Contemporary worship music has a surprising new fan: 21-year-old singer, songwriter and model Justin Bieber.
In a recent interview with Cosmopolitan magazine, the Canadian popstar revealed on his "21 Things You Didn't Know About ..." list that No Longer Slaves from Jonathan and Melissa Helser of Bethel Music is among the top three songs on his iPod.
Included in the lyrics to the prayerful song are the lines "From my mothers womb/ You have chosen me/ Love has called my name/ I've been born again, into your family/ Your blood flows through my veins/ I'm no longer a slave to fear/ I am a child of God."
In July, the singer took to Instagram to share a screenshot of his iPod playing the song This is Living, another popular Christian song by Hillsong feauring LeCrae.
"This reminds me how amazing life is supposed to be..if you are discouraged listen ot this song it will bring you supernatural pace, at least it did for me! #stepoutonfaith" he captioned the photo.
Bieber, who has been known to spend time with Carl Lentz, Hillsong NYC co-pastor and worship leader Joel Houston, City Church Pastor Judah Smith, and other influential young Christian leaders, has recently become more vocal about his spiritual journey.
Last month, the singer shared a photo on his Instagram account telling his 31.5 million fans about his relationship with God which he described as the "coolest thing" he has ever experienced.
He also shared a Bible passage from the book of Psalm 43 which says, "Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked."
"I'm not religious nor do i think I have ANYTHING figured out that's why I call out on God to help me through what I can't do on my own," the Where Are You Now singer added in a separate Instagram post. "Developing my relationship with God has been the coolest thing I've experienced, to know that I'm not alone and I don't have to live in fear. Never feel like I'm pushing anything on u [sic] but sharing the good news I've felt in my own life."
Bieber was reportedly baptized by Lentz last year and often worships at Hillsong NYC, even attending the Pentecostal church's annual conference in Sydney Australia in July.
In the past, he has also shared photos and videos of himself spending time with Lentz, who he has credited with "changing my life."
"I love Justin, he's a good kid. He's trying to figure this out," Lentz told CBN news last year, two months after Bieber had been arrested in Miami for drag racing.
"With Justin, it's not my job to be his police officer. It's my job to be a friend to him, and that's all I am," Lentz added.
Last month, Bieber shared a video on Instagram of himself, Lentz and Trinity Church pastor Rich Wilkerson singing "Awesome God," a worship song composed by Richard Mullins and covered by Hillsong United and other contemporary Christian music artists.
