photo: news.yahoo.com
photo: wsbtv news
Story: Elissa Eubanks/AJC
Bishop Thomas Weeks III, now charged with beating his estranged wife, the nationally known evangelist Juanita Bynum.
Members of Global Destiny Church in Duluth urged people to be cautious about taking sides in the dispute between Bishop Thomas Weeks III and his wife, Juanita Bynum.
Most congregants approached for interviews after Sunday's 8 a.m. service declined to comment on the marital problems of Weeks, 40, and Bynum, 48.
Those who did urged caution in taking sides in the issue and passing judgment on two people they consider spiritual giants, but also human.
"There are three sides to every story," said Clarkston's Shannon Mayers, a frequent visitor. "Nobody has the right to judge anybody. God is in the midst of that and will work it out."
Member Maurice Adams, 26, of Atlanta said he was disappointed to hear the news but still considers Weeks his bishop.
"We all make mistakes. He deserves another opportunity," Adams said. "I'm hurt, but I do respect him for being man enough to show his face today."
Weeks took the pulpit two days after his surrender to authorities in connection with the alleged attack on Bynum. His remarks included appreciation for the prayers and support that he said have come in for him and his wife and thanks to those in attendance in spite of the controversy.
Weeks sparked thunderous applause and cheers when he asked members to tell those seated next to them: "We've got certain things going on right now, but I refuse to stop coming to the house God built."
Weeks, wearing a dark suit and his customary bow tie, blamed the devil for the accusation that has him facing two felony charges. He didn't, however, offer any specifics before introducing a guest minister who preached in his stead, then exiting the room.
The bishop is charged with aggravated assault for allegedly choking, kicking and hitting Bynum on Tuesday night in a parking lot at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel and with making terroristic threats to kill her. Both are felonies.
After turning himself in, he spent six hours in the Fulton County Jail before being released on $40,000 bond Friday.
The couple reportedly met at the Renaissance to talk about reconciliation after having been separated for several months. (See I told you, I knew something was up and so did a couple other members and women with sense know when a man is mistreating and abusing his wife and know they will stay away from that husband) Bynum, known for her fiery sermons that empower women, has been in seclusion since the attack and was not present at Sunday's 8 a.m. service (Mami is hardly ever there and I could understand why, she was unhappy and is in a unhealty marriage).
Global Destiny is a ministry the couple co-founded and pastor. In addition to Duluth, other church locations are in Los Angeles, Washington and London.
The charges are only the latest of Weeks' troubles.
(Bishop stay in some drama and mess don't he, he need to go on a bible retreat and get back close with God and stop letting the devil control him).
Authorities went to his Duluth home in June to serve an eviction notice (all that money my money be putting in them tithes envelope, got a Maybach, Jaguar, Range Rover and you get all tha church money and you don't pay your mortgage, hmmm. lets rethink that or did he think the bank is not going to ask for ther house back if he skip a few months).
Six months earlier, a former employee complained to police that Weeks got physical with her in escorting her from the church property. (I heard he was mean too and uses profanity profusely like it is nobody's business)
This is not gossip or rumor's I've heard directly from a very close source. I know this may not be good to talk about others in their down time, but only God can lift him up from this. Nobody really means no harm to Bishop, but he needs some intervention, counseling, something, brother need some help.
Weeks is due in Fulton County Superior Court on Sept. 7.
I don't know what to say. I am just speechless. I have been to this church on many occasions and I felt there was some things going on. I know some people at Global Destiny and this is all but to sad. Sorry Juanita, I love you mami. She was hardly or never there and I knew there was a reason behind it, she would always send her greetings or messages via the TV. My mom will be shocked to hear this when she hear this one, this is the 2nd inciden where I hear he was misbehaving badly. I know he is a Bishop but he need to practice what he preach. Always blame it on the devil, oh the devil made me do it.
