History of Paula White in Timeline
Paula White-Cain is an American televangelist and a key figure in the Independent Charismatic movement. She is known for her advocacy of prosperity theology, a controversial belief that financial blessing and success are God's will for devout Christians. White gained prominence through her television ministry and has served as a religious advisor to prominent political figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump. She has faced scrutiny regarding her finances and theological stances, sparking debate and criticism within and outside the Christian community.
April 20, 1966: Paula White's Birth
On April 20, 1966, Paula Michelle White-Cain (née Furr) was born. She is an American televangelist and proponent of prosperity theology.
1984: Conversion to Christianity
In 1984, while living in Maryland, Paula White converted to Christianity at the Damascus Church of God.
1985: Marriage to Dean Knight
In 1985, Paula White married local musician Dean Knight, after becoming pregnant the year after converting to Christianity.
1987: Met Randy White
In 1987, Paula White met associate pastor Randy White at Damascus Church of God in Maryland, which was headed by his father.
1989: Divorced spouses
In 1989, Paula White and Randy White divorced their spouses.
1989: Divorce from Dean Knight
In 1989, Paula White divorced Dean Knight.
1991: Co-founding Without Walls International Church
In 1991, Paula White co-founded Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Florida, with her then-husband Randy White.
1991: Founding of Tampa Christian Center
In 1991, Paula and Randy White founded the Tampa Christian Center in Tampa, Florida.
1998: Relocation and Renaming of the Church
In 1998, the Tampa Christian Center secured property on North Grady Avenue, changed its name to Without Walls International Church, after moving locations three times since 1991.
1999: Attendance at Without Walls International Church
In 1999, Without Walls International Church reported 5,000 attendees a week, while holding services in an outdoor tent.
2000: Speaking at Woman Thou Art Loosed 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: Contacted by Donald Trump
In 2002, Donald Trump first contacted Paula White by telephone after watching her television show, beginning their relationship.
2002: Expansion with Carpenter's Home Church Location
In 2002, Without Walls International Church expanded by purchasing the defunct Carpenter's Home Church location in Lakeland, Florida, reporting 14,000 members and 200 ministries.
2003: Personal Pastor to Darryl Strawberry
In 2003, after Darryl Strawberry completed a prison sentence, Paula White became his personal pastor.
2004: Participation in MegaFest
In 2004, Paula White participated in the MegaFest hosted by T.D. Jakes in Atlanta.
2004: Peak Congregation Size
In 2004, Without Walls International Church reported a congregation of 20,000, becoming the largest in the area and seventh-largest in the US.
2005: Participation in MegaFest
In 2005, Paula White participated in the MegaFest hosted by T.D. Jakes in Atlanta.
2005: Purchase and Renaming 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, as Tyra Banks' personal life coach.
2006: Paula White Today on Nine Television Networks
By 2006, Paula White's show "Paula White Today" appeared on nine television networks, including Trinity Broadcast Network, Daystar, and Black Entertainment Television.
2006: Senate Committee Investigation
From 2004 to 2006, Without Walls received $150 million. In 2006, a United States Senate committee made public an audit that revealed tax-exempt ministry funds were used for the couple's personal expenses, which included a waterfront mansion, family salaries, and a private jet.
August 23, 2007: Divorce from Randy White Announced
On August 23, 2007, Randy White announced that he and Paula White were divorcing. According to The Christian Post, Paula White stated that the divorce was amicable, and they remain friends.
2007: Senate Finance Committee investigation begins
In 2007, Paula White's ministry Without Walls International Church became subject of a Senate Finance Committee investigation.
2008: Participation in MegaFest
In 2008, Paula White participated in the MegaFest hosted by T.D. Jakes in Atlanta.
2008: Properties Put Up For Sale
In 2008, three years after purchasing the Lakeland property, Without Walls International put both locations up for sale due to financial difficulties and foreclosure proceedings began.
July 12, 2009: Becoming Senior Pastor of Co-Founded Church
On July 12, 2009, Paula White became the senior pastor of the church she co-founded, replacing her former husband, Randy White.
2009: Riva Tims' Lawsuit Dropped
In 2009, Riva Tims dropped the lawsuit she filed against the board of directors, citing a hold harmless clause in her 2009 marital settlement agreement.
2009: Settlement with Credit Union
In 2009, selling two parcels of land to the city of Lakeland allowed Without Walls International Church for a settlement with the Evangelical Christian Credit Union, modifying the mortgage through 2013.
2010: Photographed with Benny Hinn
In 2010, Paula White was photographed leaving a motel in Rome holding hands with televangelist Benny Hinn. Both acknowledged a friendship but denied an affair, stating that 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, after the resignation of Scott Thomas.
August 2011: Search for Replacement After Zachery Tims' Death
In August 2011, New Destiny Christian Center began searching for a replacement after the death of Zachery Tims.
August 2011: Services Ceased at Lakeland Location
In August 2011, services ceased at the Without Walls Central Church in Lakeland after electricity was disconnected due to unpaid bills exceeding $50,000.
November 2011: Lakeland Property on the Verge of Being Sold or Foreclosed
In November 2011, while Paula White was still senior pastor, Randy White stated that the Lakeland property of Without Walls International Church was on the verge of being sold or going into foreclosure.
2011: Senate Report Issued
In 2011, Chuck Grassley issued a report outlining the committee's findings regarding Without Walls International Church, but took no further action.
2011: Senate Finance Committee investigation ends
In 2011, the Senate Finance Committee investigation on Without Walls International Church ended inconclusively, after investigating financial improprieties, including the use of ministry funds to pay for a waterfront mansion and a private jet. No additional action was taken.
December 31, 2011: Appointment as Senior Pastor of New Destiny Christian Church
On December 31, 2011, the New Destiny Christian Church board announced the appointment of Paula White as the new senior pastor, succeeding Zachery Tims.
January 1, 2012: Senior Pastor of New Destiny Christian Center
On January 1, 2012, Paula White became the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center.
June 20, 2012: Randy White Resumes Leadership
On June 20, 2012, Paula White's ex-husband, Randy White, resumed leadership of the Tampa location of Without Walls International Church.
October 2012: Tampa Property Under Foreclosure Proceedings
By October 2012, the Tampa property of Without Walls International Church was under foreclosure proceedings by the Evangelical Christian Credit Union, after failing to pay loans. A counterclaim alleged that White stole $600,000 in audio-visual equipment.
2012: Senior Pastor for New Destiny Christian Center
In 2012, Paula White became senior pastor for New Destiny Christian Center (later renamed City of Destiny).
2012: Became an Apostolic Leader
Since at least 2012, Paula White has been an "apostolic leader" in Independent Charismatic Christianity.
2013: Mortgage Modified
In 2009, the mortgage with Evangelical Christian Credit Union was modified through 2013.
March 4, 2014: Without Walls Files for Bankruptcy
On March 4, 2014, Without Walls International Church filed for Chapter 11 federal bankruptcy protection, while Paula White was senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center. White claimed she had no involvement.
September 2014: Use of Canada Dry Warehouse as Main Sanctuary
Until September 2014, Without Walls International Church used a remodeled Canada Dry warehouse at 3860 West Columbus Drive as its main sanctuary after purchasing the adjacent property.
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, whom he had seen during his marriage.
2014: Senior Pastor of New Destiny Christian Center
In 2014, Paula White became the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Florida.
April 27, 2015: Married Jonathan Cain
On April 27, 2015, Paula White married Jonathan Cain, becoming stepmother to his children.
2015: Black Pastors Call for Trump Apology
In 2015, Black pastors called for then-presidential candidate Trump to apologize for unfair treatment of the African American community.
June 2016: Service as Trump's Spiritual Advisor
From June 2016, Paula White served as one of Donald Trump's spiritual advisors.
June 2016: Credited for Trump's Conversion
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 chaired the evangelical advisory board for Donald Trump's campaign.
January 20, 2017: 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: Support of Jerusalem Recognition
In 2017, Paula White enthusiastically supported Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
July 2018: Criticism of Immigration Advocates
In a July 2018 interview, Paula White criticized immigration advocates who cited Jesus migrating to Egypt, stating it was not illegal, resulting in William Barber II calling her a "Christian nationalist."
May 5, 2019: Stepping Down as Senior Pastor
On May 5, 2019, Paula White announced she was stepping down as senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center, with her son and his wife succeeding her. She also announced plans to start 3,000 churches and a university.
May 2019: Stepping Down as Senior Pastor
In May 2019, Paula White stepped down as senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Florida.
November 2019: Appointment as Special Advisor
In November 2019, Paula White was appointed by Donald Trump as special advisor to the Faith and Opportunity Initiative at the Office of Public Liaison.
2019: Embracing Trump's Immigration Policy
In 2019, Paula White embraced Donald Trump's immigration policy, including the detention of immigrant children, claiming conditions were not inhumane.
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: Appointment 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: Criticism for praying for miscarriage of "Satanic pregnancies"
In January 2020, Paula White was criticized for a sermon in which she prayed for the miscarriage of "all Satanic pregnancies." She later stated that the comment was a metaphor, referencing Ephesians 6. André Gagné defended her words as being misinterpreted in the context of her spiritual warfare prayer.
February 27, 2020: Prayer with President Trump
On February 27, 2020, Paula White initiated prayer with President Trump at the African American History Month Reception in the Cabinet Room, leading black leaders to lay hands on him.
March 2020: Solicitation of Donations During COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Paula White solicited donations, citing Psalm 91, and clarified that the funds would not be directed to victims of the disease.
April 9, 2020: Withdrawal from Arizona Event
On April 9, 2020, Paula White withdrew from a fundraiser in Arizona after promising "supernatural protection" at the event, following widespread criticism.
June 2020: Supports Trump Reelection Campaign
In June 2020, Paula White supported Donald Trump in his 2020 reelection campaign, delivering a prayer at his campaign launch event. She warned that Christians who don't support President Trump will have to answer to God.
November 4, 2020: Prayer service for Trump
On November 4, 2020, after election results showed Trump losing to Joe Biden, Paula White led a prayer service streamed via Facebook Live. She spoke in tongues and called on "angelic reinforcement" from "angels" from Africa and South America to secure Trump's reelection, as well as "an abundance of rain".
2020: Opening Remarks for National Day of Prayer
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 on the Korean Peninsula"
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".
2024: Ownership of Condo in Trump Tower
In 2024, Paula White mentioned she had owned a condo in Trump Tower in New York for 20 years.
February 6, 2025: Appointment to White House Faith Office
On February 6, 2025, shortly after his re-inauguration, Trump announced the creation of a White House Faith Office, with Paula White as its leader. This appointment has drawn criticism from Christian leaders due to her qualifications, past marriages and alleged scandals, and accusations regarding her teachings.
February 7, 2025: Creation of the White House Faith Office
On February 7, 2025, Donald Trump announced the creation of the White House Faith Office, to be led by Paula White.
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