Justin Bieber is on a spiritual retreat away from worldly temptations

 Justin Bieber/Twitter

Justin Bieber is on a two-week break in the luxurious Rancho Mirage resort outside Palm Springs, California – but it's not the luxury that he's there for.

The star is spending time with Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz, who has become a mentor to him as he has struggled to overcome his issues with drink, drugs and other challenging behaviour.

According to gossip website TMZ, he has "exiled himself" from friends, alcohol and marijuana during the retreat. He was pictured reading the book Occupy All Streets, the study guide to a programme taught by Lentz aimed at teaching students "to see themselves how God sees them, as agents for change in His kingdom".

Lentz has previously said of Bieber to CBN: "I love Justin, he's a good kid. He's trying to figure this out ... People who are like, 'Is he even a Christian?' With Justin, I tell people grace and acceptance does not mean approval. I can accept you as a human being and not approve of your actions. That's how we've been loved. We love because we were first loved... With Justin, it's not my job to be his police officer. It's my job to be a friend to him, and that's all I am."

related articles
Justin Bieber turns to Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz to get over split from Selena Gomez
Justin Bieber turns to Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz to get over split from Selena Gomez

Justin Bieber turns to Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz to get over split from Selena Gomez

Justin Bieber says he is turning his life around, vows to stop smoking marijuana
Justin Bieber says he is turning his life around, vows to stop smoking marijuana

Justin Bieber says he is turning his life around, vows to stop smoking marijuana

News
Being people of peace
Being people of peace

It would be fair to say that the pace and complexity of life works against us finding any peace.

Christians and religious nones alike object to AI-generated social media videos
Christians and religious nones alike object to AI-generated social media videos

Evangelicals, nones and non-denominational Christians reject AI-generated videos, a new study has found.

What we don’t know about Christmas
What we don’t know about Christmas

Every Christmas people are bombarded with images of the Nativity in Christmas cards, the lyrics of songs and Nativity plays. Yet many of the images embedded in our minds are pure tradition. In fact, there is a lot that we do not know. This is the story … 

Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster

Bishop Richard Moth has been confirmed as the new Archbishop of Westminster, the most senior post in the Catholic Church in England and Wales.