Award winning gospel music artist and Christian worship leader Israel Houghton has announced that he and his wife of more than 20 years, Meleasa, have officially divorced.

According to Israel Houghton’s official Facebook message, He said ‘’It is with a collective heavy heart that we announce that after over 20 years of marriage and a long separation, Meleasa and I are officially divorced. Several years ago I failed and sinned in my marriage. Though this is new to many, it is not new to us as we have been working through this for over 5 years. Although we tried, the challenges in our relationship have proven too much to overcome. We have always handled our family and ministry with grace and generosity toward others, discretion, and privacy. So, for the sake of our amazing kids, we are also handling this privately with pastoral oversight and assistance. We choose to remain friendly and kind to each other going forward. I am in the process of restoration and I have repented for my actions. Although I am sincerely sorry, and forgiven, I soberly realize that I will live with the consequences of my failings for the rest of my life. As this has become a public matter I want to apologize to the many who have supported my ministry through the years. I’m sorry for the many who will be hurt to learn of my personal failure. I regret any pain or disappointment that this news may cause you. We thank you for your prayers and for allowing us to handle this privately with those who are set over us in this process.

Prayerfully

Israel Houghton’’

Reference Facebook.com/israelhoughton

The Christian musician who recently won a Grammy award confessed that several years ago he failed and sinned in his marriage and for the past 5 years, he and his wife Meleasa have tried to work things out but it has proved abortive.

Houghton, who was born in southern California, said he and Meleasa had been “working through this” for more than five years, however, he added “the challenges in our relationship have proven too much to overcome”.

In a post on his official Facebook page, the Grammy-winning artist apologised to anyone “hurt to learn of my personal failure”.

Speaking of his relationship with Meleasa, he said: “We have always handled our family and ministry with grace and generosity toward others, discretion, and privacy.

“So, for the sake of our amazing kids, we are also handling this privately with pastoral oversight and assistance.

“We choose to remain friendly and kind to each other going forward. I am in the process of restoration and I have repented from my actions.”

Houghton is known for songs such as Alpha and omega, ‘Friend of God’ and ‘Again I Say Rejoice’ which are sung at churches and conferences around the world.

When he’s not touring with his band New Breed he is a worship leader at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.