I have first hand knowledge of the spiritual abuse within this organization. 8, 8A and 9. Copyright 2023 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved, Lopez-Contera proposes Airport Industrial Park East, V Steak restaurant concept in Ponte Vedra Beach is on hold, Sugar Factory opening delayed again, citing permitting, Historic 323 E. Bay St. approved for $3.3 million renovation, Jacksonville City Council: A bigger Mayo campus, money for affordable housing and health care, honoring Jacobs Jewelers, Rooker sells Williams-Sonoma warehouse for $20.7 million to investor, Advocates, developer use Union Terminal to push statewide historic tax credit bills, After emerging from bankruptcy and the pandemic, Acosta rebrands itself as Acosta Group, Celebration Church build-out at $2.5 million for Arlington campus, Celebration Church building-out in Regency Park, Hobby Lobby leaving Regency Park for Parkway Shops location, Celebration Church adding $2.5 million Westside campus. In 2021, Stovall Weems transitioned out of the Senior Pastor role and into a Founding Pastor role. Weems has filed suit against the church claiming he was illegally removed from leadership, but Timberlake has assured the church that he will , continue to lead with integrity, godly character, love, honor, and excellence., Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), God is Queer, Duke Divinity Students Proclaim. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Stovall Weems was seeking restoration of his salary and backpay. The church claims the Weemses used PPP monies to fund a business they managed and to buy cryptocurrency. Tim and Jen Timberlake serve as the Senior Pastors of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Pastors Tim and Jen have a heart for God's people and equipping them with the tools to transform their lives from the inside out. In addition to financial compensation, the complaint asks for court action "prohibiting the publication or republication of the defamatory narrative and statements.". They created a cult like following of the pastor, who absolutely designed the organization to operate in that manner. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Instead of working for free, the suit says, Cormier billed the church about $700,000 early last year through a string of invoices with vague descriptions of the work performed and included requests for significant payments for work performed on Kevin Cormiers personal property.. The founders of Celebration Church, one of the largest churches in the Jacksonville area, are in a legal dispute with the church that involves allegations of financial misconduct and fraud. But Wedekind estimated more than 50 people worked at Celebrations multiple Jacksonville locations. The church included emails between Stovall Weems and trustees that it said backed up its version of events. Currently, that investment is worth more than $1.5 million. We have many groups that meet virtually as well as hybrid groups that meet in-person and virtually. It is a member of the Association of Related Churches. We remain focused on advancing the kingdom of God., Spirit flight makes emergency landing in Jacksonville after fire in overhead bin, No charges filed in death of postal worker mauled by dogs in Putnam County, Local Weather: The heat holds as windy becomes the weather word Friday, Weather is 95% favorable for a liftoff tonight, but teams are keeping an eye on weather along Dragons ascent corridor, WWII Veteran celebrates his 100th birthday in Corpus Christi, 'Memories become treasures' | Family, friends pay tribute to Tristyn Bailey at 'Celebration of Life', Loved ones remember DMX at homegoing celebration. The celebration.org site shows that Celebration Churchs main campus is at 9555 RG Skinner Parkway, in the Baymeadows area. A hearing in the case is set for May 20, court records show. Full Source is an e-commerce company that sells office, safety, industrial, janitorial and maintenance supplies as well as discount apparel. Example video title will go here for this video, In the News: National headlines for March 1, 2023. The filingincluded broad denials of wrongdoing by the Weemses, who launched the church in 1998. Peters words are so true! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Weemses filed a request on March 15 for Celebration Church to produce the following documents within 30 days: READ: Stovall and Kerri Weems request to produce. The first violation, of Standard Two, concerns organizational governance and states that Every organization shall be governed by a responsible board of not less than five individuals, a majority of whom shall be independent, who shall meet at least semiannually to establish policy and review its accomplishments.. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Celebration Church of Jacksonville released a report on Sunday about the investigation into the questionable financial practices of former pastor and founder Stovall. $400,000) was used for the updating, repairs, and ordinary housing-related expenses such as furniture and landscaping. Global Senior Pastor Stovall Weems and his wife, Kerri, say in their lawsuit that Weems was wrongly suspended from his post in January after a trustee falsely claimed that Pastor Stovall was improperly manipulating and misdirecting the churchs finances., In reality, the suit argues, Weems had confronted the trustee after discovering fraud on the church and the trustee reacted by feeding the other trustees and senior church members lies and misinformation.. He said he resigned because cannot be legally connected to any church in which the leadership abandons the clear biblical principles and spiritual qualifications for spiritual covering, spiritual authority, and ecclesiastical governance and oversight.. No contractor is listed. No more needs to be said for a House of Hell reserved for. Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design is the architect. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? I just want a humble and hungry people to be around. He even spoke about his experience in a recording of his church's Sunday service, which is posted on YouTube. The Weemses sued Celebration Church the month after the church launched its investigation. Click to reveal . The couples suit says the church was billed $18,000 per month as rent for a home Cormier owned that was being renovated and wasnt habitable. Your IP: For this reason, ECFA places much emphasis on strong, effective governance. ", Celebration Church (Courtesy of the Florida Times-Union), Celebration is praying for a resolution for all parties involved, a statement from the church said. Sometime early this year, AWKNG TV shut down. In addition to $100,000 invested in TurnCoin for Celebration, the report said investments were made on behalf of two church spinoff organizations, Honey Lake Farms and AWKNG, as well as. Familiar minds think alike. Headquartered off Baymeadows Road near Interstate 295, Celebration has grown exponentially to include locations in Amelia Island, Orlando, South Florida, North Carolina and Washington, D.C., plus operations in Europe and Africa. Venus and Jupiter are going in for a nighttime kiss, He proposed 60 years ago, then broke her heart. According to a recent investigation carried out by the Nelson Mullins law firm, Weems. Email:[emailprotected] This standard is designed to help organizations obtain and maintain a governing body that enhances an environment of accountability, maximizing excellence in carrying out the Lords work and minimizing susceptibility to structural breakdown.. He was installed to succeed Stovall Weems months before the legal battle was made public. The I-TEAM talked with a local attorney about what the newest court filing could mean for the Weemses and their businesses. Celebration Church is a global, multi-site church located in Jacksonville, Florida. If you need help with WJXTs or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801. Wednesday afternoon, he said by email that the new complaint was very disappointing and a distraction from the churchs ministry. Siebeling is a senior pastor at The Life Church, an ARC-affiliated Tennessee megachurch, and Volk runs his own nonprofit Together For Israel. The restricted usage of these funds is documented with the Churchs Human Resources department. Sara Brady, spokesperson for Stovall and Kerri Weems. Then the trustee board suspended Weems and hired a law firm to investigate the Weemses alleged financial mismanagement and spiritual abuse. Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved. The Central Church Offices are open Monday-Thursday from 9am-5pm. Celebration Arena [ edit] What I have witnessed is more pastors are using their authority to control the narrative. Access to MinistryWatch content is free. According to Lambert, the church spends about $5 million per year (37% of the church budget) to maintain the church's properties. Hi. None of the questionable transactions were approved by the trustees, Wedekind wrote, although the Weemses lawsuit said the parsonage was approved by the churchs compensation committee, which included trustees. Now, it's publishing the data, Author Kate Zernike dissects the years-long fight for gender equality at MIT. Stovall and Kerri Weems are in a legal dispute with the church they founded in 1998. In 2018, Celebration Church's total revenue for the year was valued at a reported $13,639,193 by the ECFA,[4] and their total assets were valued at a reported $44,213,694. The Regency Park church will be a closer option for them. . First Baptist Jacksonville commissioned a study in recent months to figure out what the church must do to update its facilities. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. The churchs executive pastor, Wayland Wiseman, said in written remarks Tuesday that Celebration has thrived under Timberlake and the church doesnt plan to comment while its investigation continues. $645,281 owed by Honey Lake Farms Inc. and guarantor Stovall Weems (loan and credit card accounts, plus interest, late charges and attorneys fees), $50,867 owed by Weems Group LLC (credit card No. Since . Weve had a great relationship with Full Source and they were looking to expand their space here on Deerwood and simultaneously we were looking to move some of our operations to our hub (Arena) location, King said. Less than two weeks after The Roys Report (TRR) published an investigation, revealing that Churchome, Judah Smiths celebrity megachurch, had rehired Braylon, An embattled New England megachurch yesterday announced its closing, following an investigation by The Roys Report detailing allegations of yearslong bullying and, In 2019, Braylon Oliver stepped away from pastoring the Downtown campus of Churchome, a so-called celebrity megachurch with campuses in Los Angeles. Examples listed on the ECFA website of conduct regarding use of resources that may violate Standard Four include: Tim Timberlake was chosen to succeed Weems as the senior pastor of Celebration Church earlier this year. Celebration Church, one of the biggest churches in the Jacksonville area, on Monday released findings from an internal investigation into its founding pastor, Stovall Weems. This story is another example of unchurchly. Suing to get your power position back, over a church? Pastor Drew King, chief business officer of Celebration Church, said the church will open in the summer. The investigation found that many witnesses described intense personal anguish and pain caused by working for the Weemses., The investigative report said there were Office Hospitality sheets that were similar to over-the-top green room riders required by celebrities and that they reflected the Weemses immense entitlement and self-importance., Stovall Weems resigned from his positions in April. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. ECFA Standard Four relates to a ministrys use of resources and compliance with laws. The founders of the 12,000-member Celebration Church are suing the Jacksonville megachurch's hand-picked trustees to avoid being ousted over claims of financial irregularities. 3:1-8. For this reason, ECFA places much emphasis on strong, effective governance. The Weemses spokesperson released this statement to News4JAX on Thursday about the purchase of that property: Pastor Stovalls parsonage allowance as approved by the Board of Trustees, was approximately $1.3 million which included the price of the property and expected improvements. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Former Celebration Church employee Jimmy Papia worked at the church from 2008-2015, according to his affidavit. And people wonder why the nones continue to grow while those affiliated with evangelicalism and Christianity decline. Shameless , Thankless, money grabbers, arrogant, self willed , Covetous, proud, indulgent , deceptive, eyes full of adultery (spiritual)and empowered by doctrines of devils blind degenerate souls! A spokeswoman for Weems said the church has about 300 employees. But according to a court filing by Celebration Church, the Weemses are spiritually and financially abusive predators who acted like they owned the church and could do with it what they wanted.. I pray under Timberlake, maybe they can return to preaching the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Pastor Stovall Weems, one of the founders of Celebration Church, has resigned. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. Its always been about the money, down to the precise timing of the services to get as many people in and out. Copyright 2023 News4JAX.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. The Weemses filed a lawsuit for injunctive relief against Celebration Church. He said Celebration Church has a large number of congregants in the Arlington area who now drive to the main location on RG Skinner Parkway. He told his church that on Friday, Jesus Christ appeared to him at a church service. Perfectly said. The Roys Report has not been able to get any comments on the record about why AWKNG TV folded. This transaction was performed with full transparency and in line with the amount approved by the Churchs compensation committee. Sara Brady, spokesperson for Stovall and Kerri Weems, The News4JAX I-TEAM reached back out to Celebration Church to see if it had a response to the Weemses spokespersons statement on Thursday. Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Texas. And in September 2021, the Weemses officially transitioned from their position as lead pastors at Celebration to founding pastors. Many of those older folks, like me, gave years of our lives to help grow that church, only to be pushed aside. The founders of Jacksonvilles Celebration Church are suing the church, its trustees and a lawyer for defamation as fallout spreads from a legal fight sparked by Stovall Weemssuspension from his leadership post. Celebration Church responded to Weemses lawsuit by asking the court to dismiss it, partly on religious liberty grounds. Kim Roberts is a freelance writer who holds a Juris Doctorate from Baylor University. The letter from the church board removing him said Weems was being removed for "possible improper financial practices and/or failure to fulfill duties and responsibilities as senior pastor." Celebration Church filed a motion to dismiss the injunction, News4 Jacksonville. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Ministry Watch 2022 All rights reserved. The investigation is largely focused on two different aspects of the Weems leadership, said Lee D. Wedekind III, a partner in the law firm Nelson Mullins. She said Weems invested $100,000 in the digital security platform TurnCoin to create a retirement fund for longtime church employees and that the investment is worth $1.5 million now, but that none of that was done with PPP money. We know that some of this money was used to buy property, potentially as an investment and or something for the church, and you can expect the bank to try to foreclose on that property, he said. Cormier said by email Tuesday that the claims against him are baseless. This article has been corrected to accurately describe the churchs relationship with ARC. Oddly enough, I can certify that Celebration was listed as an ARC-affiliated church as little as one week before this was published. Included as an exhibit to the trustees motion to dismiss, a Jan. 4 email apparently sent from Weems to trustee Kevin Cormier and copied to other church leaders speaks of behavior related to fraudulent billing, criminal usury and possible embezzlement. The Jacksonville-based church will lease almost 40,000 square feet of space adjacent to and behind Books-A-Million, according to a site plan by landlord Brixmor Property Group Inc., based in New York. An attorney for the church released the following statement: Celebration did not bring this lawsuit and does not intend to litigate it through the media. This standard is designed to help organizations obtain and maintain a governing body that enhances an environment of accountability, maximizing excellence in carrying out the Lords work and minimizing susceptibility to structural breakdown., ECFA Standard Four relates to a ministrys use of resources and compliance with laws. Nichols says the Weemses also personally pledged to repay the loans. That was nearly completed when the lawsuit was filed, the statement said. Celebration Church, a 12,000-member megachurch near Jacksonville, Florida, has released findings from an internal investigation into its founder, Pastor Stovall Weems, local media has reported. Depart from me you evil doers of iniquity for I NEVER KNEW YOU! Interested in becoming a group leader? Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a15bd6698fd9b5e Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. They pushed out many of the older, spiritually mature folks because they felt threatened and knew they would be exposed. Find more information on upcoming services, workshops, and ministry events. But we also look forward to serving the entire community who may not be familiar with Celebration yet, King said. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The former pastors of Celebration Church owe more than $716,000, according to a lawsuit filed by First Citizens Bank. The trustees didnt have the authority to discipline Weems, according to the Weemses lawsuit. First Citizens Bank said, as of May 5, the defendants owed a total of $716,123: The Defendants have failed, neglected and refused to pay the Plaintiff, according to the filing from First-Citizens Bank. The church was affiliated with the ARC as recently as last year. The church said the trustees requested an investigation into the founding pastors when they discovered the Weemses engaged in a series of questionable financial transactions without board knowledge or authorization in early 2021. Renee Beninate is a Florida native and award-winning reporter who joined the News4Jax team in June 2021. The 71-page filing said Stovall and Kerri Weems and . The 2021 PPP funds were completely used up by the Churchs payroll. Tim Timberlake was named Weems successor to lead the nearly 12,000-member church. Celebration Church, a megachurch in Jacksonville, Florida, has had its membership in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) terminated for violating two of its standards. Then the trustees suspended him. The Roys Report reached out to ARC, asking when the Weemses and Celebration Church were removed and why, but did not immediately hear back. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. We remain focused on advancing the kingdom of God. --Wayland Wiseman, Executive Pastor, Celebration Church. The Weemses are currently in a legal battle with the church they founded in 1998. Honey Lake Farms, LLC (which is different than the non-profit Honey Lake Farms, Inc.) is a for profit entity that was formed on the advice of the Churchs attorneys at Holland and Knight. After the employee delivered the car as demanded, Stovall Weems told him to find his own ride home, the report reads. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. Missing with ARC (among others) are the requisite qualifications laid out in 1 Tim. Headquartered off Baymeadows Road near Interstate 295, Celebration has grown exponentially to include locations in Amelia Island, Orlando, South Florida, North Carolina and Washington, D.C., plus. SEU JACKSONVILLE. No PPP funds went to Honey Lake Farms, LLC. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Every organization shall exercise the appropriate management and controls necessary to provide reasonable assurance that all of the organizations operations are carried out and resources are used in a responsible manner and in conformity with applicable laws and regulations, such conformity taking into account biblical mandates, it states. Stovall and Kerri Weems released a statement to News4JAX on Wednesday: We could never have imagined that the church we started and nurtured for nearly 25 years would be seized by individuals whom we believe are prioritizing their individual interests in power and money ahead of their duties to Celebration Church and its mission. The motion outlines four areas of concern: READ: Celebration Churchs motion to dismiss. Hey Rob. The spokeswoman for Weems said the church's audited financial reports certified that the PPP money was used for purposes the law allowed. One part of the investigation concerns financial transactions made between January and June 2021, when there were no board meetings conducted, Wedekind said. Celebration Church responded saying this is the latest chapter in a campaign of deception, manipulation, distraction, and abuse of power by Stovall and Kerri Weems against Celebration. Celebrations motion also alleges the couple improperly used over $1,000,000 in PPP loan proceeds to fund an entity they managed and to purchase TurnCoin, a digital security. Its other Northeast Florida campuses are in Westside-Orange Park, Julington Creek and Amelia Island. Asked for comment on the new filing, Wedekind said Tuesday he was looking into how that should be handled. The 71-page filing said Stovall and Kerri Weems and their businesses have defaulted on payments. Ameris Bank issued a $6.3 million mortgage to Full Source for the property, which records show is a 78,432-square-foot building on almost 2 acres. The Church is based in Jacksonville, Florida with other regional and international locations. In the days following that action, Stovall Weems removed one of the trustees and tried to remove two others, court filings show. Previous coverage: Bank sues Celebration Church founders for $716,000 in business debts, credit card bills, Church founder leaves: Celebration Church founder Stovall Weems quits, vows to 'continue our ministry elsewhere', 'At stake is control of the church': Celebration Church, founder Stovall Weems embroiled in legal dispute. Celebration Church is a global, multi-site church located in Jacksonville, Florida. The dispute involves allegations of financial misconduct and fraud. Was this article helpful? YOUTH. Duval County property records show Weems Group, LLC, which is registered to Kerri Weems and managed by Stovall Weems, according to the State of Floridas Division of Corporations, purchased a home on Shellcracker Road in the Black Hammock Island area of Jacksonville for $855,000 in February 2021. "I have and will continue to cooperate with the churchs investigation which has included the collection of documentation" about the claim, Cormier said. They also said the crypto investment was for a retirement fund for church employees, and wasnt made with PPP funds. Actually Richard it is like apple or any other corporation. To make a donation,click here. Thanks Mark, I feel bad for all the other people who got hurt by the church leaders. By clicking "Accept", you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This can be a good thing but it takes away their accountability. Celebration is praying for a resolution for all parties involved, the statement said. 1:53:02 Know. While the investigation consists mostly of reviewing documents, Wedekind estimates a dozen to 15 people have been interviewed as well. Church officials havent publicly announced the rift with Weems but prepared a statement for members who inquired that said trustees had placed Weems in not good standing while an internal investigation was done. Besides defamation, the new complaint accuses everyone being sued of invasion of privacyand publicly disclosing private facts. Celebration Church said in its motion to dismiss that the board of trustees did not have knowledge of or give authorization to the purchase of property that was designated as church parsonage for the Weemses. These cookies do not store any personal information. The founders of Celebration Church, one of the largest churches in the Jacksonville area, are in a legal dispute with the church that involves allegations of financial misconduct and fraud. Its office and Celebration College are at 10302 Deerwood Park Blvd. Pastor Drew King, chief business officer of Celebration Church, said the church will open in the summer. Celebration Church members have a right to know what is happening in their church and we have a right to be treated fairly.. The church argued that the couples suit presents the latest chapter in a campaign of deception, manipulation, distraction, and abuse of power by Stovall and Kerri Weems against Celebration.. Arkansas Youth Pastor Pleads Guilty to 13 Counts of Sexual Assault, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Shamed, Excommunicated Mother for Refusing to Take Back Child Abuser, Days-long Revival Sweeping Asbury University in Kentucky, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Covered Up Pastors Sexual Abuse, Witnesses Say, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthurs Church Supported Convicted Child Abuser & Pedophile, Records Show, Dante Bowe Posts, Then Removes, Apology for Behavior Causing Split with Maverick City Music, Matt Chandler Steps Aside After Admitting Inappropriate Online Relationship, John MacArthur Pulls Out of Ligonier Conference, Pastor Resigns From Houston Megachurch After Admitting Affair, Televangelist Creflo Dollar Renounces Past Teachings on Tithing, But Questions Persist. An investigation is underway. Now the church and the Weemses, who are former members of ARCs Lead Team, are caught up in a legal battle even as an investigation is underway into the Weemses alleged misconduct. All of them ! View our Privacy Policy. The injunction said one of the churchs trustees was improperly billing the church for construction-type services at its Honey Lake Farms property in Madison County. The suit and a response from a church attorney trade dueling claims of improprieties, including: Weems and his wife are asking Circuit Judge Marianne Aho for a court order that, among other things, would restore Weems to his lead role at the church the couple founded in 1998; restart his salary with back pay since January; and discard changes to church bylaws the trustees approved then that created a route to suspend him. The Churchs 2020 audited financials certifies that the Church utilized the PPP funds in accordance with their legally allowed purposes.
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