2023-10-20 19:35:05
Carl Lentz, former pastor of Hillsong, congratulated his wife on her birthday, expressing his gratitude to her for choosing to maintain their marriage after the scandals involving adultery and other accusations against her leadership of the church in New York.
In the publication, the former pastor wished his wife a happy “birthday week” in a long statement: “Happy 45th birthday […] Watching my wife weather these storms of life over the past few years has been inspiring. It would have been so easy and understandable for her to walk away from our marriage. As much pain as she had to endure in the consequences of my decisions.”
Three years ago, Carl Lentz admitted to cheating on his wife and the scandal caused his resignation as pastor at Hillsong Church. The church itself would face other scandals later, involving local leaders and the founder himself, Brian Houston.
Lentz’s adultery involved Muslim designer Ranin Karim, who went public and accused him. Later, a former nanny for the ex-pastor’s children also accused him of sexual misconduct.
In view of this, Lentz made a point of defending his wife’s character, refuting accusations that she had been “complicit” in his immoral behavior, saying that she chose to “keep the faith” to protect the family, and “even after so much disaster his strength did not waver.”
Laura, according to the former pastor, lost friends and “had to endure this path alone, with courage”, but still continues to live: “Somehow, she still loves people. […] I saw her make new friends. I watched her fight for her trademark smile and kindness. [Eu] I saw her start several businesses. I saw her still choose to believe the best in people and, despite [do que] happened to her, still persisting with people when they go through difficult times.”
“People asked Laura why she stayed with me. Including me! And I’m going to let her tell her own story and give her own reasons and all of this will help a lot of people. […] But she told me one dark day that she loves me and has true empathy for the roots of my dysfunction,” added Lentz, saying he received a “firm ultimatum” from his wife.
The former pastor’s report is in line with what Laura Lentz herself reported to her followers in 2022, saying that her husband “He humiliated himself and didn’t try to defend himself” of his mistakes, and praised him for focusing on “what matters most: our family.”
“Yes, it has been a challenge, and of course, it has taken a lot of work over the last 22 months (but who’s counting) to make our marriage what it has become, and we will never stop working on ourselves, for this marriage and for our four children. I know there are many who don’t or would never do what I chose to do, and that’s okay, it’s not for everyone!”, she added, just over a year ago.
#Hillsong #pastors #wife #faith #husbands #betrayal