Carl Lentz Credits New York City Locale for Hillsong Church's Mega-Growth, Diversity
Pastor Carl Lentz believes that Hillsong Church NYC's rapid growth and diverse congregation in just three years since its opening is largely due to the church's location in a city known for its diversity.
"I think it's less to do about us and more to do with New York City…we try to reach everyone here whether you're homeless or in the world's eyes, a celebrity, we pray our church can reach you," said Lentz, in an interview with New York's Fox 5. "It's more about the fact that New York has a spectrum of people so we should have the whole spectrum in our church."
Ever since the church was planted in early 2011, many New Yorkers have flocked to meet at Irving Plaza, which is a concert venue, for a worship experience and to hear the 34-year-old preach. Currently, the stateside Hillsong movement has gained more than 5,000 attendees, divided their services into six time slots each Sunday with lines of devotees wrapped around the block for each one, and launched an additional service in Montclair N.J. The church also counts Justin Bieber, Vanessa Hudgens and NBA player Kevin Durant as followers of its ministry.
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Lentz, who has stirred the Pentecostal movement in New York with his urban demeanor, says their church does not narrow down who they reach out to. Instead, it is their unpretentious attitude that also garners the attention of thousands each week, he explains.
"It's not so much that I do it on purpose, we're just trying to be genuine to who we are," said Lentz, noting that he dresses casually to lead services out of personal preference. "Typically with churches, people think they don't fit in right away so one of our big advantages is that we look incredibly normal."
While the church's band and neon lights take center stage at the venue each week, newcomers often feel as though they have entered a concert. However, Lentz says he is quick to establish that attending a Hillsong service is not a spectacle.
"A service is more about what you came in expecting. We want our services to encourage people, equip people, empower people and educate non-believers," said Lentz.
He added, "The whole principle of our church is come as you are, you're going to be accepted for who you are. We have a place for everybody."
Although the church is the first "Hillsong" in the US, another location will soon launch in Los Angeles. Both are an extension of the Sydney, Australia-based Hillsong church, where more than 20,000 members worship in Pentecostal style.
"I'm a follower of what's down there," says Lentz, who began his ministry with his wife and Joel Houston, the son of Hillsong's co-founding pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston.
After being raised in church in Virginia, Lentz stepped away from his faith during college then returned again after deciding to change his life. Eventually, he ended up in New York City.
"I stumbled into a church that I really connected with and I decided that I wanted to shift courses," said Lentz. "I ended up in Australia studying the Bible and a couple years later I ended up in Manhattan."
