Thursday, August 09, 2007

'A Good Black Man' Under Investigation



When you become a pastor of one of the fastest growing mega-churches in the country and you're seen on BET and TBN almost every week, and have become one of today's high-profiled influential leaders within the African-American community, you can't help but run across a pile of "haters" further down the road. Rev. Jamal Harrison Bryant, pastor of Empowerment Temple AME located in Baltimore, may have a big problem with such "haters" and the recent reports hitting the media about his recent troubles with Bianca Wilson and Michelle Wedderburn; two different women who both have filed lawsuits against the famed pastor for a number of issues including paternity tests, peace orders and child support.

A few weeks ago, emails from anonymous sources and a number of bloggers challenged the reverend's integrity and have even pressured Bryant to lightly speak about the situations during recent church services. At the time, the future on Wilson's case is still in the air since she is now pregnant with child and will have to deliver the child in order to prove that Bryant is the father. The two have been summoned a peace order by the court system. As for Wedderburn's case, Bryant has to pay $400 a month for child support - since Bryant has been proven to be the child's father. This decision outrages a number of Bryant's critics since they feel he is a multi-millionaire and believes that $400 a month is next to nothing for the plaintiff. Word has it that Bryant's wife had no idea prior to the opening of this case of Naomi Bryant; the young child conceived by Wedderburn and Rev. Bryant.

Public information and documents on Bryant's cases, including a recent case surrounding a traffic violation, can be acquired at the Maryland Court official website.

When will the church be the church? All I ask for is that the preachers of today start to live the same stuff they profess about in the pulpit. If we get that right, then the world wouldn't have a problem with coming to church on next Sunday.

[updated: August 12, 2007]

[MORE TROUBLE AT THE RIVER]
Maryland Judiciary Courts
Check Your Pastor (PRAYZE Report)

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well I just feel that The church shouldnt be measured by Pastors because we are the church. Pastors are human and they fall and so do we. No one on this side of life is perfect

Anonymous said...

Personally I feel as though this post is the next thing to gossipping. We as Christians must be very careful how we "discuss" others' faults and issues. I understand that what the man has done is very questionable and wrong in the eyes of many..myself included, but as a website such as this, I feel as though it shows the integrity of your work by including such kinds of rhetoric on your site as this. Be careful how you air out the laundry of God's children...because your good intentions may produce bad and dishonorable yields. God bless.

PRAYZEHYMN said...

It's not gossip when it's thr truth, it's the news and it's true. The Bible is filled with stories about people who messed and fell in the traps of sin. To ignore these things would be unfair and unbalanced. I do not just report good things, the PRAYZE Report aims to post all things that are important and considered to be of value to the readers. By the way, we've all picked up an Ebony, Star, Sister 2 Sister, People and Jet Magazine to read the latest scoop...the church needs to stop acting like they are immune to being talked about by the press.

Anonymous said...

Wow! All I can say is WOW! So the Bianca Wilson story is true! So sad! The bigger question is how old is Bianca?

Anonymous said...

BlogOwner says ~ Word has it that Bryant's wife had no idea prior to the opening of this case of Naomi Bryant; the young child conceived by Wilson and Rev. Bryant.

Two issues to correct here.

1. Naomi is the child conceived by WEDDERBURN and Rev. Bryant. Bianca WILSON's child is rumored to have already been born and apparently died shortly afterbirth or was stillborn.

2. Bryant's wife was WELL aware of the existence of Naomi Bryant and the affair with her mother Michele Wedderburn. In fact, it has been said that Gizelle had a nervous breakdown and called OFF the engagement to Jamal when she found out Michele was pregnant with his child. It took Jamal several months to get her to re-agree to marry him.

Anonymous said...

Actually, Naomi is the child of Michelle Wedderburn.

Anonymous said...

I am well aware that Naomi is the child of Michelle Wedderburn which is why I said, "Naomi is the child conceived by WEDDERBURN and Rev. Bryant."

The Blog Owner is the one who said "this case of Naomi Bryant; the young child conceived by Wilson and Rev. Bryant."

Anonymous said...

There have also been questions regarding his academic credentials and whether he has lied about having obtained his doctorate from Oxford in order to boost his credibility. Allegedly, it is reported by the Graduate Theological Foundation that he earned his doctorate there in 2005, which is also when he supposedly got his doctorate at Oxford. Do you have any information on this, Prayzehymn?

Anonymous said...

The world would stop having a problem coming to church when the world stops looking for any excuse not to come to church. I've always heard....as long as it's somebody else's fault, you'll never be free.

Tay said...

Everything that is done in the dark shall come to light.
I don't think anything can shock me now-a-days. We live in a messed up world. We as people fall short of the glory of God. We are just trying not to be as messed up as the world is. There is a high price tag for fame let's just hope that people don't sell their souls for it. But as we have seen a lot of black men do.

Gaylel said...

Ok, here we go again, this time another mess with a nationally-known pastor again.

When will these leaders get a clue that they should be of a higher standard?

Even though I'm glad that Jamal had admitted his cheating episode, it should be an example for other pastors to fess up to the public and step down from the pulpit for a while.

Anonymous said...

From the information I have gathered from the courts. Wedderburn filed for paternity test in 2000. Bryant was named father from the test and ordered to begin paying child support. In 2006 Wedderburn filed for an increase and Bryant filed not to have it increased. They have a court dated scheduled for 9/11/2007.

Anonymous said...

I really don't want to know about any of that.

The only thing I want to know is when will he be building a church in Washington, DC?

Now was that a rumor or gossip?

When will we learn that it is about bring souls to Christ and not who is in the pulpit? I must stand and be accountable for me not any body else.

Not Judging said...

Me personally, I could care less about his cheating, maternity tests, etc. People love to uncover dirt on good people. Okay, he has all of this going on, but he is still human and a man who loves GOD. He never proclaimed to be perfect, he never said that his name was Jesus, he is a man just like you and me, meaning woman. We all fall short of the glory. God will forgive him, even if you all don't. So fall back off the criticism and hold the Black Man up in Prayer!

Anonymous said...

Enough All Ready!

There will come a time when God will judge it all, so let's just pull up on how hard we can be on a leaders fall. You can keep pointing fingers about the next two or three leaders that will fall this year or next year until you are blue in the face, so what!Bottom line is God uses the mouth of anything or anybody to deliver a word for you and me. If the messenger fails to live according to that word then that's on them. Give me my word. Now there is also some responsiblity on our part to know the voice of the Lord for our self. How do we learn that? By going to church, reading the Word of God and spending time in Gods presences. Let's be real, the only way some of us will ever hold a bible in our hands is if we are going to church. So don't let the mistake of a leader stop you from holding your bible. You just might come across something that will bless you in between Genesis and Revelation.

Signed
Concerned Believer

Anonymous said...

No man is perfect. He fell. He's human. He's Just a MAN called by GOD not a GOD called by MAN. I pray that all of this be taken care of and Jamal Bryant continuesa to do what God has ordained him to do. The Devil is attacking the Church Hard. First Juanita Bynum, then the five mega church being investigated, now this. We as christans need to get together, Fast and pray, and bind up the devil.

Anonymous said...

I am just sick and tied of it all, speaking about the Holy than thou CHURCH folks! My bible tells me to watch as well as pray , and to try the spirit by the spirit. Last but not least, I say to stop paying them a salary and lets see just how many of them will continue to preach freely!

Anonymous said...

Often times I wonder why do most so called preachers preach, is it simply for the money. Let's not forget that is was quoted that the operation of the church is a business! If you conducted a criminal back-ground check on some of these preachers, just what might you find? Do they really believe any of the stuff they preach? It seems that they don't believe or pactice what they preach! The word of "GOD" says, put not your faith in any man/woman!

Anonymous said...

THIS AIN'T GOSSIP IF IT'S TRUE. EVEN GOD'S WORD PUT INCLUDES THE DETAILS OF THE FALLEN MEN OF GOD. SO LIKE I SAID IT AIN'T GOSSIP. "JUDGEMENT BEGINS IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD." CLEAN IT UP MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD. AND I USE THAT PHRASE LOOSELY.

Anonymous said...

Everything posted here is good. But, are not the men and women that say they are called to shepherd the flock suppose to be blameless. It that not what the word of God say. 1st Timothy: husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness,,, he must manage his family well and the scripture goes on and on. Jesus is coming back for a church without a spot or blemish. Well I pray he give us a lot more time to get it together. We are so busy trying to accept sin that we have all kinds of excuses about these preachers. Now days they are driving in Bentleys, BMW's living in Mansions and we still have many poor people, homeless people, children going astray and all we can say is they are Human. So was Satan.. We need to hold they high paid preacher to the fire. In the old days the old saints did. We are to busy trying to justify right from wrong. The word says sin is sin. There is no little sin or big sin. Sin is Sin. and Adultry is sin, being gay is sin. Saints. Read Your Word. Stop trying to Justify their wrong. The bible also says to Get from under it. If you know they are sining and you accept it you are just as wrong as they are. This is why the world is like it is. Saints READ YOUR WORD.....

Anonymous said...

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Well, I'm waiting. . . That's what I thought. No one including myself is beyond reproach. However, it is a goal and desire that I should try to achieve. What do I mean by this? Every day I must die to myself (flesh/sin) and pick up my cross and carry it. We all struggle with many things, therefore, (at this time) Christians we have no right to judge anyone, the preach in the pulpit. There will come a time -- when the righteous shall judge the unrighteous, but we are not there yet. Keep living. . . but while you are living remember that love hides a multitude of faults. Love your neighbor as you do yourself. Well, let me think about that. Some of us don't love ourselves, this is indicated by the way we treat others and the way we treat our temples. Regardless, it is our Christian duty to love Pastor Jamal Bryant as Christ loved the Church. Love is transforming. Love is healing. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not hold a grudge. Love is God and God is Love. Continue to worship and praise the Lord in spirit and in truth. Salvation is singular, we must all meet and get to know Jesus for ourselves. The Preacher is their to show you the way and to feed you the Word of God. Yes, you are correct when you say that Preachers should walk their talk and lead by example. This is the responsibility of all who say they know the Lord and are saved. We all fall down, including you, but we get back up again. Praise God for His mercy and grace. You see Jesus already paid the price and he prayed to the Father and begged Him to have mercy on all of us, because we will never be pure in word, thought, or deed. We all fall short of the Glory of God. Another good point that you made is that many fell into sin as indicated by the Word of God. This would include King David, a man after God's own heart. Take time to study why that was, although David was ALWAYS doing something that was questionable according to scripture. Who's to say that the Reverend Dr. Jamal Bryant too is not a man after God's own heart. Peace and blessings to you always in the matchless & mighty Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

WhereMinistersMeet.com

Anonymous said...

Fall down seven times, get up eight. The heart of a man should not be measured by how many times he falls but how he by the grace of God is able to get back up and continue moving in the will of God. God's promise to Jamal Bryant has not changed, Pastor Bryant simply stepped from underneath God's umbrella of protection by allowing sin to be the leader of his life instead of God. God, unlike man has the ability to throw all things that Pastor Bryant did into the sea of forgetfulness. I suggest since we are made in his image, we try to do the same. Other than judgements Christians, let's try a little forgivenss and continue to pray for our leader.

Anonymous said...

I am a young minister myself and I do not approve of what PASTOR J. BRYANT did,but I believe that the scripture say we that are (spiritual )should restore this saint because the same could happen too us.(stop the chatter and pray for him).

Anonymous said...

I believe people need to keep their mouth off of other people. I have learned that when you talk about someone then GOD will allow that thing to happen to you, no matter who you are. The LORD has also showed me that although a person may be a pastor, that person is still human. No one on earth is perfect, nothing and no one is perfect except for GOD. When people realize every one makes mistakes and our test & trials come to make us stronger then we will be able to grow to the capacity GOD wants us to grow. Stop looking and judging others situations and look within to see how you can better yourself, because has a job for us all. Pray for our people so that they can defeat the devil and stop allowing the devil to get praise for the traps he sets. WE ARE OVERCOMERS, no matter how low we fall WE SHALL GET BACK UP AGAIN.

earl said...

Christianity will be ridicule by the designs of satan .The Bible truth is then ridiculed especially when "High Profile Christians" make mistakes.
We Should follow Christ.Christ was a hit because of his humility and love to all.Christians are followers of whom ?Christ. The we should live like Christ did.Simple and out of the spotlight winning souls for the kingdom.

Unknown said...

dem is Jamal's children not yours so mind your business. Jamal is the ONLY one that has to answer for Jamal in front of God. So pray for him, stop the gossip and leave the kinds alone...PLLLLEEEAAASSSSEEEE

PRAYZEHYMN said...

Re: Nurita's comment,

I want to highlight the point that the information provided on this blog entry is not gossip. This is news-related and was submitted to me through other online resources. Of course, gossip is going to surround this kind of topic since it deals with a public figure and other bloggers who have to comment. But to clear up the arising anger from your comment, the post is news-related and is actually public information since it dealt with the public court system. Are we supposed to have amnesia and act like thse things never happened? We have freedom of speech...and are free to speak about anything we so desire.

PRAYZEHYMN said...

By the way, this blog entry is soooooooo 2007, and people are still posting comments. I find that to be so amazing.

Anonymous said...

It is now 22Jun9.
1)So has Bryant increased his support of Naomi Bryant?
2)Gizelle filed for divorce last year, then cancelled it, but refiled in January. Is the divorce moving fwd?
2a) Does Gizelle work? She graduated from Hampton so she has a degree right?
3) Did he have a child with a lady named Bianca that was stillborn?
4)Did he have a child with a church memeber? Ive read that she may be 17, & that she may be pregnant or has delivered twins.
Thanks.
~lilkunta,m22jun9@ 9:35aEST

PS: prayze, u should add date stamps to the blog comments not just time stamps. & allow anon coments. I had 2 go sign up for a typepad account to post! All these internets collecting all our personal info. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I suggest that we stop trying to justify his fault. He was wrong and that's point black. While we aren't perfect we are supposed to strive for perfection. The goal is Jesus. While it's true that we all fall there is a difference in falling and striving to do better and falling and staying there. To whom much is given much is required. He is supposed to be a leader so it's NOT okay that he made this poor decisions...so please stop pretending like we are the one who are wrong just because we expect more. Stop lowering the standard.

Alvin Thomas said...

I just heard Jamal Harrison Bryant on April 26, 2010 at Second Ebenezer Church in Detroit for the first time. I was so disgusted with his handling of the Word of God and was surprised that 10,000 people were screaming, yelling, and encouraging this deceiver from their venerable pulpit. I realized that the 'anointing' in this church was equated to their loud, sharp voices, both of Bryant and of their Pastor, Edgar Vann, of their phenomenal choir, and the quality of their musicians. I took issue with Bryant because 1. he made mention of his infidelity but made no mention of his repentance. Instead, he justified it stating that God was someone who gave people second chances and was not looking for perfect people. 2. I was irritated with his lack of exposition from I Samuel 8 and instead, encouraged people to lose their 2 donkeys, spouses, children, jobs, homes, etc. for the anointing which would make them kings. 3. He spent most, if not all of his speaking time with personal application of the text, stating that God would send them an answer to prayer and deliver them within seven days. I do not consider this man someone who can speak for God nor an astute student of the Word of God. Supposedly, he did have some theological training but I'd probably recommend people to stay away from the schools that he learned from since his preaching totally puts to shame the rigors needed to study and expose Scripture.