Paula White Biography- American Televangelist, Advocacy of Prosperity Theology

Paula Michelle White-Cain, formerly known as Paula Michelle Furr, was born on April 20, 1966. She is an American televangelist who is widely recognised for her advocacy of prosperity theology.

In a significant development, it has been announced that White has assumed the position of chair of the evangelical advisory board within the administration of Donald Trump. On January 20, 2017, she had the honour of delivering the invocation at his inauguration.

In a historic moment, she has become the inaugural female clergy member to deliver the invocation. In November 2019, President Trump made the decision to appoint her as a special advisor to the Faith and Opportunity Initiative at the Office of Public Liaison.

In a span of five years, starting from 2014 until May 2019, she held the esteemed position of senior pastor at New Destiny Christian Centre. Located in Apopka, Florida, this megachurch is known for its non-denominational and multicultural approach. In a notable career move, she has assumed the role of co-pastor at Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Florida. This church, which she played a pivotal role in establishing alongside her then-husband Randy White back in 1991, has garnered significant attention.

Early Life

In Tupelo, Mississippi, Paula Michelle Furr, who would later be known as White, came into this world as the daughter of Myra Joanelle and Donald Paul Furr III. Her parents were the proud owners of a toy and craft store. However, when White was just five years old, her parents’ marriage began to crumble. In a heartbreaking turn of events, White’s mother made the difficult decision to leave Tupelo and relocate to Memphis, uprooting their lives in the process.

The separation from her husband, followed by his tragic suicide, plunged White, her brother, and her mother into the depths of poverty. Sadly, the weight of these circumstances took a toll on White’s mother, leading her down a path of alcoholism. As she diligently worked, carers attended to her daughter’s needs.

In a recent statement, White has come forward with allegations of sexual and physical abuse that she endured during her childhood. According to her account, these traumatic incidents occurred between the ages of six and thirteen, involving multiple individuals on separate occasions. According to reports, she has revealed that she experienced a battle with bulimia during that period, as indicated by multiple sources.

In a remarkable turn of events, White’s mother found love once again and tied the knot with a distinguished two-star admiral in the United States Navy. This momentous occasion took place when White was just nine years old, forever altering the course of their lives. In a significant development, it has been reported that her family has relocated to the bustling city of Washington, D.C.

In the area, she resided during her stepfather’s assignment at the National Naval Medical Centre. In a noteworthy achievement, White successfully completed their high school education at Seneca Valley High School, located in Germantown, Maryland. This information has been confirmed by reliable sources.

In 1984, during her time residing in Maryland, she made the decision to convert to Christianity at the Damascus Church of God. In a later statement, she asserted that she had experienced a divine vision shortly after her conversion, according to sources.

Ministerial Journey

Without Walls International Church

In 1991, the Tampa Christian Centre was established in Tampa, Florida, by Paula and Randy White, who were married at the time. In a financial struggle, the church found itself unable to provide the Whites with a salary for the initial two years. The couple resided primarily on government assistance and relied on the generosity of others for additional support. During the period spanning from 1991 to 1998, the church underwent a series of relocations before ultimately settling at its current address of 2511 North Grady Avenue in Tampa. This significant move coincided with a name change, as the church transitioned to its present-day moniker of Without Walls International Church.

In 1999, the church held its services in an outdoor tent and reported a weekly attendance of 5,000. Additionally, 230 outreach ministries were able to minister to 10,000 individuals outside of the church.

In a move to expand its Tampa campus, Without Walls International Church has recently acquired the neighbouring property located at 3860 West Columbus Drive. In September 2014, the church’s main sanctuary, formerly known as a Canada Dry warehouse, was acquired and remodelled to serve as the property for the church.

In 2002, the expansion of Without Walls International Church commenced with the acquisition of the Carpenter’s Home Church location in Lakeland, Florida. In its latest report, the church has disclosed a membership count of 14,000 individuals, along with an impressive array of 200 ministries. These ministries encompass a wide range of activities, such as job training initiatives, evangelism efforts targeting public housing projects, and the establishment of a vibrant teen club. In a strategic move, Without Walls International Church has expanded its services to include Saturday night gatherings at Carpenter’s Home Church in Lakeland. This arrangement involves the rental of the property [16][17]. Notably, Without Walls International Church took a significant step forward in 2005 by acquiring Carpenter’s Home Church for a staggering $8 million. Consequently, the church was rebranded as Without Walls Central Church [18].

According to a report from 2004, Without Walls International Church, located in the United States, boasted a congregation of 20,000 individuals, making it the largest congregation in the area and the seventh-largest church in the country. A subsequent audit, which was later made public by a United States Senate committee led by Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley, revealed that Without Walls had received a staggering $150 million in funds between 2004 and 2006. The Senate report further disclosed that the church, operated by Paula White alongside her now ex-husband, had utilised tax-exempt ministry funds for various personal expenses. These expenses included the purchase of a waterfront mansion worth nearly $900,000, over a million dollars in salaries paid to family members, and the acquisition of a private jet for the Whites. In a surprising turn of events, White and her church have refused to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. In 2011, a report was issued by Grassley, outlining the findings of his committee. However, no further action was taken by him.

In a significant development on July 12, 2009, Paula White assumed the role of senior pastor at the church she had co-founded. This move came as a replacement for her former husband, Randy White, who cited health reasons for stepping down as pastor. However, he expressed his intention to maintain a connection with the church in a different capacity.

In a significant turn of events on January 1, 2011, following Scott Thomas’ resignation, White assumed the role of senior pastor at the Without Walls Central Church in Lakeland, Florida. This appointment made her the pastor of both the aforementioned location and the church itself. However, in August of the same year, services came to a halt due to the disconnection of electricity. This unfortunate event occurred as a result of the church’s failure to settle outstanding bills amounting to over $50,000. Exactly one year later, on January 1, 2012, White took on the additional responsibility of serving as the senior pastor at New Destiny Christian Centre. In a notable development on June 20, 2012, Randy White, the ex-husband of the individual in question, took back control of the Tampa location, according to reports.

Bankruptcy

In 2008, after three years of acquiring the Lakeland property, Without Walls International made the decision to put both locations up for sale. This move was prompted by financial difficulties experienced by the organisation. Later that year, foreclosure proceedings were initiated by the Evangelical Christian Credit Union on both properties. In 2009, a settlement was reached between the credit union and the city of Lakeland, which involved the sale of two parcels of land. This transaction allowed for the modification of the mortgage, which remained in effect until 2013. In November 2011, during her tenure as senior pastor, it was reported by Randy White, the ex-husband of White, that the Lakeland property was facing potential sale or foreclosure. This information came to light. Moving forward to October 2012, the Tampa property faced foreclosure proceedings initiated by the Evangelical Christian Credit Union due to unpaid loans. In a counterclaim filed at the time, Without Walls International alleged that White had transported audio equipment belonging to the church to her new church in Apopka.

On March 4, 2014, during White’s tenure as the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Centre in Apopka, Without Walls International Church made the decision to file for Chapter 11 federal bankruptcy protection. In a statement, the Evangelical Christian Credit Union, which claimed that the church had a debt of $29 million, dismissed the filing as a strategic move aimed at halting the foreclosure of two church properties. Responding to the situation, Paula White, in an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, asserted that she had never filed for bankruptcy and had already resigned from her position at Without Walls, emphasising that she played no role in the matter.

 Paula White Ministries.

In December 2001, the first broadcast of Paula White Today was recorded by White. In 2006, her show made its way onto a total of nine television networks, which included Trinity Broadcast Network, Daystar, and Black Entertainment Television.

According to Ebony magazine, White’s prominence as the most popular woman preacher on the Black Entertainment Network is seen as a groundbreaking and noteworthy development.

In a recent statement, White has expressed consideration for T.D. In a surprising revelation, it has been confirmed that Jake is her spiritual father. In 2000, Jakes extended an invitation to her to speak at his renowned “Woman Thou Art Loosed” conference. In addition, she had the opportunity to take part in the Mega Fest events, which were hosted by Jakes in Atlanta, during the years 2004, 2005, and 2008.

In an impressive display of her ministerial abilities, White has provided spiritual guidance to none other than Michael Jackson, Gary Sheffield, and Darryl Strawberry. According to sources, she began her role as personal pastor to Strawberry in 2003, shortly after his release from prison on charges of cocaine possession. In a notable role, Charisse Strawberry, who was married to Darryl Strawberry at the time, served as an assistant to White and accompanied her on various speaking engagements. This information has been confirmed by sources. Additionally, Charisse has taken on the role of being a “personal life coach” for Tyra Banks, the renowned television personality. She even made an appearance on Tyra Banks’ show, the Tyra Banks Show, specifically in an episode that focused on the topic of promiscuity. This particular episode aired on October 4, 2006.

In a statement released on December 31, 2011, the board of New Destiny Christian Church in Apopka, Florida, made a significant announcement. They revealed that they had chosen a successor for the position of senior pastor, following the untimely passing of Zachery Tims. The individual selected to fill this role was none other than White. New Destiny Christian Centre has been in search of a replacement since the passing of its former leader in August 2011. Following this, a lawsuit was filed by Riva, the ex-wife of the late leader, against the board of directors. However, she swiftly withdrew the lawsuit, citing a hold harmless clause in her marital settlement agreement from 2009.

In response to the controversy, White took the opportunity to address the New Destiny Christian Centre congregation during a service she was leading. She made it clear that she was not seeking their affection, admiration, or respect without merit. White expressed her willingness to put in the necessary effort to earn their trust and support. She then went on to make a request, urging the congregation to dedicate one year of their lives to her, promising that this commitment would result in a transformative experience.

In a significant development, on January 1, 2012, White assumed the role of senior pastor for New Destiny Christian Centre in Apopka. This appointment was made official, marking a new chapter in her religious leadership. Notably, White’s philanthropic endeavours within the community, in conjunction with New Destiny Christian Centre, have garnered recognition from Apopka Mayor Joe Kilsheimer. The mayor commended the church’s commendable efforts, including mentoring school students, providing food for the less fortunate, supporting families affected by violence, and offering assistance to young women ensnared in the adult entertainment industry. Mayor Kilsheimer expressed admiration for these inspiring initiatives. According to the user, they believe that the activities they observe this individual engaging in within the community hold significant importance for Apopka and northwest Orange County.

In a recent announcement on May 5, 2019, White, the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Centre, revealed her decision to step down from her position. As part of this transition, her son and his wife have been appointed as the new senior pastors. Additionally, the church will undergo a name change and will now be known as City of Destiny. In a recent statement, White expressed her commitment to spearheading the establishment of an impressive 3,000 churches, alongside the creation of a university.

In March 2020, during the COVID-19 outbreak, Paula White, a minister, made comments about her ministry and its role in helping those who are spiritually sick. She referred to her ministry as a “hospital” for such individuals. White also urged people to donate money, specifically mentioning amounts of $91 or $9, based on Psalm 91. However, she clarified that these donations would not be directed towards the victims of the disease. These statements received widespread criticism. Furthermore, White faced significant backlash for organising an event in Arizona on April 9, 2020, where she had promised attendees “supernatural protection.” However, due to the criticism received, she ultimately decided to withdraw from the fundraiser.

The Trump Administration

Paula White, a prominent televangelist, assumed the role of personal minister to Donald Trump following his admiration for her television show. Their initial contact occurred in 2002 when Trump reached out to her via telephone. Over time, he invited her to Atlantic City for private Bible studies and even made appearances on her television programme. Notably, in June 2016, James Dobson attributed Trump’s conversion to Christianity to White’s influence. During Trump’s presidential campaign, White served on his Evangelical Advisory Board and had the honour of delivering the invocation prayer at his inauguration ceremony.

Since President Trump took office, Paula White has been serving as one of his spiritual advisors and has organised prayer circles with him at the White House, including in the Oval Office. One significant prayer moment occurred on February 27, 2020, during the African American History Month Reception in the Cabinet Room, where White initiated prayer with President Trump. During this event, White led black leaders in laying hands on President Trump, a gesture that helped improve his relationship with the black community, which had expressed concerns about him prior to his election. In 2015, a group of black pastors called on then-presidential candidate Trump to apologise for his unfair treatment of the African American community and his inflammatory rhetoric towards Mexicans. White has been collaborating with Trump spiritually, with support from her ministry board advisor, Jack Graham. She also expressed enthusiastic support for Trump’s 2017 decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

In addition, White expressed his support for Trump’s bid for reelection. During the launch of his reelection campaign on June 18, 2020, President Trump was joined by a prominent figure who began the event with a prayer. Utilising her religious influence, she actively sought support for Trump’s candidature. In a recent statement, she issued a warning, stating that Christians who do not support President Trump will face consequences from a higher power.[50] Following the election on November 4, 2020, where Trump sought a second term, White took to Facebook Live to conduct a prayer service aimed at ensuring Trump’s reelection. During the stream, she repeatedly invoked “angelic reinforcement” from Africa and South America, as well as an abundance of rain, despite the mounting evidence from election results indicating Trump’s loss to Biden. In the video, White can be seen leading a fervent prayer that encompassed the practise of praying in tongues. The incident swiftly gained traction on the Internet, capturing widespread attention and drawing significant backlash and mockery from various quarters.

According to reports, White has emerged as a staunch supporter of President Trump’s immigration policy, advocating for its implementation. She has also come to the defence of the Trump administration’s controversial practise of detaining immigrant children.

White, a well-known figure in the realm of prosperity theology, has been identified as a proponent of this belief system. Her ministry, Without Walls International Church, has garnered attention alongside other televangelists, as it became the focus of a Senate Finance Committee investigation spanning from 2007 to 2011. The investigation, however, did not yield conclusive results. In a recent investigation, the committee has uncovered potential financial improprieties that may have had an impact on the tax-exempt status of a religious organisation.

According to the report, Without Walls, the organisation in question, allegedly received a staggering $150 million in donations between 2004 and 2006. However, it has been revealed that the church utilised tax-exempt ministry funds to make various expenditures. These expenditures include the payment of approximately $900,000 towards the couple’s waterfront mansion, as well as the allocation of salaries to family members and the funding of a private jet. According to sources, no further action has been taken regarding the issued report.

White’s religious beliefs have faced sharp criticism from theologians and conservative evangelists. In a recent development, Christian author Erick Erickson has voiced his criticism towards her for aligning herself with a man who made the controversial statement that Jesus was not the sole son of God. This criticism comes as part of a larger wave of disapproval directed at her. Another point of contention revolves around her assertion of holding a doctoral degree, despite lacking any formal education from a college or seminary. These criticisms have raised questions about her credibility and qualifications.

In a recent development, White has firmly refuted all allegations and criticism levelled against her, particularly those concerning heresy. Citing sources [20] and [65], the individual in question has categorically denied any wrongdoing. During an interview with CNN, White addressed some of the criticism head-on, stating, “I have faced accusations of heresy, apostasy, adultery, charlatanism, and addiction. False reports have circulated, claiming that I once filed for bankruptcy and denied the Trinity! While I acknowledge that my life and decisions have not been flawless, they are far from the distorted portrayal that has circulated in recent days”.

During a conversation about immigration in July 2018, White made a statement regarding Jesus’ migration to Egypt, asserting that it was not considered illegal. In the event that he had violated any laws, it would have resulted in him being deemed sinful and consequently ineligible to be recognised as our Messiah. In a fiery response, William Barber II labelled White as a “Christian nationalist” and asserted that “Jesus was a refugee and did break the law. He was crucified as a felon under Roman law,” according to sources.

In January 2020, White faced criticism for a sermon in which she expressed a prayer for the miscarriage of “all Satanic pregnancies.” Following the backlash, White took to Twitter to clarify that her statement was intended as a metaphor and a reference to Ephesians 6.

In December 2021, White was involved in the “Prayer Rally for Peace on the Korean Peninsula,” an event organised by the Universal Peace Federation, which is affiliated with the Unification Church. During the event, she referred to Hak Ja Han Moon, the widow of Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, as “a jewel from God” and praised her for her significant contributions as a spiritual leader who is devoted to the Lord and strives to bring solace to God’s heart amidst global conflicts.

In a remarkable turn of events, it has been revealed that the esteemed individual in question entered into her first marriage during her teenage years, as reported by reliable sources. Furthermore, it has come to light that shortly after embracing Christianity, she found herself expecting a child the following year. In 1985, she tied the knot with local musician Dean Knight, according to sources. However, their marriage came to an end in 1989, resulting in a divorce.

In 1987, the user had the opportunity to meet associate pastor Randy White at Damascus Church of God in Maryland. This encounter, as detailed in the book Holy Mavericks, proved to be a significant turning point in their life. It is worth noting that Randy White is a third-generation preacher and was leading the church at the time. In 1989, both individuals made the decision to end their marriages and subsequently tied the knot with each other a year later.

As a result, White assumed the role of step-mother to her new husband’s children. Following their union, the couple relocated to Tampa, Florida, where they established Without Walls International Church. However, on August 23, 2007, Randy White publicly declared that they were going through a divorce. In a report by The Christian Post, it is stated that White has described the divorce as amicable, with both parties maintaining a friendly relationship.

In 2010, a photograph captured White and televangelist Benny Hinn leaving a hotel in Rome while holding hands. According to Hinn, a friendship did indeed develop between the two individuals in question, although he also stated that the relationship has now come to an end. It is important to note that both parties involved have denied any allegations of an affair.

In a noteworthy turn of events, it has been reported that musician Jonathan Cain, known for his contributions to the renowned rock band Journey, has recently concluded his divorce proceedings with his second wife. Adding to the intrigue, Cain has also announced his engagement to a woman named White, whom he had been involved with while still married. In a significant event that took place on April 27, 2015, the couple exchanged vows, resulting in White assuming the role of step-mother to her partner’s children. This information was reported in reference.

Personal Life

In 2019, White appointed her son, Bradley Knight, from her previous marriage, as the senior leader of her church.

In a noteworthy family dynamic, she assumed the role of stepmother to the three children of her second husband, Randy White, Continuing in her stepmotherly duties, she also became stepmother to the three children of her third husband, Jonathan Cain.