Ministry head denies beating estranged televangelist wife

The man accused of beating his estranged wife, televangelist Juanita Bynum, says he never hit her and that she physically abused him.

"I have been struck on the face and in the head ... with a fist," Thomas W. Weeks III told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an interview published Thursday. "I have been choked ... We had gone to counseling."

Weeks is facing felony charges on accusations he beat Bynum in the parking lot of an Atlanta hotel in August. Weeks has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault and making terroristic threats. He is free on $40,000 bond and is not allowed to have contact with Bynum.

Asked about the August incident that led to charges against him, Weeks expressed skepticism about Bynum's account.

"A woman said to be kicked, punched, choked and brutally beaten by her husband, does she show up at the hospital four hours later ... and refuse to let the police take official pictures of all of the bruises?" Weeks said.

Weeks, head of Global Destiny Ministries, said his church has lost 1,600 members in recent months.

Publications and broadcasts about his stormy marriage with Bynum have not shown a complete and accurate picture, Weeks said.

Bynum's divorce petitions have cited "cruel treatment" and said the marriage is "irretrievably broken."

Bynum leads a ministry that also includes a gospel record label and seminar tours. She has sold thousands of motivational books, CDs and DVDs related to empowerment and relationships.

Weeks, known to his followers as Bishop Weeks, co-wrote "Teach Me How to Love: The Beginnings" with Bynum.

Link to AJC article with Weeks interview



