What is Carl Lentz's net worth? Sacked Hillsong pastor's wife Laura says 'trolls are cowards' after sex scandal
The wife of former Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz marked her 18th wedding anniversary with her husband by breaking her silence for the first time since her husband's cheating scandal.
Carl Lentz married his wife Laura in 2003 whom the pastor met three years ago at Leadership College in Australia. On Wednesday, May 5, she posted a picture of a blue sky and several palm trees with an extensive caption on Instagram. Although she did not explicitly reference Carl's scandal, which made headlines in November, the insinuation was hard to miss, especially as she talked about the amount of online trolling she had to go through.
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'Trolls are cowards'
"I have looked at these palm trees every day for the past few months and there are many symbolic meanings to these amazing trees," Laura wrote. "A few that have resonated with me during this season of my life: they are strong, can weather the biggest storms, they always grow upwards. Freedom, righteousness, reward, resurrection just to name a few…"
The mother of three also explained that she went on a hiatus from social media over the past few months because it was "not good for [her] soul." she also added that she had to block and delete the comments of innumerable users from her posts. "Trolls are cowards, SOME 'Christians' are anything but kind, gracious, or loving…but that won't stop me from growing upwards & getting stronger," she wrote. "I have learnt a lot about myself over the past few months. Now more than ever I know the kindness of God, His grace, forgiveness & strength."
However, she was grateful for allies who stood by her side during the trying times. "I have found true friendships- the ones who have been with me on the mountaintops are the same ones who are with me during my darkest valley!! I will not forget who abandoned us, but I choose to keep my heart free of bitterness & remain thankful for those that have stayed & loved us. I don’t want to judge others nor do I want to be judged.." she said.
Laura concluded her note with a quote from a friend who had stuck with her in recent months: "I would rather be accused of being too gracious toward someone, over being accused of judging someone too harshly. I want to be known as a woman who sees the good in people & truly loves people unconditionally," she wrote, adding the hashtags, "You Can Only Change You," "Love Wins" and "Grow Upwards."
Carl Lentz net worth
Carl Lentz who started the New York Chapter of the global megachurch Hillsong in 2010 along with Joel Houston has a net worth of $2.5 million. He soon became popular in the church as he brought several high-profile celebrities into the church. His clientele includes celebrities like Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Selena Gomez, Chris Pratt, and Katherine Schwarzenegger, Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler, Nick Jonas, Hailee Steinfeld and Bono, and many more.
He has also been credited with being pop star Justin Bieber’s spiritual guide in the past. When the 27-year-old pop star was going through a difficult phase in his life, post his break up with Selena Gomez, he took Carl as a spiritual guru. The pastor even baptized Bieber in 2014 in a bathtub of NBA player Tyson Chandler so that Bieber can re-commit to God.
Carl was fired by Hillsong leader Brian Houston for “moral failings." “Today Hillsong Church East Coast advised our congregation that we have terminated the employment of Pastor Carl Lentz. This action was not taken lightly and was done in the best interests of everyone, including Pastor Carl," Houston informed members of the church about Lentz’s firing through an email.
The real reason for his termination was revealed by Carl himself in a statement he made on Instagram. The pastor revealed that he is guilty of infidelity as he expressed remorse for his actions. His Instagram post at the time read: “I was unfaithful in my marriage, the most important relationship in my life. This failure is on me, and me alone and I take full responsibility for my actions. I now begin a journey of rebuilding trust with my wife.”