Hillsong church pastor Carl Lentz – who baptized Justin Bieber and counts COVID-19 positive NBA star Kevin Durant among his flock – reveals he has coronavirus
- Carl Lentz revealed on Instagram Monday that he tested positive for coronavirus
- The father-of-three baptized Justin Bieber and Hillsong has many celebrity fans
- New York Hillsong attendee Kevin Durant recently tested positive for COVID-19
- Hillsong NYC held a 200-strong service recently and it’s unclear who may have become infected as a result
- Lentz said ‘the symptoms are so real. It’s kind of like a flu times 50’
- He added: ‘My breath is a lot shorter. Fatigue is a lot quicker. My advice to people is try to take this as seriously as you can’
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Carl Lentz the leading pastor of the Hillsong church group’s New York branch has tested positive for coronavirus.
The 41-year-old father-of-three announced he had COVID-19 in an Instagram Live video Monday night when he talked about the deadly outbreak with Seattle and LA pastor Judah Smith.
Lentz is based in New York where the outbreak has been the worst in the country and there were 25,666 cases as of Tuesday afternoon. Kevin Durant – who has tested positive for COVID-19 attends the church and Justin Bieber and Lentz are close friends.
Lentz said the virus ‘took me out’ but he’s better now.
Carl Lentz revealed on Instagram Live Monday night that he tested positive for coronavirus
Lentz (right) baptized Justin Bieber (center right) in Tyson Chandler’s (center left) bath. Hillsong fan Kevin Durant (left) tested positive for coronavirus. They are pictured in 2013
Above is the latest number of coronavirus cases in the US and confirmed deaths as of Tuesday
‘I started feeling so bad,’ Lentz explained. ‘I got my test. It came back positive.’
He reassured viewers: ‘I’m fine. I’m good…Let me tell you something. It is definitely real… the symptoms are so real. It’s kind of like a flu times 50…still don’t feel like myself…I look forward to getting my energy back.’
Lentz’s Instagram boasts pictures with rapper Drake who is a friend of Brooklyn Nets player Durant. Drake reassured fans that he has tested negative.
The New York branch of Hillsong shut down on Sunday, the same day Governor Andrew Cuomo enforced a state-wide lockdown.
Prior to that some churches vowed to remain open despite large gathering being discouraged in keeping with social distancing requirements.
But Hillsong NYC held a 200-strong service that what broadcast to those in isolation recently and it’s unclear who may have become infected as a result.
Lentz said he is feeling better now but the coronavirus knocked him out. He is pictured on Tuesday
Hillsong NYC held a 200-strong service that was broadcast to those in isolation recently and it’s unclear who may have become infected as a result
Lentz (right) is pictured with Durant (center) and Jay-Z (left)
Lentz continued in his broadcast chat with Smith: ‘My breath is a lot shorter. Fatigue is a lot quicker. My advice to people is try to take this as seriously as you can.’
Pastor John Termini said it’s highly likely he has tested positive but is awaiting results.
Hillsong was brought to public attention when Justin Bieber was baptized in an NBA player Tyson Chandler’s bath by Lentz in 2014.
It played a central role in transforming his image from a drug-taking ladies’ man to a clean-cut Christian devotee. His wife, Hailey Baldwin, is also a believer, and are frequently spotted in church together.
Other famous faces have followed their lead, including Chris Pratt, Selena Gomez, Kylie and Kendall Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian.
Lentz isn’t the only religious leader known to be one of the American victims. A reverend was on the first official case reported in Washington DC earlier this month.
His Instagram boasts pictures with Durant’s friend Drake, who recently tested negative (left). He has been interviewed by Oprah (right)