Hillsong Church is back in the news after reports broke that its most well-known, celebrity-friendly pastor, Carl Lentz, was fired over “moral failings” (i.e., being unfaithful to his wife).
“Today Hillsong Church East Coast advised our congregation that we have terminated the employment of Pastor Carl Lentz,” founder Brian Houston said in a statement on November 5, per People. “This action was not taken lightly and was done in the best interests of everyone, including Pastor Carl.”
Houston continued, “While I have no doubt that this is the right course of action, I must mention Bobbie’s and my personal sadness, as we have known Laura [Lentz’s wife] her entire life and Carl for well over 20 years. We thank Pastors Carl and Laura for the way they have served faithfully and sacrificially since the start of Hillsong NYC and for contributing so significantly to the countless lives that have been transformed for Jesus Christ through this ministry. They have a heart for people and we are confident that after a time of rest and restoration, God will use Carl in another way outside of Hillsong Church. In terminating his tenure, we in no way want to diminish the good work he did here.”
Part of that good work is undoubtedly helping put Hillsong Church on the map by bringing A-list celebrities like Justin Bieber, Hailey Baldwin, Kevin Durant, and more into the fold. “People say we cater to celebrities,” Lentz told GQ back in 2015. “And I say, yes, we do. Celebrities deserve a relationship with God. Celebrities deserve a place to pray.”
Throughout the years the church has attracted a slew of big-name members and visitors—as well as its fair share of controversy. You might remember Chris Pratt defending Hillsong after Ellen Page called him out for belonging to an allegedly anti-LGBTQ church? Yeah, that's this church.
But Pratt, Bieber, Baldwin, and Durant have had a lot of celebrity company in the pews of Hillsong. From Selena Gomez to Vanessa Hudgens, here are all the celebs who have reportedly attended the church in the past or present.
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After being called out by Page for his connection to Hillsong, Pratt posted a long message on Instagram Stories in defense of the church. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” he wrote at the time. “I go to a church that opens their doors to absolutely everyone.”
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Kardashian has reportedly been spotted at Hillsong on multiple occasions, even attending once with Travis Barker.
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“They really focus on you having your own personal relationship with Jesus, which is wonderful,” Hudgens told the New York Times.
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Back in 2012, a fan snapped a pick with Jonas while attending a service.
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Rumors swirled of a romance between Steinfeld and Bieber back in 2017. At the time, TMZ reported that they met through church and were introduced by Lentz.
According to a GQ profile of the church, even U2 front man Bono has also attended Hillsong.
