Marriage rescue ends in romance Female pastor falls for married apostle as his union crumbles

What began as an effort to rescue a failing marriage has now transformed into a controversial romance between two pastors. Apostle Kerriann Johnson openly describes Apostle David Palmer as her partner while stressing that, despite their relationship and cohabitation, they have not been intimate because he remains legally married. 

The two now pastor His Majesty's Sanctuary Deliverance Ministry together, staunchly dismissing allegations that she used obeah to win David’s heart, describing the relationship as divinely guided. 

“When I found out David was interested in me, I told him, if it was God's will, then it will happen,” she said.

Johnson insists that she played a central role in trying to preserve Palmer’s marriage, insisting the relationship only developed after his union collapsed. She told THE WEEKEND STAR she prayed for Palmer and his wife, mediated disputes between them, and even financed airline tickets so Palmer could travel to the United States in an attempt at reconciliation.

“I did my best,” Johnson said, adding that she went above and beyond to help save Palmer's marriage and maintained a cordial relationship with his wife at the time.

Johnson provided shelter for Palmer after he found himself out of the marital home, insisting that, at the time, there was no romantic involvement between them.

“I had nowhere to go and pastor took me in for one year and supported me the best way she could,” he said.

Palmer said he first learned about Johnson’s ministry after watching her services online. After they eventually met in person, he said she invited him to preach at her church, and, after giving it some thought, he agreed to visit. The visit led to a cordial relationship and, according to Palmer, his wife struck up a friendship with Johnson.

“My wife was okay with the apostle, and they would speak over the phone and laugh with each other, and I remember she told pastor to ‘Take care of David for me’,” he said.

Sitting beside Johnson at their church in Old Harbour, Palmer explained that he got married in 2023 but the relationship quickly deteriorated.

“The arguments became often. That same year, she sent me a divorce document but I could not sign it as there was an error on it. I stayed with her because I believe that people could change,” he said.

He said he was drawn to Johnson because of her devotion to God and her generosity.

“Man don’t run from happiness, but yuh see when you see peace? You will do what it takes to get it. They said Apostle Johnson obeah me to come to her but that is a lie because I would have found love in pastor. Everything I prayed for, I see it in her,” he said.

"Apostle Johnson pushed me towards my destiny and that is one thing I love about her. She always tells me to stay with God and that was a plus for me. This was where I started to put my trust in her and, somewhere along the line, I fell in love with her, and this was sometime in 2025," the clergyman added. 

However, the relationship has sparked backlash from Palmer’s estranged partner, who Johnson says has long accused her of being involved with him before the marriage ended.

Johnson said she remained silent for a period before responding publicly after the matter escalated online, where her fiery responses during livestreams drew criticism from viewers who questioned her conduct as a church leader.

She defended her tone, saying she would not be provoked without response.

“I am like the prophet Jeremiah, who was bold and known for speaking as it is, and God has given me that boldness,” Johnson said.

She insisted that offensive messages sent to her pushed her to respond strongly, noting that she acted after reaching her limit.

“So, when she tell mi seh is obeah mi use to hold her husband, mi tell her is not obeah, is mi hole,” the female pastor said.

“I am not going to let anybody walk over me, and mi just did tired a she a accuse mi seh mi and the man deh, and we never deh, suh mi just give her summen. Did it bun har? Yes! Did I achieve what I wanted to? Yes!”

Despite the controversy, Johnson insists the situation has not negatively affected their ministry, saying members were already aware of the ongoing tensions.

“This has been a long battle and they would have known the history that would have led up to this. That which was meant to break me is giving me strength, as our ministry is growing,” she said.

She added that, while they are in a relationship, they have not yet been intimate and plan to formalise their union once the divorce is finalised.

“We are dating, but we haven’t had sexual intercourse, but, after we get married, we will. As soon as the divorce paper sign, yes, we gonna get married,” she said.