Justin Bieber Spotted Attending Church in Los Angeles with Spiritual Advisor Judah Smith
Pop star Justin Bieber was seen heading to church in Los Angeles accompanied by his spiritual advisor, pastor Judah Smith, on Wednesday evening. The singer, 31, was photographed arriving at Churchome with pastor Judah Smith, his face mostly obscured by a large, furry coat.
Recent Church Attendance and Concerns for Well-being
Bieber and his wife Hailey have recently been seen with Smith outside of church, particularly after Smith distanced himself from Carl Lentz, the former Hillsong pastor who faced controversy. This church visit follows Bieber’s recent admission on Instagram about grappling with ‘anger issues’, prompting ongoing fan concerns about his mental and physical health. Worries have escalated due to his sometimes disheveled appearance and reports of marital strain with Hailey Bieber.
Earlier on Wednesday, Bieber attempted to dispel concerns about his health by posting a video of himself weightlifting.
Bieber’s Bundled Appearance
Photographs captured Bieber entering the church heavily bundled, with only a small portion of his face visible. He donned a sizable brown fleece jacket over a red hoodie and a gray beanie. The singer’s recently acquired nose piercing was noticeably visible.
His outfit included oversized khaki trousers that appeared loose-fitting, featuring a red and pink plaid patch detail. He completed his casual ensemble with bulky tan suede footwear.
Judah Smith’s Attire and Presence
Smith was observed guiding Bieber into the church, carrying beige suede boots. He was dressed in a black leather jacket, a white shirt, and baggy blue jeans, mirroring Bieber’s loose-fitting style. The pastor sported a $45 brown houndstooth baseball cap and brown leather clogs, similar in style to Bieber’s shoes.
Smith was pictured giving Bieber a pat on the back as they entered the building.
Shifting Spiritual Guidance: From Hillsong to Churchome
Bieber was previously a follower of Hillsong, the celebrity-favored megachurch, and its former pastor Carl Lentz, once described by Bieber as a ‘second father’. However, their relationship ended after Lentz’s extramarital affair became public in 2020, leading Bieber to dissociate himself from Lentz.
Bieber publicly confirmed his departure from Hillsong, and other celebrity attendees also ceased attending the church.
Judah Smith, leading Churchome, has emerged as a prominent figure in Bieber’s spiritual life. Churchome has actively sought celebrity engagement since expanding from its Seattle origins.
About Churchome and Judah Smith
Smith, who refers to himself as Churchome‘s ‘Lead Communicator’ alongside his wife Chelsea as ‘Lead Theologian’, took leadership of City Church from his father in Seattle. He and his wife later expanded to Los Angeles and rebranded the church as Churchome.
Bieber’s connection with Smith and Churchome predates his separation from Lentz, going back approximately 15 years. According to reports, Bieber’s mother was impressed by Judah Smith’s speaking at a conference in Toronto in 1999. She contacted Judah and Chelsea in 2010, seeking their guidance as ‘good influences’ for her son.
Past Controversies Surrounding Judah Smith and Churchome
Similar to his predecessor Carl Lentz, Judah Smith has faced controversies. He has been criticized for past remarks considered homophobic, including stating that homosexuality is as severe a ‘sin’ as ‘rape and murder’.
Churchome has also faced scrutiny for employing an individual accused of rape. Additionally, the church was accused of discouraging a woman from reporting an alleged sexual assault by a church intern to the police.
In 2023, Churchome faced a class-action lawsuit from over 100 employees regarding its policy mandating a 10 percent tithe of their gross income. The lead plaintiff reportedly faced threats of dismissal for not resuming tithing after experiencing financial difficulties.
