Former megachurch pastor Perry Noble, who was fired by his Newspring Church over issues around alcohol abuse and his attitude to his marriage, has checked into a treatment centre for the next month.
In a Facebook message to supporters, Noble, who found the church that grew to around 30,000 members under his ministry, said: "I'll be there for about 30 days. I'm going to be under the care of some excellent doctors, excellent psychiatrists, they're going to work with me and I'm gong to do whatever it takes to get better."
Explaining his absence from social media, he said: "If it seems like I go silent for about 30 days it's because I am doing the right thing, I'm taking my next step and I would appreciate your prayers as I do it.
"I'm really excited about the work Jesus is going to do in me through this process. I believe for me, and I believe for us and I believe for everyone the best is yet to come."
In their statement on Noble's termination, Newspring's directors referred to his "posture towards his marriage, increased reliance on alcohol and other behaviors". They said: "We will continue to love Perry and his family during this difficult time and we are committed to continue to pray for their healing."
Noble's statement said: "What we've seen the Lord do over the past 16 years has been a modern day miracle. However, in my obsession to do everything possible to reach 100,000 [members] and beyond – it has come at a personal cost in my own life and created a strain on my marriage."
In a previous Facebook post he repeated his belief that "NewSpring is going to reach 100,000 and beyond".
