To Pastor Carl Lentz, the ministry of Hillsong NYC is no different from any other. He believes that the church has the same Gospel and the same message, but just in a different context.
When asked in an interview with Gospel Herald about the church's unique characteristics that has made the New York City-based congregation unique, Lentz implied that there is not much difference between Hillsong NYC and other Hillsong churches, or any other church for that matter.
"Hillsong Church has been built on the same principles for 30 years in every location," Pastor Lentz said to Gospel Herald. "So, although it looks different in London, the outworking of it, the fundamental principle is we're going to love God, we're going to love life, we're going to love people. We have to do it in a New York context, but I think the Gospel has been the same forever, and the Gospel never needs to change."
Lentz, senior leader of Hillsong Church in New York City, has been labeled as a celebrity pastor. His church is attended by 30,000 people including some famous personalities like Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Selena Gomez.
When Hillsong head Brian Houston decided to plant the first Hillsong Church, Carl and Laura wanted to be a part of it right away. At that point, Carl had just moved his family to his hometown in Virginia after working for four years in Hillsong Australia. Today, Lentz now leads the mega-church that is widely attended by people from different walks of life.
Carl is married to Laura Lentz, whom he met in Australia during his Bible school training days, and is a father of three children. Lentz is most known for his contemporary approach to church and the preaching of the Gospel. On a regular Sunday service, a Hillsong NYC attendee will see Lentz usually preaching in short-sleeved statement tees, wing-tip boots, and black skinny jeans.
Hillsong Church NYC has three locations: in the PlayStation Theater, Irving Plaza and one New Jersey congregation in Wellmont Theatre.
