PHILADELPHIA, PA (10:19 a.m., PST) – Pastor Eric Mason of Epiphany Fellowship Church is on the road to recovery after stepping down from the church he founded earlier this month. The clergyman gave an update on his mental health journey on Friday (Jul. 24).
“I’m better but have a LONG way to go,” Mason shared. “I want to thank all [of] you who have pulled up on me against my liking, those making me get out into the sunlight, holding me accountable to workout, challenging me to press into YHWH. With mental health challenges you sometimes don’t want to do anything.”
Pastor Eric Mason announced plans to step down as leader of Epiphany Fellowship Church last Wednesday (Jul. 15). The clergyman cited mental health as the main factor in his decision to step away from his role at the church.
“This year has been the hardest year of my life,” Mason shared in his post from last Wednesday. “I’ve been on medical leave for my mental health,” the pastor revealed. “We have loved the 20 + yrs we’ve been in Philly. YHWH has done much and we are grateful. However, our season in Philly has come to a close.”
Pastor Mason received an outpouring of support after announcing his decision to step down as leader of Epiphany Fellowship Church. “We love you and your family pastor E and we are forever grateful for what you have sacrificed,” one church member said. “Pastor E, you’ve been a blessing to our family, and we will always be grateful for your love and leadership,” wrote another supporter.
On Friday, Pastor Eric Mason expressed appreciation for the love given in his time of need. “The overwhelming outpouring this week has been more than I could ever imagine,” the clergyman wrote online. “At times this has felt like a lonely journey but [the] Holy Spirit has been amazing. I read the word everyday and send up staccato prayers. But much of this time I’ve been speechless before God.”
“YHWH has told me that one day he will free me to tell the whole story of this journey, but today my full time job is to HEAL!”