A viral video of Pastor Terry Jackson of True Vine Apostolic Church of Christ, Hampton, Virginia, publicly rebuking a young woman for being pregnant outside wedlock has sparked outrage and debate on social media.
The footage, which reportedly happened on Sunday, shows the pastor instructing the visibly emotional woman to address the congregation.
Standing at the centre of the church, she tearfully apologised, saying, “I want to apologise to everybody in here because I am pregnant. I’m sorry, y’all. I just hope that y’all forgive me. Keep on praying for me.”
In his response, Jackson condemned her actions, describing the situation as “out of order.”
He further declared that the church would not celebrate her pregnancy with events like a baby shower.
“If you sin, you don’t wait later to repent. We don’t condone sin. Ain’t no baby showers. That’s what you lose when you have a baby out of wedlock, ain’t nobody in this church bout to attend one.”
“Thank God that God didn’t take you out of here,” the pastor said.
The video has drawn widespread criticism, with many accusing the pastor of public shaming.
