Hillsong pastor who baptized Justin Bieber is fired from the mega-church

A high-ranking pastor at the celebrity-loved Hillsong mega-church was sensationally fired for alleged "breaches of trust" and "moral failings" – six years after baptizing his close friend Justin Bieber.

41-year-old Carl Lentz, who co-founded the New York branch of the Australian Church in 2010, has been fired by the organization's head Brian Houston, Hillsong confirmed in a statement released Wednesday.

"This action was taken following ongoing discussions about leadership issues and breaches of trust, and following a recent exposure of moral faults," said Houston. However, he claimed it was "inappropriate" to share further details about Lentz's alleged criminal offenses.

Mr. Houston added that this practice "was not carried out lightly and in the best interests of all, including Pastor Carl."

The 41-year-old, pictured with his Australian wife Laura, was charged with “breaches of trust” and “moral failure” in a Church statement

Lentz is said to have met Bieber back in 2008 when the pop star was only 14 years old, and the two formed a close friendship, with Lentz acting as a mentor for the singer

Lentz, who baptized Bieber in 2014, dropped out of university and attended a seminar in California before moving to Australia.

He enrolled in a Hillsong leadership course where he met his Australian wife, Laura. The couple have three children together.

The 41-year-old has become a Hillsong star himself with more than 678,000 Instagram followers, including Drake and NBA stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Lentz had a backlash earlier this year when he ignored large congregation boundaries to allow 200 entry into New York Church. He tested positive for COVID-19 in March.

Hillsong was made public when Justin Bieber was baptized Tyson Chandler by Lentz in a bath owned by an NBA player in 2014.

It played a central role in transforming his image from a partying man of women into a clear Christian devotee.

His wife, Hailey Baldwin, is also a believer and is often seen together in church.

Bieber and Lentz were inseparable during a trip to Australia in 2017, where they were spotted brunch together in swanky Sydney restaurants while the pop star was on tour

Lentz is now the father of three children and has described their relationship in the past as "regular friends who talk all the time". Pictured with rapper Lil Wayne

Hillsong founder Brian Houston (pictured) said it was "inappropriate" to give details of the events that led to the Church's decision

Other famous faces have followed suit, including Chris Pratt, Selena Gomez, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, and Kourtney Kardashian.

Bieber and Lentz were inseparable during a trip to Australia in 2017, where they were spotted brunch together in swanky Sydney restaurants while the pop star was on tour.

In an interview with the US edition of GQ in 2015, Lentz documented the moment when Bieber went down on his knees, "devastated by loss" and sobbed: "I want to get to know Jesus".

According to the magazine's report, the baptism ended with Bieber "wet and sobbing against Pastor Carl's chest … reborn".

The incredible moment seems to have cemented a close friendship between the two.

Lentz documented the moment when Bieber went down on his knees, "devastated by loss" and sobbed: "I want to get to know Jesus". Pictured with Lentz & # 39; son

Bieber's wife, Hailey Baldwin, is also a believer and is often seen together in church

Lentz has said that they first met when Bieber was a star back in 2008 when he was only 14 years old.

Lentz is now the father of three children and has described their relationship in the past as "regular friends who talk all the time".

He was quoted as saying, “When he's with me, he rolls with me.

"He's like a member of our team … He fits like a piece of furniture."

Lentz opened the New York branch of his church in 2011. He became known in the local media as a "rock star preacher" and also for introducing an alkali-based diet and fitness program.