Juanita Bynum Assaulted by Husband

Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III, 54, the estranged husband of world-renowned evangelist and prophetess Juanita Bynum, surrendered to Atlanta police Friday on charges that he attacked his wife.

Weeks reportedly made no comments when he arrived at the jail with a lawyer on Friday morning. A hearing is reportedly scheduled this morning at the Fulton County Jail, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Early Wednesday morning, Bynum was allegedly assaulted by Weeks in an Atlanta parking lot, according to police. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the estranged couple met at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel to discuss a possible reconciliation, but the the talks turned violent when Weeks allegedly attacked Bynum. Officer Ronald Campbell of the Atlanta Police Department told reporters Weeks left leaving bruising “around her neck and upper torso.” A hotel bellman who witnessed the alleged assault in the parking lot physically pulled Weeks away from his wife.

It is reported that Weeks left the scene of the attack, according to police. Warrants had been issued for Weeks, who has been charged with one count of aggravated assault and one count of terrorist threats against Bynum.

According to a lawyer for Weeks, the Bishop plans to continue his ministry and to try to reconcile with his wife after the allegations are dealt with, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

“He is extremely sad over the events that have taken place,” said Edward Garland, one of the two attorneys representing Weeks. “I think there is hope on his part that the relationship can get past these difficult moments.”

Bynum, who is said to be with family members, released this statement on Thursday:

“I am currently recovering from all of my injuries and resting well. There are so many great things happening for me in my future and so much to look foward to concerning my destiny. This too shall pass. The Bible says in Proverbs 4:25: ‘Let your eyes look right on with fixed purpose and let your gaze be straight before you.’ Thank you for your concern and please continue to pray for my recovery!”

Bynum, 48, a Pentecostal evangelist, is well-known for her inspiring messages and music aimed at empowering women. She gained much of her notoriety after preaching a sermon entitled “No More Sheets” at a T.D. Jakes conference several years ago, which encouraged women to free themselves from promiscuity. Bynum is also the author of The New York Times best seller The Threshing Floor, as well as My Spiritual Inheritance and Matters of the Heart Devotions for Women. Weeks is the founder of Global Destiny Ministries, based in Duluth, Georgia.

Weeks and Bynum were married in a televised “million-dollar” celebration back in 2003. One thousand guests were in attendance for the luxe affair, which included an 80-member wedding party, a 12-piece orchestra and a 7.76-carat diamond ring. When asked about her all-out nuptials, Bynum commented in Ebony magazine, “This was my once-in-a-lifetime wedding, and I did it this way because I plan to stay married.”