Disgraced pastor Sam Collier has been restored to ministry for a second time, following accusations by his ex-wife that he was a serial adulterer through most of their marriage, and revelations that he was allegedly blackmailed by a transgender prostitute he was paying for sex.
Sam Collier is the lead pastor of Christian Cultural Center (CCC), a small church in Atlanta. Several months ago, the former Hillsong pastor underwent a restoration process following a 2023 divorce from his wife over alleged unfaithfulness.
While things were quiet for a while, his former wife, Toni, began making the rounds on social media in December, revealing on the Girls Gone Bible podcast that not only did he cheat on her for 6 of the 8 years they were married, but that it all came to a head when it was revealed he was being extorted for tens of thousands of dollars by a transgender prostitute he allegedly hired for sexual favors.
The revelation resulted in Collier taking a few weeks off from preaching, but he was quickly restored during their January 4th church service by Pastor A.R. Bernard, founder of CCC New York, who attended the service in order to bless his return.
Bernard read a statement published by the church:
Thanking the man for supporting him, Collier offered:
“It has been two years of unexpected trial. You could not tell me I would still be here today navigating this. You know, over the past two years, and it’s been difficult because you have your integrity questioned.
As of recently your sexuality question, which has always been intact. and will always remain intact: heterosexual.I’m grateful for organizations like CCC and Pastor Jamal, Dr. A.R. Bernard. When you have situations like this happen, the church leaves you. And I’ve experienced that a lot over the last two years.
I think this may provide some clarity as to the process. We’re continuing to walk through when you’re on a flight before the flight takes off. They say you put your oxygen mask on first before you help somebody else. And that’s the process of that. We’ve been in a process of me putting my oxygen mask on.
And so I know it’s difficult for many of us, especially those that have been walking with me for a long time, because it seems like, ‘man, when is this going to end?’ But this is the process of us pursuing that at the highest level. So please be patient with us as we navigate and just continue to keep my family in your prayers.”
