Pastor Perry Noble does not want NewSpring Church to lose congregants even after he was fired for his alcohol dependency. He is thankful for the "unbelievable support" he has received from churchgoers this week.
At the same time, he expressed concern when many of the South Carolina megachurch congregants threatened to leave the church unless he is reinstated.
On his Facebook page, Perry shared a video telling his fellow Christians that he is thankful for their prayers, and that he is doing his best to get better.
"I want to say to everyone at NewSpring Church that I am sorry that I allowed a dependency on alcohol — I ran to it rather than to Jesus for my comfort, and that was wrong and I am sorry. I am going to do whatever it takes to make it right," he says.
Perry continues, "I am checking into a treatment facility, and I am going to work with some excellent people who are really going to help me take my next steps. I am serious about fighting for my wife and my daughter, and I am serious about following Jesus."
He understands that many are angry at the church over his dismissal, but Perry says he does not wish to cause any trouble. "If you love me, be at NewSpring this Sunday. And the next Sunday, and the next Sunday. I still love my church," he says. "God has gotten my attention. I am focused on getting better. I am not bitter. I'm going to get through this, we're going to get through this, and I still believe that NewSpring is going to reach 100,000 and beyond."
Perry also supports the appointment of Senior Pastor Clayton King, the leader of Crossroads Worldwide ministry, as his replacement. "He is a great man of God. He is a Godly father, he is a Godly husband," he says.
