'I Had an Emotional Affair,' Pastor John Gray Sets the Record Straight on Cheating Rumors

Pastor John Gray from Greenville, South Carolina, felt the need to speak up on national television to clear the air about viral rumors of him purchasing an expensive luxury car and having an affair with another woman.

Pastor John Gray from the Relentless Church in Greenville, South Carolina, appeared on the daytime talk show "The Real" with his wife, Aventer Gray. The pastor has been on the hot seat for months after rumors had spread about his alleged affair and a "love child" that she supposedly gave birth to.

On "The Real," Adrienne Bailon-Houghton went straight to the point, asking the pastor if he had an affair, to which he replied: "The answer is no. I didn't."

He further expounded on his explanation, saying that while he did not physically cheat on his wife, he did confide in another woman during a difficult time in their marriage.

"Over a year ago, my wife and I were in a very difficult place in our marriage, and in that time, I began to converse with someone, other than a counselor, other than a pastoral leader — which is where I should have taken my issues and challenges — and began to converse, and I 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. I did not sleep with anyone."

Given that he said he never slept with anyone else, he outright denied that he fathered a child as well.

"There's no baby, none of that. [The emotional affair] was wrong. I take responsibility for that. But I will not take responsibility for that which I did not do."

HIS CONTROVERSIAL LAMBORGHINI

Aside from the cheating rumors, he made sure to clarify his purchase of a Lamborghini estimated to cost $200,000 late last year, which was meant as an eighth wedding anniversary gift to his wife. The community wondered whether or not the money he used to buy the car came from the church.

"Eight is a number that matters to us," Gray said. "It was our eight-year anniversary. Eight is the number of new beginnings. People don't know that we've had different significant health challenges. Nothing is promised."

For the money used to buy the car, Gray revealed that "not one cent" came from the church fund, as the couple currently makes money from their TV show, book deals, and other outside opportunities.

John and Avener are keen on making their relationship work, and they have been doing all they can to defend themselves from rumors. Prior to their guesting, Avener spoke about the rumors, saying:

“When you know what your position is, everything else is false. I know who I am. I am the rib God took from him. I’m his Rest In Brokeness. RIB. Rest in brokenness. Until he wakes up and understands who he is. You pray wife, as the devils run away. Amen? If you give up too soon, he wins.” said Aventer referring to the devil.