Richmond, Virginia - The father of former Richmond Outreach Center Pastor Geronimo Aguilar is breaking his silence and says he supports his son.
Pastor Phil Aguilar spoke exclusively to CBS 6 News reporter Shelby Brown about allegations his son sexually assaulted two teenage girls in Texas in the 1990s.
The elder Aguilar, no stranger to controversy himself, has been in ministry for 30 years and has a past touched by violence, crime and drugs.
After spending time in prison, he turned his life around and started a mega ministry in California.
He said his thoughts are not far from his son's current legal troubles.
"He's leaning on the everlasting arm of the Lord and realizing that this is God rearranging his life right now," said Aguilar.
A life that separates him from the church he founded. After resigning, the church board decided to pay pastor g six months of his $115,000-plus salary and allow him to live in this home owned by the church until December.
When asked about his son's criminal charges, Aguilar said he has no choice but to support him — and believes his son is innocent.
As for his other son, he said stepping down was a show of solidarity and his way of helping the church move forward."
The elder Aguilar said leaning on faith is what will carry this church through, but said it could take months of years.
"Geronimo resigned, so it's time for them to move on with life and keep serving God, believing the best," he said.
