Randy White (pastor)

Last updated
Randy White
Randy White Activist and Pastor Tampa, FL.jpg
Bayshore Blvd Tampa, FL
Born (1958-01-11) January 11, 1958 (age 66)
OccupationPastor
Spouses
Debra Ellis
(m. 1970;div. 1989)
(m. 1990;div. 2007)
Children3
Website https://randywhiteministries.org/

Randy Alan White (born January 11, 1958) is an American pastor and proponent of prosperity theology. He is the co-founder of Without Walls International Church, a large, non-denominational church in Florida. [1]

Contents

Without Walls International Church

Without Walls International Church was founded by Randy White and Paula White in 1991. [1]

From 1991 to 1998, the church changed locations three times until they secured the property located at 2511 North Grady Avenue in Tampa, Florida. [2] 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. [3]

In 2002, Without Walls International Church began to expand to its second location in Lakeland, Florida. 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 renting the property. [4] [5] Carpenter's Home Church would later on be purchased by Without Walls International Church in 2005 for $8 million renaming the church to Without Walls Central Church. [6]

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. [7] In 2008, it 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. [8]

On July 12, 2009, White resigned as pastor and bishop of Without Walls International Church, and Paula White, his ex-wife, was named the successor. Randy White said he was stepping down as pastor because of health and would still remain connected with the church in a different position. [9] [10] Randy White returned to the staff of Without Walls in July 2012. [11]

In 2011, Without Walls Central Church was vacated due to debts. [12] In 2014, the United States Bankruptcy Court required a sale of properties; [13] the following year, the church building was purchased and demolished by developers. [14] [15] [16] In August 2014, Without Walls announced that it had paid its debts and was moving to a new Tampa location. [11]

Senate inquiry

On November 6, 2007, United States senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa announced an investigation of Without Walls International Church by the United States Senate Committee on Finance along with five other ministries. [17] Grassley asked the ministries to divulge financial information. [18] [19] When CBS News reported the story, Paula White's ministry denied any wrongdoing, [20] and on March 31, 2008, the Senate Finance Committee received a joint financial report from Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries. [21] The Alliance Defense Fund protested the investigation and the National Religious Broadcasters said the questions Senator Grassley asked were too broad. [22]

On January 6, 2011, Senator Grassley concluded the investigation with no penalties and no definitive findings of wrongdoing. [22]

2018 U.S. Senate campaign

On March 14, 2018, White filed with the Florida Department of State to run for Bill Nelson's seat in the United States Senate for the 2018 election, challenging the incumbent senator in the Democratic primary. [23] He failed to qualify for the Democratic primary contest. [24]

Personal life

Family

White has been married twice; both marriages ended in divorce.

White and his first wife Debra Ellis (m. c.1970s; div. 1989) had three children. One daughter, age 30, died in 2008 from brain tumour complications. White started the Kristen Renee Foundation in her memory to advocate for the community and sue for her wrongful death. [25] [26] Debra Cross née Ellis died of cancer in 2010. [27] [28] [29]

White met Paula Michelle White (née Furr) in 1987, as an associate pastor at his father's Maryland church. They divorced their respective spouses in 1989 and married each other a year later. Shortly after, they moved to Tampa, Florida. [27] He and Paula White divorced in 2007. [30] [31]

DWI charge

On March 18, 2011, Tampa police stopped White, then 53, around 11:30 p.m. near Ashley Drive and Interstate 275. Police recorded his blood-alcohol level at 0.093 and 0.095 percent, records show. Florida law presumes a driver impaired at 0.08 percent. [32] White went on to attend rehabilitation later in 2011. [33]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Televangelism</span> Use of radio and television to preach religion

Televangelism and occasionally termed radio evangelism or teleministry, denotes the utilization of media platforms, notably radio and television, for the marketing of religious messages, particularly Christianity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benny Hinn</span> American-Canadian evangelist (born 1952)

Toufik Benedictus "Benny" Hinn is an Israeli-born Palestinean-American-Canadian televangelist, best known for his regular "Miracle Crusades"—revival meeting or faith healing summits that are usually held in stadiums in major cities, which are later broadcast worldwide on his television program, This Is Your Day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creflo Dollar</span> American pastor (born 1962)

Creflo Augustus Dollar, Jr., is an American pastor, televangelist, and the founder of the non-denominational Christian World Changers Church International based in College Park, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Dollar also heads the Creflo Dollar Ministerial Association, Creflo Dollar Ministries, and Arrow Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth Copeland</span> American televangelist

Kenneth Max Copeland is an American televangelist associated with the charismatic movement. He is the founder of Eagle Mountain International Church Inc. (EMIC), which is based in Tarrant County, Texas. Copeland has also written several books, resources, and is known for his broadcast "Believers Voice of Victory".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paula Hawkins (politician)</span> American politician (1927–2009)

Paula Hawkins was an American politician from Florida. She is the only woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Florida. She was the second woman ever elected to the Senate from the American South. She was the first woman in the country to be elected to a full Senate term without having a close family member who previously served in major public office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodney Howard-Browne</span> South African preacher (born 1961)

Rodney Morgan Howard-Browne is a South African-born American evangelist and conspiracy theorist. He has resided in Tampa, Florida since the mid-1990s and is pastor of The River Church in Tampa Bay. The River is considered both Pentecostal and Charismatic with revival meetings, led by Howard-Browne, known for those in the audience breaking into "holy laughter" and experiencing other phenomena similar to the Great Awakenings and Azusa Street Revival. Howard-Browne is the head of Revival Ministries International, a ministry he and his wife founded in 1997.

Randy White may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RP Funding Center</span> Arena in Florida, United States

The RP Funding Center is a multipurpose entertainment complex in Lakeland, Florida, comprising a convention center, arena and theater. Formerly, it was the home of the Lakeland Magic, the Orlando Magic's affiliate in the NBA G League and the Florida Tropics SC of the Major Arena Soccer League.

The Trinity Foundation is an American watchdog ministry founded by Ole Anthony in 1972. Its main mission is to expose abuse of public trust by televangelism and religious organisations. It has provided information to news outlets as well as state and federal agencies. As of 2020, the president of the organisation is Peter Evans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joyce Meyer</span> American author (born 1943)

Pauline Joyce Meyer is an American Charismatic Christian author, speaker, and president of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Joyce and her husband, Dave, have four grown children and live outside St. Louis, Missouri. Her ministry is headquartered near the St. Louis suburb of Fenton, Missouri.

Eddie Lee Long was an American pastor who served as the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, a megachurch in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, from 1987 until his death in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Without Walls Central Church</span> Church in the United States

Without Walls Central Church was a non-denominational evangelical Christian megachurch in Auburndale, Florida outside Lakeland co-founded by Paula and Randy White, in January 2004, when they were still married. It was under the auspices of Without Walls International Church, Tampa, Florida. The Church closed in 2011 and should not be confused with Without Walls Church, a ministry for the homeless also based in Tampa, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carpenter's Home Church</span> Church in the United States

Carpenter's Home Church was a prominent Pentecostal megachurch in Lakeland, Florida, affiliated with the Assemblies of God USA. Opened in 1985, the church claimed nearly 7,000 worshipers at its peak. The church closed amidst financial scandal and dwindling attendance. The remaining members became two separate congregations, one of which became prominent as the host of the Lakeland Revival in 2008. The property was purchased by Without Walls International Church of Tampa, Florida, and the facility became the home of their affiliate Without Walls Central Church. Without Walls experienced financial difficulties requiring them to sell their properties. The building was eventually acquired by developers and demolition commenced in March 2015. Today, nothing remains of the building.

Harold Lawrence Lea is an American pastor and televangelist in Rockwall, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paula White</span> American television evangelist

Paula Michelle White-Cain is an American televangelist and a proponent of prosperity theology.

Live Prayer is a Christian evangelical Internet and television ministry located in Tampa, Florida, founded and operated by Bill Keller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Bentley</span> Christian faith healer (born 1976)

Todd David Bentley is a Canadian Christian evangelist. He was a key figure of the Lakeland Revival and was in leadership of Fresh Fire Ministries Canada until stepping down in August 2008 following accusations of immoral behavior.

Richard O. Stimson is an American pastor who is the founder executive director of The Special Gathering, a Christian ministry within the mentally challenged community. The mission of Special Gathering is to "evangelize and disciple" this subculture made up of people who are developmentally delayed.

The Lakeland Revival, or Florida Healing Outpouring, was a Pentecostal revival which took place from April until October 2008 in Lakeland, Florida, United States. The revival began on April 2, 2008, when evangelist Todd Bentley of Fresh Fire Ministries Canada was invited by Stephen Strader, pastor of Lakeland's Ignited Church, to lead a one-week revival, but remained there for over four months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Senate inquiry into the tax-exempt status of religious organizations</span>

The United States Senate inquiry into the tax-exempt status of religious organizations was an investigation of six 501(c) religious organizations conducted by the United States Senate Committee on Finance lasting from 2007 until 2011.

References

  1. 1 2 Kwon, Lillian; Reporter, Christian Post. "Randy White Returns; Tells Without Walls 'Forget the Past'". The Christian Post.
  2. Lee, Shayne; Sinitiere, Phillip Luke (2009). Holy Mavericks. New York University Press. pp. 107–128. ISBN   978-0-8147-5235-7.
  3. John W. Smith (1999-09-24). "A church without a building". Reading Eagle . Retrieved 2011-04-15.
  4. Cary McMullen (2002-07-27). "Without Walls Pastor Discusses Arrangement With Carpenter's Church". The Ledger . Retrieved 2011-04-15.
  5. Cary McMullen (2002-07-17). "Local Church To Share Chapel". The Ledger . Retrieved 2011-04-15.
  6. Cary McMullen (2010-12-10). "Former Without Walls pastor starts foundation in daughter's name". The Ledger . Retrieved 2011-04-15.
  7. Sharon Tubbs (2004-06-17). "Selling God to the masses". St.Petersburg Times . Retrieved 2011-04-15.
  8. Michelle Beardon and Baird Helgeson (2008-03-04). "Without Walls wants to sell its sanctuary". The Tampa Tribune . Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  9. Eric Young (2009-07-12). "Paula White Returns to Lead Ailing Megachurch". The Christian Post . Retrieved 2011-04-08.
  10. Amy Scherzer (2009-09-25). "Former Without Walls pastor starts foundation in daughter's name". St. Petersburg Times . Retrieved 2011-04-15.
  11. 1 2 "Without Walls says it has settled debts and is moving to new Tampa location". Tampa Bay Times.
  12. Oleszczuk, Luiza; Reporter, Christian Post. "Paula White's Without Walls Central Church Left Abandoned?". The Christian Post.
  13. Andrews, Mark. "Randy White's Church Aims to Turn Bankruptcy Into Blessing". Charisma News. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  14. "A Vanishing Mega Church in North Lakeland".
  15. "Charisma Magazine". Charisma Magazine. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  16. "Well-known Lakeland church to be demolished". www.baynews9.com. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  17. Armen Keteyian (2007-11-06). "Televangelists Living Like Kings?". CBS News . Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  18. Kathy Lohr (2007-12-04). "Senator Probes Megachurches' Finances". National Public Radio . Retrieved 2007-12-10.
  19. "Read Grassley's Letters" (PDF). National Public Radio. 2007-12-04. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
  20. "Televangelists Living Like Kings?". CBS News. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  21. Bill Coats (2008-04-01). "Without Walls sends financial data to Senate". The Tampa Tribune . Archived from the original on April 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  22. 1 2 Rachel Zoll (2011-01-07). "Televangelists escape penalty in Senate inquiry". NBC News . Retrieved 2011-04-08.
  23. "Candidate Tracking System". Florida Department of State. March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  24. King, Ledyard. "Gov. Rick Scott's lone Senate opponent is running for office in 4 other states". Tallahassee Democrat.
  25. Foundation, The Kristen Renee. "The Kristen Renee Foundation Continues Its Fight for Frederick, Md". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  26. Carignan, Sylvia. "Kristen Renee Foundation leaders, local residents sue Fort Detrick for wrongful death and pain and suffering". The Frederick News-Post. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  27. 1 2 "Donald Trump's newest adviser, Paula White, got her start in Tampa". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  28. Staff, Megan Eckstein News-Post. "Cancer victim loses battle". The Frederick News-Post. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  29. P.A, Stauffer Funeral Homes. "Obituary for Debra 'Debbie' Jean Cross". Obituary for Debra 'Debbie' Jean Cross. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  30. "Donald Trump's newest adviser, Paula White, got her start in Tampa". Tampa Bay Times.
  31. LeClaire, Jennifer. "Megachurch Pastor Paula White Weds Rocker Jonathan Cain in Third Marriage". Charisma News.
  32. "Ex-Without Walls pastor Randy White faces DUI charge in Tampa". TBO.com. 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
  33. "Without Walls' Randy White talks of moving forward". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2017-08-12.