By Lindsay Oreschnigg
Allied Faith & Family
In the run-up to the release of the highly anticipated 3/D film JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER, which chronicles the North American leg of her son Justin Bieber’s first world tour, Pattie Mallette is serene, knowing that she and her 16 year-old son are following God’s purpose for their lives. But the single mom, who has seen Justin go from drumming his highchair tray to street busking to international pop stardom at a level not seen since Michael Jackson, is also doing all she can to maintain some semblance of normalcy in her son’s life by steeping him in her Christian faith and surrounding him with positive moral influences.
“I’m aware of the dangers,” she explained. “He’s my son and I’m accountable by God and by the law to protect him – which includes covering him spiritually. Justin’s faith is strong but he’s young and hasn’t come completely into himself yet. So what I can do is pray, teach and continue surrounding him with strong Christian influences.”
Mallette, who is asking fans to pray for Justin’s well being as his popularity surges, employs a “travel pastor” when they’re on tour as well as a Christian tutor to help develop Justin’s scripture memory and knowledge of Christian history. She also employs a Christian advisor, who along with manager Scooter Braun, an observant Jew, provides “a great moral base and model for Justin.”
Bieber recently released a video called “PRAY” which demonstrates his faith with footage from earthquake-torn Haiti and post-Katrina New Orleans, as well as clips of the star visiting the sick and identifying with military families and the poor. The song includes a prayer for “the life not started” and ends with the phrase, “listening is the beginning of prayer.” The upcoming motion picture shows him saying grace in a restaurant with friends and praying with his team before storming the stage at a sold-out Madison Square Garden.
His mother is hoping his fans will follow his lead and pray for him as he proceeds through his career. “I try to keep things organic and not push anything on him,” Mallette said. “Justin recognizes that what he’s been given is a gift – and also a ministry. He is on a wonderful journey and I love him and I am asking for people’s prayer support as Justin continues spreading his message of love throughout the world.”
