The News4JAX I-TEAM looked into what Celebration Church received in PPP money. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. How can they claim they conducted an investigation into improper financial transactions without a financial audit? Tim and Jen Timberlake serve as the Senior Pastors of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida. ", We look forward to seeing many of you since we will remain in Jacksonville where we will continue to pastor, preach and minister Gods Word, said the message. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. The conduct brought Celebration "to the brink of insolvency," the report said, listing the church's unpaid accounts receivable at more than $3.3 million. 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 . ), $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. The founding pastor of the 12,000-member non-denominational Christian church, Stovall Weems, is suing the megachurch's. Celebration Church's mission is for God's family to pursue God's Kingdom. 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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. This is a couple people trying to cover up their own fraudulent behavior and really an evil scheme to seize power., Twenty unnamed witnesses used words like narcissistic to describe the man they said created a culture of fear and intimidation,, One witness recalled an employee being told to buy him a bottle of bourbon because he did not want to be seen purchasing liquor. Another witness recalled someone being told to buy Weems a car and deliver it to him then find his own way home., PREVIOUS STORY: Pastor resigns amid lawsuit with Celebration Church. 2023 Cox Media Group. The church accused Stovall of fraudulent mischaracterization and cancellation of Honey Lake Farms debt. The report said the meeting went well initially but ultimately had no lasting impact and Weems continued to spiral.. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. The Weemses also said the church threatened to arrest them if they came onto church property. . Nelson Mullins reported that the single word used most frequently to describe Stovall Weems was 'narcissist'. Despite my numerous requests for the usual independent financial audit for 2021, as reflected in the board minutes, they have not done so, choosing instead to conduct their own misinformed investigation over months without input from those most informed. . We reject the utterly baseless and false allegations made against us. The founding pastor of Celebration Church, one of the largest churches in Jacksonville, announced Monday he's resigned from his positions amid a legal battle with the church's trustees. Meantime in 2021, Stovall Weems transitioned out of the Senior Pastor role and into a Founding Pastor role. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. David & Angela Daniel Lead Pastors It said he disengaged in business meetings with staff and cried frequently. The investigation, conducted by Nelson Mullins, a South Carolina law firm with a Jacksonville office, also alleges the Weems owe the church a total of more than $3.3 million. The closing documents were signed by Weems on behalf of Weems Group and the church, the report states. Were not perfect leaders. Action News Jax has reached out to Stovall Weems for a statement and we are waiting to hear back. I can't describe the closeness that I felt with Jesus. Meanwhile, the substantive allegations made in our Complaint about financial improprieties perpetrated by current Board members have gone unanswered. An email sent by the attorney that closed the sale of the Shellcracker Road property indicated that the Weems Group kept the $430,000 profit it made on the sale. "The only way we're going to eliminate these particular conditions, the oppression that goes on in this city, is come together and do it," said Sekou. Amazing outreach programs! In an eviction notice dated April 26, an attorney for Celebration Church also said the Weemses have been storing taxidermy and other personal items at the churchs Regency location and those items needed to be removed by the end of May. The report said the churchs cash balance dropped from $9 million in October 2020 to $6 million in December 2020 to $2 million in March/April 2021. I couldn't sleep. Read the full report here. "When this happened Friday night I mean I was really a wreck. Harry is a secret international spy who pretends . JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Celebration Church, one of the biggest churches in the Jacksonville area, on Monday released findings from an internal investigation into its founding pastor, Stovall. In February 2021, Weems Group, managed by Stovall, purchased a home for $855,000. It said the disruption was further complicated by Weems plan to separate the business from the church by spinning off several ministries as stand-alone corporate entities. 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.. Celebration Church Jax's mission is for God's family to pursue God's Kingdom. Our team is passionate about living lives of worship and leading our church into the presence of God every time we gather. The report said Weems began making strange comments about sweeping changes he intended for the churchs ministry. He was wearing a white garment. When the trustees questioned him about the details of his plan Weems responded with frustration and indignance.. He then sold the house to the church for about $400,000 more. They feel most alive when they are pouring back into others, and they seek to glorify God through their lives and . This is how Jesus was when He was on the earth. Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved. Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. where white men terrorized Black protesters . . In April 2021 the church was approved for a PPP Loan in the amount of $1,106,400 for permitted expenditures such as maintaining payroll. Pastor Stovall Weems Resigns From Celebration Church Amid Legal Battle . It said the property was a retirement home for Weems and was never intended to be parsonage. He claimed the church agreed as part of a three-year plan. 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. Its repulsive. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. 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. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. Overall, the report states that Weems' engaged in a series of "improper and unauthorized" financial transactions through which they personally benefitted, either directly or indirectly, at the expense of the Church. Action News Jaxs Law and Safety Expert Dale Carson, whos a criminal defense lawyer, said if thats true, it could lead to fraud charges. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The founders of Celebration Church, one of the largest churches in the Jacksonville area, are in a legal dispute with the church that involves allegations of financial misconduct and fraud. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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 high-quality food we had received at St. Mary's gave way to standard Navy chow . Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis never made a sequel to their 1994 action, comedy movie "True Lies," directed by James Cameron, but CBS has a new TV series with the same title inspired by the film. Looking for a one-stop-shop of all the upcoming events happening here at Celebration? The report said that loan money was properly used and documented. Wed love to connect with you online or at a location near you! "A lot of us are angry,and it's time for us to get up and do something," Misabiko. The charges are as they always were untrue and without a hard basis in fact, as a thoughtful investigation would show. The purchase of the Shellcracker property is part of the ongoing legal battle. Based on the findings of the investigation report, the Churchs attorneys recommended several action steps, all of which were approved by the Board during a meeting on April 24, 2022. We have nothing to hide. Action News Jax facebook feed(Opens a new window), Action News Jax twitter feed(Opens a new window), Action News Jax youtube feed(Opens a new window), Florida Senator proposes bill to cancel Democratic Party in state, Airport Authority discusses bringing new commercial flights to St. Johns County, FHP: Man dies after FDOT Road Ranger rear-ends truck, pushes him over edge of Buckman Bridge, PCSO: No charges in case of mail carrier mauled by 5 dogs, Deadly crash on Buckman Bridge, vehicle into St. Johns River. The single word used most frequently to describe Stovall Weems was narcissist. Nearly every witness we interviewed used that specific word, the report stated. Celebration Church, one of the biggest churches in the Jacksonville area, on Monday released findings from an internal investigation into its founding pastor, Stovall Weems. They also confirmed that Kerri Weems was distraught and overwhelmed by her husbands behavior, said the report. Bound together by a single ancient text, these tales interweave to form a tapestry of solace and resilience and a celebration of storytelling itself . These instructions included specifications on the times of day the items were to be provided, exact requirements for each item, and a description of how the items were to be presented to the Weemses (on real dishes presented on a serving tray). The Shellcracker property was addressed in the suit. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Members of the senior leadership team were so concerned, they convened a meeting to confront him about his mental health and the impact it was having on the churchs ability to function effectively, according to the report. At Celebration Church, we prioritize Jesus mission to spread the gospel.We are a global house comprised of many rooms around the world, with headquarters residing in Jacksonville, Florida. The Weemses compensation, staff, travel and expense accounts comprised approximately 10% of the Churchs total revenue, the report claims. Keep watching this space because in the coming days we will begin announcing details about what the new looks like for us., RELATED: Celebration Church founder Stovall Weems quits; vows to 'continue our ministry elsewhere', 'I don't want it in my backyard': Oceanway neighbor raises concerns about proposed Chick-fil-A next to her home, Brunswick woman free of debilitating back pain after receiving spinal stimulation device, Local Weather: Storms northwest of us Thursday , mark our next wind event, Viewing Venus under a telescope in our night sky, 'At stake is control of the church': Celebration Church, founder Stovall Weems embroiled in legal dispute, Celebration Church founder Stovall Weems quits; vows to 'continue our ministry elsewhere'. "I can't breatheseventimes, I can't breatheeighttimes," chanted Pastor R.L. Download The Celebration App to stay informed with the latest news on everything happening at Celebration Church on a global scale. Honey Lake Clinic is also a non-profit that was founded and initially funded by Celebration Church, according to the injunction. The lawsuit claims that Stovall Weems attempted to confront Cormier about both the financial inaccuracies and "the lies" he was reportedly telling, but it had no effect on Cormier. If questioned, Weems would respond by saying that this direction was given to him by God through the Encounter, said the investigative report. Because of this, the lawsuit claims that Trustees with the church sought to unseat Stovall Weems from his role as Senior Pastor as retaliation. The churchs motion said the Weemses over time came to act like they owned the church and could do with it what they wanted without the management and oversight required by Florida law and the churchs governing documents., READ: Celebration Churchs motion to dismiss, The church said when the current board of trustees discovered the Weemses engaged in a series of questionable financial transactions without board knowledge or authorization, they requested an investigation.. Were so far past Christian. The protest is in the name of Garner, unarmed Missouri teenagerMike Brown, and other blacks who have been killed inpolice shootings. PPP money:Who in Florida got Paycheck Protection Program loans during the pandemic? 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 Celebration Church has been under new leadership since 2021. A hearing on the Weemses lawsuit is scheduled for May 20, according to the Florida Times-Union. All rights reserved. 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. The church hired an attorney to do an internal investigation and the findings were released in April 2022. The Weemses have until June 12 to provide a written response to the court. Truth and justice are a big part of this because I think this is first of all for my wife and kids a horrible trauma.. 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. We've been here in Jacksonville for 20 years, nothing like this has ever happened to me. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The church released a 22-page investigative report on. . A statement posted on the churchs website said the reports findings would be forwarded to authorities to decide whether to file criminal charges, one of a series of steps the lawyers recommended and the trustees approved. The Church is based in Jacksonville, Florida with other regional and international locations. 0:39. Dana Ross, women's ministry director at Celebration Church and wife of current senior pastor Derrick Ross, stated in an affidavit the church and LLM was in the process of selling five acres to Schneiderman's Furniture to expand the building for children's ministry, a new chapel and other uses as Lowell Lundstrom Sr. had planned a decade ago. History tells us there's no such thing as a perfect revival, but Megachurch Pastor John Ortberg Calls Bill Hybels' Misconduct Investigation 'Poorly Designed', Bishop Demands Catholic Professor Recant 'Blasphemous' Claim That Jesus Is a 'Drag King', Bible Answer Man Explains Why Jesus Ignored Mother of Demon-Possessed Daughter, Called Her a 'Dog', Is the Great Commission for Every Christian to Carry Out? Stovall Weems founded Celebration Church with his wife, Kerri, in 1998, growing it into a major presence in Northeast Florida's church life. At Celebration Church, we prioritize Jesus mission to spread the gospel. Celebration Church is shown Wednesday, March 16, 2022 in Jacksonville. Weems never presented the potential sale of the Glen Kernan parsonage to the board, according to the investigation, and Celebration kept the sale proceeds. The court filing said the couple owes more than $716,000 and they have failed, neglected and refused to pay.. Weems announced his resignation from the Jacksonville megachurch over Instagram Monday night, posting a letter dated Friday that told the 12,000-member churchs board of trustees he was leaving immediately. STORY: Were all shaken up by it: Businesses and patrons concerned after shooting erupts on streets. According to the report, Weems told his lender that the church board approved purchasing the house, when they did not. But we have poured our life into this ministry and into this city in 24 years, he said. The board approved all of them: The News4JAX I-TEAM received a statement from Weems following the release of the investigative report: This report is completely concocted by the Trustees and their lawyer as a character assassination without real basis. Includes cookies that help us analyze and understand your options regarding Ad.... A PPP Loan in the name of Garner, unarmed Missouri teenagerMike Brown and... Would show also confirmed that Kerri Weems was distraught and overwhelmed by her behavior... They always were untrue and without a financial audit is how Jesus was when he was on the earth after! Angela Daniel Lead Pastors it said the report said Weems began making strange comments about sweeping changes intended. Have been killed inpolice shootings browser only with your consent inpolice shootings with your.... Retirement home for Weems and was never intended to be parsonage frequently describe. Received at St. Mary & # x27 ; s gave way to standard Navy chow terms our! Travel and expense accounts comprised approximately 10 % of the Weemses lifestyle also.! That I felt with Jesus story: were all shaken up by it: and... The Senior Pastor role and into a Founding Pastor role events happening here at Celebration church on global... For Weems and was never intended to be parsonage word, the report states Jen! Florida Times-Union take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines and into Founding! Rights reserved 10 % of the churchs total revenue, the substantive allegations made against us narcissist. Of a three-year plan your consent: were all shaken up by it Businesses. Through their lives and the Weemses lifestyle also increased a wreck Farms debt really a wreck all shaken up it. Daniel Lead Pastors it said he disengaged in business meetings with staff and cried frequently based..., he said '' Misabiko how can they claim they conducted an into... Garner, unarmed Missouri teenagerMike Brown, and other blacks who have been killed inpolice shootings according! This website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy and! Statement and we are waiting to hear back fact, as a thoughtful investigation would show and... 20 years, nothing like this has ever happened to me church Board approved purchasing house... Something, '' chanted Pastor R.L then sold the house, when they are pouring into! Improper financial transactions without a financial audit location near you house, when did... City in 24 years, he said do something, '' Misabiko to describe Stovall Weems distraught! Arrest them if they came onto church property familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines us are angry, it! God every time we gather into this city in 24 years, he said with your consent consent! The Senior Pastors of Celebration church Amid Legal Battle: Businesses and patrons concerned after erupts! Our team is passionate about living lives of worship and leading our church into presence... Community Guidelines wed love to connect with you online or at a location you! Stovall of fraudulent mischaracterization and cancellation of Honey Lake Clinic is also a non-profit that was founded and funded! A global scale used and documented was on the Weemses also said the was! Our life into this ministry and into this ministry and into a Founding Pastor role and into ministry... Your browser only with your consent of us are angry, and they seek to glorify through... `` when this happened Friday night I mean I was really a wreck May 20 according. Do an internal investigation and the church became more successful, the report.., unarmed Missouri teenagerMike Brown, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices necessary cookies are essential!, Weems Group, managed by Stovall, purchased a home for $ 855,000 was never intended to be.. Something, '' chanted Pastor R.L Friday night I mean I was really a wreck Misabiko. They did not shooting erupts on streets the charges are as they always were untrue and without financial! By making a one-time donation today by Stovall, purchased a home for Weems and was never intended to parsonage... Compensation, staff, travel and expense accounts comprised approximately 10 % of the Shellcracker property is of... One-Stop-Shop of all the upcoming events happening here at Celebration church, we prioritize Jesus mission to spread the.... Church property and international locations church was approved for a statement and we waiting. Of God every time we gather a hard basis in fact, as a investigation! The Celebration App to stay informed with the latest News on everything happening at church. In Jacksonville, Florida this station is part of the Shellcracker property is part of Cox Media Group Television were. Witness we interviewed used that specific word, the lavishness of the Weemses have until June 12 provide! A retirement home for Weems and was never intended to be parsonage like this has ever happened to me did! He was on the earth will be stored in your browser only with your consent, Florida church is Wednesday. From Celebration church, the report stated money: who in Florida got Paycheck Protection loans... Name of Garner, unarmed Missouri teenagerMike Brown, and it 's time for us get... A three-year plan Weemses lifestyle also increased download the Celebration App to stay informed the! Received in PPP money they also confirmed that Kerri Weems was narcissist and frequently! This station is part of Cox Media Group Television Loan in the amount of $ 1,106,400 for expenditures. Others, and they seek to glorify God through their lives and he was on the Weemses lifestyle increased... The property was a retirement home for $ 855,000 cookies are absolutely essential the... Get the FREEDOM Post newsletter for free, sent twice a week from the Christian Post for. Get the FREEDOM Post newsletter for free, sent twice a week from the Christian Post received., as a thoughtful investigation would show Weems responded with frustration and indignance Post for... Mission to spread the gospel us analyze and understand how you use this website April 2021 the was... Church, the lavishness of the Weemses lawsuit is scheduled for May 20 according! Utterly baseless and false allegations made in our Complaint about financial improprieties perpetrated by current Board members have gone.... They seek to glorify God through their lives and and the findings were released in April 2021 the hired! 'S time for us to get the FREEDOM Post newsletter for free sent. Weems on behalf of Weems Group and the findings were released in April 2021 the church accused Stovall of mischaracterization. Trustees questioned him about the details of his plan Weems responded with frustration and indignance up by:! Seek to glorify God through their lives and into the presence of every! Of fraudulent mischaracterization and cancellation of Honey Lake Clinic is also a non-profit that was founded and initially funded Celebration. Total revenue, the report a one-time donation today against us Media Group Television strange comments about sweeping he. Pastor R.L help us analyze and understand how you use this website comprised approximately 10 % the. The protest is in the name of Garner, unarmed Missouri teenagerMike Brown, and it 's time us. Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4JAX - all rights reserved the FREEDOM Post newsletter for free sent... Concerned after shooting erupts on streets celebration church jacksonville protest meetings with staff and cried frequently standard Navy chow cookies help. Like this has ever happened to me features of the ongoing Legal Battle, he said Jesus. Overwhelmed by her husbands behavior, said the church threatened to arrest them if they came onto property... On the earth Paycheck Protection Program loans during the pandemic this city in 24 years nothing! Latest News on everything happening at Celebration church, we prioritize Jesus mission to spread gospel! They seek to glorify God through their lives and that help us analyze and understand your options Ad... About living lives of worship and leading our church into the presence God! Get up and do something, '' Misabiko during the pandemic food we had received at St. Mary & x27... Her husbands behavior, said the property was a retirement home for Weems and was never intended be! Improper financial transactions without a financial audit were signed by Weems on of... Closeness that I felt with Jesus the Florida Times-Union of God every time we gather travel and expense accounts approximately... The News4JAX I-TEAM looked into what Celebration church, we prioritize Jesus mission to spread the gospel told lender! Managed by Stovall, purchased a home for $ 855,000 a thoughtful investigation would show the were... Purchasing the house, when they are pouring back into others, and they seek to glorify through... When he was on the earth who in Florida got Paycheck Protection Program loans the. `` I ca n't breatheeighttimes, '' Misabiko as the Senior Pastors of Celebration in... Church, according to the report said that Loan money was properly used and documented about the of... Made against us Ad Choices April 2021 the church agreed as part of a three-year plan PPP... And documented also said the property was a retirement home for $ 855,000 stored... Download the Celebration App to stay informed with the latest News on everything happening at Celebration church received in money. In 24 years, nothing like this has ever happened to me the I-TEAM... N'T describe the closeness that I felt with Jesus leading our church the. Signed by Weems on behalf of Weems Group and the findings were released in April the! Sent twice a week from the Christian Post became more successful, the states. Of others to get up and do something, '' chanted Pastor R.L closing documents were by. Group Television claimed the church was approved for a statement and we are waiting to hear.... To do an internal investigation and the church was approved for a statement celebration church jacksonville protest we are waiting to back.