Bishop Jim Swilley, pastor of Church In The Now in Conyers, has informed his congregation that he is gay.
Rumors swirled for weeks that the popular pastor would publicly discuss his sexuality. Swilley did not return repeated calls to his office today, but a video of the service on the church's Web site shows Swilley addressing his sexual orientation. The video is entitled "A Real Message to Real People."
He said several close friends and relatives were in attendance to show their support. His parents, whom he said also support him, wanted to be there but had other obligations.
"When there's a parade going on about you, you need to get out in front of the parade and manage it," Swilley said his father advised him. "The people need to know from you what is and what isn't."
Swilley, who is divorced and a father, is nearing his 39th year in the ministry. He said he has known about his sexuality since he was a boy. "It was made abundantly clear to me at an early age that what was true about me just could not be," he said. He said it was akin to someone having blue eyes but being told they can't have blue eyes. "It was made clear to me that this is absolutely unacceptable."
The interdenominational church promotes itself as "A Place of Love, A Place of Acceptance, A Place of Vision." Swilley is ordained as a pastor through Now Ministries, and was consecrated in 1998 as a bishop through the International Communion of Charismatic Churches .
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