Creflo Dollar, the controversial pastor of World Changers Church International who was arrested last Friday for allegedly striking and choking his daughter, proclaimed his innocence at his church service on Sunday. Dollar was met with a standing ovation from his congregation, and he wasted absolutely no time in setting the record straight.

“I will say this emphatically: I should have never been arrested,” Dollar explained. “I want you all to hear personally from me that all is well in the Dollar household.”

The pastor, who also heads up Creflo Dollar Ministries, allegedly charged, choked, and tossed his daughter to the floor during an argument that soon turned violent. The teenager called police after her father “took his shoe off and started whooping her with it,” according to deputy reports. Dollar was charged with simple battery and cruelty to children.

Following his arrest, Dollar issued a statement through his attorney, stating, “As a father I love my children and I always have their best interest at heart at all times, and I would never use my hand to ever cause bodily harm to my children. The facts in this case will be handled privately to further protect my children. My family thanks you for your prayers and continued support.”

On Sunday, Creflo took the opportunity to address his congregation at-length about the allegations. “The truth is that a family conversation with our youngest daughter got emotional. And emotions got involved and things escalated from there,” he said. “The truth is she was not choked, she was not punched. There were not any scratches on her neck. But the only thing on her neck was a prior skin abrasion from eczema. Anything else is exaggeration and sensationalism.”

Dollar is the pastor of a “megachurch”, which is defined by having more than 2,000 in attendance every week. World Changers Church International claims to have 30,000 members and nearly 6,000 weekly worshipers, most of whom have supported their pastor through this ordeal.