Our position is strong and talking doesn't get anything done," said Diallo Sekou. The founding pastor of the 12,000-member non-denominational Christian church, Stovall Weems, is suing the megachurch's. We are being retaliated against and have been denied a proper investigation according to long-held church by-laws. ), $100,000 to invest in TurnCoin, a digital currency with which fans can invest in talented people in all passions of life, on behalf of the church. Copyright 2023 News4JAX.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Stovall and Kerri Weems founded Jacksonville megachurch in 1998. By clicking "Accept", you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The church released a 22-page investigative report on. Stovall Weems said Cormier was overbilling or improperly billing the church. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. In order to increase the likelihood of the loans approval, Stovall manipulated Honey Lake Farms financial statements and directed accountants to write off the churchs debt. The churchs purchase of the Shellcracker property was not disclosed to or approved by the board, according to the investigation. Let's not forget that, Why revival must be tethered to Scripture, Revelation 9: The pit, the smoke and hideous demon creatures, Lessons from the old Jesus Revolution for the new Jesus Revolution, Age is a mindset: How mental outlook and actions impact an aging mind, How to handle any criticism thrown at you, 5 reasons why the disappearance of the offering plate is so significant for churches. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The report argued that Weems received a financial benefit from the digital security buys. The city of Jacksonville is full of history, and one woman's mission is to make sure of the city's Black history is highlighted and remembered. Accept the resignation of Stovall and Kerri Weems as employees of Celebration effective April 15, 2022 without further compensation or benefits, Pursue the removal of Stovall and Kerri Weems from any positions of authority relating to the church, Honey Lake Farms, Honey Lake Clinic and AWKNG, Require Stovall and Kerri Weems to account for and return to the church all funds misappropriated by them, Remove Stovall and Kerri Weems from the parsonage and sell the property, Require Northstream Management, Habitat for Wholeness, Honey Lake Farms and AWKNG to repay all receivables and loans made by the church to those entities, Report these findings to the appropriate authorities to determine whether criminal charges should be brought, Engage in the Christian Conciliation Process outlined in Celebrations bylaws, a new Instagram page, Stovall Weems Ministries. Tim and Jen Timberlake serve as the Senior Pastors of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Celebration Church is seeking damages up to $30,000. Kerri Weems has a history of clinical depression, a topic which she openly discussed. Action News Jax has reached out to Stovall Weems for a statement and we are waiting to hear back. Celebration Church is a global church in Austin, TX led by Pastors Joe and Lori Champion that exists to help you connect with your destiny. The church said the Weemses do not have any authority to live at the Shellcracker Road property anymore because Stovall Weems resigned his positions with the church on April 15 amid a legal battle that includes allegations of financial misconduct, spiritual abuse and defamation. The company says the report is the result of thousands of pages of documents and more than 20 interviews with current and former church leadership team members. I have been walking with God for 28 years. I couldn't sleep. Weems, 52, has been the church's senior pastor and . The report said the Jacksonville minister, who was suspended by the megachurchs trustees in January, brought Celebration to the brink of insolvency while coloring his leadership with arrogance, entitlement, greed and other character flaws. How can they claim they conducted an investigation into improper financial transactions without a financial audit? The protest is in the name of Garner, unarmed Missouri teenagerMike Brown, and other blacks who have been killed inpolice shootings. The investigation said the Weemses attempted to justify keeping the profit because the money was needed for improvements. Weems did that without talking to anyone on his board, the report said. Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved. Supporters wholivein the Springfield neighborhood said they've been racially profiled by police. It said many witnesses described intense personal anguish and pain caused by working for the Weemses. The investigation said they treated people who attended to them as inferior and created a culture where you dont say no to pastor., RELATED: Office hospitality cheat sheet outlines former Celebration pastors daily instructions, The churchs internal investigation concluded with this statement: Weems violated the law by breaching his fiduciary duties to Celebration, committing fraud, unjustly enriching himself at the expense of the church and failing to meet the fiduciary duties and standards of care required by his office. The investigation also said Weems has brought Celebration to the brink of insolvency., In the Weemses defamation suit against the church, they said they worked tirelessly over the past couple of years to bring stability, structure and consistency to the churchs staff, congregation and organization and worked to improve the churchs financial position. The churchs internal investigation said Weems made several questionable financial transactions without board knowledge. The report said at some point thereafter, the Weemses decided they wanted to relocate. Celebration Church members have a right to know what is happening in their church and we have a right to be treated fairly.. Copyright 2023 News4JAX.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. If this is now a board-led church where is their responsibility for the Churchs dismal financial performance since I allowed them to take over with a new Lead Pastor at the beginning of 2020? Megachurch Pastor Stovall Weems Said Jesus Came to Him Sporting Brown Hair, White Robe. The investigation determined that as the church became more successful, the lavishness of the Weemses lifestyle also increased. It said there were private charter flights to exotic locations, a full house staff to assist in maintaining their mansions, and personal assistants required to attend to the Weemses every demand. While the churchs revenues were 15% short of projections, Weems advocated for the Board to approve $14 million in new debt, according to the report. The Weemses also said theyve been threatened with arrest if they come onto church property. An attorney for Celebration Church said the Weemses attorney sent him a letter on May 13 that stated the Weemses were allowed to live in the Shellcracker home until their deaths. The church said things changed following a Seder service on Passover in 2018, where Stovall Weems said he had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. The report goes on to say that Stovall had frequent unfinished big ideas and when employees presented issues with the plans he would remove them from the decision-making process, calling them dream killers.. A hearing on the Weemses lawsuit is scheduled for May 20, according to the Florida Times-Union. The investigation said Weems could never keep all of the parts straight in his head and blamed this confusion on the providers of the information.. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. Theyre also seeking restoration of their base salary, benefits and back pay. Weems never had a grasp of where the money went and would oscillate between negligent attention to financial details and aggressive demands for voluminous information, said the report. He also answered questions about the ongoing dispute with Celebration Church. SKINNER PARKWAY JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256 Get Directions WESTSIDE/ORANGE PARK CAMPUS PASTORS ROBERT AND CARMEN BASS SERVICE SUNDAY MORNINGS // 10:00AM PHONE 904.737.1121 EMAIL It said there is no evidence any improvements have been made to the property and the building departments records do not show any permit applications have been filed for that property. They say he belittled and humiliated them and both Stovall and Kerri demanded others to serve them. The investigation said Weems sold it four months later to Celebration for more than $1.2 million an increase of $431,000. If you need help with WJXTs or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801. where white men terrorized Black protesters . There was also alleged misappropriation of church funds under the Weems leadership. The founders of Jacksonville's Celebration Church are suing the church, its trustees and a lawyer for defamation as fallout spreads from a legal fight sparked by Stovall Weems . Updated: 4:29 PM EDT March 20, 2022. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. John Piper Answers, 'Jesus Revolution' sees stunning opening weekend, finishes third at box office: 'miraculous', Hilarion Heagy, Eastern Catholic monk, renounces Christianity for Islam, Megachurch votes to leave UMC after trying to disaffiliate without congregational vote, Vineyard Church senior pastor resigns amid misconduct allegations against son, This week in Christian history: Shahbaz Bhattimartyred, Methodist hymnwriter born, Anne Graham Lotz wonders if Asbury revival sparked last great awakening before Christs return. Best Churches in Jacksonville, FL - Celebration Church, The Church of Eleven22, Impact Church, Journey Church, Southpoint Community Church, Grace Church Of Avondale, Excel Church, First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, The Well Jax, Faith Community Church 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. 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 unrelated church ministry in Nevada. I can't describe the closeness that I felt with Jesus. After the church received a $1.1 million loan through the federal Paycheck Protection Program last year, the report said, Weems directed the purchase of $500,000 worth of a digital security called TurnCoin. This was so the Weemses could focus on their spiritual acuity at all times.. The News4JAX Morning Show team brings you breaking news from overnight -- local, national and international stories, as well as weather and traffic to start your day. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Georgetown Campus Central Austin Campus Download The Celebration App Get Involved Giving Small Groups Volunteer Outreach Celebration Events For Your Family The injunction said on January 7, 2022, Stovall Weems was compelled to remove trustees as a result of their intent and within an hour, the trustees sent Weems a letter notifying him that he was not in good standing and was suspended as the churchs senior pastor as a result of possible improper financial practices and/or failure to fulfill duties and responsibilities as Senior Pastor.. Four months later, The Weems Group sold it to the church for $1,286,863.30 which is 50% more than the Weems Group had paid. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. I shall continue a righteous path with a new ministry despite these shameful efforts., 'At stake is control of the church':Celebration Church, founder Stovall Weems embroiled in legal dispute, The fallout:Celebration Church founder Stovall Weems quits; vows to 'continue our ministry elsewhere'. I can sense His mood. Between October 2020 and March or April last year, the churchs cash balance fell from $9 million to $2 million, the report said. The church released a 22-page investigative report on its website, which claimed Stovall Weems used church money to line his own pockets. "The first thing that I was taken back with is like Jesus' personality. Meanwhile, the substantive allegations made in our Complaint about financial improprieties perpetrated by current Board members have gone unanswered. Pastors Tim and Jen have a heart for Gods people and equipping them with the tools to transform their lives from the inside out. The Church is based in Jacksonville, Florida with other regional and international locations. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. . I think the longevity and integrity of our ministry speaks for itself. Celebration Church has been under new leadership since 2021. Despite repeated requests by many, the Weemses refused to take any meaningful time off after the Encounter to process the event.. A court hearing on this case is scheduled for May 20. In January, Celebration Church trustees commissioned an investigation into "potentially improper financial practices" by the Weemses, The Roys Report noted previously. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Which she openly discussed describe the closeness that i felt with Jesus said at some thereafter... 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