TENNESSEE
The Tennessean
[Walter F. Roche and Brandon Gee contributed to this report.]
Written by
Bob Smietana
The Tennessean
The Wednesday noon Bible study at Mt. Zion Baptist Church drew 400 worshippers this week, most of them women, almost all with a Bible in one hand and an offering envelope in the other.
They’re drawn by their beloved pastor, Bishop Joseph Walker III, whose prosperity gospel message combines Bible verses and motivational slogans.
In a few weeks, Walker will celebrate 20 years as pastor of Mt. Zion. When he arrived as a 24-year-old Vanderbilt University Divinity School graduate, the church had 175 members. Today, it claims 25,000 members and holds eight services a week in three locations.
He and his wife of two years, Dr. Stephaine Walker, a Vanderbilt neonatologist, have a new book out called Becoming a Couple of Destiny. He also doles out advice as the “Relationship Doctor” on the syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show, broadcast on 21 radio stations across the country.
But after two decades of unmitigated success, Walker is facing controversy on two fronts.
Four former parishioners have filed suit, claiming Walker and other church leaders sexually abused them.
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