A pastor has confessed to a 'sexual incident' with a teenager - only to miraculously receive a standing ovation.
MegaChurch pastor Andy Savage made the confession at a service at Highpoint Church in Memphis, Tennessee last weekend.
He said: "As a college student on staff at a church in Texas more than 20 years ago, I regretfully had a sexual incident with a female high school senior in the church."
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Savage did not go into detail about the 'sexual incident', but he did admit that he had sinned. He also asked forgiveness for what happened, something that was met with rapturous applause from the congregation for about 20 seconds. He even got a standing ovation.
Jules Woodson was 17 years old when she says she was sexually assaulted by Savage, who at the time was a 22-year-old youth minister at a Houston church. Woodson recently went public with her story on a Christian blog, explaining the incident took place during a ride from church.
"I did it because I was scared and I was in shock and I didn't understand what was happening," Woodson said.
She said she even notified another pastor, but they told her to keep the story quiet. She then said Savage left the church just weeks later.
Woodson said she was inspired by the widely publicised #MeToo movement, which came about in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein (and wider Hollywood) scandal, and after decades of silence felt the need to speak up. She sent the pastor an email last month, but he didn't respond with an apology until Monday.
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"An apology does not change the fact that what happened to me was against the law and that it was wrong," Woodson said.
She also explained that on the night that the incident took place, Savage apparently got down on his knees and apologised, but also told her to keep it a secret.
However, 42-year-old Savage claimed he thought he'd 'dealt with' what happened with Woodson in Texas two decades ago.
"Until now, I did not know there was unfinished business with Jules," he said during the service, which was also streamed live online.
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"Jules, I am deeply sorry for my actions 20 years ago. I remain committed to cooperate with you toward forgiveness and healing."
Chris Conlee, lead pastor of the Memphis Church where Savage is now a minister, prayed for both Savage and Woodson.
"It saddens us that Ms. Woodson has not been on the same road to healing," Conlee said.
The church has since issued a statement saying only that 'there will be additional information from Andy and the church soon'.
Featured Image Credit: CBS