By Mona Austin
Pastor John Gray and his wife Aventer went on a media tour to address infidelity allegations. his so called "emotional affair." The Grays sat down with the ladies of The Real and the Frank Ski Radio Show to clear up infidelity rumors. Allegedly the charismatic leader cheated on his wife and ministry partner of eight years. He was also rumored to have fathered a child with a mystery mistress.
Gray denied having an affair or another child outside of his marriage: “There’s no baby, there’s none of that,” he said.
When Adrian Ballion asked if he had an affair directly, he said, ""No I did not," claiming the adulterous connection was an "emotional affair."
The clergyman/comedian/author formerly of Joel Olsteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, said he had only seen the woman once and never had a sexual relationship.
But, Gray took responsibility for talking to a woman about his marital challenges instead of someone in ministry.
"I began to converse with someone other than a counselor, other than a pastoral leader," he said, "which is where I should have taken my issues and challenges. [I] began to converse and was even in the presence of that person one time. But being in the presence of someone is not the same as sleeping with them.”
In the Bible,
As the pastor explained his actions Aventer awkwardly, smiled and clapped. When she spoke briefly she said she never encountered the other woman. The couple gave a completely different impression as if physical infidelity was never an issue when most people online believed they confessed about the affair in question during their first service at Relentless.
The entire interview was one-sided as there was no reference to the specific rumors, namely a tape of the mistress that was leaked to the Larry Reid Show on YouTube that offers details about the affair.
Reid, a minister and entertainment gossip Vlogger said the other woman told him he could release clips of their conversation if her voice was disguised.
In the audio clip above , the mistress is allegedly speaking to Gray who tells her to delete their text message exchange, alerting her that his wife knew about their affair.
On the talk show he said, "As a pastor it is important for people to know that I come not as a perfect man, but as a broken man, which is why we talked."
Many people feel this was a failed attempt at the truth.
YouTube commenter "Neeshpeesh123" felt the pastor was still hiding something, stating: ". . .nobody is better at covering up mess than church folks."
On the other hand, Shasha Vengesayi commented that she appreciated "his honesty and him acknowledging that an emotional affair is bad too."
Not only does the alledged audio from the mistress indicate Gray was unfaithful, but also that he may have had more than one mistress.
Through a recorded conversation with Reid the alleged other woman said Gray constantly talked about being tired of wearing a mask, feeling trapped due to having the new church and plans to leave Aventer Even if there was no cheating, Gray, who has stated he remained a virgin until the age of 36 and had little dating experience, admitted he has was not mature enough for Aventer. In television appearance on the TV One talker Sister Circle, Gray admitted he was not a good husband or father, blaming this lack of male leadership on his upbringing.
Many people feel this was a failed attempt at the truth.
YouTube commenter "Neeshpeesh123" felt the pastor was still hiding something, stating: ". . .nobody is better at covering up mess than church folks."
On the other hand, Shasha Vengesayi commented that she appreciated "his honesty and him acknowledging that an emotional affair is bad too."
Not only does the alledged audio from the mistress indicate Gray was unfaithful, but also that he may have had more than one mistress.
Through a recorded conversation with Reid the alleged other woman said Gray constantly talked about being tired of wearing a mask, feeling trapped due to having the new church and plans to leave Aventer Even if there was no cheating, Gray, who has stated he remained a virgin until the age of 36 and had little dating experience, admitted he has was not mature enough for Aventer. In television appearance on the TV One talker Sister Circle, Gray admitted he was not a good husband or father, blaming this lack of male leadership on his upbringing.
BACKGROUND ON JOHN & AVENTER GRAY'S MINISTRY AND RELATIONSHIP
Formerly an Associate Pastor at Joel Olsteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, he leads the Relentless Church in Greenville, SC with Aventer by his side. Outside of being televised on TBN, the Grays have been in the national media frequently since taking over the church in May of 2018. From Mr. Gray going to the White House for what amounted to a photo-op with Pres. Trump, to being criticized for lavishing his wife with a $200,000 Lamborgini SUV he as been drawn to the. However, Gray ignored interview requests from Greenville News, the local paper that broke the story about the $1.8 million church parsonage they live in, which according to the paper costs 10 times more than the median cost of homes there. There was some good press--one Sunday morning during the offering he paid for gas for members in need. And while still in Houston the generous pair executed an operation to provided necessities for victims of Hurricane Harvey.
For two years their marriage had been rocky enough to consider a divorce, Gray admitted to his congregants in the summer of 2018. In a video posted online Mrs. Gray has defended her decision to stay with her husband angrily rebuked anyone who disapproves. Despite obvious issues in their marriage, the Grays hosted the "Align" relationship conference after saying they were struggling.
Since leaving Lakewood it seems that a cloud of confusion has followed them as their real intentions are questioned. Despite negative media attention since leaving Lakewood, Gray continues to air on the OWN Network and TBN.
Up and down, back and forward went their relationship, now fully exposed to the public. A demonstration of relentless in action, the Grays said they still have the support of their congregation. Aventer felt the marriage and the ministry were worth fighting for when she addressed the issue before their flock. Alluding to the book of Proverbs, said a strange woman would not dismantle their union. By the new year Bishop TD Jakes laid hands Pastor John to ward off the spirit of suicide.
Just a couple of years earlier while still at Lakewood the clergyman lamented almost losing his wife to illness, emotionally testifying and thanking God for saving his bride.
This couple may have stumbled, but so far they have not fallen and seem to be committed to getting through their challenges together.