Phil Boatwright, author and movie reviewer, recently sat down with Pattie Mallette, Justin Bieber’s mother, for an interview.
Q: When did Justin make his profession of faith?
A: He was really young, around 5 or 6. … I told him it was his decision. He couldn’t make it because of Mommy. It has to be because of your own heart. And he kept telling me that he understood. And when he was 8 or 9, he wanted to be baptized. So, I let him.
Q: I assume it’s difficult to attend church on a regular basis with your schedule.
A: When we can, we go on Sunday mornings wherever we are. And there are some churches that have live streaming webcasts that we watch and pray through.
Q: What’s the most difficult aspect of this new celebrity?
A: The pressure — for both of us. Justin is under a tremendous amount of pressure as a role model to an entire generation. So many kids are looking to him. As teenagers, we all make mistakes. Fortunately and unfortunately, he’s in the public eye.
Q: And the best part?
A: Favor with people. Freedom to be able to travel. We feel like we’re on this incredible journey. We’re so incredibly blessed.
Q: You’re a single mom.
A: I was never married. I came to the Lord when I was 17, but shortly after accepting Christ, I went back to making my own decisions and got pregnant. Realizing what I had done, I came back to God wholeheartedly, begging Him to forgive me. It’s really an incredible testimony of God’s mercy and grace. And the genuine love of people at the church who encouraged me.
Q: Does Justin have a father figure in his life?
A: Oh, his dad is a part of his life. He doesn’t travel with us and he’s not with us all the time, but his dad’s in his life. They talk on a regular basis and he visits when he can.
Q: How do you keep your son grounded?
A: Through prayer. By surrounding him with good people, people who will hold him accountable, and by constantly reminding him that he’s here for a reason. “To whom much is given, much is required.” So, we just have to keep him lifted up in prayer.
Q: I understand that there are prayer groups who pray for him, daily.
A: As a mother, that is so good to hear, because prayer is so powerful. (BP)
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