As reported by The Christian Post, Ron Carpenter, pastor of Redemption World Outreach Center in Greenville, S.C., tearfully confessed his family’s recent hardships to his congregation this past weekend, including his wife’s severe mental illness and adultery. Breaking down at the pulpit, Carpenter explained that his wife was now under psychiatric evaluation after voluntarily checking into a rehabilitation clinic, and therapists have told him his wife Hope’s case was “the worst one they’d ever seen.”
Thousands listened as Carpenter continued to explain with trembling words of the multiple incidences of adultery he’d been enduring over the past ten years, and that his wife had created a completely separate, dual life apart from their relationship. After audibly weeping at the pulpit, Carpenter continued that the doctors do not yet know what illness his wife was suffering from, but that she needed prayer, support and “miracles” and was not just “sinning.”
Carpenter also pointed out that he would not be leaving or going on a sabbatical, as he had done nothing wrong. “The reason I’m not going on a sabbatical and not I’m trying to solicit hand claps, I’m being honest with you, is that at this point in my life I only have two joys—it’s my kids and it’s you, and I don’t need to be separated from you right now,” he said, breaking out in tears once more.
But Carpenter also made it clear that he understood if any members of the church felt inclined to remove themselves from under his leadership but asked them to give him a chance. “I know I am going to be under intense scrutiny. I’m just gonna have to deal with it, but I will do everything in my power to regain your trust…and I will walk this thing out with integrity and authenticity,” he said.
Fellow megachurch pastors expressed their support for Carpenter on Twitter. Bishop T.D. Jakes wrote that he was “sending prayer and love.” Ed Young tweeted that he was “praying and standing with @roncarpenter,” and Perry Noble of NewSpring Church in Anderson, S.C., wrote, “I love you @roncarpenter—praying for you and standing with you my friend!” Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in Charlotte, N.C., called Carpenter “a good man and a true friend.”
Carpenter has been married for 23 years and has four children.
