In a shocking display of misplaced support, Pastor Andy Savage of Highpoint Church in Memphis, Texas, received a standing ovation from his congregation after publicly confessing to a “sexual incident” with then-17-year-old Jules Woodson in 1998. During his address to the church, Savage, who was 22 at the time and in a position of authority, asked for forgiveness from Woodson and the congregation.
“I regretfully had a sexual incident with a female high school senior while serving as a college student on staff at a church in Texas over 20 years ago,” Savage stated. “I sought forgiveness from her, her family, and church leaders, who in turn informed the congregation… I took every step to respond in a biblical way.”
Rather than react with outrage or demand accountability, the audience applauded Savage’s admission as if he had performed a commendable act. What he referred to as a “sexual incident,” Woodson labeled an assault. She later shared her experience on the Watch Keep blog, reminding Savage that the trauma of that night has not been forgotten. “#metoo,” she concluded her correspondence.
Woodson recounted the details of the night Savage offered her a ride home, during which he allegedly drove past her turn and made inappropriate advances. After the incident, Savage reportedly begged her not to tell anyone, pleading, “I’m so sorry. You can’t tell anyone Jules, please. You have to take this to the grave with you.”
Despite his claims of remorse, Savage never responded to Woodson’s email and opted instead for a public statement that seemed more about preserving his image than genuinely seeking redemption. “In hindsight, I see that more could have been done for Jules,” he expressed. “I am truly sorry more was not done.”
However, Woodson found Savage’s so-called apology lacking and termed it “disgusting.” At the time of the incident, she confided in a church associate pastor, but instead of notifying the authorities, Savage was quietly dismissed from his church position. Now, he stands as a prominent figure within a large congregation, shielded from legal consequences due to Texas’s statute of limitations.
Though it may be too late for legal repercussions against Savage, Woodson hopes that sharing her story will empower other victims of sexual abuse, particularly in church settings, to find their voices. “I want other victims of sexual abuse, especially within the church, to know that they’re not alone and to know that they have a voice,” she asserted.
If anyone deserves recognition, it’s Jules Woodson, whose bravery in speaking out offers hope for change in communities where silence often prevails.
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Summary
Pastor Andy Savage received applause from his congregation after confessing to a sexual assault on then-minor Jules Woodson, who criticized his remarks as insincere. While the church community celebrated his admission, Woodson continues to advocate for victims of sexual abuse, encouraging them to speak out against their experiences.