Detroit Megachurch Pastor Admits to ‘Inappropriate Relationship” With Former Member
Woman claims to be writing exposé titled ‘The Bishop His Wife and Me’
Bishop Charles Ellis III, longtime senior pastor of Detroit megachurch Greater Grace Temple, has admitted to an “inappropriate relationship” with a former church member.
Bishop Charles Ellis III (photo via Greater Grace Temple’s social media) / Insert of Melody Walker (photo via TikTok)
The pastor notified his church via email on July 22. “I recently was made aware of social media posts shared by a former member of my congregation, with whom I had an inappropriate relationship over 15 years ago,” he wrote.
Ellis denies some accusations laid out in the social media posts saying they “are deeply troubling and untrue.” He did not specify which ones.
This is not Ellis’ first accusation of misconduct. In 2018, Ellis was photographed touching pop star Ariana Grande inappropriately at his church during Aretha Franklin’s funeral, which he officiated.
Grande had just finished singing one of Franklin’s songs when Ellis stepped to the podium. As he stood beside her, he wrapped his arm around her waist, then moved his hand higher, eventually landing on her chest.
In the wake of the incident, Ellis released an apology to the Associated Press. “It would never be my intention to touch any woman’s breast,” he said. “I don’t know, I guess I put my arm around her. Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar but again, I apologize.”
In this latest accusation, former church member Melody Walker laid out in a series of TikTok videos a multi-year relationship she had with Ellis. Walker says she was 22 years old and Walker was 47 when their relationship started. It lasted 16 years, from 2002 to 2018.
She claims to be writing a book titled “The Bishop His Wife and Me” that she says is available for pre-order. The pre-order form tells buyers to send money directly to her Paypal account, with no information about when or by whom the book will be published or how it will be delivered.
Ellis has been married to his wife Crisette for 37 years, and has led Greater Grace Temple for 21 years. The church claims 6,000 members and a $36-million worship facility that was built in 2002.
The pastor has asked for prayers and support. “I ask for continued prayers for myself, my family, as well as this individual and her family,” he wrote. “My deepest hope is that all parties involved can find peace and healing.”
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