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Paula White

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Paula White
Paula White
Born (1966-04-20) April 20, 1966 (age 58)
Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S.
Occupation(s)Life coach, Author, Inspirational Speaker, Philanthropist, Pastor
Children1
WebsitePaula White Ministries

Paula Michelle White is a Christian author, speaker, and church leader. She is co-founder of Without Walls International Church; a large, influential, non-denominational, charismatic church with two locations in Florida. She hosts a television show, Paula White Today, produced by Paula White Ministries seen on multiple networks including Black Entertainment Television, and the Trinity Broadcast Network. She currently is the senior pastor of both church locations for Without Walls International Church.

In many of her sermons, empowerment seminars, and books Paula White exposes her childhood traumas and teenage flirtations with self-destruction to teach about God's transforming power. With humor and candor, she presents herself as vulnerable by removing holy masks. [1]


Early life and youth

Paula White was born Paula Michelle Furr April 20, 1966, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to Myra Joanelle and Donald Paul Furr III. Her parents owned a thriving toy and craft store, and Paula and her brother Mark has all their needs and desires met.[1] Her parents' marriage began to fail when she was five years old, her mother took Paula to Memphis. Paula's father followed with an ultimatum for her mother to give Paula to him or he would commit suicide. White's mother refused, later that night Donald Furr killed himself by running his car into a tree.[2] Paula's mother became an alcoholic. While her mother worked, White was looked after by caregivers, who she said sexually and physically abused her for seven years between the ages of six and thirteen by different people on different occasions. [3][4][5]

Paula’s mother remarried in 1975 to a military man when Paula was 9 years old . Her family later moved to the Washington D.C. area when her stepfather was stationed at the National Naval Medical Center. Paula White is a graduate of Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, Maryland. [6]

In 1984 while living in Maryland, she was introduced to the gospel and became a Christian. On her television show in July 2005, White recounted the vision she received from God shortly after conversion: "When I was just eighteen years old and barely saved, the Lord gave me a vision that every time I opened my mouth and declared the Word of the Lord, there was a manifestation of his spirit where people were either healed, delievered, or saved. When I shut my mouth, they fell off into utter darkness and God spoke to me and said I called you to preach the gospel."[1]

Paula White later on became a part of the National Church of God in Fort Washington under T.L. Lowery of Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), and a small church in Gaithersburg-Damascus, Maryland area.[6]

Christian Ministry

Without Walls International Church

Without Walls International Church, originally named South Tampa Christian Center, was founded by Paula White and Randy White in 1991.

The church struggled financially at first. Randy and Paula White did not take a salary from the church for the first two years. Soon the church began to grow quickly through the various outreach programs. Since 1991, after moving out of its storefront location they changed locations three times until in 1998 they secured the property located at 2511 North Grady Ave in Tampa, Florida and changed their name to Without Walls International Church.[1]

While the church was holding services in an outdoor tent in 1999, they reported 5,000 attendees a week and 10,000 ministered to outside of the church with 230 outreach ministries.[7]

In 2002, Without Walls International Church began to expand to its second location. At this time, the church reported 14,000 members and 200 ministries including job training, evangelism among public housing projects and a teen club. On August 3, 2002, Without Walls International Church began to hold Saturday night services at Carpenter's Home Church in Lakeland, Florida renting the property.[8][9] Carpenter's Home Church would later on be purchased by Without Walls International Church in 2005 for $8 million renaming Without Walls Central Church.[10]

In 2004, Without Walls International Church reported a congregation of 20,000 as the largest congregation in the area making the church the seventh largest church in the United States.[11]

The Tampa Tribune reported on March 5, 2008 that Without Walls International Church has put its 4,500–seat Tampa church up for sale, along with its 13.3-acre (5 ha) grounds and 94,000-square-foot (8,733 m2) offices and television studio, asking $30 million. [12]

Paula White Ministries

Paula White recorded the first broadcast of Paula White Today in December 2001, and by 2006 her show appeared on nine television networks, including Trinity Broadcast Network, Daystar, and Black Entertainment Television[1][6][13]

Ebony magazine said of White, "You know you're on to something new and significant when the most popular woman preacher on the Black Entertainment Network is a white woman."[14]

Paula considers T.D. Jakes her spiritual father. Jakes invited her to speak at his Woman Thou Art Loosed Conference in 2000. White also participated in the Mega Fest, hosted by Jakes in Atlanta, in 2004 and 2005.[15] She has also met with General Colin Powell, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Former Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, and Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. [16] She is the personal life coach of Tyra Banks and appeared on her show the Tyra Banks Show in an episode concerning promiscuity on October 4, 2006. [13]

Paula White ministered to some famous celebrities and athletes including Michael Jackson, Donald Trump, Gary Sheffield, and Darryl Strawberry.[1] Trump, who often brings her to Atlantic City for private Bible studies with athletes and celebrities, appeared on her television show for an exclusive interview.[1] Paula White was pastor to Darryl Strawberry starting in 2003 following Strawberry’s release from prison for cocaine possession. Charisse Strawberry, Darryl Strawberry’s wife at that time, also worked as an assistant to Paula White, accompanying her on speaking engagements.[6][17][18]

Senate inquiry

On November 6, 2007, United States senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa announced an investigation of Paula White's ministry by the United States Senate Committee on Finance along with five other ministries. [19] Grassley asked the ministries to divulge financial information[20][21]. When CBS News reported the story, Paula White's ministry denied any wrongdoing,[22] and on March 31, 2008, the Senate Finance Committee received a joint financial report from Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries. [23] Without Walls International Church was one of four ministries that refused to provide the full information Senator Grassley requested.

On January 6, 2011, Senator Grassley concluded the three year investigation with no penalties and no definitive findings of wrongdoing. [24] The Alliance Defense Fund protested the investigation and the National Religious Broadcasters said the questions Senator Grassley asked were too broad. [24] The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability plans to create a national commission in response to the Grassley report to lead a review on accountability and policy.[24] Paula White interpreted the conclusion of the investigation to mean that Without Walls International Church was cleared. [25]

Realignment

On Sunday, July 12, 2009, Paula White became the senior pastor of Without Walls International Church she co-founded in 1991 replacing Randy White, her ex-husband. Randy White states he was stepping down as pastor due to health reasons and would still remain connected with the church in a different position. [26][27]

On January 1, 2011, following the resignation of Scott Thomas, Paula White became the senior pastor of Without Walls Central Church in Lakeland, Florida making her the pastor of both church locations. [10]

Personal Life

Marriage

Paula White's first marriage was as a teenager to the father of her son. In 1984 while living in Maryland with her newborn baby, she was introduced to the gospel and became a Christian. Her marriage ended soon after.[4]

According to the book, Holy Mavericks, a vital turning point came in Paula's life in 1989 when she met Randy White, a third-generation preacher in the Church of God denomination. Randy was recovering from the divorce of his first marriage and was in the early stages of reviving his career as a preacher and evangelist. They met while Randy was visiting the church Paula volunteered as a janitor. Randy and Paula became friends and dated for several months as they labored together in ministry projects. Less than a year after meeting, Randy proposed during a tour to Israel; Paula accepted. Shortly thereafter they moved from Maryland to Tampa, Florida.[1]

In an article published in The Tampa Tribune on May 20, 2007, when Paula's husband (Randy White) was asked whether he's contemplating a divorce he replied, "No one can predict the future." [28] On Thursday, August 23, 2007, Randy and Paula White announced to their congregation that they would divorce. Randy stated from the pulpit of Without Walls International Church: "We have a very difficult announcement to make tonight before Tim Storey preaches. And that is that we are going through a divorce. It is the most difficult decision that I have had to make in my entire life and I can to you tonight to first let you know that I take full responsibility for a failed marriage." According to The Christian Post, Paula White says the divorce was amicable and they remain friends.[5][25] Following the divorce, Paula White ministered in New York, Texas, and abroad, while making periodic visits to Tampa and Without Walls International Church. [26]

Family

Paula White has a son named Bradley. Paula is a step-mother to Randy’s three children he had from a previous marriage: Kristen Renee, Angie, and Brandon. Randy and Paula never had children together.[4] Kristen Renee died on April 30, 2008 at the age of 30 years old after a difficult battle with brain cancer. Randy White founded the Kristen Renee Foundation in Kristen's memory.[27] Paula has no official role with the foundation but is an active supporter.


Bibliography

  • White, Paula (1998). He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not. Lake Mary: Charisma House. ISBN 9780884195658.
  • White, Randy and Paula (2001). See Me, Hear Me, Know Me. Tampa: self published. ISBN 9780971265004.
  • White, Paula (2003). Birthing Your Dreams : God's Plan for Living Victoriously. Nelson Reference. ISBN 9780785250697. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  • White, Paula (2004). Daily Treasures. Tampa: Paula White Ministries. ISBN 971265062. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: length (help)
  • White, Paula (2005). Simple Suggestions For a Sensational Life!. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. ISBN 1404102930.
  • White, Paula (2006). Deal with It!. Walton-on-Thames: Thomas Nelson. ISBN 9781599510088.
  • White, Paula (2006). First Fruits:From Promise to Provision. Tampa: Paula White Ministries. ISBN 9780979209215.
  • White, Paula (2007). You're All That!. Nashville: FaithWords. ISBN 9780446580236.
  • White, Paula (2007). The Ten Commandments of Health and Wellness. Tampa: Paula White Enterprises. ISBN 9780979605819.
  • White, Paula (2008). Move on, move up. Nashville: FaithWords. ISBN 978-0446541336.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Lee, Shayne (2009). Holy Mavericks. New York University Press. pp. 107–128. ISBN 978-0-8147-5235-7. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Steve Hubbard and Lisa Ryan (2007). "Turning Trash into Treasure: The Testimony of Paula White". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
  3. ^ "Pastor Paula White". Retrieved 2007-09-11.
  4. ^ a b c Sherri Day (2007-07-15). "Questions tarnish rise to top". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
  5. ^ a b Larry King (2007-11-27). "Interview with Paula White". CNN. Retrieved 2011-4-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d Hamil R. Harris (2004-12-16). "My Story Is a Story of Restoration". Washington Post. Retrieved 2011-4-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ John W. Smith (1999-09-24). "A church without a building". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 2011-4-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ Cary McMullen (2002-07-27). "Without Walls Pastor Discusses Arrangement With Carenter's Church". The Ledger. Retrieved 2011-4-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  9. ^ Cary McMullen (2002-07-17). "Local Church To Share Chapel". The Ledger. Retrieved 2011-4-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  10. ^ a b Cary McMullen (2010-12-10). "Former Without Walls pastor starts foundation in daughter's name". The Ledger. Retrieved 2011-04-15. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Sharon Tubbs (2004-06-17). "Selling God to the masses". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2011-4-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  12. ^ Michelle Beardon and Baird Helgeson (2008-03-04). "Without Walls wants to sell its sanctuary". The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 2008-04-22. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ a b Jackie Alnor (2006-10-21). "Paula White: Unable to Blush". Apostasy Alert. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
  14. ^ "Renowned Life Coach 'Paula White' Offers Transformational Advice". Christian Communication Network. 2007-02-22. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
  15. ^ JaQuitta Williams (2006-10-21). "Mega Church Festival Arrives". WSBTV. Retrieved 2011-04-15.
  16. ^ "Paula's Life Story". Paula White Ministries. Retrieved 2008-04-22. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ Berta Delgado (2004-04-07). "Strawberrys find a home with Pastor Paula". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2011-04-15.
  18. ^ Bill Varian (2003-12-23). "Pastors Pray with Jackson". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2011-04-15.
  19. ^ Armen Keteyian (2007-11-06). "Televangelists Living Like Kings?". CBS News. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  20. ^ Kathy Lohr (2007-12-04). "Senator Probes Megachurches' Finances". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
  21. ^ "Read Grassley's Letters" (PDF). National Public Radio. 2007-12-04. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
  22. ^ "Televangelists Living Like Kings?". CBS News. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  23. ^ Bill Coats (2008-04-01). "Without Walls sends financial data to Senate". The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 2008-04-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ a b c Rachel Zoll (2011-01-07). "Televangelists escape penalty in Senate inquiry". MSNBC. Retrieved 2011-04-08. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ a b Lillian Kwon (2011-04-01). "Paula White Breaks Silence on Probes, Divorce, Benny Hinn". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2011-04-08. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ a b Eric Young (2009-07-12). "Paula White Returns to Lead Ailing Megachurch". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2011-04-08. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ a b Amy Scherzer (2009-09-25). "Former Without Walls pastor starts foundation in daughter's name". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2011-04-15. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ Michelle Bearden and Baird Helgeson (2007-05-20). "Of Faith, Fame & Fortune". The Tampa Tribune. Archived from the original on 2007-09-09. Retrieved 2007-09-11. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

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