A pastor at a mega-church says health and financial woes led to his sexual relationship with a 16-year-old church member.

Jack Schaap, 54, had been pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hammond in Indiana for 11 years, but was let go in July after a deacon saw a text on his phone from the teenager, allegedly with a picture of the two of them kissing.

'We were known for our happy marriage, and it was not a hypocrisy; it was real,' Jack Schaap’s wife, Cindy, said in a letter.

He pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in September to transporting a minor across state lines for sexual relations.

The pastor has received his fair share of criticism over the years due to some of his more controversial teachings.
Last year, he was chastised for his views on women, believing them to be an inferior species and saying husbands should take charge of their wives and blasted Eve as being the sinner.He also said it would be a 'cold day in hell before I get my theology from a woman', adding: 'Your soul is going to hell because of what Eve did.'

More than 15,000 people attend services on the weekend.