History of Paula White in Timeline

Paula White-Cain is a prominent American televangelist and key figure within the Independent Charismatic movement. She is known for her apostolic leadership and her advocacy of prosperity theology, a doctrine that teaches financial blessing is a result of faith and obedience to God. White has gained significant influence and notoriety through her television ministry and her role as a religious advisor to political figures.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

April 20, 1966: Paula White's Birth

On April 20, 1966, Paula Michelle White-Cain, née Furr, was born. She is an American televangelist, apostolic leader, and proponent of prosperity theology.

Others born on this day/year

1984: Converted to Christianity

In 1984, while living in Maryland, Paula White converted to Christianity at the Damascus Church of God and claimed to have received a vision from God shortly after.

1985: Marriage to Dean Knight

In 1985, Paula White married Dean Knight, a local musician, after becoming pregnant a year after converting to Christianity.

1987: Meeting Randy White

In 1987, Paula White met Randy White, an associate pastor, at Damascus Church of God in Maryland.

1989: Divorce from spouses

In 1989, Paula White and Randy White both divorced their spouses.

1991: Co-founded Without Walls International Church

In 1991, Paula White co-founded Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Florida, with her then-husband Randy White.

1991: Founded Tampa Christian Center

In 1991, Paula and Randy White founded the Tampa Christian Center in Tampa, Florida.

1998: Church Name Changed

In 1998, the Tampa Christian Center secured property and changed its name to Without Walls International Church.

1999: Church Attendance Reported

In 1999, while the Without Walls International Church held services in an outdoor tent, it reported 5,000 attendees a week and 10,000 ministered to outside the church.

2000: Invited to Speak at Conference

In 2000, T. D. Jakes invited Paula White to speak at his "Woman Thou Art Loosed" conference.

December 2001: First Broadcast of Paula White Today

In December 2001, Paula White recorded the first broadcast of Paula White Today.

2002: First Contacted by Donald Trump

In 2002, Donald Trump first contacted Paula White by telephone after watching her television show.

2002: Without Walls International Church Expanded

In 2002, Without Walls International Church expanded by purchasing the defunct Carpenter's Home Church location in Lakeland, Florida.

2003: Personal Pastor to Darryl Strawberry

In 2003, after Darryl Strawberry completed a prison sentence, Paula White became his personal pastor.

2004: Participated in Mega Fest

In 2004, Paula White participated in the Mega Fest, hosted by T. D. Jakes in Atlanta.

2004: Reported Congregation Size

In 2004, Without Walls International Church reported a congregation of 20,000, becoming the largest in the area and the seventh-largest in the United States.

2005: Participated in Mega Fest

In 2005, Paula White participated in the Mega Fest, hosted by T. D. Jakes in Atlanta.

2005: Purchase of Carpenter's Home Church

In 2005, Without Walls International Church purchased Carpenter's Home Church for $8 million and renamed it Without Walls Central Church.

October 4, 2006: Appearance on The Tyra Banks Show

On October 4, 2006, Paula White appeared on The Tyra Banks Show in an episode about promiscuity.

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2006: Paula White Today on Multiple Networks

By 2006, Paula White's show, Paula White Today, appeared on nine television networks.

2006: Senate Investigation

From 2004 to 2006, Without Walls received $150 million and ministry funds were spent to pay for the couple's waterfront mansion and a private jet.

August 23, 2007: Randy White announces divorce

On August 23, 2007, Randy White announced that he and Paula White were divorcing. According to reports, the divorce was amicable, and they remained friends.

2007: Senate Finance Committee investigation begins

In 2007, the Senate Finance Committee began an investigation into Paula White's ministry, Without Walls International Church, regarding financial improprieties that could have affected the religious organization's tax-exempt status.

2008: Participated in Mega Fest

In 2008, Paula White participated in the Mega Fest, hosted by T. D. Jakes in Atlanta.

2008: Properties Put Up for Sale

In 2008, Without Walls International put both Lakeland and Tampa locations up for sale due to financial difficulties.

July 12, 2009: Became Senior Pastor

On July 12, 2009, Paula White became the senior pastor of Without Walls International Church, replacing her former husband, Randy White.

2009: Marital Settlement Agreement

In 2009, Zachery Tims' ex-wife Riva filed and dropped a lawsuit against the board of directors citing a hold harmless clause in her marital settlement agreement.

2009: Settlement with Credit Union

In 2009, selling land parcels to the city of Lakeland allowed for a settlement with the credit union, modifying the mortgage through 2013.

2010: Controversy with Benny Hinn

In 2010, Paula White was photographed leaving a motel in Rome holding hands with televangelist Benny Hinn, leading to controversy. Both denied an affair, though Hinn admitted that "a friendship did develop", though "the relationship is over".

January 1, 2011: Senior Pastor of Without Walls Central Church

On January 1, 2011, Paula White became the senior pastor of the Without Walls Central Church in Lakeland, Florida.

August 2011: Zachery Tims' Death

In August 2011, New Destiny Christian Center began searching for a replacement senior pastor after the death of Zachery Tims.

August 2011: Services Ceased

In August 2011, services at Without Walls Central Church ceased after the electricity was disconnected due to unpaid bills.

November 2011: Lakeland Property on Verge of Sale or Foreclosure

In November 2011, Randy White stated that the Lakeland property was on the verge of being sold or going into foreclosure while Paula White was still senior pastor.

2011: Senate Committee Findings

In 2011, Chuck Grassley issued a report outlining his committee's findings regarding Without Walls' finances but took no additional action.

2011: Senate Finance Committee investigation concludes without action

In 2011, the Senate Finance Committee investigation into Paula White's ministry, Without Walls International Church, concluded. Though the report found financial improprieties, no additional action was taken.

December 31, 2011: Appointed Senior Pastor

On December 31, 2011, Paula White was appointed to succeed Zachery Tims as the new senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Church in Apopka, Florida.

January 1, 2012: Became Senior Pastor of New Destiny Christian Center

On January 1, 2012, Paula White became senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center.

June 20, 2012: Randy White Resumed Leadership

On June 20, 2012, Paula White's ex-husband, Randy White, resumed leadership of the Tampa location.

October 2012: Tampa Property Under Foreclosure

By October 2012, the Tampa property was under foreclosure proceedings, and Without Walls International claimed that Paula White had stolen audio-visual equipment.

2012: Became Senior Pastor and Community Work Praised

In 2012, Paula White became the senior pastor for New Destiny Christian Center and her community work was praised by Apopka Mayor Joe Kilsheimer.

2012: Became an "apostolic leader"

Since at least 2012, Paula White has been an "apostolic leader" within Independent Charismatic Christianity.

2013: Mortgage Modified

In 2009, selling land parcels to the city of Lakeland allowed for a settlement with the credit union, modifying the mortgage through 2013.

March 4, 2014: Without Walls Filed for Bankruptcy

On March 4, 2014, While Paula White was the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Without Walls International Church filed for Chapter 11 federal bankruptcy protection.

September 2014: Main Sanctuary Location

Until September 2014, Without Walls International Church's main sanctuary was located at a remodeled Canada Dry warehouse.

2014: Engagement to Jonathan Cain

At the close of 2014, Jonathan Cain of the rock band Journey finalized his divorce from his second wife and became engaged to Paula White.

2014: Became Senior Pastor

In 2014, Paula White became the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Florida, a nondenominational, multicultural megachurch.

April 27, 2015: Marriage to Jonathan Cain

On April 27, 2015, Paula White married Jonathan Cain, becoming stepmother to his children.

2015: Black Pastors Called for Apology

In 2015, Black pastors called for then-presidential candidate Trump to apologize for unfair treatment of the African American community.

June 2016: Served as Trump's Spiritual Advisor

From June 2016, Paula White served as one of Donald Trump's spiritual advisors.

June 2016: Credited for Converting Trump to Christianity

In June 2016, Paula White was credited by James Dobson for having converted Donald Trump to Christianity.

2016: Chair of evangelical advisory board

In 2016, Paula White served as chair of the evangelical advisory board to Donald Trump's campaign.

January 20, 2017: Delivered Invocation at Trump's Inauguration

On January 20, 2017, Paula White delivered the invocation at Donald Trump's inauguration, becoming the first female clergy member to do so.

2017: Supported Recognition of Jerusalem

In 2017, Paula White enthusiastically supported Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

July 2018: Criticized Immigration Advocates

In a July 2018 interview, Paula White criticized immigration advocates who cited the Gospel's account of Jesus migrating to Egypt.

May 5, 2019: Announced Stepping Down as Senior Pastor

On May 5, 2019, Paula White announced that she was stepping down as senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center and that her son and his wife would become the new senior pastors.

May 2019: Stepped Down as Senior Pastor

In May 2019, Paula White stepped down as senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Florida.

November 2019: Appointed Special Advisor

In November 2019, Paula White was appointed by Donald Trump as a special advisor to the Faith and Opportunity Initiative at the Office of Public Liaison.

2019: Embraced Trump's Immigration Policy

In 2019, Paula White embraced Trump's immigration policy and claimed conditions were not inhumane. She said detained youth received "three square meals a day".

2019: Installed son as church senior leader

In 2019, Paula White installed her son, Bradley Knight, from her first marriage, as her church senior leader.

2019: Appointed to Advisory Role

In 2019, Paula White was appointed to an advisory role at the White House's Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiative.

January 2020: Controversy over "Satanic pregnancies" sermon

In January 2020, Paula White was criticized for a sermon in which she prayed for the miscarriage of "all Satanic pregnancies." She later clarified it was a metaphor referencing Ephesians 6 and the destruction of evil schemes against Christians.

February 27, 2020: Initiated Prayer with Trump

On February 27, 2020, Paula White initiated prayer with President Trump at the African American History Month Reception.

March 2020: Solicited Donations Citing Psalm 91

In March 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Paula White solicited donations, citing Psalm 91, and stating the money would not go to victims of the disease.

April 9, 2020: Withdrew from Arizona Event

After widespread criticism, Paula White withdrew from an Arizona event scheduled for April 9, 2020, for which she had promised "supernatural protection".

June 2020: Support for Trump's reelection campaign

In June 2020, Paula White supported Donald Trump in his reelection campaign, delivering a prayer at his campaign launch event. She also warned that Christians who do not support President Trump would have to answer to God.

November 4, 2020: Prayer service for Trump's reelection

On November 4, 2020, the day after the election, Paula White held a prayer service as election results showed Trump losing to Joe Biden. She spoke in tongues and called on "angelic reinforcement" from angels from Africa and South America to secure Trump's reelection. The clip went viral and White was ridiculed.

2020: Delivered Opening Remarks

In 2020, Paula White delivered the opening remarks for a National Day of Prayer ceremony.

January 6, 2021: Opening prayer at pro-Trump rally

On January 6, 2021, Paula White offered an opening prayer at the pro-Trump rally that preceded the attack on the U.S. Capitol, before Trump's speech.

December 2021: Participation in Prayer Rally for Peace

In December 2021, Paula White participated in the "Prayer Rally for Peace on the Korean Peninsula", hosted by the Unification Church's Universal Peace Federation. During the event, she called Hak Ja Han Moon, the widow of Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, "a jewel from God" and lauded "Mother Moon for her great work as a spiritual leader who loves the Lord and seeks to carry out and to comfort the heart of God in all the areas of conflict in the world."

2024: Owned Condo in Trump Tower

In 2024, Paula White said that she had owned a condo in Trump Tower in New York for 20 years.

February 6, 2025: Appointment as leader of White House Faith Office

On February 6, 2025, Trump, shortly after his re-inauguration, announced the creation of a White House Faith Office, with Paula White as its leader. The appointment has drawn criticism due to her qualifications, past, and teachings.