Apostle Sam Adegoke of Elijah Generation Church in Akure, Ondo State, has apologised for past sexual relationships before his marriage.
The newlywed pastor said he deeply regrets his past conduct and has stepped back from public ministry. He said the decision would allow him to reflect, seek counsel and make amends where necessary.
Adegoke disclosed this in a statement released on Monday. He also apologised to the women involved, his wife, family, church members and others who trusted him for spiritual leadership.
The development comes as conversations about accountability among religious leaders continue to attract public attention. It also follows several recent reports involving public figures and personal conduct.
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Pastor Adegoke Admits Past Sexual Relationships
Adegoke acknowledged that he had sexual relationships with women before getting married.
He said those relationships happened before his marriage. However, he admitted that his actions did not meet the standards he believes should guide his conduct as a Christian minister.
“Before I was married, I was involved in sexual relationships with women that I deeply regret,” Adegoke said in his statement.
He added that he would not use the fact that the relationships happened before marriage as an excuse. Instead, he said he accepts responsibility for his actions.
The pastor also said he had been seeking God and receiving both pastoral and professional counselling. He said the process had involved examining his conduct honestly.
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Newlywed Pastor Apologises to Women Involved
Adegoke offered a direct apology to the women with whom he had past relationships.
He said he was sorry for any hurt, disappointment or harm his actions may have caused. He also apologised to people who trusted him because of his position as a minister.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and sincerely apologise to the women involved for any hurt, disappointment, or harm I may have caused,” he said.
The pastor extended his apology to his wife and other members of his family. He also mentioned his church, colleagues and people who had relied on him for spiritual guidance.
His statement did not provide details about the women involved or the circumstances surrounding the relationships. It also did not identify any specific allegations made against him by the women.
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Why Adegoke Stepped Back From Ministry
Adegoke said he had stepped away from public ministry and social media in recent weeks.
According to him, the decision was necessary to create time for reflection and accountability. He said he wanted to confront his past rather than avoid difficult questions about his conduct.
The pastor said he was also seeking guidance from spiritual and professional counsellors. He described the process as part of his effort to make meaningful changes.
Adegoke said stepping back from public ministry was not intended to excuse his actions. Instead, he said it was part of accepting responsibility for them.
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Pastor Says Repentance Requires Changed Conduct
The cleric said genuine repentance should involve more than words or public apologies.
He argued that repentance should be demonstrated through changed conduct, accountability and a willingness to accept consequences. He said he intended to remain accountable throughout the process.
“I will therefore continue to submit myself to appropriate spiritual, pastoral, and professional accountability throughout this process,” he said.
Adegoke also said he wanted to make amends where appropriate. He asked for the privacy and protection of people who may have been affected by his past actions.
The pastor did not give details about what specific steps he plans to take beyond counselling, accountability and his decision to step back from public ministry.
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Newlywed Pastor Appeals for Prayers
Adegoke also asked the public to pray for him as he works through the situation.
He said he was not asking people to excuse his actions. Instead, he asked for prayers that would help him confront his past with humility and courage.
“I ask for prayer, not that my actions would be excused, but that I would have the humility and courage to face them honestly,” he said.
He also asked for the strength to make amends where necessary and protect those affected by his past conduct. He said he wanted to allow genuine transformation to take place in his life.
The pastor later expressed regret again and promised to approach his future conduct with greater responsibility.
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Adegoke Says He Is Committed to Change
Adegoke said he remained deeply sorry for his past actions.
He also promised to move forward with greater integrity and accountability. His statement focused on personal responsibility rather than offering excuses for his conduct.
“I am deeply sorry and remain committed to walking forward with greater integrity, responsibility, and accountability,” he said.
The pastor’s decision to withdraw from public ministry comes shortly after his marriage. However, the statement did not indicate how long the withdrawal would last.
It also did not state whether he plans to return to regular preaching or other public ministry activities after completing his period of reflection and counselling.
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Wife Also Disables Instagram Comments
Meanwhile, Adegoke and his wife have disabled comments on their respective Instagram accounts.
The move followed the pastor’s public statement about his past relationships and decision to step away from public ministry. The report did not state whether the couple had made any additional public comments about the situation.
The development has placed renewed attention on the pastor’s personal life and his role as a spiritual leader. However, details beyond Adegoke’s own statement remain limited.
The pastor’s statement primarily focused on accepting responsibility, seeking counselling and making changes.
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Pastor Adegoke’s Statement on Accountability
Adegoke’s statement presents his decision to step back from ministry as part of a broader accountability process.
He acknowledged his past relationships, apologised to those he said may have been hurt and said he was receiving professional and pastoral guidance. He also asked the public to pray for personal transformation rather than seeking to excuse his actions.
The pastor did not provide further details about the women involved or describe any specific allegations beyond his acknowledgment of past sexual relationships.
His wife and the women mentioned in his statement have not been quoted in the supplied report. As a result, the account of the situation is based primarily on Adegoke’s own public statement.
For more stories from Ondo State, readers can also see Olu Jacobs Laid to Rest in Lagos as Nollywood Pays Final Tribute. The pastor said he would continue working toward greater integrity and accountability as he addresses the matter.
