Nearly a year after his early release from prison, Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell has returned to Windsor Village Church, the Houston megachurch he helped build and once led.
Caldwell, once a spiritual adviser to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a scheme that defrauded investors — including elderly members of his congregation — of nearly $3.6 million. He served time in a federal prison in Beaumont, Texas before being granted early release.
On Sunday, Caldwell made his first public appearance back at the pulpit, receiving a warm welcome from church members.
“I went all the way to Beaumont, Texas, looked all around, couldn’t find nobody,” Caldwell said during the service, addressing the congregation.
Members of the community, including Pastor and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, defended Caldwell’s return and spoke about forgiveness.
“My friend is home and free to use all of his skills and gifts to not only pastor this church, but pastor this community,” Cleaver said.
“There’s a big word that we use biblically and theologically — forgiveness. And somebody who cannot move past that, maybe should rethink their commitment to God.”
The church announced that Caldwell will deliver his first sermon back next Sunday.
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