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http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/nov...?news-breaking
Pastor White Says He Won't Quit Despite Detractors
By Nicola White of The Tampa Tribune
Published: November 18, 2007
Special Report: Without Walls | Forum: Faith And Religion
TAMPA - Pastor Randy White told members of the embattled Without Walls International Church Sunday morning that despite negative news reports and problems swirling about his ministry, he would stick around as the church's leader.
"I know some of you who came really wanted me to quit," he said at the 11 a.m. service. "It ain't gonna happen."
The choir then struck up a hymn, "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired," while throngs of supporters rushed to the podium to cheer on the pastor and shake his hand.
The mood in the sanctuary Sunday morning offered a stark contrast to the cloud that in recent months has settled over the mega-church, which has been rocked by allegations of mismanagement and the divorce of its high-profile co-founders, Randy and Paula White.
For months, the church has been beset by financial problems, a downturn in attendance and complaints about the Whites' lavish lifestyles and broken promises. In August, the co-pastors announced they would end their 18-year marriage, shocking supporters who had watched them build Without Walls from a storefront ministry in 1991 to one of the nation's fastest-growing churches by 2005.
Perhaps the most damaging news came this month, when U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, challenged the ministry's nonprofit status and the Whites' opulent lifestyle. He requested detailed financial information about their expensive homes, cars, private jet and plastic surgeries, while launching similar investigations into five other mega-churches.
Last week, White's assistant sent an e-mail to church members saying the pastor would address "the hard issues and allegations that have been reported by the media in recent months." The church's 4,000-seat sanctuary was about 70 percent full at both morning services, compared with the thinner crowds that have been coming recently.
Those expecting White to answer specific questions might have been disappointed, though. He read an article from ESPN.com about an Olympic runner who overcame adversity and preached about the importance of not quitting. At the end of his sermon, White briefly talked about his mistakes and apologized.
"You're human!" someone shouted from the audience.
After the service, church members Ed and Dawn Penn said they would stick by their pastor, no matter what the media reports.
"I don't think there's outright crookedness going on," Ed Penn said. "People say, 'Oh, he drives a luxury car.' Well, we drive a luxury car."
The Penns also said they trusted White to make a good decision about selling the church's North Grady Avenue property. At the Thursday night service, White said he would consider selling the property and moving the church.
White has acknowledged his divorce was finalized a few months ago but refused to say where it was filed, other than "not in Hillsborough County." A search of records where the Whites have other residences - New York, California and Texas - did not show any filings, either. He said the couple prefers to keep the financial details of the split "a private matter."
White told church members Sunday that he will remain in Tampa. Hillsborough records show he paid his ex-wife $1.06 million to buy her out of the Bayshore Boulevard house they bought in 2002 for $2.1 million.
Reporter Michelle Bearden contributed to this report. Reporter Nicola M. White can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or
nwhite1@tampatrib.com.
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