Pastor Admits To 'Adultery' At Congregation, Woman Says She Was 16 When He Took Her Virginity

KEY POINTS

Pastor John Lowe II received a standing ovation after his public admission Sunday
A woman from the congregation stepped up and spoke about how he preyed on her
The pastor stepped down from his role after people demanded a response from him

An Indiana pastor stood before his congregation and admitted to committing “adultery” about 20 years ago. His revelation was followed by a woman stepping on stage and saying she was only 16 years old when the pastor took her virginity.

Pastor John Lowe II stepped down from his role as pastor of the New Life Christian Church in Warsaw on Sunday.

His address to the congregation was recorded and posted on Facebook, AP News reported.

“I committed adultery,” the pastor told the congregation.

“It was nearly 20 years ago,” he went on to say. “It continued far too long. It involved one person and there’s been no other. I have no defense ... I sinned. I need to say that and you deserve to hear it.”

As the crowd gave the pastor a standing ovation, a woman took to the stage and said the pastor took her virginity when she was just a young teen.

“It was 27 years ago, not 20 ... I was just 16 when you took my virginity on your office floor. Do you remember that? I know you do,” she reportedly said.

“I was a prisoner, and you kept me in your prison. I’m a prisoner no longer,” the woman said as the pastor stood inches away from her.

“You did things to my teenage body that had never and should have never been done. If you can’t admit to the truth, you have to answer to God. You are not the victim here,” she went on to say, according to WANE 15. “...The church deserves to know the truth. This church has been built on lies, but no more. The lies need to stop.”

For years, she felt like a "horrible person" and had suicidal thoughts. She said she would still be in a "prison" if her brother hadn't approached her two weeks ago about a memory, which still bothered him, of her and the pastor in bed together.

The woman left the stage with a man who was accompanying her.

Members of the congregation then demanded a response from the pastor.

“I told you I committed adultery and I told you it went on far too long,” the pastor responded. “I can’t do anything about that except to tell you, if I could go back and redo it all, I would. I can’t, and all I can do is ask for you to forgive me.”

The church released a statement Monday in light of the incident.

“...We are hurting and broken for a woman who has lovingly attended and served in the church for many years, as well as for her husband and family. It is our deepest prayer and commitment to love, support, encourage and help her through a process of healing in any way in which we are able,” the church said.

“Our brokenness extends to Pastor John B. Lowe II, his wife and family as well. For 42 years, New Life has taught and preached a Cross-driven message of repentance, forgiveness and restoration; a ministry of reconciliation which has been both led and modeled by Pastors John and Debbie Lowe,” the statement added.