Tullian Tchividjian, Billy Graham’s grandson, resigns as senior pastor after admitting affair

Billy Graham’s grandson Tullian Tchividjian has resigned as senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after he admitted to being in an “inappropriate relationship” with a friend while he and his wife were separated.

“I resigned from my position at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church today due to ongoing marital issues,” he said in a statement to The Washington Post. “As many of you know, I returned from a trip a few months back and discovered that my wife was having an affair. Heartbroken and devastated, I informed our church leadership and requested a sabbatical to focus exclusively on my marriage and family. As her affair continued, we separated.

“Sadly and embarrassingly, I subsequently sought comfort in a friend and developed an inappropriate relationship myself,” Mr. Tchividjian, 42, said. “Last week I was approached by our church leaders and they asked me about my own affair. I admitted to it and it was decided that the best course of action would be for me to resign. Both my wife and I are heartbroken over our actions and we ask you to pray for us and our family that God would give us the grace we need to weather this heart wrenching storm. We are amazingly grateful for the team of men and women who are committed to walking this difficult path with us. Please pray for the healing of deep wounds and we kindly ask that you respect our privacy.”

Mr. Tchividjian and his wife, Kim, have been married since 1994 and have three children together. Mrs. Tchividjian said in a statement to The Post that her husband’s opinions do not reflect her own. She also asked for privacy and thanked “everyone for the outpouring of love for my family.”

Rob Pacienza, executive pastor of Coral Ridge, said the church was “saddened” by the news but is working with Mr. Tchividjian and his family to help them through this difficult time.

Mr. Tchividjian’s name was removed from the church’s website Sunday. The former pastor wrote on Twitter: “Welcome to the valley of the shadow of death…thank God grace reigns here.”