DEL.ICIO.USThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/20/08
They appeared to be a match made in heaven, but toward the end not even prayer could keep them together.
The stormy marriage of national evangelist Juanita Bynum and Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III — temporarily calmed by a night of passion — was dissolved Friday in a Gwinnett County courtroom.
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Both Bynum and Weeks expressed relief and a measure of joy that their marriage, marked by an elaborate televised wedding, a high-profile ministry and a parking lot beat down, was over.
Bynum filed for divorce in September. On Friday, about a month shy of her sixth wedding anniversary to Weeks, Bynum said she was at peace with the divorce. "It's not a sad thing," she said. "It has been a long awaited moment."
The traveling minister wore a casual cotton top, khaki pants and a sweater tied around her waist. She smiled broadly soon after her ties to Weeks were severed.
Weeks, on a three year-probation for assaulting Bynum last summer also appeared to be happy. He wore a grin, a bow tie and a brown pen-striped suit. He said he will always have a "special love" for Bynum, but he is moving on.
"I feel like it's a new day — a brand new life, a brand new time," Weeks said.
For some tense minutes Friday, it appeared that the divorce would be derailed.
Superior Court Judge Debra Turner asked Bynum if she had been intimate with Weeks since they separated. She seemed surprised at Bynum's answer:
"Yes, once," said Bynum. "I believe it was in August."
Turner grew concerned about moving ahead "My understanding is you can no longer have marital relations based on the date of separation that you file," she said. Bynum said in court that she and Weeks separated in May.
The judge called for a recess so Weeks' attorney Randy Kessler could check case law . Kessler argued before the break that the sexual interlude shouldn't halt the process. "She filed for divorce after that sexual encounter," he said. "They have been living in a bonafide state of separation.''
Bynum did not say whether that rendez-vous occurred before or after Weeks pushed, kicked and beat her in the parking lot of the Renaissance Concourse Hotel on Aug. 21. During the break from proceedings, Bynum and Weeks stared down at their instant messaging devices . Bynum was typing feverishly. Weeks was reading and scrolling through a message. When Bynum finished her note, she slid the device into her purse, flung her hair with attitude and stared off at a corner. Weeks continued to read on and then gazed up at the ceiling sighing. It is unknown whether the couple was communicating with each other. When asked, Weeks would not answer the question.
The divorce was finalized at 10:46 a.m. after Turner and Kessler agreed to change the couple's separation date to September, the month Bynum filed.
According to a 14-page settlement agreement, neither party will receive alimony. They have divided all bank accounts and will retain ownership of the debt and individual assets they had before marriage. Bynum also asked for some sentimental antiques she collected seven years ago, including a harp and a sculpture of a woman. Weeks gets the couple's 2004 Land Rover, his international ministry and the church the couple started together in Duluth, Global Destiny.
Bynum agreed to pay $40,000 in attorney fees for Weeks .
Bynum said doesn't have time to waste on moping. She said she has been hired as a regular adviser on "Divorce Court," and two weeks ago, was permanently added to the cast of "Lincoln Heights," an ABC network series She still continues herministry.
Weeks said he will focus on building his church and "healing" his broken heart. "You have to deal with the trauma," he said. "I didn't marry her to be here today."
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More on ajc.com
- Civil ending to Bynum-Weeks saga (06/21/2008)
- BYNUM v. WEEKS: DIVORCE GRANTED (06/21/2008)
- Weeks offers divorce settlement to Bynum (06/04/2008)
- DULUTH: Divorce closer to settlement (06/04/2008)
- Web show search for next wife (09/20/2008)
- On 'Divorce Court,' Bynum speaks on split, depression (04/25/2008)
- Bynum discusses domestic violence on 'Divorce Court' (04/24/2008)
- Bynum discusses marriage on 'Divorce Court' (04/24/2008)
- Bynum TV segment takes up issue (04/24/2008)
- Bynum talks on 'Divorce Court' (04/23/2008)
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Comments
By Dorah
Jun 23, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this
I believe everything happen by a purpose..
i dot want to judge anybody..i live very far away
What i know about Juanita Bynum ..she is a true selvant of God..i dont know her.or herX.i have never heard anything about herbefore..But thriugh the TRUE SPIRIT OF GOD..shows me Juanita this morning..in the Youtube..i was listening to her preaching..MY LIFE CHANGE COMPLETELY...I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN..!!!
God bless you Juanita..God is in control!!let us leave all things to him..HE IS FAITHFUL.
By Dorah
Jun 23, 2009 2:26 PM | Link to this
I believe everything happen by a purpose..
i dot want to judge anybody..i live very far away
What i know about Juanita Bynum ..she is a true selvant of God..i dont know her.or herX.i have never heard anything about herbefore..But thriugh the TRUE SPIRIT OF GOD..shows me Juanita this morning..in the Youtube..i was listening to her preaching..MY LIFE CHANGE COMPLETELY...I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN..!!!
God bless you Juanita..God is in control!!let us leave all things to him..HE IS FAITHFUL.
By Jasmine Jacobs
Feb 23, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
First things first; we should be giving God the glory. We don't know what these individuals are feeling and going through. We should be praying for their stregnth in the Lord rather than critisize them and/or their ministries. God is in control and if their is error let God correct them; He is the Creator. Let us not also forget that just as he creates he ordains and annoints. "Touch not my annointed and do my prophet no harm." Be careful how you put your mouth on Gods annointed. As much time as we spend judging we need to be spending evaluating and correting our OWN lives. We haven't ALWAYS been saved and we HAVEN'T made it yet. See, there are CHURCH FOLK and there are CHRISTIANS. 'Church Folk' think since they've been in the church for so many years that their better than others...they sing in choir or are head of the usher board that places them ahead of certain others. 'Church Folk' look at how the situation seems 'now' and that determines their faith. CHRISTIANS realizes and understands that 'works' alone will and cannot get you into heaven. CHRISTIANS realize that there is RESTORATION in Christ and if our fellow brothers and sisters fall short of the glory of God, we are to help build them up...not tear them down by shaking our fingers in their faces; that is NOT the love of Christ. So ask yourself...am I a true christian or am I church folk? God is PERFECT LOVE and perfect love cast out fear. This is why soo many people run from the church because we do not show PERFECT LOVE. Some people fear the church more than they see it as uplifting...afraid of disappointment, critiszm, and neglect. If only we would open our hearts and began to walk in the Power of the Holy Ghost we would become more effective in reaching souls rather than losing souls because of our flesh getting in the way. I offer up this prayer and leave at this..."God may YOUR will be done in their lives. May you keep your children from the hands of the enemy and continue to order their foot steps and guide their paths. You have brought Juanita Bynum a mighty long way, as you have brought many of us who were caught up in our own mess. Keep her Lord and I bind in the Mighty name of Jesus any obstacles that attempt to detour or destroy YOUR mission for her life. I cancel every assignment of the enemy in Jesus name! As for Mr. Weeks, may your spirit dwell with him and may you continue to draw him closer to you so that YOUR will be done his life. No weapon formed against him shall prosper and I pray that you continue to cover them both under the blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Many people have many things to say concerning your children but I ask that you have mercy on any and everbody who puts their mouth on your annointed. You are Alpha and Omega...the beginning and the end. We are ALL your children and we all are NOTHING without you. Teach us how to walk in Perfect Love as your Son Jesus Christ did. Teach us how to walk in your spirit and not our own unclean spirits. In Your Son Jesus name...let YOUR WILL be done, amen.
By Shane
Feb 5, 2009 2:32 AM | Link to this
I read a lot of judgment here. Let us not forget you better be without any sin before you start casting any stones. If they have ask forgiveness from God and each other they can go on and move on with their lives. Who are any of us to sit in the Judgment Seat and try to be their judge? Judge not lest you be judge with the same judgment you are sending forth. Also remember the very thing you are judging you may very well be tested on.
By Gladys Muganiri
Feb 2, 2009 1:35 PM | Link to this
The preaching, praying and praising God in front of audience is not the ultimate. To know God and His ways and to endure for the sake of His Glory like what Jesus did on the cross, is the ultimate. The Bishop and his ex-Juanita did not show these attributes of Christ. Marriage is not a trial of life events, but a union act ordained by God. God hates divorce no matter how much you want to polish it to suit your reasons for doing it. Jesus personified his relation with the church as a marriage which means or shows that no matter what the body of Christ will do, Jesus is obliged to love it in every way. How are these two going to preach about forgiveness, unconditional love, endurance, tolerance, patience that pays and going through trials for the Glory of the Father. We need Holy Spirit guidance. If it was me I would have stopped preachings and church ownerships ands seek ye first..the kingdom of God and everything else will be added......Math6.33, It shows that what they preach is not what they do. Do not bring the kingdom of God to shame because there is a prize for it.
By Linda
Jan 31, 2009 9:51 PM | Link to this
The reason they divorced was God was not the center of their marriage. Period. It is interesting to note that Ms Bynum, who does not have time to waste, is wasting it playing in the world (ref TV shows) rather then being separate from the world. The Bible teaches us to try the spirits. The spirit of this lady is still wrapped up in the things of this world. She and her ex both need to stop all that they are doing and get on their knees before God. They need to seek him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. They need to realize they can not be part of the world and fully with God at the same time. If they were to both do this, their marriage would be restored - to God's great glory. As long as they each pursue their own agenda instead of God's vision for them, they will not have what God truly intends for them: the blessing of his total peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
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