Juanita Bynum Makes First Public Appearance Since ‘Incident’

Evangelist resumes hosting TBN’s “Praise the Lord” and talks about marital problems

It was back to business as usual for Juanita Bynum.

On Tuesday, September 4, Bynum hosted Trinity Broadcasting Network’s (TBN) popular Praise the Lord program live from the network’s Atlanta studio. Bynum appeared stoic and appreciative of the enthusiastic supporters who started filling the studio audience at noon for the ten o’ clock broadcast.

Earlier in the day, Bynum held a press conference where she spoke sparingly of her personal story but rather emphasized the importance of the issue of domestic violence in urban communities, and her call to be a representative. She said, “Today, domestic violence has a face and a name and it is Juanita Bynum.” Bynum wore a diamond wedding band though she didn’t speak on the status of her marriage.

The press conference worked in tandem with an Op-Ed piece written by Bynum’s “spiritual father” T. D. Jakes in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Jakes advised the church community, particularly leaders to approach domestic violence non-judgmentally.
Later that evening, Bynum reiterated what she’d spoken at the press conference stating, “First, I want to go on record and say I forgive my husband and I wish him all of the best.” The charges against Thomas W. Weeks III, 40, carry a maximum possible sentence of 27 years. He is due in Fulton Superior Court on Friday in connection with the Aug. 21 incident.
During interviews with Praise the Lord guests Tarralyn Ramsey and Dewayne Woods, Bynum made periodic announcements regarding her feelings about the incident with her husband. She said, “The minute I said I am going through this for somebody else ... that this is not my battle. This is not my warfare. I'm in warfare for women all over the world. My mind changed ... I didn't feel embarrassed anymore. I stepped in the purpose.”

“Instead of a victim, I want to become an advocate,” she said.