On Tuesday, several evangelical leaders came under fire for endorsing the latest book by Paula White, a prosperity gospel preacher who has faced repeated accusations of teaching heretical doctrines. Franklin Graham, the president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said, “you might want to check it out.” Robert Jeffress, the pastor of First Baptist Dallas, recommended, “give it to anyone looking for hope!” Jack Graham, the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, declared, “It is powerful. I highly recommend it!” And Jerry Falwell Jr., the president of Liberty University, added, “Paula’s life is an encouragement to so many and I’m sure this book will encourage you.” It remains uncertain whether these men have actually read the book or if they support White’s teachings. Here are nine key aspects to know about Paula White, her influence, and her ministries.
- Conversion and Early Education
White claims to have become a Christian in 1984 at the age of 18. In a 2005 episode of her television show, she recounted a vision she said she received shortly after her conversion. She described that whenever she preached the Word of the Lord, there was a manifestation of His Spirit that led to people being healed, delivered, or saved. But when she stopped speaking, they were plunged into darkness. God, she said, called her to preach the gospel. After that, she attended National Bible College and Seminary in Fort Washington, Maryland. Although she didn’t graduate, she was ordained by the school’s founder, Pentecostal preacher and evangelist T. L. Lowery. - Marriages and Church Founding
When White met Randy White, an associate pastor at her church, both were married with children. They divorced their spouses and got married in 1989. In 1991, they founded South Tampa Christian Center. Initially, with only five members, the church couldn’t afford to pay the Whites, and the couple relied on government assistance and the generosity of others. By 2006, the church, now named Without Walls International Church, claimed to have 20,000 members, ranking it as the seventh – largest congregation in the United States. However, a year later, the couple announced their divorce. - Television Ministry and Celebrity Connections
In 2001, White expressed her desire to start a television show to her then – husband Randy. The first episode of “Paula White Today” aired that year. By 2006, the show was broadcast on nine television networks, including BET, TBN, and CMT. Through her show, White attracted many celebrities to her ministry. These included Jonathan Cain, the keyboardist for Journey (whom she married in 2014), model Tyra Banks, NFL veteran Deion Sanders, and the late Michael Jackson. In 2003, she visited Jackson’s Neverland to offer “spiritual support” after the singer was arrested on child molestation charges. Her most well – known supporter is Donald Trump, who she said “called her out of the blue” in 2015, repeated three of her sermons verbatim, and complimented her with the “it factor.” - Mentorship and Church Leadership
In 2000, prosperity preacher T. D. Jakes invited White to speak at his “Woman Thou Art Loosed” conference, which significantly advanced her career. White regards Jakes as her “spiritual father” and even gifted him a black convertible Bentley for his 50th birthday. In late 2011, after the previous pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Florida, Zachery Tims, was found dead due to “acute intoxication” from cocaine and heroin, Jakes recommended White for the senior pastor position. (Tims’s ex – wife stated in court filings that White was “the spiritual mother of [Zachery]” and that they had a spiritually “intimate relationship.”) - Recent Church Transitions and Future Plans
In May 2019, White announced her step – down as the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center. Her son and his wife were set to take over, and the church was renamed City of Destiny. In her announcement, White shared that Zachery Tims had prophesied to her in 2005, and although the prophecy didn’t make sense at the time, it did in 2019. She also revealed her plans to plant 3,000 churches, launch a university, and serve as the “apostolic overseer” of City of Destiny. - Accusations of False Teaching
Hip – hop artist Shai Linne called White a “false teacher” in his 2013 song “Fal.” When White’s son and manager, Brad Knight, publicly objected, Linne published an open letter. He pointed out that in her video series “8 Promises of the Atonement,” White teaches that “salvation includes healing” and that physical healing and financial abundance in this life are provided through Christ’s atonement. Linne also criticized White for frequently making false claims while purporting to speak on God’s behalf. For instance, she often says things like “You are not going to die of sickness,” which Linne argues God couldn’t possibly be saying to everyone listening. - The Prosperity Gospel Dilemma
White claims to reject the prosperity gospel, stating to The Christian Post, “I do not believe in the ‘prosperity gospel’ as I’ve been accused of believing it. I do believe that all good things come from God, and I also believe that God teaches us so much through our suffering.” However, she repeatedly promotes a central tenet of the heretical prosperity gospel: the idea that Christians give in order to receive material rewards from God. On her website, in an appeal for donations, she said, “I Prophetically Decree and Declare Deliverance & Prosperity are Yours in 2019. This is the Year YOU Inherit YOUR Promised Land!” She also tied this to the “first – fruits instruction,” suggesting that obedience and faith in giving would bring blessings. In a 2016 Easter Sunday service, she told a TV viewer that if they donated a “resurrection seed” of $1,144 based on John 11:44, they would receive salvation. - Financial Controversies
White and her former husband, Randy, were involved in two congressional investigations in 2004 and 2007 regarding prosperity gospel ministries. Although no chargeable tax offenses were discovered, questions were raised about her ministry’s finances. Between 2004 and 2007, the church paid a total of $2.755 million in compensation to their relatives, including Paula’s son and Randy’s family members. Senate documents also showed that Randy and Paula received $5 million a year from the church and purchased a $3.5 million condo in Trump Tower in New York City. - Influence in Politics
White is said to be President Trump’s spiritual adviser and personal pastor. She claims to have “directly shared the gospel” with him and believes he has been a Christian since childhood. White delivered the invocation at Trump’s inauguration and claims to be the “convener and de facto head” of the president’s evangelical advisory board. This board consists of about 35 evangelical pastors, including the four men who endorsed her latest book: Jerry Falwell Jr., Franklin Graham, Jack Graham, and Robert Jeffress.