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Bill Belew has raised 2 bi-cultural kids, now 34 and 30. And he and his wife are now parenting a 3rd, Mia, who is 8.

Afghanistan missionaries

Missionaries

Juanita Bynum – Thomas Weeks III are fighting.

I don’t know these two people and don’t care to know them.

I do know from reading Juanita Bynum attacked – Bishop Thomas Weeks

and

Juanita Bynum Decides to file charges against husband Thomas Weeks III

and

Juanita Bynum – Thomas Weeks III – Christians? Which Bible Are They Reading?

that the two knuckleheads are making Christian missionaries all over Asia cringe.

Make that, they are making all Christians cringe.

I am not in a position to judge…I have my share of

history.

I do know, however, that it is people like this and the airing of their dirty laundry that makes it formidable if not impossible for Christians everywhere to share their faith persuasively and effectively.

Some would think that’s a good thing. They wish the Christians would just shut up and go home.

The bottom line…the Christian life should not be judged by those who try to live it and fail, but by the one who Christians set as their example…Jesus.

As a Christian, I am embarrassed that everyone has to see, um, a brother and sister act like this.

Please accept my apology.

Talk to Bill and others about their experiences raising bi-cultural Japanese-American kids.

Bill Belew

Daddy and Christian.

No Comments

  • That’s funny, I almost felt like I had to apologize too. The sad part is that even though there are many authors on Know More Media who probably (some admittedly) never heard of Bynum or Weeks before, Bynum’s celebrity is what will unfortunately be the reason every move is recorded in the media. Hopefully, both Bynum and Weeks will learn from this experience and become stronger for it.

  • Anonymous says:

    First of all none of us can pass judgement. The Devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. And I’m a missionary in an Asian country and I am not upset just sadden that as Christians we’re taking it to a whole other level. We should be praying for Pastor Bynum and Bishop Meeks, their children , their church family and their ministries. And the first person who has not been in a embarrassing situation throw the first stone. But if you’ve been in an embarrassing situation or you have secrets you don’t want anyone to know about. Keep your mouth of this tragedy and repent your circumstances. We have 6 months to mind our business and six months to leave others affairs alone and for the 365 days we should be praying for our leaders.

  • elane says:

    please go to troubledwith.com website and read all the information under abuse, then you will better understand the deception and the bondage that can happen to anyone. It also shows realistic, compassionate responses by the church to both the abuser and the one being abused. I was in a similar situation and read the website, so I didn’t go back to the person abusing me, like Juanita Bynum did – it is so tempting to, but she put herself at risk since Bishop Weeks needs healing from hatred/control/anger. They both need a time out from leadership. I pray they both get before God and learn to really love themselves first before they can be in leadership. It is not Juanita’s fault that Thomas is hitting, threatening, kicking her – he will do it again and to someone else if he doesn’t change his will. He alone can do this. Being sorry is part of the violence cycle and doesn’t mean he has changed overnight. He has been doing this for a long time to get to this point.

  • Tony Conde says:

    Would someone please tell me how Juanita Bynum can call herself a “doctor”, as she does throughout her website? She has noting more than a high school diploma. So, what’s up with the ‘Dr. Bynum’ stuff?

  • Anonymous says:

    I agree with Kimberlee’s strong words. We shouldn’t judge them. This kinda of thing happens everyday to christians and non-christians. NO ONE IS EXEMPTED FROM CALAMITIES OR TROUBLES THAT COME IN THIS LIFE.

    Besides, God ordained marriage. Let Him help them work it out and not us. God knows the entire details to the matter and can fix anything, if we allow Him to.

    Pray for them and yes, pray for each other. We don’t know we’re going to face tomorrow.

  • Anonymous says:

    My heart was broken when I heard about this marriage. I hope this will shed light that martial abuse is not only in the world, but also in the CHURCH. The Church must stop hiding their heads in the sand and acknowledge that we have a problem. From what I understand, this problem has always been there, especially at the leadership level, (spouses are afraid or ashamed to come forward). Maybe now the Church will take a stand on this issue and acknowledge this. WE MUST PRAY FOR THEM, DO NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN GOSSIP, THE WORLD IS WATCHING OUR REACTIONS.

  • mae osborn says:

    i would like to say as the word says that what a person
    sows that they shall also reap. some times things are
    better left alone, if bishop weeks was trying to walk
    away from some heated disagreement, then why would ms.bynum follow him. to me she should have just let him
    leave. i would never codome a man hitting on a woman
    but come on women sometime we just can’t shut up or just
    leave well enough alone, then when things like this happen we exspect everyone to take our side. and thats not right nighter. i really feel that he is sorry,but
    maybe pushed beyon his limit, but still if i were ms bynum he would have to attend counseling before i reconsiled with him,because if he hit you once he probally would hit again,and maybe next time you wont be
    where anyone would be able to help you.another thing. do
    a life check also,i mean since no more sheets you have
    becamed a changed woman.so make sure of your call and election,that you are still walking with your first love and not with your self,you know when you forget God
    he can also forget you.but iam praying for you so take care and God bless…mae osborn

  • Anonymous says:

    NOW SHE CAN WRITE A BOOK CALLED NO MORE FEETS

  • Rev. D.L.Rogers says:

    Romans 3:23 We all have come short of the glory of God.

    Christians have been coming short since Adam and Eve. This does not mean that we are not followers of Christ. None of us are going to live a perfect life, we can only continue to try. Accountability is not only paramount for those in leadership, it is also paramount for us followers not to judge unrightiously in finger-pointing the short-comings of others.

    Gal. 6:1-7 talks about when a BROTHER is over taken in a fault, you who are SPIRITUAL (strong) should restore (NOT add to the fault) because we need to consider that you too need understanding and forgiveness.

    So all of you Christians should not help a Godless society tear down one of our own!

  • Diane says:

    To Everybody that is pointing the finger, you need to pray. Maybe if you were praying for Bishop & Prophetess, if might not have gotten this far. You are guilty of doing something too, you just haven’t been exposed yet. You are guilty of helping the media put negative insight on this matter and you call yourself a Christian and you a right a Christian only, not the remnant of God. Don’t forget you will need mercy too one day. Find out what can you do to help heal the matter instead of your negative comments like you have never done wrong in your life. Maybe you murdered someone with your tongue Mr. or Mrs. Self-righteous. Pray for the body of Christ that Satan does not have a field day with the sheep’s and the babes in Christ that they don’t backslide and be taken over in their minds by listening to negative shoulda, woulda, and coulda garbage comments by people like you with judgmental attitudes. When a person is up they don’t really need you, my brother, my sister it’s when they are down. So on this note, may I remind you that the bible read in Proverbs 24:16,”For a just man falleth seven times, and rise back up again;” For Bishop & Prophetess are both still a mighty man and woman of God and I wouldn’t want to be part of God’s wrath by putting my Mouth on these too people when God heal this, however He choose to do so. Remember what happen to Job’s so called friends, remember Moses, David, Samson and so many others fell but God raised them back up for His Glory. This isn’t really about Prophetess and Bishop this is about exposing what’s really in you, what your spirit is really about. Be real careful who you put your mouth on. The World is already having a field day with you and for anybody that’s not praying in a positive way, interceding for them and their congregation as well as the Body of Christ for restoration, you can not call your self part of God’s remnant or really where you need to be in God, with your unpurified spirit and murdering tongue.

  • Anonymous says:

    Mae Osborn, you sound like a total idiot. NO MAN SHOULD EVER PUT HIS HANDS ON A WOMAN. Weeks showed what a piece of trash he is by doing that. And I guess Juanita Bynum is wrong for pressing charges after she got beat down?!?!!?! He committed a crime and he should be PUNISHED, by God and by the legal system.

  • Break It Up says:

    Rev Rogers…you sound as judgmental toward everyone as you feel they are. Where is your love? We are all tired of mean spirited people who call themselves leaders. We are tired of leadership that set themselves up on high pentacles when they should be lowering themselves as servants to encourage and uplift others. That same Bible says that you will know the disciples of God by their love, not by their power!

  • Yanni says:

    We’ve witnessed or have been affected by other disasters, 911, Tsunami, New Orleans Flood, we really shouldn’t be surprised by a relational disaster between christians. In all of these disasters, either signs were ignored or anger/hatred was the root that initiated the outcome. We all have things we need to work on individually and in our relationships with others. We’ve all gotten in over our heads and have made some wrong decisions. We’ve all been guilty of spiritualizing an issue we were facing trying to find a less painful solution. A lot of times all we needed to do was be obedient to the bible..the nudging God puts on our hearts, make a stand, or use plain old common sense. If I was a member of their church, I would continue to be a faithful member and encourage the other members who are truly hurting over the events until the Holy Spirit nudges my heart to go somewhere else. I would walk the pews of the church praying for those who haven’t heard and are coming to the church to get help. I heard someone say Pastoring and Evangilizing does not mean Title and Position. It means a towel and a job.IT IS WORK!!!. So I’ve been studying about the priests in the days of the tabernacle Solomon built. They couldn’t have any handicaps because of all the work it took to drag a 1 or 2 ton animal up a 7 foot altar to sacrifice him for the atonement of sins. All that work for a basin of blood. Of course the tabernacle was a beautiful place, even the clothes the priests wore during killing the animals that were sacrificed. As believers and leaders of believers we have to be sure we can stand the pressure of wrangling people to the altar. We have to make sure we wash, get rid of the messed up clothes before we present anything to God on behalf of the sins of his people, like the priests had to wash. The Meeks have always been transparent in their struggles. I’ve alway appreciated that about them. But just like all the other disasters we’ve seen, it really hurt, but it wasn’t the end of the world.

  • anonymous says:

    This scenario can happen to anyone, however, when Juanita Bynum married Bishop Weeks she was mature in the Lord. She was not a baby. Same for him. I tend to wonder if God warned either of them before getting married but they just did not heed. Not that they both separately are not Christians, but just because they are good Christians, does not make them a good match for marriage. The problem in this marriage is about the same as in Paula and Randy White. They are getting divorced. Why? Because they both have their own empire they want to build which has taken prescedence over God’s empire. They both have big ministries. And guess who have made them big, we have! Not the world the Church. Yes they are human, but a price comes when you are in leadership. And many want the notariety, etc, but don’t want the responsibility nor want to pay the price. What’s more important Paula, Juanita and husbands, your kingdom or God’s kingdom? If God’s kingdom were important you’d sit back before this got out of hand and would have lightened up your ministerial load. But your goal is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$. I heard Juanita Bynum say that in one of her mentorship classes. Not everything she said was bad, but her heart spoke clearly..sheis going somewhere and before youknow it she’ll be on Wall Street, she said something to that effect. That’s another thing. The new thing is mentorship/.They were giving marriage seminars and were’nt even married for 5 years…How is it that you know it all? Marriage is a definite dying to oneself and when these things happen it’s because no one wants to die. It’s my way or the highway. God help us to look to you for mentorship, to your Word. And may leaders govern themselves according to your Word not with lip service but in daily deeds, amen

  • Break It Up says:

    My apologies…my name is Break It Up and …I was referring to the comment that began with, “To everyone that is pointing the finger…”

    My comment began with, “Rev Rogers…”, however it was Diane I was addressing. Looking at this board, it appears that the name of the person commenting is attached to the following comment. Again my apologies Rev Rogers, I agree with your comment (above the line) whole-heartedly.

  • Cj says:

    Wake up judges! A man should never hit a woman! By the same token every man that srikes a woman is not an abuser. Gender does not identify an abuser. If a woman strikes a man does she become an abuser? One incident does not make an abuser! I speak from experience. Under the right circumstances, anyone can snap.

  • Rhonda says:

    A woman was beaten and all of you all can talk about is praying for them instead addressing the situation. What if he had killed her. Yes, we should pray. But also remember the truth and shed light on the truth. Bishop, pauper, blue collar worker, CEO, prophetess, saint, Oprah, whomever does not need to be beaten. Not everything is the devil somethings come to light so that we can deal with them. I am so glad the people like Martin Luther King didn’t sit around allowing people to continue to get lynched and beaten. Yes he prayed but he tackled the issue he shed light on the issue with God’s grace and mercy. All of you continue to talk about how emabarrassing for christians. When you all should be asking who else is getting beaten behind closed doors. And how can we bring more light and help to the issue. Sometimes you can confront the issue and let God speak through you. Not just sit up and pray and take no action. This is terrible to allow any woman or man be beaten.

  • Anonymous says:

    I want to say to Prophetess, Remember you are a soilder
    in the army of the Lord You have been wounded physically and emotionaly,But not destroyed,Bishop has been wounded also ,I believe this will take your ministry and Bishop ministry to a different level in Christ not the place you thought you were going, only God knows why this had to happen,Im sorry it happen to you,I will continue pray for you and Bishop,nobody knows the out come but God. FOR THE LORD GOD IS YOUR STRENGTH,HE SAID HE WOULD NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU,You are still my mentor,spiritual mother and father in the Lord may God give Ya’ll peace that passing all understanding

  • Anonymous says:

    God Loves and Forgives and has designed us to Bless us. The devil is powerless and was defeated at Calvary. He has no authority or control over ANY of our decisions. Bishop Weeks who’s supposed to be a father of fathers has let the Christian community down BIGTIME. There’s no way any of you should be defending this man, no one defended Judas when he betrayed Christ to this day. He betrayed his wife in the worst way. I’m 36 married now for 15 years and have gotten angry at my wife many times, yes even tempted to react physically, but I understand that beyond all of what I feel at the moment that if at that moment my emotions give way to Barbaric responses then how can I be trusted? How can my children have hope in the institution of marriage? How will my daughters know about the true love of a man? How will my son know about respecting women? I have a responsibility that is never compromised by the power of the enemy but yet lead by the spirit of Christ…… Love, Power and a SOUND mind …….being able to hear the whisper of truth at all times and understanding the effect It will have if I ignore it. People… Yes God forgives, yes the enemy has a plan, but he is reprobate, his plan continues for that very reason only because he can’t repent. The fact that he has a plan does not mean that he has power over us because he has been already defeated. The battle is already won. Therefore there is no excuse for what the Bishop did to his WIFE. I believe his heart toward her was exposed. The Hate and/or Jealousy on the inside was revealed. Yes this is testament for women who are caught up in the same situations, married to men who are in ministry and accept this abuse for fear of losing their ministry or being embarrassed or protecting their family image or disappointing the Christian community. Let me tell you that God does not need us to suffer at the hand of one another for his purpose to be fulfilled or his message to be delivered. He is Almighty God, Ruler of Heaven and Earth. When he spoke to scattered matter and water, when the Earth was void and without form, that scattered matter trembled with fear but moved with excitement of being used by GOD forming where we now reside. He had complete control, we were made in his image and likeness and we are supposed to be a model to the world. Because of who’s we are and the truth that has been revealed to us, we understand we are never powerless over our circumstances……. Love, Power and A SOUND mind….. is our Gift when we accept Christ. This gift is not intermittent it’s consistent and Eternal people!!!!! We have to stand accountable for our actions, if not there is no hope for us because it really wasn’t us that did it, which lends to the notion that we are Powerless and are just playing church for our conscience sake. Come on people, Women are supposed to Honored, Cherished and most of all (by their husbands) Protected. Wake UP church we cannot tolerate leaders that have no self control. Moses could not enter into the promised land… Why? He had to past the torch to joshua because of what he committed. God did not allow him to get off with out paying the price. This leud act by the Bishop can be forgiven, However he is no position to lead any of us. Christ was tempted in every way that we are and he failed no test. He was working with what we are working with today, But he understood what failure in any area would cost. These leaders cannot just trample on people and then blame it on the Devil.

  • tlowe says:

    God Loves and Forgives and has designed us to Bless us. The devil is powerless and was defeated at Calvary. He has no authority or control over ANY of our decisions. Bishop Weeks who’s supposed to be a father of fathers has let the Christian community down BIGTIME. There’s no way any of you should be defending this man, no one defended Judas when he betrayed Christ to this day. He betrayed his wife in the worst way. I’m 36 married now for 15 years and have gotten angry at my wife many times, yes even tempted to react physically, but I understand that beyond all of what I feel at the moment that if at that moment my emotions give way to Barbaric responses then how can I be trusted? How can my children have hope in the institution of marriage? How will my daughters know about the true love of a man? How will my son know about respecting women? I have a responsibility that is never compromised by the power of the enemy but yet lead by the spirit of Christ…… Love, Power and a SOUND mind …….being able to hear the whisper of truth at all times and understanding the effect It will have if I ignore it. People… Yes God forgives, yes the enemy has a plan, but he is reprobate, his plan continues for that very reason only because he can’t repent. The fact that he has a plan does not mean that he has power over us because he has been already defeated. The battle is already won. Therefore there is no excuse for what the Bishop did to his WIFE. I believe his heart toward her was exposed. The Hate and/or Jealousy on the inside was revealed. Yes this is testament for women who are caught up in the same situations, married to men who are in ministry and accept this abuse for fear of losing their ministry or being embarrassed or protecting their family image or disappointing the Christian community. Let me tell you that God does not need us to suffer at the hand of one another for his purpose to be fulfilled or his message to be delivered. He is Almighty God, Ruler of Heaven and Earth. When he spoke to scattered matter and water, when the Earth was void and without form, that scattered matter trembled with fear but moved with excitement of being used by GOD forming where we now reside. He had complete control, we were made in his image and likeness and we are supposed to be a model to the world. Because of who’s we are and the truth that has been revealed to us, we understand we are never powerless over our circumstances……. Love, Power and A SOUND mind….. is our Gift when we accept Christ. This gift is not intermittent it’s consistent and Eternal people!!!!! We have to stand accountable for our actions, if not there is no hope for us because it really wasn’t us that did it, which lends to the notion that we are Powerless and are just playing church for our conscience sake. Come on people, Women are supposed to Honored, Cherished and most of all (by their husbands) Protected. Wake UP church we cannot tolerate leaders that have no self control. Moses could not enter into the promised land… Why? He had to pass the torch to joshua because of what he committed. God did not allow him to get off with out paying the price. This leud act by the Bishop can be forgiven, However he is no position to lead any of us. Christ was tempted in every way that we are and he failed no test. He was working with what we are working with today, But he understood what failure in any area would cost. These leaders cannot just trample on people and then blame it on the Devil.

  • Diane says:

    To OPEN UP YOUR SPIRITUAL EYE: You are the remnant of God because the person name break it up didn’t Comprehend what I wrote. For the Carnal mind will not understand the Spirit of God, for they war against one another. And this is not to tear BREAK IT UP DOWN, but THIS PERSON MADE A SPECIFIC COMMENT TO ME,that is still my brother or sister. We want God to forgive us of all our sins, but we don’t want to forgive our brothers and sisters when we make mistakes. You said and wrote your comment different but yet the same way I meant it. And that’s what I meant that the remnant pray and are not spiritualy discern or ignorant to the devil’s devices. You made a powerful statement that,”No matter what happens in this world, everyone will be without and EXCUSE ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT. Take that to the bank, To God be the glory.

  • Anonymous says:

    To; OPEN UP YOUR SPIRITUAL EYES: THE POWERFUL STATEMENT THAT YOU MADE IS,”WHOEVER WILL BE SHAKEN WILL BE AND THAT IS WHATI MEANT WHEN I WROTE IN MY STATE,”THIS IS NOT ABOUT PROPHETESS AND BISHOP, BUT GOD IS REALLY SEEING ARE WE TRULY ROOTED IN HIM LIKE WE SHOULD BE TO SEE THAT THIS SITUATION WAS TO TEAR THE CHURCH UP MORE AND MORE, AND TO GIVE MORE LEAD WAY TO THE antichrist. I APPRECIATE YOU SAYING IT PLAINLY, BOLDLY. WE GOT TO SEARCH OUR SELF AND SEE WHAT GOD NEEDS TO PURIFY US ABOUT. I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, WE ARE ON ONE ACCORD ALONG WITH MANY MORE. I PRAY MUCH FOR THIS WORLD BECAUSE THIS IS A SPIRITUAL WAR NOT A FLESHLY BATTLE BETWEEN ONE ANOTHER. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!!!

  • Pragma says:

    I live overseas and had actually never heard of Bro. Bishop Weeks. I ´ve seen Sis. Juanita on the satelite tv and thought her to be a dynamic speaker. I´m not so hooked to titels so I´ll call them bro. and sis.
    Sometimes when we pray and ask God to take us to circumstances ; He answers in ways not always clear to us.

    Both bro and Sis need to take some rest and work on their relationship, whether as husband and wife or as Bro and Sis. The world is watching to see how they will be doers of the word and not only speakers.

    I will never understand why men in general hit women or vice versa. Probably that´s the moment when we have chased God´s Holy SPirit away, by things we do and say.

    I don´t know what the reason was, the only thing I know is that this shouldn´t end up in a Christian Circus So the Devil and the world can have some entertainment. Tina please talk to your Sis. Let this be dealt with in a chirstian matter. If the man Bishop has problems with slapping, he needs to seek a doctor, confess to God, His wife and congregation and the rest of the world who has been looking up to him.
    Sis Juanita, Bro Bishop go on fasting and praying, let the Holy Spirit fill you with God´s love.

    Be careful with your actions, you are being followed throughout the whole world. How will two Celeb christians show what true love is. Two Celeb Christians will show the world what it really means to be a Christian.

    I am not saying she should stay with her husband if he is not loving, like Christ does

    Please seek sound counsel. Be careful

    And for us, who like to put people on a pedestal God shows us that only Jesus lived without sin.

    Pray for those who lead out and don´t place them on pedestals only Christ is our teacher and He alone is our passport to heaven.

  • Anonymous says:

    The attack on Ms Bynum was a terrible thing, no doubt about it. But all of this talk about all Christians being shamed and embarrassed by it is overblown. We should be embarrassed that some of the people who claim ot be Christians and serve in Congress won’t provide healthcare to all the children in the U.S. We should be embarrassed that the U.S.–so called Christian nation–has the highest number of people in prison and in jail than any other Western democracy. We should be ashamed that we demonize Iraqi for fighting against an occupation of their country but accept the aggression of the Israelis against Palestinians. Now those are some things for all Christians to be ashamed about! I am not responsible for what Mr. Weeks did to Ms Bynum. That is no reflection of my faith and practice.

  • Pastor Roshell says:

    We as Pastors and any one in SPIRITUAL leadership–should know when to take time away from the ministry, so it doesn’t cause other to fall. There was no time taking from the ministry for either of these pastors to be restored.

    I’m a Pastor and I know how hard it is for me to step down, during hard times–but I had to do just that. People are watching us and if they don’t see us in the righteousness God and to admit are faults one to another. Then what is sin? I don’t take anyone of there sides–just the side of God’s.

    If we as Pastor don’t have to show responsibility for our wrong. What good is it for a person to be saved? If a lay member was at fault, would he or she be sit down or locked up for theirs? Well!

    We all know both of them are very anointed people, but this is bigger than that. There are a book, or maybe the only book a sinner will read!

    During any offense, that causes us to become bitter–there should be time away from those who are watching how we react. Remember what Jesus said to Peter when they cut off the ear of the soldier. ” if we live by the sword, we die by the sword”

    Vanquish is my; said the Lord!

    I’m praying for them both and ask that we pray for each other, because none of us are to for from a fall.

    In the love of God!

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