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Making Beliebers: Justin Bieber’s Christian Outreach to Prisoners

Posted on 24 March 2021

“Holy” singer/songwriter Justin Bieber turned heads this week … but surprisingly for a good reason! In the same week of his return from a trip to Turks and Caicos with his wife Hailey Bieber (originally Hailey Baldwin), Justin Bieber visited a prison! And no, this time not for his own misdemeanour. Joined by his pastor, TMZ reported that Bieber visited The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) in L.A. County to speak with prisoners on their faith and support the system’s faith-based programs. A rare sight for an industry front runner.   The iconic Bieber RV was spotted pulling into the prison on March 23, so this was nothing Bieber was being hush hush about. While Bieber has not come forward about whether he performed for the prisoners, gave his testimony, or simply spoke to the prisoners, the word of the Man upstairs was spread and that in and of itself is something to take note of. Though the warden approved just a “very brief” visit, according to a CDCR representative and Fox News, any glimmer of faith in association with a celebrity is something to note.  As of late, Bieber has been more transparent with fans after realizing that his life without God was spent “hurting, unhappy, confused” and “angry at God.” He was arrested for a DUI in 2014 and relied heavily on drugs. “By 20, I made every bad decision you could have thought,” he told Fox News. Luckily however he’s since admitted that Jesus “found me in the dirt and pulled me out” and that “God has brought me a long way.” Bieber and his wife made a public display of faith with their joint baptism last summer in proclamation of their commitment to Jesus. He also came out with a Christian single “Holy” in Sep. 2020 to remind people to find God in difficult times. This change of pace and message surprised fans considering his previous racy content that included “PYD” (Put You Down) which explained in too much detail where he wanted to put a girl “all the way down.” Thank heavens he’s changed his vibe.  Since the visit to the prison, Bieber posted a faith-based message to show that his perspective of God has “shifted from fear to Love.”           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber)  Let’s hope he stays on this path and encourages fans and prisoners alike to do the same.