Justin Bieber has new Christian girlfriend - introduced to him by their pastor

Justin Bieber accepts the award for Top Male Artist at the 2016 Billboard Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 22, 2016.Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

The world famous Christian pop singer Justin Bieber has a new girlfriend who he was introduced to by the pastor at their church.

Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz introduced Bieber to the singer and actress Hailee Steinfeld and the pair have been dating for some weeks, according to the website TMZ

'It's all still fresh. Our sources tell us they've only been seeing each other for a little over a month -- though that's a lot in Bieber's world,' said TMZ.

In March, it was reported that Lentz had been 'shadowing' Bieber on his tour of Australia. "LOVE these two legends, " the pastor wrote on Instagram under a photo of himself, his son, Roman, and Bieber all wearing matching glasses.

Last month, Bieber, who has a troubled past, thanked God for the improvements in his life since he was arrested three years ago.

The 24-year-old posted on Instagram the mugshot from his arrest in 2014 after a drag racing incident in Miami, Florida, alongside a current photo of himself, with the caption: 'I love this because it reminds me I'm not exactly where I want to be but thank God I'm not where I used to be! The best is yet to come do you believe it?'

Following his 2014 arrest, Bieber subsequently failed a sobriety test and was found to be driving with an expired license.

In July that year, he was placed on probation for two years following a plea deal for vandalising his neighbour's home with eggs. He then had to complete 12 anger management sessions, community service and pay $80,900 in restitution.

The previous month, a video circulated of the singer using the 'N-word' and singing about joining the Ku Klux Klan. At the time, he issued an apology, saying: 'I take my friendships with people of all cultures very seriously, and I apologize for offending or hurting anyone with my childish and inexcusable mistake.'

In 2015, Bieber was found guilty of assault and reckless driving after his vehicle collided with a minivan in Canada.