Watch Justin Bieber lead his church congregation in worship

Canadian singer-songwriter Justin Bieber led worship for the first time in front of his church congregation at Churchome in Beverly Hills on Wednesday night.

The Sorry crooner performed on the church stage along with the worship band. Bieber told the church that it has taken him a long time to do so because he doesn’t want the expression of his faith to look like a show

The performance came as a surprise to church members and social media users alike.

“It was a beautiful surprise to witness @justinbieber lead worship and share his testimony at church tonight,” says Jeff Bernat who tweets a segment of the worship.

It was a beautiful surprise to witness @justinbieber lead worship and share his testimony at church tonight. pic.twitter.com/4nQDGQ09PN

— Jeff Bernat (@jeffbernat) August 29, 2019

Bieber was spotted at the service with his wife Hailey Baldwin. The couple tied the knot in 2018. Bieber has turned to faith in recent years. The singer admitted to living a celibate life in the year before the couple wed.

Speaking with Vogue, the 25-year-old singer talked his new take on sex and his faith:

“I think sex can cause a lot of pain. Sometimes people have sex because they don’t feel good enough. Because they lack self-worth. Women do that, and guys do that. ‘I wanted to rededicate myself to God in that way because I really felt it was better for the condition of my soul. And I believe that God blessed me with Hailey as a result.”

Justin Bieber’s pastor and friend, Judah Smith, had nothing kind words after the song, saying the 25-year-old “clearly has a gift to lead worship.”

“We first met when Justin was, like, eight or something in Toronto and he’s always been a worshiper and it’s a lot of who he is,” Smith tells the congregation in a video obtained by TMZ. “I want to be part of a church where everybody gets a fair shake in using their gift to contribute to the community. Far be it from me to stand in the way of someone who clearly has a gift to lead worship.”

Bieber explained why he was nervous to lead worship despite being an integral member of the church community for years.

“I want to second that too, I’ve kind of not done this because I felt like — I didn’t want to make it seem like — I don’t know. Judah, you know what I’m trying to say. I just didn’t want people to think, like, this was a show,” he says.

Perhaps Bieber’s impending nuptials helped him work up the courage. Although he is legally married to Hailey Bieber (nee Baldwin) the two are reportedly having a wedding celebration in South Carolina in September.

Watch a more extended video of the worship: