Ben Hudd from The Ark in Sheffield has spoken out following comments published in the national media suggesting his congregation member, Linda Okungbowa, should be in jail.
Mr Hudd, 47, says a judge was right to show mercy to the 36-year-old, who used the false payments to pay the traffickers who brought her to the UK from Nigeria in 2004.
A mother to three young children, Ms Okungbowa was sentenced at the city's Crown Court to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Describing the judge's decision as "absolutely amazing", Mr Hudd added: "It's a beautiful, prophetic picture of grace and what Jesus has done for all us".
"We were praying that we would see God's justice reflected in and through the British justice system."
One opinion article posted onto the Daily Express newspaper's website with the top line "Why was female fraudster not sent straight to jail?" appeared to disagree, claiming "this woman should not be in this country in the first place."
Mr Hudd told Premier Ms Okungbowa was left in a "very desperate situation" after being lured to the UK with the hope of being able to train as a doctor and obtain a medical scholarship, however, these promises never materialised.
Ms Okungbowa's bank account was frozen after she was prosecuted, meaning she could not access the benefits she was legally entitled to, Mr Hudd explained.
The ordained baptist minister said The Ark Church has been "supporting her completely"; paying her Council Tax and rent, and putting food on the table for her family.
Mr Hudd went on to say: "I think I have been blown away been the incredible love and generousity of the church family.
"This is the whole family of the church coming together to completely absorb, if you like, Linda and her children into God's family."
According to the Yorkshire Post, Judge Simon Lawler QC said during Ms Okungbowa's case: "I may be criticised because fraud from the public purse is common and everybody in this court knows usually the offender goes immediately to custody.
"But, in this particular case, I can see no useful purpose to the public in sending you to custody."