Arrested pastor to former congregation: forgive me

A letter from former senior pastor Andy Harris chronicling the difficult time he and his family faced in recent years was read aloud during Sunday service at The Church of The Cross in Haughton.

The service came days after Harris was arrested after admitting to Bossier Parish Sheriff's deputies that he had meth in his Bossier City home. The church service was broadcasted live on Facebook. A copy of the service is still on the church's page.

"Dear members and friends of The Church of The Cross, the past 21 and a half years has been a journey of faith and victory," Harris began in his letter to the congregation. "It was our honor to serve you as pastor over the past two decades. Sheryl (his wife) and I have made life-long friends and seen miracles happen for many of you as you were saved, healed and filled with the Holy Spirit. We have loved and felt loved by you all."

Harris described in his letter that the past few years was like being in a "pressure cooker" with sickness, betrayals, family struggles and the daily challenges of ministry wearing down on the former pastor.

"A few months ago, in a time of weakness, I attempted to ease the pain in the wrong way," he wrote. "I have sinned and I have asked the Lord to forgive me. I have asked my family to forgive me. And I am asking you all — all of you — to forgive me."

Harris confirmed his resignation from the church and asked for the congregation to pray for his family.

"Pray all of the good the Lord has done through us will outshine the bad the devil has done to us," he wrote. "Sheryl and I love you very much."

Church leadership then addressed the congregation.

"My heart is broken this morning, " said Doyle Dempsey, the church's secretary-treasurer. "At times, I'm angry and we're all experiencing all manner of emotion today. I've been through them all. One thing has not changed, my faith is unshaken. Although we do not condone his behavior on this matter, we are all eternally grateful to Pastor Harris for his years of dedicated service to this church body. ...We are all just mortal men. One decision away from certain destruction."

More: Bossier Parish pastor arrested for possession of meth

Dempsey was not identified in the video. Diane Smith, a member of the church's staff, identified him to a Times reporter Monday.

The pastoral staff will remain at the church and will also handle pulpit ministery on a rotational basis. The church board will meet this week to discuss future plans, Smith said.

Harris was arrested March 7 after admitting to authorities that he had meth in his home. Harris was being interviewed for an unrelated investigation when he told authorities about the drugs. The Bossier's Sheriff's Office declined to provided details on that investigation.

Harris is not in custody. He posted bail the night of his arrest, said Bill Davis, Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office public information officer. His bail was $5,000.

The Church of The Cross, an Assemblies of God congregation, is well-known for the 199-foot exterior cross it erected in 2009 on its property.