Pastor O. Jermaine Simmons was caught in flagrante delicto with a member of his flock on the afternoon of 17 January.

His parishioner told the police that her husband came home early, armed himself with a handgun and threatened to shoot the cheating clergyman when he discovered the couple in a passionate embrace.

The Tallahassee Democrat reports that the naked fugitive hid behind a nearby fence until the arrival of police, who negotiated the return of the pastor’s clothes, wallet and car keys from the angry husband.

The husband later surrendered his handgun to the local secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

A video of Simmons, who is married with one son, seeking the forgiveness of his congregation at Tallahassee’s Jacob Chapel has now gone viral.

The scandal has overshadowed celebrations to mark the 11th anniversary of Simmons’ appointment as pastor at the chapel and also a book-signing session to mark the publication of his first book entitled I Need a Man, which his website describes as offering “a fresh perspective on the issues of godly manhood and mentoring”.

Simmons has said he will continue in his role and the viral video records him receiving a standing ovation from worshippers when he declared: “What I want from God, I have already received - that’s his forgiveness.”