By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Juanita Bynum is back in business and ready for divorce.
The Pentecostal Prophetess, who made national headlines two weeks ago when her husband allegedly assaulted her in an Atlanta hotel parking lot, is pursuing legal avenues to end her marriage to Bishop Thomas Weeks, III.
Her spokesperson Amy Malone of GCI Public Relations did not respond to queries regarding published reports of the impending divorce proceedings.
"Bynum said she loves her husband but she is finished with what she called an abusive marriage," EURweb.com reported today. "She confessed she thought the routine heated arguments in their marriage were normal initially. She said she gave her attorney the go-ahead for divorce proceedings last week."
During an interview with Atlanta's Fox 5, the Chicago-born celebrity clergywoman said that this wasn't the first time they had a physical altercation but it had never been to this degree - only pushing and shoving. She said he had never physically drawn a fist back and hit her.
The former welfare recipient, flight attendant, hairdresser and anorexic reportedly said she will assist prosecutors with the aggravated assault case but she could not pass judgment on whether Weeks should go to jail.
She believes he still has redeeming qualities.
She said she doesn't believe her love for her husband will ever die and she thinks she could marry him twice -- but this one is over. She said he's a brilliant man and she believes God will get that purpose out of his life.
Maybe Weeks wasn't meant to be with her but she wished him the best.
Meanwhile, the Washington-based National Black Church Initiative is reportedly calling for his suspension as the leader of Global Destinies Ministries.
Comments: (328)
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By: Julius Bannerman on 9/06/2007 7:59PM
I believe the Washington DC based NBCI should mine their business. There should not be any suspension at all. Leave those two parties alone and it will all work out,praise God. Check my BLOG out for more info on this matter at: http://journals.aol.com/spinmind/ABlackManwithaViewPoint
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By: Sheila Reid on 9/06/2007 8:07PM
I pray for Prophetess Bynum and Bishop Weeks that they would allow God to direct their life. I know God do not accept the violence and what a person sow they shall reap. So lets just keep them in prayer and hope that they both seek couseling for this tragdey.
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By: Gwen on 9/06/2007 8:35PM
Take it to God in Prayer.
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By: Zoom ZOOM on 9/06/2007 9:15PM
SiS Bynum,I wish this had never happened to you.I lived in a home with an abusive,alcoholic father,i remember when he would fight my mother and force her to have sex with him.No child or woman should have this forced upon them,I believe you are a praying sister and the God in you will prevail.......1
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By: Evangelist Mary Blunt on 9/09/2007 9:16PM
When I first read about what had happen to the Woman of God, I became angry. However, God to me to a place of prayer and I began to interceed for them, myself and other's who have struggled in marriage as Christians. One thing I do understand is the the devil will and continue to use tools, like those you love the most to destroy what God had purpose to take place. One thing is for sure, you can either yield to that spirit or yield to the Spirit of God. Husband and sister had some kind of relationship going on, and mother-in-law instructed him not to take care of me after a car accident. But I know for sure that even though we maynot be able to be husband and wife, God has a purpose and plan for his life.
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By: Lorna Mullings on 9/06/2007 10:31PM
We hope that both parties will learn from this sad experience. This is clearly outside the will of God. It appears again the powers of evil has prevailed. Take comfort though "I will build my church and gates of hell shall not prevail against it" so says the word that stands for evr. Blessed be the name of Jesus Christ. To whom much is given, much is expected.
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By: Andrieta Eason on 9/06/2007 11:00PM
When I first heard of this incident I was throwed way back and couldn't imagined you or anyone in ministry going through such a violence like this toward one another. Where is the love that we preach about. This has brought light out about what's really going on. We put so much emphasis and trust on these ministers, bishops, and preachers to where we forget to look at the real picture, these men are just like the rest of the men out here in society. Abuse is a abuse no matter who you are. Put your trust in no man only God. My prayers are definitely with the both of you, look your eyes to the hills.
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By: RWP on 9/07/2007 5:34AM
Well, this is absolutely no surprise to me, the divorce proceedings that is. You knew it was coming, as well as, the new ministry emphasis on 'domestic volence.' This is not the matter what God would have a Christian to do in this situation, as much as it is a matter 'protecting and profiting' from ones rebutation in ministry. Mrs. Bynum is one of many multi-million dollar marketing ministry magnets of our time. And when money in ministry in bringing in millions of dollars, the matter of biblical Christianity goes right out of the window. The same with Randy and Paula White. These people are an authority unto themselves only because they believe their ministry stature equates to their spirituality. It's sad because, their ministry stature has risen above what's true biblical Christianity. And you watch, these folks are milk their circumstances (both the Weeks and the Whites) for all the ministry money they can get. Your going to see every ministry theme surface aimed at keeping the ministry cow large and lucrative - 'Abused Women Set Free', 'Abuse Out of the Closet', 'When Your Relationship Might Not Be God's Will', 'Sometimes God Separates To Further Populate', 'Men Are Battered Spouses Too.' This is simply a matter of poor Christianity on the part of all parties involed. It's a sad time for the witness of Christ in Christian marriages.
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By: jackie on 9/07/2007 12:36PM
Cant you please write about Ms. Bynum without bringing up her past about being a welfare reciepiant and anorexic and whatever? Why do we like to throw one's past up? The thing is, what she is now.The news media always digging one's past dirt up. Can you all write something without tearing them down? I am quite sure your past isn't squeaky clean either. No ones is, but thank God it is not now!
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By: Victoria on 9/07/2007 12:32AM
Bishop Weeks deserves to be suspended as leader of Global Destiny Ministries. He deserves to be forgiven but also relieved of his duties as pastor and removed from the pulpit. He also deserves time in jail and in counseling. Prophetess Bynum is better off without him.
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