Carl Lentz is still married to his wife, Laura Lentz, defying widespread public predictions that their relationship would collapse after his high-profile firing from Hillsong Church in 2020. Rather than divorcing, the couple stayed together through years of intense media scrutiny, counseling, and public rehabilitation.
If you're wondering what happened to the former celebrity pastor after the cheating scandal that dismantled his career, he hasn't returned to lead a Sunday congregation. Instead, he works behind the scenes in ministry support, hosts a podcast, and co-authored a book with his wife focusing on surviving betrayal.
Are Carl and Laura Lentz Still Married?
Yes, Carl and Laura Lentz are still married. When news broke in November 2020 that Carl was fired from Hillsong NYC due to leadership issues and moral failures—specifically an extramarital affair—observers assumed a quick divorce would follow.
Instead, the couple chose a difficult path of reconciliation. They relocated from New York to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they spent years in intensive therapy and private recovery. Laura Lentz acknowledged in interviews that staying together felt unfair after she had invested decades into ministry sacrifice, but they chose to rebuild their marriage rather than dissolve it.
What Is Carl Lentz Doing Now?
Carl Lentz has kept a low profile compared to his days swaggering through Manhattan as Justin Bieber's close confidant, but he hasn't vanished entirely. His current professional and personal focus includes several key areas:
- Working at Transformation Church: Lentz moved to Tulsa to join the staff of Transformation Church, led by Pastor Michael Todd. He operates in a consulting and strategy role rather than as a lead pastor or pulpit preacher.
- Hosting a Podcast: He runs a weekly audio project titled Lights On with Carl Lentz, which often centers on personal accountability, recovery, and relationship healing after trauma.
- Writing and Publishing: The couple co-authored a book titled Overcoming Infidelity: 10 Conversations to Help Heal the Hurt, detailing the hard conversations required to repair a fractured partnership after betrayal.
- Rejecting Church Planting: When asked if he plans to start another independent megachurch, Lentz has repeatedly stated that it's not on the table. He maintains that he is not seeking a return to the global spotlight.
The Timeline of the Fall and Recovery
To understand where Lentz is today, it helps to look at how the past several years unfolded after his departure from Hillsong.
- November 2020: Hillsong Church fires Carl Lentz over leadership breaches and an admission of infidelity. He posts a public confession on social media.
- 2021–2022: The couple spends time out of the public eye in America's Heartland, focusing on marriage counseling and family stabilization.
- 2023: Carl and Laura participate in the FX documentary series The Secrets of Hillsong, addressing the toxic elements of celebrity church culture and personal failure. He also quietly joins the team at Transformation Church.
- 2024–2026: Lentz clarifies in media appearances that he has no ambition to run a church again, pivoting instead toward relational coaching and media production alongside his wife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carl Lentz still preach on Sundays?
No. While he works in a strategic advisory capacity at Transformation Church in Oklahoma, he does not hold a senior pastor role or run a weekly worship service.
Did Laura Lentz ever file for divorce?
No divorce was ever filed. Despite admitting that the betrayal shattered their lives, Laura chose to stay and work through the marriage.
Where do the Lentz family live now?
They reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma, having relocated there after leaving the New York City area following the 2020 Hillsong fallout.
Are they still associated with Hillsong Church?
No. Carl and Laura severed all ties with Hillsong Church when his employment was terminated in late 2020.
