FIRED Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz’ wife, Laura, “believes her husband is innocent” and “will not leave him” after a former nanny alleged he sexually abused her, The Sun can reveal.
This week, Leona Kimes came forward in a personal essay with claims the former megachurch leader abused her sexually while she worked for him – including allegedly with his own kids present.
The latest allegations come months after The Sun exclusively revealed NYC fashion designer Ranin Karim, 34, claimed to have a steamy sexual affair with Carl last year – which led to him being fired from Hillsong.
Although numerous allegations of misconduct have come out regarding Carl, 42, over the past several months, Laura has stood by his side and an insider claims she will “never” leave him.
A source explained to The Sun: “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 insider said 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.”
A rep for Laura did not immediately respond to The Sun's request for comment.
In an Instagram post shared in May, Laura touched on the subject, writing: “I have blocked & deleted more people & comments than I can count. Trolls are cowards.
“SOME ‘Christians’ are anything but kind, gracious, or loving…but that won’t stop me from growing upwards & getting stronger.”
She concluded: “I have found true friendships- the ones who have been with me on the mountaintops are the same ones who are with me during my darkest valley!! i will not forget who abandoned us.
“I want to be known as a woman who sees the good in people & truly loves people unconditionally.”
Carl married Australia native Laura in 2003 and both began a career at Hillsong Church together in NYC.
They share three kids; Ava, Charlie and Roman – who all moved from New York to LA last Summer after their parents lost their jobs.
Earlier this week, former family nanny Leona alleged she “was subjected to manipulation, control, bullying, abuse of power, and sexual abuse” from Carl.
She went into further detail about how the alleged abuse unfolded, telling Religion News Service: “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.”
Leona – who is currently a pastor at Hillsong Boston – alleged that Carl physically violated her on two occasions with one or more of his children present – once in a movie theatre and another time while she was driving.
A rep for Carl and wife Laura told People 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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