Carl Lentz, ex-pastor of Hillsong Church, made a statement after staying out of the public eye for almost two years.
On Wednesday, Lentz posted an update to his Instagram. It was his first post since being fired from his position in 2020.
“Its been a challenging road but we are alive, we are at peace and thanks to the grace of God we are TOGETHER. Not sure what the future holds for us, but we do know that we face it as a family and for that I am so thankful,” he wrote in the caption of a black and white photo of him with his family.
Continuing, he wrote, “My deepest thanks to our friends and family that have shown us such unconditional love and grace when we have desperately needed it. Forever grateful.. we are hopeful about what is ahead! Thanks @sunnyandcrewphoto for these pics.”
Laura Lentz, Carl Lentz wife, reposted the photo and made a statement of her own, on her Instagram, about making their marriage work.
“Yep, it has been challenging and hell yeah it’s taken a LOT of work the past 22 months (but who’s counting) to make our marriage what it has become, & we will never stop working on ourselves, for this marriage and for our kids! I know there are many that don’t or would never do what I chose to do, and that’s ok, it’s not for everyone!!” she wrote.
Continuing, she wrote, “I look forward to sharing our story, how I came to that conclusion and I think it’s going to help a lot of people.. But I am so proud of my husband & for the responsibility he’s taken! Mostly I’m grateful for a man who humbled himself & didn’t try to defend himself, he has kept quiet publically and he has remained focused on the one thing that matters most-our family.”
Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”
In November 2020, Carl Lentz admitted in a lengthy Instagram post that he was unfaithful to his wife, whom he has been married to since 2003, and had to face “real and painful consequences” for his actions.
“I now begin a journey of rebuilding trust with my wife, Laura and my children and taking real time to work on and heal my own life and seek out the help that I need. I am deeply sorry for breaking the trust of many people who we have loved serving and understand that this news can be very hard and confusing for people to hear and process,” he wrote.
He concluded his post by writing, “We, the Lentz family, don’t know what this next chapter will look like, but we will walk into it together very hopeful and grateful for the grace of God.. .”