Ted Haggard’s Board of Overseers told him to resign.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Rev. Ted Haggard agreed to resign Saturday from his New Life Church after its independent investigative board recommended removal, saying he was guilty “of sexually immoral conduct.â€?
“We, the Overseer Board of New Life Church, have concluded our deliberations concerning the moral failings of Pastor Ted Haggard,� a statement from the church said. “Our investigation and Pastor Haggard’s public statements have proven without a doubt that he has committed sexually immoral conduct.�
Haggard admitted Friday he bought methamphetamine and received a massage from a gay prostitute who claims he was paid for drug-fueled trysts by the former head of the National Association of Evangelicals.Haggard said he never used the drugs he bought or had sex with his accuser.
Mike Jones, the 49-year-old Denver man who raised the allegations this week, quickly refuted Haggard’s denial.
Shortly after Haggard told reporters outside his home, “I bought it for myself but never used it. I was tempted, but I never used it,â€? Jones told MSNBC-TV’s Rita Cosby that Haggard snorted meth in front of him about once a month for two years.
Haggard said he received a massage from Jones after being referred to him by a Denver hotel, but Jones told MSNBC, “He always came to my place.�
Haggard, 50, said he never had sex with Jones. On Friday, as he was leaving his home with his wife and three of his five children, he said he bought the meth because he was curious.