Televangelist Juanita Bynum and husband Thomas W. Weeks ended their marriage in divorce court Friday, several months after an altercation in a hotel parking lot landed Weeks in jail on charges he choked and beat his wife.
The couple exchanged few words and barely glanced each other’s way during a hearing that ended their six-year marriage. Bynum signed a settlement agreement last week offered by Weeks, and the proceeding before a judge in suburban Atlanta lasted less than an hour.
Bynum filed for divorce in September, a month after the quarrel in the parking lot of an Atlanta hotel. Weeks ultimately pleaded guilty to assaulting her and is serving three years’ probation.
A 14-page document said neither party will receive alimony and Bynum will pay $40,000 of Weeks’ legal fees. The decision also restored Juanita Bynum’s maiden name as her legal one, though she never used Weeks’ last name while they were married.
Bynum left the courthouse smiling.
"I said from the beginning of this situation that this, too, shall pass, and it just did," she said.
Weeks also appeared in high spirits.
"It feels like a new day," he said outside court, adding he still has a "special love" for Bynum.
Bynum and Weeks married in a lavish ceremony in 2002. They have written books and lectured together on love and relationships.
Bynum leads a ministry that also includes a gospel record label and seminar tours. She has sold thousands of motivational books, CDs and DVDs related to empowerment and relationships. Weeks, known to his followers as Bishop Weeks, co-wrote "Teach Me How to Love: The Beginnings" with Bynum.
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Comments
I don't know either of these people, but I can tell you that Satan's role is always to break up marriage. All marriages are a picture of Christ and the church and whenever marriages end in divorce the enemy is happy. I'm not happy that this happened, but let's pray for these two. It is embarrassing to the body of Christ that so much divorce is going on these days, especially when said individuals were teaching others publicly on how to have a successful relationship. Lord help us!
I agree, Star 2. These two have set a very poor and unbiblical example. The irony is that they were counseling others on relationships. Back to the Bible for the answers. But many will turn away from the Book because of the example these two set.
jlaczko: Your statement, "Juanita Bynum should not step down for that is just what Satan would want," would actually be further from the truth. In all actuality Satan doesn't want her to step down but to stay in. Because this way, it embarrases the body of Christ and again preaches the gospel of "no one is accountable". Her divorce from Bishop "wife beater" Meeks, is just another example and invitation to the world and to the body of Christ that people are still not solid on biblical doctrine and marriage! Again, this is NOT a shot at you, but a heavy heart for a world that watches for us to fail.
I find it a couple of things interesting. First, he got probation for criminal domestic violence and SHE had to pay $40,000 of HIS legal fees....
WHAT DID SHE DO????
"I said from the beginning of this situation that this, too, shall pass, and it just did," she said.
Yeh...like a kidney stone!
"though she never used Weeks’ last name while they were married."
She sure joined up at the wedding didn't she. Sounds like this relationship was over before it started. If one spouse isn't in it with both feet it won't stand.
TeWord f God teaches forgiveness, but the Lord Jesus also taugh that ivorce was permitted for reasons of unfaithfulness. How faithful are you to your wife if you aregoing to asault you in public? Juanita Bynum should not step down for that is just what Satan would want.
LOL! Good one wrhalver. There was a day when the woman was the stay at home mom. Sounds like it's all about power and money and women aren't immune.
Perhaps a new book is in order....
Teach Me How To Divorce: The Endings.
The Divorce was as lavish as the wedding. The book can start there.
Whatever happened to Jesus in their personal lives and in their marriage? Was He not Lord of their lives and their marriage? Did they not look to God to help reconcile their differences and to help them love each other? How can they minister Jesus to the body of Christ? How can they tell any one that Jesus is the answer to all their problems?
Why are they in the ministry at all? Why would anyone even want to listen to anything they have to say especially when it comes to Jesus?