Pastor Jamal Bryant is at the center of a growing controversy after his wife stepped out in a flesh-colored, form-fitting gown at Atlanta’s Mayor’s Ball last week. What started as quiet chatter on social media has now exploded into a full-blown church world debate about modesty, leadership, and public perception.
According to critics, the dress left very little to the imagination. Members of churches across the country quickly voiced their outrage, calling the look inappropriate for the wife of a prominent pastor. Some went further, claiming that Bryant’s wife recently underwent BBL surgery, pointing to her curvier silhouette as evidence. Those critics argue that cosmetic enhancement of that kind clashes with the values expected of a church leader’s spouse.
The backlash reached such a level that Pastor Bryant addressed it directly during a Thursday church service. In a fiery moment from the pulpit, he defended his wife and dismissed her critics as ignorant, telling congregants that people were judging what they did not understand. His remarks appeared to pour fuel on an already simmering fire.
By Sunday, the situation escalated dramatically.
Popular megachurch leader Patrick L. Wooden Sr, widely known as Pastor Wooden, publicly weighed in. Wooden is the leader of the Upper Room Church of God in Christ in Raleigh, North Carolina and a well-known figure within the COGIC denomination. During remarks that quickly went viral, Wooden stunned listeners by saying that Pastor Bryant’s wife looked like a “$2 wh*re.”
The comment sent shockwaves through religious circles and social media alike. Many were outraged by Wooden’s harsh language, arguing that even disagreement should not cross into personal insults. Others, however, praised him for “saying what needed to be said” and standing firm on traditional standards of modesty.
As clips and quotes continue to circulate online, the controversy shows no signs of slowing down. What began as a red-carpet fashion moment has turned into a larger debate about image, accountability, and expectations placed on women connected to powerful men in the church.
For now, Pastor Jamal Bryant remains defiant, while the church world remains sharply divided.