Churchome pastor Jonah Smith has laughed off media speculation that
His group is a cult that has lured popular music icon Justin Bieber.
The 31-year-old vocalist has been
the topic of numerous reports casting doubt on the condition of his mental health.
Last month,
TMZ
asserted that Justin Bieber’s ex-business associate, Ryan Good, worried the singer’s place of worship, Churchome in Beverly Hills, had transformed into a cult.
In a new
Instagram
Post, who serves as Churchome’s lead communicator and is 46 years old, and known to have a close friendship with Bieber, addressed the allegation.
In a segment where he was addressing the audience from the stage, Smith recounted: “This experience was new to me. As soon as I stepped out of my vehicle, I found myself encircled by photographers. This happened for the first time. I told them, ‘Guys, my buddy isn’t around.’ Then suddenly, a kind woman holding a camera looked at me and asked, ‘Is this some sort of cult?’ To which I responded, ‘Wow, I didn’t anticipate such a query.'”
Smith playfully motioned towards the side of the stage and joked, “Hey folks, would you mind bringing out the serpents? …We’ve got some blood…”
Amidst the laughter from the crowd, Smith playfully chided himself, stating, “Okay Judah, you shouldn’t be uttering such statements! People are filming this right now! And look over there at Jason [Byrne, Churchome’s creative director], who seems quite concerned as he indicates that this isn’t favorable for our public image.”
He went on: “This is something new for me. Nobody knew about my plan, but if we’re considered a cult, then we must be the least effective cult ever. Our meetings only happen once a month now! I used to do this every Wednesday! We really need to step up our game…”
In 2023, both the church and Smith faced backlash due to allegations that they enforced a tithe requirement on staff members, mandating at least 10 percent of each person’s total income be donated to the church. This accusation was part of a legal case brought forward on behalf of a Churchome employee during that same year—however, the status of this litigation remains uncertain.
By the close of last month,
Bieber took to Instagram to share an extensive post tackling the “rumors” and “untruths” circulating about him.
The sensation of guilt can be alleviated. How? Not through attending church or reading your Bible. It’s simply about accepting that God forgives,” he penned. “People treat me poorly out here, but I recall that I am imperfect and yet, God has forgiven me.
It assists me in avoiding the feeling of being superior to those who are unkind and harmful since, deep down, I realize that I can also be cruel and hurtful,” he went on. “I tend to think, ‘I wouldn’t stoop so low as to spread rumors and falsehoods about someone online,’ yet there are other things I’ve done that I’m not proud of.
He also mentioned his marriage to
Hailey Bieber
and the
rumors of separation that have been swirling for the past several months
“And truthfully, if I were in your shoes, it would be difficult not to feel jealousy seeing myself and Hailey go at it so intensely,” the “Sorry” singer penned.
It truly depends on our perspective, which explains why folks might find it unbearable. I can’t fault them.
The “Peaches” singer then posted a follow-up Instagram Story with the sentence “Ur bible can’t save you” written against a blank screen.
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