lentz also stated in an interview with US Weekly, "I think Justin has a really deep, mature relationship with Jesus. I don’t think my teaching or my preaching has made even remotely as big of an impact as his own desire and passion and love for Jesus. That’s how it should work. The primary change agent in somebody’s life, it shouldn’t be a person. It shouldn’t be a preacher. It should be God. I think all his changes are a credit to him and him allowing God to continue to use him. Nobody gets credit for that. [...] He’s done this. He’s worked really hard to put himself in a position to be the best Justin he can be and I’m proud of him and inspired by him."

He Says People Sneak In To See Justin Bieber

If Hillsong Church is an organization that attracts tons of celebrities, then you can definitely see why so many people want to go there. As Carl Lentz himself admits, some of the attendees at his sermons aren't even interested in Christianity or the Hillsong Church – they just want to get close to celebs such as Justin Bieber and the other big names that attend. And Carl Lentz has admitted that he sees these types of people all the time at his sermons.

He once told the New York Post, “If you’re at a certain level of celebrity and you feel like that person is safe, the word will get out. And that has happened with our church. And it’s happened [...] with people who are at the apex of their careers and one thing leads to another.” But at the same time, he says that dedicated members of the Hillsong Church are used to seeing people like Justin Bieber at the sermons, and don't make him feel uncomfortable. He stated in an interview with US Weekly, "They don’t even bat an eye because this is family. It’s only the weird fan people that make it odd and they sneak in here and there and those people. I feel compassion for them; they need to expand their world. I mean the last place you want to do is hound somebody in church."

There Were Claims That Justin Cancelled His Tour Because Of Carl Lentz

One of the most controversial moments of Justin Bieber's friendship with Carl Lentz was the pop singer cancelled his tour suddenly and without warning. This was last year, during his Purpose World Tour, and the star announced this move with an Instagram post that seemed like a cross between an apology and a statement of intent to change himself for the better.

The New York Post reveals that Justin Bieber stated he wanted to "build his character back up." In response, a lot of people accused Carl Lentz of influencing Justin Bieber and making him take a break.

But Carl Lentz denied this in a quote posted by the New York Post, saying, “Justin wrote a really beautiful piece of his heart on Instagram and it was too good. So people were like, ‘No way [...] let’s look around his life and see who might influence him.' I’m not a tour manager. I’m not a guy who would tell him what to do with his career. I speak when he needs wisdom and asks me for it.

He also stated that he thinks Justin Bieber made the right call by taking a break. He stated, “He’s 23. He’s got this giant life ahead of him. At the end of the day, if you feel like that right now, to take a break, do it,” he said. “We act like we get so sad when ­celebrities bottom out [...] but then when celebrities make good calls, we’re critical of them.”

He Met Justin Bieber When The Singer Was Just 13

For many people, Justin Bieber's relationship with Pastor Carl Lentz seems to have come out of nowhere. All of a sudden, this strange man was making headlines for being very close to Justin Bieber, and no one really understood how it all started. They seemed to know each other very well, and they were very comfortable around each other. But how did it all start? What caused them to form such a close bond and friendship? Well, according to Carl Lentz, they've known each other for ages and ages – even dating back to Justin Bieber's childhood, when he was just starting to make it big.

He once told ET Canada, “[I met Justin] when he was like 13, 14. He’s probably more like a family member to me than like, a guy that I know, ’cause I […] have seen his journey. He’s a really – he’s an awesome guy to be around.” This one quote definitely explains a lot when it comes to the relationship between these two. Right away, it's obvious that Carl Lentz has really witnessed Justin Bieber's evolution and transformation from a young age. It seems that because of their long friendship, Carl Lentz might understand Justin Bieber better than anybody else on Earth right now.

Carl Lentz Has Recruited Tons Of Other Celebs 

Probably the most notable thing about the Hillsong Church is the fact that it attracts so many celebrities. The New York Post claims that there are some huge names associated with the church, including Hailey Baldwin and Kendall Jenner, actresses Vanessa Hudgens and Hailee Steinfeld, singer Nick Jonas and NBA stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. It's interesting to note that Hillsong Church is probably popular because of the fact that celebrities are associated with it. But then why and how were celebrities attracted to the church in the first place?  Carl Lentz told NJ that while Hillsong Church attracts tons of normal, average people, it also draws in plenty of celebrities. He said, "Then there's the other side of it, which is once someone who is famous finds a safe place, they have friends. They have a world,"

He also told the New York Post that his sermons are like parties, and that he wants to invite celebrities to them: “Any good party, you’re going to invite friends to. That goes for famous people, too.” It might just be that the Hillsong Church naturally attracts celebrities because of its concert-like sermons, and the fact that celebrities are naturally drawn to scenes where there are lots of bright lights and fun things happening. The huge crowds probably don't hurt, either. After all, most celebrities want to be seen and heard by the world around them.

He Admits To Stealing Justin Bieber's Clothes

One of the things that people can't stop talking about is the fact that these two seem to dress almost identically. It's almost as if they plan out their outfits to match beforehand before they head out into the public spotlight. Carl Lentz is much older, but it seems as though he is taking some major style cues from the very trendy Justin Bieber, and he seems to be dressing like someone who is half his actual age. Not that it's a bad thing. Carl Lentz is probably learning a lot about fashion from Justin Bieber, who is very in touch with the young people.

One of the most hilarious quotes Carl Lentz ever gave to interviewers was one where he admitted to stealing some of Justin Bieber's clothes on occasion! He once told the New York Post that he has Justin Bieber to thank for his style... Sometimes he's stealing his looks, and other times he's literally stealing Justin Bieber's clothes! He admits: “Oh my goodness, it would be him keeping me wildly relevant. Once in a while, Justin will leave something cool at my house and I’ll steal it. He left his Supreme hat, which he doesn’t know he left, so I have that.”

He Works With Numerous NBA Teams

In addition to being a writer, a pastor, and now a celebrity, Carl Lentz is also a chaplain for a few NBA basketball teams. A chaplain is a representative of the church, usually attached to an organization. There are military chaplains, university chaplains, and yes, even some NBA teams have their own personal chaplains. The two NBA teams that Carl Lentz has worked with in the past are the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. As Bleacher Report states, Carl Lentz also has a strong background in college basketball, so he can understand basketball players better than most pastors can.

He also has close relationships with several basketball players. One example is Kevin Durant, who was quoted by News.com.au as saying, “He wants me to see the difference between who I am as a basketball player and who I am as a man. I believe in Jesus and he helped me realise what that’s all about. He’s a huge part of my life.” There are even rumors that Carl Lentz was behind NBA star Kyrie Irving's move away from the Cavaliers. But Lentz denied these allegations in an interview with NJ, saying, "Although I do have my basketball opinions, I don't share them with some of the best players to ever live. So I had nothing to do with that."

His Speeches Are More Like Concerts

So what exactly is the appeal of the Hillsong Church? Well, if you've ever been to one of their sermons or watched videos of them on YouTube, you can get a pretty clear idea as to why this unique Christian organization has been attracted so many people, especially the younger generations. As NJ reports, the sermons are more like concerts than your typical Sunday services, and there is a strong initiative to make them as fun and as young as possible. As NJ reports, a Christian rock band plays live music throughout the entire sermon. The speakers who come on stage, including Carl Lentz, speaks to the audience in the same way that a singer does in between songs.

NJ reports that Carl Lentz is a great speaker, talking low into the mic and "exuding confidence." It's clear that he is a very charismatic personality, and he's probably a huge reason why so many people have been drawn into the church in the first place. The church's location also plays a role in attracting young people, but also celebrities. Because the sermons are like concerts, it's a naturally appealing prospect not only for young people who attend concerts, but also all those celebrities who actually perform in concerts. One thing's for sure. Carl Lentz really knows how to attract the right people.

The Hillsong Church Has Some Interesting History

Despite the glamour of Hillsong Church, you can't deny that it has some pretty questionable things in its past. It all started in Australia, founded by a guy called Frank Houston. But as the New York Post reports, there have been some serious controversies regarding the origins of the church. They claim in a 2018 article that Frank Houston confessed in 1999 to abuse. Frank's son tried to keep it under wraps for several years, until making a statement. He said, “I think whatever frustrations he had, he took out on [others]." The New York Post claims this is evidence of the church's confusing stance on gay people.

As quoted by the New York Post, Tanya Levin, an ex-member of the Hillsong Church, says that Carl was always meant to be the leader of the US branch of Hillsong Church. She said in a book she wrote that Carl was handpicked by Brian Houston, the son of the founder of the original Hillsong Church in Australia: “Carl was groomed for the role [of lead pastor]. Brian needed someone who is very charismatic [to take the pulpit in America]. [The Hillsong leaders] are redefining what church means. And it means happy images and beautiful people and well-dressed people.”

References: nj.com, nypost.com, people.com, etcanada.com, aol.com, usmagazine.com, globalnews.ca, wwd.com, pulpitandpen.org