BISHOP THOMAS WEEKS III: Blaming the Devil and Back in the Pulpit

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Bishop Thomas Weeks, III

The estranged husband of battered televangelist Juanita Bynum is back in stride again.

According to published reports, Bishop Thomas W. Weeks, III didn't miss a beat during Sunday service -- two days after turning himself into Atlanta authorities for assaulting his wife -- and was met by cheers and applause from parishioners at the Global Destiny Ministries.

Good God Almighty.

Weeks said the devil was behind his current situation, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper, and also expressed appreciation for the prayers and support he and his wife have received.

As previously reported by The BV Newswire, police said Weeks assaulted the Pentecostal Prophetess during an argument on Aug. 21 outside of an Atlanta hotel.

After a media frenzy ensued about the near fatal attack, Weeks surrendered to Atlanta police Friday morning. Bond was set at $30,000 on a charge of aggravated assault and $10,000 on a charge of terroristic threats, and a magistrate ordered Weeks to have no contact with Bynum or her sister, Tina Culpepper.

But that didn't stop him from tending to his business affairs at the church he founded in Atlanta.

"We've got certain things going on right now, but I refuse to stop coming to the house God built," he reportedly said during his brief appearance before introducing a guest minister and leaving the room.

Members of his congregation didn't mind talking to the newspaper about their feelings about the controversial scandal.

"There are three sides to every story," said frequent visitor Shannon Mayers. "Nobody has the right to judge anybody. God is in the midst of that and will work it out."

Meanwhile, 26-year-old Maurice Adams 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 is due in Fulton County Superior Court on Sept. 7.