Megachurch Gives Pastor Standing Ovation After He Admits to 'Sexual Incident' With Teen

The pastor of a Memphis megachurch was met with a standing ovation after admitting to what he characterized as a "sexual incident" with a teen.

Highpoint Church pastor and presumed charlatan Andy Savage spoke to his congregation Sunday, at which point he also asked Mr. God for forgiveness. "As a college student on staff at a church in Texas more than 20 years ago, I regretfully had a sexual incident with a female high school senior in the church," Savage said, according toCBS News.

Jules Woodson, who was 17 at the time of the 1998 incident, went public with a blog post earlier this month. Woodson said Savage, who was 22 at the time, offered to drive her from Woodlands Parkway Baptist Church to her mother's house. Instead of going straight to Woodson's home, however, Savage took a detour. "I asked him where he was going," Woodson wrote. "I don't remember his exact response, but it was something along the lines of 'you'll see' or 'it's a surprise.' I know for sure he did not tell me where he was taking me. I remember feeling special and excited, as in my mind, he obviously wanted to spend more time with me before taking me home. I assumed we were going to get ice cream."

Savage then took Woodson down a "dirt road" before placing his truck in park and cutting the headlights. "Suddenly, Andy unzipped his jeans and pulled out his penis," she said, going on:

In a previously released statement, Savage claimed there's "never been another situation remotely similar in my life before or after that occurrence."

According to the Austin American-Statesman, former Parkway associate pastor Larry Cotton has now been placed on leave from his role at Austin Stone Community Church due to his alleged involvement in a cover-up related to Savage's actions.