Weeks offers divorce settlement to Bynum

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Bishop Weeks offers divorce settlement to Juanita Bynum

By BY D. AILEEN DODD
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/03/08

The end may be near for the troubled marriage of national evangelist Juanita Bynum and her estranged husband Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III.

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(ENLARGE)

Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III has decided not to seek spousal support from his estranged, wife, Juanita Bynum.

(ENLARGE)

Pentecostal pastor Juanita Bynum has continued her ministry after Bishop Weeks was convicted in March of aggravated assault in the attack on his wife.

• Complete coverage of the Weeks-Bynum split

Weeks, the leader of Global Destiny Ministries of Duluth, sent a settlement offer to Bynum so divorce negotiations wouldn't drag on any longer, said Weeks' attorney, Randy Kessler of Atlanta. The 15-page offer is being reviewed by Bynum's attorney, Karla Walker of Valdosta.

"There are a couple of minor changes we have to make," Kessler said. "We are hoping that the document will be signed by the end of the week."

Kessler would not discuss the terms of the settlement offer. Weeks is not seeking spousal support, Kessler said, but the pastor does want help covering his attorney fees.

Walker did not respond to a call for comment and Bynum's publicist, Amy Malone, had no comment.

Bynum and Weeks married in 2002 in an elaborate ceremony. They built Global Destiny Church in Duluth together before their relationship fizzled.

On Aug. 21, 2007, Weeks attacked Bynum in the parking lot of the Renaissance Concourse Hotel in Atlanta after the couple met to discuss their problems. They had been separated since spring 2007.

Weeks was convicted in March of aggravated assault in the attack on his wife. He was sentenced as a first offender, given three years' probation and ordered to attend anger management classes and perform 200 hours of community service.

Bynum proclaimed herself the new "face of domestic violence" after the August assault. The traveling Pentecostal pastor continues her ministry. In April, Bynum appeared on Fox TV's "Divorce Court," offering advice to a couple who were ending their marriage after a history of domestic violence.

Kessler said Weeks is looking forward to closing this chapter in his life. After Bynum missed several appointments to discuss the divorce, including a recent court-ordered mediation, Weeks grew tired of waiting and pushed for a settlement, Kessler said.

"He is moving forward with his life," Kessler said. "This is a way out. Everyone keeps what they have. Once they sign this ... all the judge has to do is attach a divorce decree to it."

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Comments

By cynthia

Oct 27, 2008 6:06 AM | Link to this

Mr. and Mrs Weeks,is anything to hard for your father in heaven to do?You both should fight that spiritual battle and shame the devil.Don't give the evil one any course to rejoice over you people.Fight him back with prayers and God will always lead you through.

By Judy

Oct 13, 2008 3:53 AM | Link to this

To all of the Christians who are critizing and/or judging Ms. Bynum, don't fail to realize that she is human. We all make mistakes. So don't judge her or Mr. Weeks. But please also keep in mind that we as Christians need to use common sense. The best thing that Ms. Bynum did was to get out of this abusive relationship. God does not want a woman or man to remain in a relationship where they are physically abused. Neither does he likes divorce, but I think that he would rather see you divorced than dead. Mr. Weeks definitely has a problem, but Ms. Bynum remaining in the marriage will not solve his problem, it will only make it worse. She did the right thing. The only thing she can do for him now is pray for his weakness, deliverance, whatever. Christians let's pray for their healing. Stop judging, stop criticizing. We all make mistakes and we all have issues. Some are just more obvious than others.

By D-Rose

Aug 12, 2008 2:40 AM | Link to this

I agree with Terri, the bible does say "judge not, lest ye be judged." None of us, preacher, layperson, saint or street walker has a right to judge either one of them, that's God's job. Who made you judge and jury? They are human too. A wise preacher once said , they have an anointing to preach and teach the Word of God but, they do not have an anointing to live this life. I don't think anyone wants to get married and then divorce but, things do happen. And God will forgive you of it, so who are you to judge? And in my opinion it would be very dumb to tell anyone to say in an abusive marriage. We must pray for both of them, that God heals, delivers, restores and set them completely free.

By DRose

Aug 12, 2008 2:32 AM | Link to this

By tj

Aug 4, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

I hope that both parties can heal from this, only God knows what really happened behind closed doors...many times women hide what is going on, and pray that things will get better, and sometimes they just dont... If Bishop Weeks motives toward Juanita were wrong, in the end God will reveal it...I commend her for keeping her mouth closed even during her pain....may God bless you Juanita and that you emerge stronger, better, wiser and with a testimony that God can bring you out of everything.......be blessed

By No Name

Aug 4, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

Thomas Weeks is dirty and low down he should be ashame of himself but he is not, no woman should have to pay her ex-husbands attorneys fees. If he were a real man he would get off his low down butt and pay his own attorneys fees.

By Pam

Jul 13, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

Juanita,
Why are you working on divorce court. God is not in divorces. Please seek God before you work on divorce court. I belive that he is not please and is soon to return for his church without a spot or wrinkle. Make sure that your spots and wrinkles are removed befor he comes back.

By Terri

Jul 9, 2008 6:21 AM | Link to this

Folks, Christian or otherwise. Only the Lord can judge us, man cannot. Remember our Father is omnipresent, and these harsh judgemental words said here will come back to you, when you stand before him and declare you have been his loyal and faithful servant.

By Rue

Jul 6, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

There is nothing as good as shaming the devil who thinks he owns the world. As a woman of God Juanita? what is your purpose, what is more important or what is your understanding of the life of christ that we follow? Now are you happy that the devil has destroyed your marriage? Aren't we meant to be fruitful as the branches of the vine? Do you wrestle against principalities of the flesh or of the spirit of the devil eph.6. What are you focusing on in life? Don't you have the life of God in you? Don't you have internal life in you? What does the word of God say about what he's put together? This man Weeks already knows God, so is there any job too hard in the Lord. What happened to proverbs 31? Are you saying God is a liar by walking out of that marriage, which spirit are you operating from, the one that raised Jesus from death? He who is in you is greater than he that can show up in people to destroy. What happened to being humble? Did JC not carry the cross -a king of the jews? Does the word of God not warn you that percecution will come and where it could come from? You better make a move now, endeavor to rebuilt that marriage. Its not late at all. Proclaim your faith. No buts. Rue.

By Rue

Jul 6, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

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