Wife of Former Hillsong NYC Pastor Carl Lentz Details Struggle with PSTD, Depression following Husband’s Affair
The wife of former Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Lentz recently revealed that she had struggled with anxiety and depression following her husband’s firing for moral issues and infidelity last year.
“It may not mean much to you, but this past year was a doozy for our family. I have dealt with so much personally, I have never experienced anxiety or PTSD until this year!” Laura Lentz wrote on Instagram. “I have struggled with a mild depression for many years, but this year it got to be so bad that there were days I didn’t want to get out of bed… although I wouldn’t wish my journey on my worst enemy (I apparently have a few), I would not change my story!!
“I know as I continue on my journey of healing, learning to put myself first, focus on my family and grow in my marriage, I can use my story so far to help someone else! Don’t get me wrong, it’s not easy, every day I feel the trauma, the thoughts and memories. And geez am I grateful for my therapists!” she added.
Carl Lentz, who led Hillsong campuses across the East Coast, was best known as a celebrity pastor due to his friendships with celebrities, including Justin Bieber, whom he once mentored.
Last November, he was fired from the global evangelical megachurch due to moral failures and leadership issues. Lentz, who led Hillsong NYC from 2010 to 2020, later revealed he cheated on his wife.
Ranin Karim, a designer in NY, alleged that she had been involved in a months-long affair with the former pastor. Lentz reportedly only broke it off with Karim after his wife discovered his infidelity.
Following Lentz’s firing, Hillsong launched an investigation into the “inner workings” of Hillsong NYC.
In May of this year, Laura Lentz broke her silence on social media for the first time since the scandal broke. Using a picture of palm trees, she described what she had been facing during this challenging season of her life.
“They are strong, can weather the biggest storms, they always grow upwards. Freedom, righteousness, reward, resurrection just to name a few,” she wrote at the time.
In her post, Laura shared that she had to step away from social media because it “was not good for my soul.” Additionally, Lentz noted that she blocked and deleted more people “than I can count,” including comments, from her account because of the backlash.
“Trolls are cowards, SOME ‘Christians’ are anything but kind, gracious, or loving … but that won’t stop me from growing upwards & getting stronger.” she asserted.
Related:
Carl Lentz Breaks Silence Following Firing from Hillsong: ‘I Was Unfaithful in My Marriage’
Hillsong Founder Announces Investigation after NYC Pastor Carl Lentz’s Firing
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Charley Gallay/Stringer
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. He is also the co-hosts of the For Your Soul podcast, which seeks to equip the church with biblical truth and sound doctrine. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.
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