The Pastor, My Friend And the Secret That Broke Us

My friend Suzzie was a wonderful person, but life dealt her a tough hand. She faced numerous challenges, often battling one difficulty after another. Whether it was financial struggles or a man who promised her the world only to vanish, her life was filled with hardships. Additionally, her mother was frequently ill and required special care.

Her salary barely covered their needs, and at times, she had to borrow money just to buy medication for her sick mother. I’ve known Suzzie since we were kids, and we became like sisters. At one point, we both agreed that her troubles were of a spiritual nature. We had to believe that, as nothing else seemed to make sense.

One Sunday, I invited her to my church to meet my pastor, hoping he could help her as I had witnessed him do for many others. He not only performed miracles in the lives of those in need but also provided practical support, covering medical bills, paying school fees, and even securing housing for the homeless.

I was confident that Suzzie would receive spiritual guidance, but more importantly, I believed my pastor could assist her financially.

After the service, I accompanied her to the pastor’s house, where two church elders, the pastor’s wife, and a prayer warrior were present. Suzzie shared her struggles, and we all prayed for her. Following the prayers, the pastor asked her to bring her mother to him the next day.

Everything seemed to be falling into place. The pastor agreed to cover her mother’s medical expenses and promised to help Suzzie find a suitable job. All she needed to do was attend church every Sunday with her mother and participate in counseling sessions every Wednesday.

Then one night, Suzzie called me, her voice trembling with emotion. “There’s a problem. The pastor just left my house. He wants me to be his girlfriend.” I was taken aback. “What? Are you serious? How can you say that?” She replied, “You’ve known me my whole life. I share my problems with you. Have I ever lied to you?”

For nearly a minute, I was speechless. Suzzie and I had grown close to the pastor’s wife, who was mentoring us for leadership roles in the church. How could we face her with this knowledge?

I asked Suzzie, who was sobbing on the phone, “What are you going to do?” She responded, “I don’t know. I can’t think straight right now. Do you think if I say no, he would stop helping me?”

I had no answer, so I suggested she pray about it. We hoped the pastor would reconsider and stop pursuing Suzzie, but he didn’t. He kept asking her to meet him in various places, sometimes even at hotels. I had thought that seeing my pastor would resolve Suzzie’s issues, but instead, I had inadvertently placed her in a far worse situation.

He began sending her explicit photos and boasting about his skills in bed, claiming he could “rock her world” if given the chance.

Eventually, Suzzie had to make a choice. She decided to say yes to the pastor. When she told me, I felt shattered. I kept insisting, “No, Suzzie, you can’t do that to the pastor’s wife. She has been such a good mentor to us. This isn’t how to repay her.”

From that moment on, everything changed. Suzzie stopped attending church and preferred meeting the pastor in hotels. She cut off all communication with me. I knew this was the pastor’s influence. He found her a new place and spent most of his time with her.

I confided in a few friends who encouraged me to inform the church elders and the pastor’s wife. It was a difficult decision, but one day, I resolved to tell her everything. I sent her a message: “Mom, after the meeting this evening, could I have a few minutes to discuss something personal?” She replied, “Of course.”

That evening, I was consumed with anxiety about what I was about to do. I was paralyzed with fear, running through countless “what if” scenarios. After the meeting, she approached me and asked, “Is everything alright? Let’s talk.” I followed her to her office and began, “Mom, there’s something I need to share with you…” I took a deep breath and exhaled. “I’ve been praying for a husband for the last three years, but nothing is happening. The men I meet only break my heart. I need you to intercede for me. I’m growing older, but no man is coming.”

She looked into my eyes and said, “My daughter, the devil is a liar. He can’t take away the groom that the Almighty is preparing for you… blah blah blah.” She prayed for me, and I left, unable to say anything. Today, Suzzie remains the pastor’s mistress. It’s heartbreaking.

—Enyonam