Randy White (pastor)

{{Short description|American pastor (born 1958)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Randy White
| image = Randy_White_Activist_and_Pastor_Tampa,_FL.jpg
| caption = Bayshore Blvd Tampa, FL
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|1|11}}
| birth_place = [[Frederick, Maryland]], U.S.
| occupation = Pastor
| spouse = {{Plainlist|
*{{Marriage|Debra Ellis|1970s|1989|end=divorce}}
*{{Marriage|[[Paula White|Paula Michelle Furr]]|1990|2007|end=divorce}}
}}
| children = 3
| signature = 
| website = [http://therandywhite.com The Randy White]
| footnotes = 
}}
'''Randy Alan White''' (born January 11, 1958) is an American pastor and proponent of [[prosperity theology]]. He is the co-founder of Without Walls International Church, a large, non-denominational church in [[Florida]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/randy-white-returns-tells-without-walls-forget-the-past.html|title=Randy White Returns; Tells Without Walls 'Forget the Past'|first1=Lillian|last1=Kwon|first2=Christian Post|last2=Reporter|website=The Christian Post}}</ref>

==Without Walls International Church==
Without Walls International Church was founded by Randy White and Paula White in 1991.<ref name="auto"/>

From 1991 to 1998, the church changed locations three times until they secured the property located at 2511 North Grady Avenue in [[Tampa, Florida]].<ref name="holymav">{{cite book |last1= Lee |first1= Shayne |first2= Phillip Luke|last2= Sinitiere |title= Holy Mavericks |publisher= New York University Press |year= 2009 |isbn= 978-0-8147-5235-7 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=OC__qJdUgeMC&q=holy%20mavericks&pg=PA107 | pages= 107–128}}</ref> While the church was holding services in an outdoor tent in 1999, they reported 5,000 attendees a week and 10,000 ministered to outside of the church with 230 outreach ministries.<ref name="eagle1">{{cite news|author=John W. Smith|title=A church without a building|newspaper=[[Reading Eagle]] |date=1999-09-24 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rSIyAAAAIBAJ&dq=paula-white&pg=2306%2C5742710|access-date=2011-04-15}}</ref>

In 2002, Without Walls International Church began to expand to its second location in [[Lakeland, Florida]]. At this time, the church reported 14,000 members and 200 ministries including job training, evangelism among public housing projects and a teen club. On August 3, 2002, Without Walls International Church began to hold Saturday night services at [[Carpenter's Home Church]] in Lakeland renting the property.<ref name="ledger1">{{cite news|author=Cary McMullen|title=Without Walls Pastor Discusses Arrangement With Carpenter's Church|newspaper=[[The Ledger]] |date=2002-07-27 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jzYxAAAAIBAJ&dq=paula-white&pg=3720%2C4243357|access-date=2011-04-15}}</ref><ref name="ledger2">{{cite news|author=Cary McMullen|title=Local Church To Share Chapel|newspaper=[[The Ledger]] |date=2002-07-17 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B78wAAAAIBAJ&dq=paula-white&pg=5352%2C4667090|access-date=2011-04-15}}</ref> Carpenter's Home Church would later on be purchased by Without Walls International Church in 2005 for $8 million renaming the church to [[Without Walls Central Church]].<ref name=ledger3>{{cite news|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20101210/NEWS/101219966 |title=Former Without Walls pastor starts foundation in daughter's name |date=2010-12-10 |access-date=2011-04-15 |author=Cary McMullen |newspaper=[[The Ledger]]}}</ref>

In 2004, Without Walls International Church reported a congregation of 20,000 as the largest congregation in the area making the church the seventh largest church in the United States.<ref name="spt2">{{Cite web|author=Sharon Tubbs|title=Selling God to the masses|publisher=[[St.Petersburg Times]] |date=2004-06-17 |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2004/06/17/Floridian/Selling_God_to_the_ma.shtml|access-date=2011-04-15}}</ref> In 2008, it put its 4,500–seat Tampa church up for sale, along with its {{convert|13.3|acre|ha|0|adj=on}} grounds and {{convert|94000|sqft|m2|0|adj=on}} offices and television studio, asking $30 million.<ref>{{cite news |author=Michelle Beardon and Baird Helgeson |title=Without Walls wants to sell its sanctuary |date=2008-03-04 |newspaper=[[The Tampa Tribune]] |url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/mar/04/tampas-without-walls-church-sale/ |access-date=2008-04-22 }}</ref>

On July 12, 2009, White resigned as pastor and bishop of Without Walls International Church, and Paula White, his ex-wife, was named the successor. Randy White said he was stepping down as pastor because of health and would still remain connected with the church in a different position.<ref name=christianpost1>{{cite news|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/paula-white-returns-to-lead-ailing-megachurch-39668/ |title=Paula White Returns to Lead Ailing Megachurch |date=2009-07-12 |access-date=2011-04-08 |author=Eric Young |newspaper=[[The Christian Post]]}}</ref><ref name=spt3>{{cite news|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1038599.ece |title=Former Without Walls pastor starts foundation in daughter's name |date=2009-09-25 |access-date=2011-04-15 |author=Amy Scherzer |newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]}}</ref> Randy White returned to the staff of Without Walls in July 2012.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/religion/without-walls-says-it-has-settled-debts-and-is-moving-to-a-new-tampa/2192500/|title=Without Walls says it has settled debts and is moving to new Tampa location|website=Tampa Bay Times}}</ref>

In 2011, Without Walls Central Church was vacated due to debts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/paula-white-abandoned-without-walls-a-wreck-like-spiritual-life-radio-host-says.html|title=Paula White's Without Walls Central Church Left Abandoned?|first1=Luiza|last1=Oleszczuk|first2=Christian Post|last2=Reporter|website=The Christian Post}}</ref> In 2014, the United States Bankruptcy Court required a sale of properties;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.charismanews.com/us/44511-randy-white-s-church-aims-to-turn-bankruptcy-into-blessing|title=Randy White's Church Aims to Turn Bankruptcy Into Blessing|last=Andrews|first=Mark|website=Charisma News|language=en|access-date=2020-02-28}}</ref> the following year, the church building was purchased and demolished by developers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theledger.com/news/20150307/a-vanishing-mega-church--in-north-lakeland|title=A Vanishing Mega Church in North Lakeland}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charismamag.com/blogs/the-strang-report/22811-sad-day-a-10-000-seat-charismatic-church-building-will-be-torn-down|title=Charisma Magazine|website=Charisma Magazine|language=en|access-date=2020-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2015/2/17/lakeland_church_to_b|title=Well-known Lakeland church to be demolished|website=www.baynews9.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-28}}</ref> In August 2014, Without Walls announced that it had paid its debts and was moving to a new Tampa location.<ref name="auto1"/>

===Senate inquiry===
On November 6, 2007, [[United States Senate|United States senator]] [[Chuck Grassley]] of [[Iowa]] announced an investigation of Without Walls International Church by the [[United States Senate Committee on Finance]] along with five other ministries.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/06/cbsnews_investigates/main3462147.shtml | title=Televangelists Living Like Kings? | publisher=[[CBS News]] |date= 2007-11-06  | access-date =2007-09-17 |author=Armen Keteyian}}</ref> Grassley asked the ministries to divulge financial information.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16860611| title=Senator Probes Megachurches' Finances |author=Kathy Lohr |publisher=[[National Public Radio]] |date=2007-12-04 |access-date =2007-12-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |
url=http://media.npr.org/documents/2007/nov/grassley/white.pdf |title=Read Grassley's Letters | publisher=[[National Public Radio]] | date=2007-12-04 | access-date =2007-12-10}}</ref> When [[CBS News]] reported the story, Paula White's ministry denied any wrongdoing,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/06/cbsnews_investigates/main3462147.shtml | title=Televangelists Living Like Kings? | publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=2007-11-06 | access-date =2007-09-17}}</ref> and on March 31, 2008, the Senate Finance Committee received a joint financial report from Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries.<ref name="tbo3">{{cite news| title=Without Walls sends financial data to Senate |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/article439782.ece |newspaper=[[The Tampa Tribune]] |access-date= 2008-04-22 |author=Bill Coats |date=2008-04-01}}</ref> The [[Alliance Defense Fund]] protested the investigation and the [[National Religious Broadcasters]] said the questions Senator Grassley asked were too broad.<ref name="msnbc1"/>

On January 6, 2011, Senator Grassley concluded the investigation with no penalties and no definitive findings of wrongdoing.<ref name="msnbc1">{{Cite web| title=Televangelists escape penalty in Senate inquiry |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/40960871 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |access-date= 2011-04-08 |author=Rachel Zoll |date=2011-01-07}}</ref>

== 2018 U.S. Senate campaign ==
{{main|2018 United States Senate election in Florida}}
On March 14, 2018, White filed with the Florida Department of State to run for [[Bill Nelson]]'s seat in the [[United States Senate]] for the 2018 election, challenging the incumbent senator in the Democratic primary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dos.elections.myflorida.com/candidates/CanDetail.asp?account=70515|title=Candidate Tracking System|date=March 14, 2018|work=Florida Department of State|access-date=March 20, 2018}}</ref> He failed to qualify for the Democratic primary contest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/08/10/rick-scott-bill-nelson-florida-primary-election-2018-u-s-senate/864408002/|title=Gov. Rick Scott's lone Senate opponent is running for office in 4 other states|first=Ledyard|last=King|website=Tallahassee Democrat}}</ref>

==Personal life==
===Family===
White has been married twice; both marriages ended in divorce.

White and his first wife Debra Ellis (m. c.1970s; div. 1989) had three children. One daughter, age 30, died in 2008 from brain tumour complications. White started the Kristen Renee Foundation in her memory to advocate for the community and sue for her wrongful death.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-kristen-renee-foundation-continues-its-fight-for-frederick-md-101877858.html|title=The Kristen Renee Foundation Continues Its Fight for Frederick, Md.|last=Foundation|first=The Kristen Renee|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/environment/kristen-renee-foundation-leaders-local-residents-sue-fort-detrick-for/article_fb7d3de7-9849-5117-9d3e-dddd7f00d5bd.html|title=Kristen Renee Foundation leaders, local residents sue Fort Detrick for wrongful death and pain and suffering|last=Carignan|first=Sylvia|website=The Frederick News-Post|language=en|access-date=2020-02-28}}</ref>  Debra Cross née Ellis died of cancer in 2010.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://tampabay.com/news/tampa/2019/11/03/donald-trumps-newest-adviser-got-her-start-in-tampa-preaching-the-prosperity-gospel/|title=Donald Trump's newest adviser, Paula White, got her start in Tampa|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en|access-date=2020-02-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/archive/cancer-victim-loses-battle/article_4ae8da63-5b8f-544f-bfbb-7df67bfb814d.html|title=Cancer victim loses battle|last=Staff|first=Megan Eckstein News-Post|website=The Frederick News-Post|language=en|access-date=2020-02-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.staufferfuneralhome.com/obituary/Debra-Cross|title=Obituary for Debra 'Debbie' Jean Cross|last=P.A|first=Stauffer Funeral Homes|website=Obituary for Debra 'Debbie' Jean Cross|language=en|access-date=2020-02-27}}</ref>

White met [[Paula White|Paula Michelle White]] ([[Birth name|née]] Furr) in 1987, as an associate pastor at his father's Maryland church. They divorced their respective spouses in 1989 and married each other a year later. Shortly after, they moved to Tampa, Florida.<ref name=":0" /> He and [[Paula White]] divorced in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/tampa/2019/11/03/donald-trumps-newest-adviser-got-her-start-in-tampa-preaching-the-prosperity-gospel/|title=Donald Trump’s newest adviser, Paula White, got her start in Tampa|website=Tampa Bay Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charismanews.com/us/49449-megachurch-pastor-paula-white-weds-rocker-jonathan-cain-in-third-marriage|title=Megachurch Pastor Paula White Weds Rocker Jonathan Cain in Third Marriage|first=Jennifer|last=LeClaire|website=Charisma News}}</ref>

===DWI charge===
On March 18, 2011, Tampa police stopped White, then 53, around 11:30&nbsp;p.m. near Ashley Drive and Interstate 275. Police recorded his blood-alcohol level at 0.093 and 0.095 percent, records show. Florida law presumes a driver impaired at 0.08 percent.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tbo.com/news/ex-without-walls-pastor-randy-white-faces-dui-charge-in-tampa-209277|title=Ex-Without Walls pastor Randy White faces DUI charge in Tampa|date=2011-05-22|work=TBO.com|access-date=2017-08-12}}</ref> White went on to attend rehabilitation later in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/religion/without-walls-randy-white-talks-of-moving-forward/2235061|title=Without Walls' Randy White talks of moving forward|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en-us|access-date=2017-08-12}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://therandywhite.com The Randy White]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:White, Randy}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:American Pentecostals]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Frederick, Maryland]]
[[Category:Clergy from Tampa, Florida]]
[[Category:Florida Democrats]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2018 United States Senate elections]]