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Originally Posted by Sandra
As a friend of Paula White I can speak on this. Rick Hawkins has been in their fellowship for many years. She doesn't approve of this behavior and has a home there because she has many family members in san Antonio.
This IS NOT her home church. The Media is saying this, but this isn't true.
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Church's founder defends its finances and his ministry
Web Posted: 11/11/2007 11:59 PM CST
Abe Levy
Express-News
As Family Praise Center geared up Sunday to celebrate its 14th anniversary, its embattled founder and leader, Bishop Rick Hawkins, changed course to make a 10-minute statement from the pulpit defending his ministry record and the church's finances.
Hawkins sought to reassure the congregation in the wake of a WOAI-TV report last week. While apologizing to the faithful for past "sins and mistakes," Hawkins said the story's charges were "full of inaccuracies and fiction" designed to boost TV ratings during "sweeps" week.
Regardless of the report, Hawkins' nondenominational church has been in turmoil in recent years as some members, disappointed in his leadership, departed for other churches. It was further fueled by his divorce in February. His son, Dustin, whom he had designated pastor, was divorced the same month. Their ex-wives no longer attend Family Praise Center, on Loop 410 near Bandera Road.
About that same time, nationally known TV evangelist Paula White of Tampa, Fla., became a regular preacher there, speaking almost monthly and becoming a spiritual mentor to Dustin Hawkins. White, who until recently was pastor of Without Walls International Church, filled Family Praise Center with people who lined up for her book signings and live CD recordings. The center reportedly started with nearly 60 people and now claims to draw up to 3,000 people for weekend services.
White, too, was recently divorced from her husband of 18 years, Randy, who remains bishop of the nondenominational megachurch in Tampa. Citing the Whites' divorce in part, the Tampa Tribune reported Sunday that Without Walls has sustained significant losses in attendance and donations to the point that Randy White says he is struggling to pay the church's bills. Rick Hawkins is a board member of White's nonprofit PWM Life Center Inc., created in February, according to documents from the Florida Department of State's Division of Corporations.
White's blond hair and smiling face was bannered across Family Praise Center's Web site just last week as the featured speaker for the 14th anniversary service. But Sunday, she did not appear because, Hawkins said, he asked her not to in light of the news report.
On Friday, however, White's staff asserted that she didn't cancel but that San Antonio had not been on her itinerary. She did not appear in Tampa on Sunday either.
White is dealing with a request from the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, which is looking into the finances of Without Walls and Paula White Ministries. The committee sent her a letter Nov. 5 requesting financial records about her jet travel, a Rolls Royce she gave as a gift and a luxury home she bought near Boerne in August, among other items. Her ministry is one of six nationwide that the committee is reviewing for compliance with nonprofit tax rules.
On Sunday, Hawkins began his statement with a sometimes emotional description of finding his favorite dog shot to death "execution-style" at the front door of his house at his Boerne ranch.
"This is out of control. It's not right," he told the audience, choking up at times. "You don't go and start killing stuff. That dog meant a lot to me."
Matt King, chief deputy for the Kendall County Sheriff's Office, confirmed that the incident is under investigation for possible animal cruelty.
"It may have something to do with some of the turmoil he may have been involved with," King said, based on a statement Dustin Hawkins gave deputies.
During Rick Hawkins' remarks about the TV report, he stressed that the church has been "steadfast in our stewardship of the church's funds" and that "payments made to departing employees were made pursuant to established severance policy and with the approval of our board and the oversight of our counsel. While there have been divorces within our church, including my own, those are personal matters and should not be newsworthy."
Hawkins said he has been meeting with unnamed pastors from local churches and other people who feel "estranged" from his church, describing the meetings as "positive and very healing."
"Yes, we are human. We have our failures, our struggles, but we truly do seek the path of righteousness, and we will continue to do so," he said.
WOAI reporter Brian Collister stood by his story as true and said he gave Hawkins up to a dozen opportunities to respond, all of which he declined.
An Express-News reporter attended the 9 a.m. Sunday service at Family Praise Center and asked to interview Hawkins afterward. Will Norris, the church's communications director, said the request was declined and that future attempts to report at the church would be prohibited.
During his statement Sunday, Hawkins cautioned church members "to refrain from participating in negative communication that would only serve to cause harm to the kingdom. Remember, God is our defense." Applause followed.
To show support for Hawkins, the church had made its own videos with testimonials from church members saying they would remain steadfast in their loyalty and enumerated ways they appreciated him.
"Wherever you go, we will go. Whatever you do, we will support it. Whatever you believe, we believe. Whatever you touch, we speak God's blessings and prosperity over it," said a 10-year member in a video testimonial as soft, instrumental music played in the background.
One video production showcased an 11-year-old sermon by Hawkins, quoting him in dramatic fashion with music and archived video clips as saying "You can't stop me. I'm a blessed man."
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alevy@express-news.net
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