The 21-year-old Canadian pop star praised Hillsong Church's New York City pastor Carl Lentz, who has recruited several American celebrities and sports stars to the Sydney-headquartered megachurch.

"I'm glad to know him. He's changed my life," Ten Network television reported Bieber saying as he interrupted an interview with Lentz at the Allphones Arena where 20,000 worshippers are attending the megachurch's annual conference Read more

Since leaving Sydney, Bieber has been enjoying a tropical holiday at a mystery location.

From that location the pop star has shared a nude photo with his 32 million Instagram followers.

He is facing away from the camera standing on a boat at sea.

"Look," he captioned the picture.

Not because we care about celebrity status or bad-boy behavior, but because we are deeply concerned about souls and spheres of influence.

You might roll your eyes at this topic choice, dismissing Bieber altogether.

Or you might be questioning Bieber's faithful sincerity because of his horrifying decision making that includes prostitutes, DUIs, drag-racing, and racial slurs. Despite all his past blunders, don't react to Bieber's church-going too harshly.

For if Evangelicals disregard Bieber wholly, then we miss an incredible opportunity for youth ministry.

"He's expressed his desire to stay pure, and honour women, and treat women with respect. So hopefully that stays valid."

The teen heartthrob, YouTube sensation and social media super-star Justin Bieber has just scooped the choice music male artist award at the Teen Choice Awards, and did not delay in giving Jesus a mention.

"I want to say that anything is possible ... You got to keep God first and always remember to keep family first. Jesus loves every one of you!"

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Bieber was asked how he reconciled religion and his faith with the temptations of Hollywood.

He labelled Hollywood a scary place with a mix of a lot of good and bad things going on, but it's a place where he says he can live his dream.

Then on religion and faith: "Basically, I don't even consider religion. Like, I'm a Christian, I believe in God, I believe that Jesus died on a cross for my sins. I believe that I have a relationship and I'm able to talk to him and really, he's the reason I'm here, so I definitely have to remember that. As soon as I start forgetting, I've got to click back and be like, you know, this is why I'm here."

Recently Bieber toured the Holy Land and along with his father, got a Jesus tattoo on his left rib cage and regularly credits God with helping him to stay grounded, something his mother has tried to instil in her son.

In an interview with Baptist Press, Mallette said she kept Justin grounded through prayer, by surrounding him with good people and reminding him that he's here for a reason. "To whom much is given, much is required," she said.

Sources

• MTV
• Huffington Post
• Christianity Today
• Baptist Press
• Image: Celebrity Mix