Church Pastor Confesses He Has AIDS, Slept with Flock

An Alabama pastor shocked his flock by reportedly confessing from the pulpit that he has AIDS, had slept with church members, used drugs and misused funds. Rev. Juan Demetrius McFarland of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery confirmed to NBC affiliate WSFA that he made the admissions in a series of sermons that began in September. Deacon Nathan Williams said the church membership voted 80-1 to remove McFarland as pastor on Oct. 5, but he refused to step down.

“He fraudulently concealed from the congregation . . . that he had knowingly engaged in adultery in the church building with female members of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church while knowingly having AIDS,” said the resolution to remove McFarland.

He also “fraudulently withheld information that he had been engaging in the use of illegal drugs while preaching and performing pastoral duties” and “withheld information from church membership that he had misused church funds,” the resolution said.

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Church leaders tried to change the locks on the door, but were confronted by McFarland and a supporter who declared they were banned from the premises and would face “castle law” if they tried to attend services, said the deacons’ lawyer, Kenneth Shinbaum. “They’re worried if they show up to church, they could get shot,” he said. “Unless the pastor steps down voluntarily, this may very well end up in court.”

McFarland, who has been pastor for 21 years, could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

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