COMING CLEAN
Disgraced Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz’ ‘mistress’ shares secret videos from sordid affair in Discovery docuseries trailer
CARL Lentz' "mistress" appeared in the trailer for Discovery's forthcoming docuseries, Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed, showing videos he sent during their affair.
The celebrity pastor was fired in November 2020 for "moral failures."
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Discovery Plus' docuseries will air in three parts, with all three dropping on March 24.
A trailer for the series was released on Wednesday via .
The clip featured several former Hillsong worshippers and employees, New York Post reporter Hannah Fishberg, megachurch expert Ben Kirby, and Ranin Karim – the woman with whom Carl is said to have had an affair.
While the trailer doesn't give much away about the show, it does tease some major reveals.
In the short video, those who worked closely with or spent time with Carl spoke out.
Ranin, for her part, shared videos sent to her by Carl during their affair.
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One such clip shown in the Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed trailer, Carl is shown talking to his phone camera.
He says: "Hey girl..." before the clip cuts off.
THE BACKSTORY
Carl led the New York City chapter of Hillsong Church after being recruited by Brian Houston who started the church and modeled it after one his father ran in Australia.
He quickly became a star, rubbing elbows with famous faith-minded celebs like Justin Bieber.
His star came crashing down as quickly as it rose, however, after he was fired for "moral failures" in November 2020, including an affair with Ranin.
In addition to the affair, the disgraced Hillsong pastor was accused in 2021 of sexually abusing nanny Leona Kimes.
Carl's drama isn't the only stain on the church's reputation, however.
Brian stepped down from running the church for the rest of the year to focus on criminal charges against him.
He's been accused of covering up decades-old child sexual abuse allegedly carried out by his father.
STANDING BY
Despite the allegations he's facing, in June 2021 Carl's wife Laura was said to be standing by her man.
Months after The Sun exclusively revealed Ranin's affair claims, the abuse claims surfaced.
Laura remained steadfast in her belief that Carl was innocent, with a source alleging that she would "never" leave him.
The insider told The Sun at the time: “Laura is in the belief that Carl is innocent because she has no sense of self without him, she’s blind to who he truly is.
“She’s completely dependent on him and has been throughout their marriage both professionally and personally.
“Laura put all her eggs in one basket and now has no where else to go, she’ll never leave him.”
The source went on to say that “not only is Laura standing by his side,” but alleged she will “lash out at anyone who tries to reason with her.”
They continued: “She’s lost so many friends who have tried to help her but she gets aggressive with all of them and attacked members of her former church.
“Laura told them they’re ‘cowards’ and ‘pathetic’ for not believing Carl and being there for her family. She even called people who are angry with Carl’s antics ‘unchristian.’
“And has treated people horribly who again were just trying to help her. She’s basically been exiled from Hillsong. No one from the church wants anything to do with her.”
Carl and Laura married in 2003 and both worked at Hillsong Church together in New York City.
The pair share three children: Ava, Charlie and Roman. After Carl and his wife lost their jobs with the church, the family relocated to Los Angeles.
Former family nanny Leona alleged that she “was subjected to manipulation, control, bullying, abuse of power, and sexual abuse” from Carl.
She elaborated on the alleged abuse, telling : “I felt trapped and silenced. I also felt so ashamed and I had been told not to say anything or tell anyone.
“I was physically violated by his unwanted and repeated sexual touching of my intimate areas. I froze. Every time, I froze.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Leona - who worked as a pastor at Hillsong Boston - alleged that Carl physically violated her on more than one occasion with one or more of his children present. She claimed the alleged abuse happened once in a movie theatre and a second time while she was driving.
A rep for Carl and Laura told that they "vehemently deny the allegations and, in addition to that, have irrefutable proof the events did not happen as they are being described.”
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