Pastor Defends Marriage to 19-Year-Old Amid Accusations of Grooming

For the past two years, Bishop Dwight Reed has faced criticism for marrying Jordan Goodlett when she was 19. Recently, a 2022 clip of the pastor defending his marriage from the pulpit went viral, causing outrage and accusations of grooming. Reed, now 65, implied in the clip that he and his associates were armed, saying, “I wish some of y’all would mess with my wife Jordan... You will see me on the news.” He emphasized that Jordan was an adult who didn’t need anyone’s permission to marry him and accused his critics of hypocrisy.
Reed's controversial statements and his declaration that he was prepared to defend his wife’s honor, even threatening violence, sparked widespread backlash. Social media erupted with criticism, with many arguing that his marriage to someone so young was inappropriate. “Marriage is honorable but this is grooming! Sir, you are old enough to be her grandfather!” one comment read. Others questioned how long he had been interested in her.
Reed has a history of controversy. According to a Change.org petition by Safehouse #Unmuzzled, he returned to pastor Christ Apostolic Temple and became dean of its school around 2017, when Jordan was 15-16 years old. The petition alleges that Reed used his roles to groom Jordan. Additionally, he has faced past accusations of having unethical relationships with young girls, though these claims were unsubstantiated.
Reed has countered these allegations by filing a civil lawsuit against another pastor, Demetrius Sinegal, who has been vocal in criticizing Reed’s marriage. Sinegal, the CEO and senior pastor of The Kingdom Church and Safehouse #Unmuzzled, is accused of defaming Reed and spreading false information about him using social media platforms. Sinegal reportedly compared Reed to R. Kelly and labeled his church a “cult.”
The lawsuit also suggests that Jordan's family benefitted from her marriage to Reed, alleging that her family’s restaurant, GG’s Chicken and Waffles, was financed in exchange for her hand in marriage. Despite these accusations, a court ruling favored Reed and his church, moving their defamation case against Sinegal and his organization from federal to state court. In response, Sinegal filed a countersuit against Reed, alleging defamation and false accusations of adultery and homosexuality.
Reed, who has been married and divorced three times before, celebrated his second anniversary with Jordan in November and welcomed a son, Jeremiah Reed II, who is now one year old.