*While his claim of being “delivert” and not liking “mens no more” went viral, Andrew Caldwell admits all was not what it looked like the day he came forward at the Church of God in Christ.
In an interview with NBC12, Caldwell mentioned that his experience was serious and not a comedy routine of any sort.
“I was serious,” he told the station. “I did not want to go viral. I did not expect that to go viral. I did not want to get up there and just say anything and look crazy in front of thousands of people.”
Caldwell attracted headlines and attention after a video surfaced of his “gay conversion” experience. In the video, Caldwell is heard saying “I’m not gay no more!” at the Church of God in Christ conference in St. Louis. “I’m delivered! I don’t like mens no more!”
The video of Caldwell’s experience has since gone viral with songs and cartoons created at his expense. In reacting to NBC12’s original online story on the video, Caldwell set the record straight on what really happened.
“And you all spoke about my video,” noted Caldwell. “I said let me reach out to him. Let him get the truth. Let him know what’s really going on in the world. I went up there because I needed prayer that day. I needed so much prayer.”
Regarding what he said about not being gay, Caldwell revealed that he felt pressured by the previous speaker at the Church of God in Christ conference in St. Louis. According to Caldwell, the speaker called gays in the church “sissies” and suggested they should “bleed from their butts.”
In response to Caldwell, the Church of God in Christ issued a formal apology via Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr.
“As presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ, I apologize for what seemed to be a harsh, uncompassionate, disrespectful spirit on the part of that speaker,” Blake stated. “I also apologize to Andrew Caldwell. We love all people regardless of their faith or their moral standing.”
Despite the church’s apology, Caldwell was not sold.
“They think that they can preach the homosexuals away in the Church of God in Christ. And you can’t,” he said while confirming that he was not delivered on the spot at the church
“No,” said Caldwell. “That’s not the case…I still have desires.”
“Do you have any regrets about what happened?” we asked Caldwell went on to mention that he does have regrets about what happened at the church as it led to him being attacked in the past week and being called homosexual slurs.
“I do hold regrets. Because my life has been in danger,” he said.
“That video caused a lot to me…mentally and physically,” said Caldwell. “I feel that, if I was delivered, God should deliver me more. But I know it takes a process. But I think it is going a little bit slow. I want God to work on my mannerisms. I want God to stop the switching…talking like a woman.”
All name calling and laughing aside, Caldwell told NBC12 that he sincerely wants to be delivered. Yet he added that he can’t help feeling let down by his entire experience at the Church of God in Christ.
“Continue to pray for me,” said Caldwell. “Because I am going through a lot each and every day.”
To see Caldwell’s NBC12 interview, check out the video below: