Marvin Winans and his congregation member, who went viral after a bizarre exchange during a fundraising event, are now speaking up about the incident at Perfecting Church in Detroit. Speaking to WXYZ Detroit, Winans and congregation member Roberta McCoy both said the public misunderstood what happened between them.

What did Bishop Marvin Winans say about the confrontation with Roberta McCoy?

Although it looked like Winans was scolding McCoy for coming up short of the donation he asked for, the pastor said he was only trying to restore order after he asked people to come up and donate.

“I was calling because the whole church was giving, and it was our day of giving, and the whole church was coming, and we didn’t want people standing, the mothers and all that, so I was calling them by increments,” Winans told WXYZ. “And we had someone that had given earlier, and I corrected it, and I told everybody to listen and come when you call, and that’s all that was.”

As Blavity previously reported, Winans first asked the members to donate “$1,000 plus 1.” Many of the members then came up to give two separate $1,000 donations. McCoy, however, came forward with $1,235.

“I’m giving in faith and standing in unity with the vision of Perfecting Church, sowing this seed of $1,000 plus $235 and receiving the blessings to come,” McCoy said when she gave her donation.

The viral video showed Winans pressing McCoy about the amount she donated.

“That’s only $1,200,” he said. “You’re not listening to what I’m saying. If you have $1,000 plus $1,000…”

What did Roberta McCoy say about her exchange with Marvin Winans?

Despite the public perception, McCoy said Winans did not rebuke her.

“He absolutely did not rebuke me. Now there’s a difference. There was a correction because let me clearly state that pastor gave instruction on the lines to get into,” McCoy told WXYZ.

She also said the bishop has apologized to her after their encounter.

Marvin Winans

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