‘I had an affair with my married church pastor – and announced it to the entire congregation’

Suzette Jansen, 56, a teacher from Cape Town, South Africa, claims she had a six-month affair with her church pastor – and announced it to the entire congregation

A woman who claims she had an affair with her married church pastor has shared the shocking way she revealed their secret – by announcing it to the entire congregation.

Suzette Jansen, a long-standing member of her local church for three decades, has not returned since dropping the bombshell last year.

The 56-year-old teacher from Cape Town, South Africa, is now opening up about her decision to confess and how the affair with the married man began. Suzette met the 60-year-old minister when he joined her local church 12 years ago.

Despite not being initially attracted to him, as she was focused on caring for her elderly parents, she formed a bond with the church official as her parents’ health deteriorated. “As they (my parents) became weaker, the minister would come to the house every three months to give them communion,” Suzette told What’s The Jam.

“Then one day out of the blue he asked for my number when I opened the gate for him. He was a pleasant person with a nice personality. Three months after we started chatting, we met in secret.”

During this clandestine meeting, she claims he kissed her and “sparks began to fly” that led to a six-month affair. Suzette recalled: “I thought it was love.”

“In the beginning, we talked a lot and we laughed a lot. We took turns picking each other up and going for drives. Sometimes, we’d be intimate in the car. Other times, we would check into places.

“It was quite an expensive affair, but we always shared the costs 50-50. He said things weren’t going well in his marriage. There were the secret glances we’d give each other in church while he preached.

“Especially when he told a joke, we would catch each other’s eye.” When Suzette questioned if she was the only woman, her lover became “withdrawn” and started ignoring her. She admits that despite trying to end it multiple times, a single message from him would see her determination crumble.

She added: “One always thinks a man will change.” Even after ending their affair in February 2020, they still encountered each other at church services. Suzette says: “I had opened my heart to the minister and the more I thought about it, the more I knew there was a reason for it.”

She discovered this ‘reason’ during a silent retreat two years later. She described her revelation: “There, in the silence, I found clarity about what I needed to do.

“Masks had to fall away. People had to realize that ministers are just people and shouldn’t be placed on a pedestal. They aren’t saints.

“What happens behind closed doors in the dark always comes to light.” Following her confession, she faced backlash, with some family members allegedly distancing themselves. The minister has denied the allegations, and the local church is reportedly investigating the matter.

Suzette stated understandingly: “I understand it’s probably out of fear that he says this because the events can impact his work.

“But I know what my truth is.” Despite the furore the story has caused, and her candid confession, Suzette stands by her choices.

She added: “I’m sure there are people who think I’m a Jezebel, but I don’t feel that I’ve vilified anyone.

“Things that happen in the dark must come to light for the sake of healing. I was terribly afraid people would stone me like the woman in the Bible, but I remembered what Jesus said: ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her’.”

Reflecting on the past, she added, “The minister was put in my life’s path for a reason. It happened so I could talk about it in the church to encourage and motivate others to speak out about healing.

“If it can help one person with their decisions, it was worth it. What is bad is that I had to hurt families – my daughter, his wife and parish members who looked up to him and now have to deal with their disappointment and disillusionment.

“(But) for the sake of my future grandchildren I’m breaking chains of guilt, hiding and shame. It’s time for us to speak publicly.”

Emphasizing her conviction, she added: “I simply couldn’t remain silent.” She expressed her inner conflict, saying: “I would’ve felt guilty on my deathbed. I am now free to talk, to be myself.”