"But because it's young people, because there are young people there, I feel more comfortable." that's not necessarily something that would speak to me," she said. "If it was a church that was all buttoned up, you know, what everybody thinks about when they think about church. Meredith Anderson, a 27-year-old church member who also works as an assistant to Lentz, said she "went from being a drug addict party animal to becoming a Christian living a full, healthy life." "It's unconventional but we're not a conventional city," Dagrossa said. He has even styled his hair his hair like Lentz. Steve Dagrossa, a 31-year-old who says he is a recovering heroin addict, attended all six sermons on a recent Sunday, for a total of 12 hours. "I've gotten used to seeing bar stools and club stuff in the place that we have church," Lentz said, adding "that's church to me now." Hillsong often has to add additional evening sessions, which could last well into the night. Crowds lining up are a regular weekly scene at Irving Plaza near Manhattan's Union Square. There are currently more than 200 in Manhattan alone, according to Tony Carnes of the research project, A Journey Through NYC Religions, and Hillsong is one of the fastest-growing.Īfter a little more than two years, Hillsong estimates it draws 5,500 people to Sunday services each week. New York has become a magnet for startup evangelical churches in recent years. One time somebody said, 'Y'all are crazy in your church,' and I said, 'You ever seen you dance drunk? Don't be judging us up in church.'" "Don't be alarmed by the craziness you see. "If you're new to our church, we love you," says the 34-year-old Lentz. People squeeze into whatever space they can find and take notes on iPhones as Lentz marches across the stage, peppering his sermon with Bible verses, jokes, pop music lines and street slang. His Hillsong Church NYC holds at least six sermons every Sunday in a ballroom-style concert venue that has hosted such bands as U2 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His tattooed arms, including one with two guns crossed, peek out from under his rolled-up sleeves. NEW YORK - Carl Lentz is not your typical pastor.Īlong with his half shaved head and slicked back Mohawk, he's dressed in his usual Sunday attire: black jeans and an unbuttoned denim shirt with a tank top underneath.
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