William & Michelle Branch: An Emotional Affair

“DRIVEN TO SUCCEED” MARRIES “AFRAID OF CONFLICT”:
When William and Michelle married in 1996, life began to accelerate at an incredible pace.  With no break from life on the road, William resumed traveling and ministering through hip-hop, and moved with his wife to a new city to finish his bachelor’s degree.  After he pursued a master’s degree at Dallas Theological Seminary, the couple returned to Philadelphia. 

Michelle was generally compliant and avoided conflict, so when William began planning a new church, she withheld her reservations and desire to slow down.  She occasionally had outbursts of anger, but communication between the couple declined “almost to the point where we were living separate lives in the same house,” says Michelle.

THE BREAKING POINT OF THEIR MARRIAGE:
With no help from his wife, William continued planting the new church, reaching out to anyone who would help.  There was another couple eager to help, and William and the other woman began communicating regularly. William says he and the other woman had one to two hour rendezvous walking around stores or sitting in the car together. 

Michelle suspected something was happening and confronted William multiple times.  He always explained their communication was about church business.  Eventually, Michelle confronted the other woman, who confessed to everything.  William stepped down from leading the church and performing.  The couple spent the next year rebuilding their lives with a marriage counselor.