September 24 Board Statement

On Sunday, September 24, the Chairman of the Board, George Saleh, issued a statement regarding our Senior Pastor, Albert Tate, and his leave of absence. In response to this statement, we created this page to serve as a hub for all future updates regarding this situation and any other all-church related news. You can read the statement below.

Good morning, Fellowship family,

I am George Saleh and I stand before you today as the Chairman of the Board of Fellowship Church. Today, I am here with a heart full of humility, love, and a sense of responsibility to each and every one of you who make up our wonderful spiritual community.

Myself, the senior staff and the Board feel it is important that I share with you that our Senior Pastor Albert Tate, will be taking a leave of absence. This decision follows an initial review by the board and outside experts concerning inappropriate text messages and questionable comments he has made.

We believe in grace, accountability, and the redemptive power of Christ. Therefore, we see this leave of absence as a necessary time for Albert to engage in a period of reflection, spiritual guidance, and restoration.

The Board and senior staff are committed to supporting Albert and his family through this season where we are all seeking clarity and the right steps forward.

Let us be clear, this is not an abandonment of our Senior Pastor but a manifestation of our church’s core values—values that underscore the importance of integrity, responsibility, and spiritual growth. It is our prayerful expectation that this period will be a God-led journey for both Pastor Tate and all of us that call Fellowship our church home.

On behalf of the Board, our commitment is to the ideals and mission of Fellowship and not any one individual or group. God’s church is bigger than any one person. That commitment will guide all of our decisions and recommendations.

In accordance with our commitment to transparency and maintaining your trust, we pledge to keep you informed about significant developments as they unfold, within the bounds of respect and privacy that these matters require. Should you have questions or inquiries, please direct them to the email displayed on the screen.

We also call upon you, our church family, to join us in prayer as we navigate these times. Our faith teaches us that even in adversity, God’s love prevails, and His plan unfolds. It is that divine wisdom that we seek now, more than ever.

We also pray that the Holy Spirit guide and empower our ministry through our pastoral team, staff and dedicated volunteers. Our church remains steadfast in its mission to be a gospel-centered, multi-ethnic, intergenerational church where we exist to make disciples.

Thank you for your understanding, your prayers, and your unwavering faith in the purpose and community that we continue to build here at Fellowship.

May God bless us all, guiding us through the days ahead.