Pastor Judah Smith shares what it's like to be a celebrity pastor: 'My passion is to help everyone'

From left, Pastor Judah Smith, Canadian pop star Justin Bieber and Bieber's manager Scooter Braun take a quick snap. (Instagram / Scooter Braun)

With his fashionable clothes, casual preaching style, and close friendship with big names from the entertainment industry, Pastor Judah Smith of The City Church in Seattle, Washington is easily recognisable as a celebrity pastor.

However, Smith said he has never aspired to become a pastor to only a select few. According to him, what he wants more than anything is to share the Word of God to as many people as possible.

"My passion is to help everyone," Smith told Complex Magazine. "And if that includes people in the limelight, then so be it. The pressure and the expectation and the scrutiny and the challenges [celebrity pastors] face are unique. They do need someone in their corner who wants nothing, and expects nothing, but who's just there to give, and love, and protect."

Smith cannot help but shake his head when he hears people wanting to minister celebrities because they want to hobnob with the rich and famous.

"Someone recently told me, 'Hey, I really want to reach celebrities like you have,'" Smith said. "They meant well and that's fine, but I chuckled to myself. I never thought to myself 'I would like to pastor celebrities.' It was never a concept to me. I just wanted to help people."

Smith and his counterparts Pastor Carl Lentz from Hillsong Church New York and Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. from Miami's Trinity Church might be scrutinised heavily because of their wardrobe choices, but Smith said they should be judged not by the clothes they wear, but the messages they get across.

"Maybe people have misunderstood Carl, Rich, or myself, or our enjoyment of fashion," said Smith. "We don't need to make this about services, gatherings, or external performances. When I stand and speak, I don't just take on a preacher voice, I'm just who I am."

related articles
Judah Smith to release new book Life Is in March
Judah Smith to release new book Life Is in March

Judah Smith to release new book Life Is in March

Judah Smith says he\'s proud of Justin Bieber
Judah Smith says he's proud of Justin Bieber

Judah Smith says he's proud of Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber turns Los Angeles concert into megachurch service as he shares why he loves God so much
Justin Bieber turns Los Angeles concert into megachurch service as he shares why he loves God so much

Justin Bieber turns Los Angeles concert into megachurch service as he shares why he loves God so much

News
The story of the pope known as the Apostle to the English
The story of the pope known as the Apostle to the English

Pope Gregory I, known as Gregory the Great, was one of the most important popes, and his positive legacy is still felt today - not least in Britain. This is the story … 

Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide
Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide

Christians are doubling down on efforts to stop assisted suicide becoming legal in England and Wales after Kim Leadbeater's bill was debated in Westminster on Friday. 

Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign
Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign

More than 100 Christian leaders recently came together at a parliamentary reception in London for the launch of Shine Your Light 2025 — a bold evangelistic initiative aiming to bring the message of Christ to streets, neighbourhoods, and marketplaces across the UK.

Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling
Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling

An NHS trust has been accused of continually flouting the law around women’s rights by requiring female nurses to get changed in front of a biologically male nurse who goes by the name of “Rose”.