DEL.ICIO.USBishop Weeks plots spiritual comeback
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, April 10, 2009
A repentant reverend will belt out the Easter sermon Sunday, preaching salvation, while reflecting on the resurrection of Jesus — and his own.
Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III, the charismatic Pentecostal pastor whose whirlwind romance to national evangelist Juanita Bynum ended in violence and divorce, is on the road to redemption and restoration.
The judgmental whisperers that once populated prayer circles at the grand Global Destiny Worldwide in Duluth have long gone. Weeks now has a loyal following and a new modest church.
Weeks’ tribulations — his felony prosecution for assaulting Bynum, his eviction from his multi-million dollar church headquarters and his messy divorce — are accepted by his members as chapters in his survival story.
“None of us are perfect,” said Pamela Taylor, a member since 2006 who used to commute from Douglasville to attend services. “I have grown since I have been a part of this church. I trust the bishop. “
Weeks’ likens his plight to the Biblical figure Job, a prosperous man who was stripped of his wealth, property and good name when his faith was tested by God.
“Many thought Job went astray,” said Weeks. “They only recognized that he didn’t after God blessed him double for his trouble. I am being blessed that way… “
On Easter, Weeks is expecting a full house at 2710 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., a sanctuary converted from an old muffler repair shop. It’s 8,000 square feet, about 10 percent the size of his former church campus, but there is a marquee outside with Weeks’ name in big black letters. He calls the place “The Prophet’s House.”
In the months since Weeks and Bynum divorced, financial hardships have beset both.
Bynum, who could not be reached for comment, has recently filed for bankruptcy in a Colorado federal court claiming she’s more than $5.25 million in debt. Court documents show a laundry list of creditors including Jaguar Credit, the Internal Revenue Service, Chase Manhattan Mortgage, and Weeks’ Atlanta divorce attorney Randy Kessler. Bynum, through foreclosure, lost possession of her $4.5 million Waycross compound, a sprawling 23 - acre campus with a lakeview that housed her residence, her private sanctuary and sales distribution center.Weeks, nearing his second year on probation, also downsized as Global Destiny’s membership dropped from 3,400 to less than half that after the break-up.
He moved out of his $2.5 million Duluth country club estate, found a smaller home — and a new love. “I am actually in a serious relationship,” Weeks said.
His November church eviction was a turning point. “It freed me.”
Weeks owed $400,000 in rent and fees for his old church.
His tiny new church, which opened quietly after his eviction, has made a commitment to be debt-free. The pastor says he’s paid off $600,000 in bills including the past-due rent through money raised by church members, the virtual collection plate online and a liquidation sale.
Weeks still faces other lawsuits. A contempt petition was filed last month in Gwinnett by a former employee claiming Weeks failed to reimburse her for about $90,000. “All debts are expected to be paid by the end 2009,” Weeks said.
The pastor is trying to grow a megachurch online. Weeks said he reaches viewers in 80 countries offering prayer, video on demand, a bookstore, and an opportunity to speak with him live during worship services. Next week, Weeks will launch Season 3 of his “Webisodes” on religion and relationships.
Following Weeks’ lead, Bynum, a traveling pastor, actress and gospel star, also has expanded her Web ministry to include pay-per-view programming and a talk show she calls “Speak On it Today.”
“It’s the hottest show around — it’s live, it’s raw,” Bynum said in a Web promo.
Weeks says he has lost touch with his ex, but he keeps her ” in prayer constantly.”
Some former members who departed after the break-up have forgiven Weeks and are returning to the flock, he said. “People are apologizing for leaving and want to be restored,” Weeks said. “[They] want a preacher who has experienced pain.”
— AJC staff writer Chris Quinn contributed to this story.
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