The pastor of 433 Church in Miami, Florida, had his Sunday sermon abruptly interrupted by police officers following an ongoing custody dispute with his ex-wife, Marissa Pardun.
During the church’s live-streamed service on 5th January 2025, Pastor E.J. Newton ended his sermon after just twelve minutes as officers arrived, as reported by The Christian Post.
Addressing his shocked congregation, he asked them to pray before stepping away from the pulpit to speak with the authorities.
According to the outlet, the intervention stemmed from an emergency court order issued by circuit court judge Samantha Ruiz Cohen, allowing law enforcement to retrieve Newton's three children.
Court documents state that the pastor allegedly violated a custody agreement and had threatened to take the children to Nigeria, his country of origin.
The judge expressed concerns that Newton might flee the country with the children, noting that he was in possession of their passports.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Newton claimed he was “secluded by police” and that congregants were being prevented from leaving the church premises, with their vehicles being searched.
Newton further alleged that external forces, whom he vaguely referred to as “THEY”, had manipulated his ex-wife into making accusations against him to undermine his ministry.
“I will not stop speaking truth and exposing darkness. If this is the cost of repentance and speaking up against occultism and witchcraft in the church, then use me, Lord,” Newton wrote.
The pastor and his ex-wife are scheduled to appear in court for an evidentiary hearing on 13th January to address the custody dispute.
The Miami Police Department has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.