Pastor John Gray was a no-show for Sunday morning service at his Relentless megachurch in South Carolina, just days after it was reported that the church received an official eviction notice.
Gray spoke to his congregation via video from an undisclosed location. The embattled pastor delivered a message of defiance and hope, even as his church undergoes an eviction filed by the former owners.
In a calm voice, Gray explained that his absence was “pre-planned before there was a setup with a camera to serve papers to our church.”
Gray also noted that he was not in church so he could take “a necessary day” with his wife, Aventer Gray, to “build my marriage so that it can be healthy and vibrant.”
Gray was the subject of cheating rumors and an extramarital affair with a woman in the Atlanta area.
The church’s month-to-month lease expired last week. The Redemption Church, which owns the property, filed documents in court to evict the church.
Gray claimed the lease was paid and his church was not in default.
“We have paid what we owe, according to our agreement, and everything is going to be shared at the right time trough the proper legal channels,” he said. “But until then, we, the Relentless Church, will continue to have service and we will maintain the moral ground.”
Gray did not address rumors that he may be moving his megachurch to Atlanta.
