St. John's Lutheran Church at 505 E. Carpenter in Midland.

Andrew Whitaker | MLive.com St. John's Lutheran Church & Schools of Midland Michigan, 505 E. Carpenter in Midland.

MIDLAND, MI -- The Rev. Matthew Makela has resigned from St. John's Lutheran Church & Schools of Midland Michigan.

A letter addressing the congregation found on the church's website states:

"Dear members of St. John's,



It is my grief to inform you that Pastor Makela announced his resignation as a pastor of St. John's through a letter that was read in worship on Sunday, May 17. Pastor has acknowledged that there was sin and repentance, and I have testified that there is indeed forgiveness through the same Lord who forgives all our sins. Nevertheless, it is an end of our time together in ministry, and we ask for your continued prayers and support for the Makela family.



To make matters worse, though, the details of sin that have been kept confidential are being posted online by those who seek to do harm to the Makela family and to St. John's. This is taking an already difficult situation and making it even more painful."

Read entire letter here

Officials at St. John's, 505 E. Carpenter in Midland, could not be immediately reached for comment. A phone number listed for Makela has been disconnected.

Makela was the subject of a story on the gay news website Queerty that showed screenshots of messages Makela posted to the mobile app Grindr -- a male location-based social network. Grindr uses a mobile device's location-based services to show other posters closest to the user, according to its website.

Queerty reported that Makela confirmed the authenticity of the screenshots and declined comment.

Bob Johnson is a reporter for MLive/The Saginaw News. Contact him at 989-395-3295, by email at

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