The Secrets of Hillsong (2023): Season 1, Episode 1

1 - 1: Church in the Wild

In 2015, a young pastor named Carl Lentz lands in New York City to spread the Word of Hillsong, an ascendant Australian megachurch. Lentz is magnetic and ambitious. His charismatic style of preaching ignites a modern revival in the clubs of the city with a new gospel that promises to revolutionize and modernize Christianity. The church explodes with followers, musicians, celebrities and influencers and Lentz becomes a national sensation. But allegations of volunteer exploitation, racism, sexual abuse and homophobia explode into the open in the fall of 2020 with the breaking news of the lead pastor's extramarital affairs. Lentz is fired from his role and disappears completely from public view — until now, when he breaks his silence after more than two years.