Posted on 08/24/2007 4:44:29 PM PDT by Terriergal
TV evangelist Paula White, who is a frequent speaker at a San Antonio church where she recently formed a ministry partnership, and her husband, Randy, announced Thursday night that they plan to divorce after a nearly 18-year marriage.
The split was made public during a Thursday evening service for their Tampa, Fla., congregation, Without Walls International Church, which they founded in 1991 and which became one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing churches.
What her forthcoming divorce will mean for Family Praise Center in Northwest San Antonio remains unclear. White plans to keep Tampa as her base and continue preaching there, but she's putting down some roots here. She bought a nearly $700,000 home outside Boerne earlier this month, about the same time she was giving a five-week sermon series at Family Praise Center, founded by Bishop Rick Hawkins.Increasingly, White, Hawkins, his son and the San Antonio church have developed closer links.
White is a rising TV evangelist who has widespread appeal among evangelical Christians, particularly women. Her "Paula White Today" show is broadcast nationally on major networks such as CMT and BET and her Life By Design empowerment conferences, based in New York City, are spreading to cities nationwide.
The Whites told the Tampa Tribune no infidelity was involved in their breakup, which they described as "amicable."
"This has been an ongoing process and journey," said Paula White, standing on stage with her husband. "But God is always faithful. God always carries you through the dark places of life."
Randy White told the audience Paula White would continue preaching all over the world and on television. "I'm going to pastor this church and focus on being a great dad," he said.
Paula White first came to Family Praise Center in November 2005 to speak at a church-sponsored conference. She began to speak more regularly here and in recent months has led Sunday morning and Wednesday night services, recorded shows for syndication and led a fundraiser for a teen-pregnancy center.
Will Norris, staff pastor and communications director for Family Praise Center, told the San Antonio Express-News two weeks ago that the church and White have a ministry partnership that includes joining forces on community outreach and receiving advice from her on how the church could grow.
Norris did not return numerous phone calls seeking details about the partnership. Reached after the church's Wednesday service, he repeatedly declined to comment, referring all questions to White's spokeswoman Sheila Withum of WDC Media. The California-based public relations firm also has done work for Family Praise Center.
Withum told the Express-News two weeks ago that San Antonio was a likely site for Paula White to establish a Life By Design center, a place where monthly conferences would be offered. The first center was established in New York City, where White has held two conferences in recent months and where she owns a Trump Tower condo.
Phone calls and e-mails to Withum the past couple of weeks were not returned.
Family Praise Center was founded by Hawkins in 1993 and his son Dustin Hawkins is pastor. Both men got divorced in February.
Norris said neither Dustin nor Rick Hawkins was available for comment. Calls this week to Rick Hawkins' home were not returned.
During the Wednesday night service, Dustin Hawkins gave the main message, noting that he and his father attended Paula White's Life By Design conference Sunday in New York City.
Paula White told the Tampa Tribune that her involvement with Family Praise Center as a ministry partner was minimal but did say she is serving as the "spiritual overseer" for Dustin Hawkins. Meanwhile, Rick Hawkins is a board member for White's newly formed PWM Life Center Inc., a tax-exempt, nonprofit agency created in February, according to documents filed with the Florida Department of State's Division of Corporations.
Rick Hawkins is known in San Antonio for founding the School of Excellence in Education in 1998, the city's largest charter school district that caters to so-called at-risk students and includes a high school named after him.
Paula White is scheduled to speak at Family Praise Center on Sept. 9 and at Cornerstone Church on the North Side on Sept. 23.
Her background — growing up poor in Mississippi and overcoming a troubled upbringing — resonates with her audiences, especially African Americans, who make up the majority at her Tampa church.
Family Praise Center counts among its members a high number of African American and Hispanic people. White and Hawkins are Anglo and have been active in inner-city outreach.
White's lavish lifestyle, which includes a private jet, a Mercedes and a $2.1 million home in an elite neighborhood in Tampa, has generated criticism. Such amenities, she says, reflect God's blessing and notes her frequent donations to worldwide humanitarian causes.
White bought a 3,300-square-foot home just east of Boerne near the Kendall-Comal county line this month. The property, appraised at $681,570, is on 3.7 acres and includes a pool, guesthouse and three-car garage.
During a speaking engagement Aug. 12 at Family Praise Center, White arrived on stage from a side entrance and took a seat at the front next to Rick and Dustin Hawkins. Several security guards stood watch nearby.
After the service, she exited into a private room. Her message that morning touched on common motivational themes she's stated in speeches and books about overcoming obstacles through faith.
"We are in the last days of the greatest outpouring of God's spirit and even though we ugly, come on, some of us have a mess," she said. "We don't look like ministry material. We don't act like ministry material. But we are fruitful because we have a heart towards God that is pure and hands that are clean."
Often, her sermon brought standing ovations.
Lucia Perez, a Family Praise Center member, said some people there were wondering why Paula White has been frequenting the church in recent months, but ultimately the only issue affecting them was how to deal with the abnormally large audiences she generated.
"At first, people questioned it. It was like, 'Wow, she's been here a lot,'" Perez said. "But the only thing different (for church members) was that the church was packed."
FOTFLOL!!
At forty-something (at least), there’s probably gym time and a personal trainer (or a personal surgeon) involved too.
hehehe
The list just goes on and on...
Using ministry to enhance one’s financial status is taking the Lord’s name in vain IMHO.
I’ve seen a woman give a talk several times. She has long straight dark hair, and is very intelligent. Any idea on who she is?
Bad week for Word Faith marriages. A local evangelist separated from her hubby and now Paula. I noticed she’s been doing exercise videos lately. Isn’t this the couple that invited a Tampa strip club owner to speak at their church. I geuss in the Word Faith movement it’s all about money and various forms of narcisism. Oh well she’s a looker so I’m sure she won’t have any problems.
She’s actually got a DVD/weight loss program out with Dodd Romero (famous trainer, apparently). I actually bought it, but like with other weight loss items, it’s just sitting around waiting for me to use it!
I’m sorry for what you must be going through - it’s always disappointing when something like this happens in one’s own church, or to a minister of the Gospel that one follows.
But the article also said that your pastor AND his son both divorced their wives this year! This is tragic, especially since the Bible is so clear on hating divorce. I know there are extenuating circumstances for everything, but what is going on here? The way these stories are being presented it’s as if it’s just life as usual. But divorce to a church leader IS a big deal!
That might be Gene Scott's wife. I think she used to be a stripper.
White bought a 3,300-square-foot home just east of Boerne near the Kendall-Comal county line this month. The property, appraised at $681,570, is on 3.7 acres and includes a pool, guesthouse and three-car garage.
Forgetaboutit, this brings no glory to the cause of Christ, and only brings shame upon those who perpetrate a fraud in His Name.
lol I hear ya.
All this ‘just do it’ Christianity doesn’t really help much if’n ya aren’t inspired to ‘just do it.’
Hence the hype and glitz to ‘inspire’ you. No Holy Spirit which comes by the proper teaching of the Word.
Tampa strip club owner? To speak? What was that all about?
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