Selena Gomez Parts Ways With Hillsong Church Amid Carl Lentz Cheating Scandal

Selena Gomez has separated from Hillsong Church amid pastor Carl Lentz’s cheating scandal. According to the sources, the singer does not want anything to do with Hillsong anymore.

The Rare Beauty founder had become bitterly disillusioned with the Pentecostal institution after Carl’s affair with designer Ranin Karim, according to The Daily Telegraph. Her split with Justin Bieber also played a factor in contributing to her decision to part ways with the church.

She was also said to have a withered relationship with church founders Brian Houston who asked Carl and his wife to leave after the scandal. “At one stage she adored Carl … she, Brian, his daughter Laura and Justin were a team, really close, she used to hang out with Brian’s daughter-in-law Esther, now she doesn’t want anything to do with Hillsong anymore,” a source told the outlet.

According to the source, Selena considered herself a Christian and that she has a close relationship with God. She also believed this is not how God wanted them to operate as she is said to be disillusioned. The source also noted that the singer does not identify with Hillsong any longer.

Carl was said to be entering an outpatient facility for treatment for “depression, anxiety, and pastoral burnout.” According to sources, Carl wants to be better for his family. “He wants to be better for his family and is dedicated to doing the work,” the source told the outlet. “His family is supporting him and hopes their privacy will be respected on this journey.”

“In terminating his tenure, we in no way want to diminish the good work he did here.”

The source also revealed that Carl has no ill will towards the church and recognizes that they needed to take action to address his mistakes. In a statement, it was revealed that he had broken ties with the church amid ongoing discussions in relation to leadership issues and breaches of trust. The recent revelation of moral failures was a big part in the decision.

‘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,” he said in the statement. “In terminating his tenure, we in no way want to diminish the good work he did here.”

The singer herself is vocal about mental health and depression. In a recent interview along with her mom, Mandy Teefey for The Newsette, Selena Gomez opened up about her decision to be increasingly vocal about her mental health.

She said she is not ashamed of previously having sought treatment for anxiety and depression. The Rare Beauty founder shared that she feels better and she feels like she can understand a lot of things now.

Selena revealed how her mental health journey has given her a unique point of view; which has only served as a strength. The singer shared, “I feel like being able to just be myself is something really hard, and I’ve had to work on that. I used to be terrified about creating my own stuff. Now when I’m on set, on a movie or TV show, or working on music, I feel like just being myself is such a gift.”

She further added that once she started doing it and saw the rewards afterward. The Lose You To Love Me singer shared what she thought of making a decision and feeling glad and freer when she is herself. She shared how the success of her recent album, Rare feels more satisfying; because of all the ups and downs which also includes her high-profile relationships.

Selena revealed that none of what she is doing now would have come about if she had the mindset she had before. The singer shared that the best stuff is happening now. She also revealed how the reactions to her superhit music, Lose You To Love Me were crazy on the first and the second day; and described it as the greatest thing.