New Hope Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Fort Myers says their pastor was stressed out, so he resigned. The pastor says he wasn’t stressed out, but if it makes the church feel better to say so, he’ll go along with it.

That’s their story, and they were sticking to it Monday in the wake of the abrupt resignation of senior pastor Bill Stephens.

Stephens, who led a group of about 1,150 church members to split from Covenant Presbyterian Church and form New Hope in 2008, resigned Oct. 9 and left with his wife, Andrea, for Tulsa, Okla.

Stephens also oversaw a successful $2.4 million fundraising campaign to buy 20 acres of land to build a new church campus. The first phase of the master plan includes a sanctuary/administration building and an education building.

A statement on the church website reads: “Citing overwhelming stress and a personal conviction that new leadership was needed at New Hope, senior pastor Bill Stephens resigned effective Oct. 9, 2011. He and his wife Andrea are relocating to Tulsa, Okla., while asking what might be next in their future.” The statement continues on to thank Stephens for his six years of service.

“No, in fact those were not my words,” said Stephens, reached Monday in Tulsa. “But I understand if the church members feel better feeling I was stressed out, that’s OK.”

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(Editor’s Note: The current statement on the church website is as follows: Effective October 9, 2011, Pastor Bill Stephens has resigned his position with New Hope. On Sunday, October 23, New Hope Presbyterian Church will be giving thanks to God at their 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 am worship services for Dr. Bill Stephens and his six years of faithful service. His leadership played a crucial part in aligning New Hope with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, while empowering the church’s leadership to build on the foundation of Christ. We would not be the church we are today without his guidance. Our sincere thanks and prayers go out to both him and his wife, Andrea. Although we are saddened by his unannounced and sudden departure, we are also excited to see who God has been preparing to lead our congregation into the next phase in our young life!)