Megachurch Pastor Fred Price Jr. Steps Down Over 'Personal Misjudgments'

By Timothy Yap Jun 30, 2017 06:28 AM EDT

Last Sunday, mega-church pastor Fred K. Price Jr. left his congregation in shock on Sunday when he announced that he was stepping down from the pulpit due to "personal misjudgments." Pastor Fred K. Price Jr succeeded his father Dr. Frederick K.C. Price as the senior pastor of the 28,000-member Crenshaw Christian Center in 2009.

"Approximately a month ago I came before you to announce that I would be taking a three-week sabbatical. Well I'm here today to give you an update. I have struggled with," Price said trailing off into several seconds of emotional posturing as his wife Angel stood in quiet support by his side.

Price did not specify his "misjudgments" but noted they were "serious." Apparently, he is working to correct them with the help of his church's leadership team. Except for relevant church administrators, everyone else was in the dark until he delivered the statement.

"It's news that no one predicted and it's up to each individual as to how they receive it," Crenshaw Christian Center New York hostess Karen Taylor said. "We have no idea what it is (the betrayal). What you heard him announce on Sunday is what we heard so we have no speculation and we don't speculate. We deal with truth."

Nevertheless, Price did mention that the "misjudgments" were a betrayal to God, his church and family. "I have struggled with and am correcting and making amends for serious personal misjudgments which have affected my life and my family and which I deeply regret. I have betrayed the trust of God, my family and you my church and for that I am so sorry. Therefore, I'm gonna step down as pastor at this time."

"I have submitted myself to my fathers, our apostles' plan of restoration, chief among those is I will be attending Sunday service starting next week and throughout the year, so that I can hear the Word and be restored in order to fulfill the call on my life to ministry. In closing I would like to ask that you respect my family's privacy while we work through this personal situation. I thank you all for the support you have given me. As pastor, I love you all and I solicit your prayers during this difficult time," he ended.

His announcement was then followed by shouts of "love you" "God is great, don't worry about it" as he left the stage to a standing ovation.