Disgraced Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz, 42, is seen for the first time since 'spending the Holidays in rehab' for 'depression' after he was fired from megachurch for sexual misconduct Disgraced Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz, 42, heads out with his wife

 Former Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz has been spotted for the first time since finishing his 30-day stint in rehab, where he spent Christmas and New Years Day, cozying up with his wife while running errands in California

The ousted megachurch leader, 42, who is known to be close friends with celebrities like Justin Bieber, looked a little worse for wear with his hair grown out as he headed out to Target in Redondo Beach with his Australian wife Laura for an early morning errand run on Sunday. 

Laura, who he married in 2003 and with whom he shares three kids, was seen wearing her wedding band on her finger and her arm around Carl's for the outing.   

The couple has put on a united front since Carl, who worked with Hillsong for 10 years and was the head pastor of its New York City chapter, was fired in November for having an affair and he admitted to cheating on his wife. 

Former Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz has been spotted for the first time since finishing his 30-day stint in rehab, where he spent Christmas and New Years Day, cozying up with his wife while running errands in California on Sunday

Former Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz has been spotted for the first time since finishing his 30-day stint in rehab, where he spent Christmas and New Years Day, cozying up with his wife while running errands in California on Sunday

The ousted megachurch leader, 42, who is known to be close friends with celebrities like Justin Bieber, looked a little worse for wear with his hair grown out as he headed out to Target in Redondo Beach
He was pictured for the first time since leaving rehab

The ousted megachurch leader, 42, who is known to be close friends with celebrities like Justin Bieber, looked a little worse for wear with his hair grown out as he headed out to Target in Redondo Beach with his Australian wife Laura for an early morning errand run Sunday

Putting on a united front: Laura, with whom Carl shares three kids, was seen with her wedding band on her finger and her arm around Carl's for the outing

Putting on a united front: Laura, with whom Carl shares three kids, was seen with her wedding band on her finger and her arm around Carl's for the outing

Moving forward together: After Carl was fired the family left New York and moved to California

Moving forward together: After Carl was fired the family left New York and moved to California

In early December Carl entered a treatment program to treat mental health issues following his firing, at an outpatient facility that specialized in 'depression, anxiety and pastoral burnout,' according to People Magazine

'He wants to be better for his family and is dedicated to doing the work,' a source said to the magazine at the time. 'His family is supporting him and hopes their privacy will be respected on this journey.'

They added: 'He has no ill will towards the church and recognizes that they needed to take some course of action to address his missteps.' 

During his 10 years with Hillsong, Lentz adopted a hip manner of dress and fostered friendships with young celebrities to help boost the church's image, even as he publicly said that homosexuality and abortion were sins.

But a statement from Hillsong founder Brian Houston on November 4 announced he had been removed form his post over 'ongoing discussions in relation to leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.' 

'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,' the statement continued. 'In terminating his tenure, we in no way want to diminish the good work he did here.'


All eyes on her:  Though Carl never said who his affair was with, New York City designer Ranin Karim, 34, went public days after the scandal broke claiming she ended their months-long secret relationship in early November

All eyes on her:  Though Carl never said who his affair was with, New York City designer Ranin Karim, 34, went public days after the scandal broke claiming she ended their months-long secret relationship in early November 

Despite the infidelity, Lentz's wife Laura appears to be sticking with him, and his family is reportedly supportive.

Despite the infidelity, Lentz's wife Laura appears to be sticking with him, and his family is reportedly supportive.

In early December Carl entered a treatment program to treat mental health issues following his firing, at an outpatient facility that specialized in 'depression, anxiety and pastoral burnout'
'He wants to be better for his family and is dedicated to doing the work,' a source said. 'His family is supporting him and hopes their privacy will be respected on this journey.'

In early December Carl entered a treatment program to treat mental health issues following his firing, at an outpatient facility that specialized in 'depression, anxiety and pastoral burnout'. 'He wants to be better for his family and is dedicated to doing the work,' a source said. 'His family is supporting him and hopes their privacy will be respected on this journey.'

Hillsong founder Brian Houston on November 4 announced Carl had been removed from his post over 'ongoing discussions in relation to leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.' It's not clear what Carl will do next following his high-profile firing

Hillsong founder Brian Houston on November 4 announced Carl had been removed from his post over 'ongoing discussions in relation to leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.' It's not clear what Carl will do next following his high-profile firing

Carl had worked for Hillsong for 10 years before he was asked. Laura had grown up in the church and too was removed from working there

Carl had worked for Hillsong for 10 years before he was asked. Laura had grown up in the church and too was removed from working there

Before rehab: Carl pictured taking a break in fitness clothes after moving into his Manhattan Beach mansion in November

Before rehab: Carl pictured taking a break in fitness clothes after moving into his Manhattan Beach mansion in November

Lentz was the pastor of Hillsong's New York branch, though he appears to spend plenty of time on the West Coast as well.

The scandal appears to have impacted his relationship with Bieber and his wife Hailey, as both unfollowed him on Instagram after having spent extensive time with him.

Last year, Lentz baptized Bieber and even presided over his wedding. 

In December, DailyMail.com exclusively reported on audio of Houston addressing church leaders and top donors in which he claimed Lentz had 'more than one affair' leading up to his firing.

He called them 'significant' and added that some 'bad moral behavior had gone back historically,' though he wasn't referring to these recent affairs, which were apparently consensual.

Lentz's Instagram post where he confessed to cheating on his wife of 17 years Laura

Lentz's Instagram post where he confessed to cheating on his wife of 17 years Laura

Playing the part: Lentz adopted a hip style of dress and surrounded himself with celebrities like Justin Bieber, though he publicly called homosexuality and abortion a sin; seen in 2017

Playing the part: Lentz adopted a hip style of dress and surrounded himself with celebrities like Justin Bieber, though he publicly called homosexuality and abortion a sin; seen in 2017

Multiple women: Lentz was the pastor at Hillsong's New York branch for 10 years before being fired. In private recordings, Hillsong's founder said he carried on multiple affairs

Multiple women: Lentz was the pastor at Hillsong's New York branch for 10 years before being fired. In private recordings, Hillsong's founder said he carried on multiple affairs

Shortly after the scandal broke, New York City–based designer Ranin Karim claimed that she had carried on a months-long affair with him.

The Egyptian and Palestinian designer says the relationship began after a chance meeting in New York's Domino Park. Karim said the pair had begun their 'love story' against the backdrop of Covid-19 and found comfort in each other during the strange time.

The 34-year-old claimed Lentz would 'brag about his BMW' and talk about his friendship with pop star Justin Bieber.

Lentz had baptised Bieber at the church and also brushed shoulders with other celebrities along the likes of Drake, Vanessa Hudgens, and various NBA stars.

According to her, Lentz only ever gave his first name and claimed to be a sports agent.

When Karim found out Lentz was married, she claims she told him to end their fling.

'When I found out he was married, I told him repeatedly 'go back to your wife, go back to your family,' but he kept turning up in the lobby of my apartment block with bottles of Clase Azul tequila for us to drink,' she claimed.

'He said he felt bad for what he was doing to his wife, that she was an amazing, good woman, that he had never done it before but his marriage wasn't perfect.'

Karim believes Lentz was looking for a way out of his 'boring' marriage.

Lentz's wife, Laura, uncovered the affair because Lentz had synced his iPhone messages to his iCloud. She discovered messages from Karim to him on his work computer while in the Hillsong offices, surrounded by co-workers.

Despite the alleged affairs, Lentz's wife Laura appears to be sticking with him, and his family is reportedly supportive.    

Disgraced Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz, 42, is seen for the first time since 'spending the Holidays in rehab' for 'depression' after he was fired from megachurch for sexual misconduct Disgraced Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz, 42, heads out with his wife Disgraced Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz, 42, is seen for the first time since 'spending the Holidays in rehab' for 'depression' after he was fired from megachurch for sexual misconduct Disgraced Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz, 42, heads out with his wife Reviewed by Your Destination on January 11, 2021 Rating: 5

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