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January 27th, 2009
Written by Gospel Fab
Prophetess Juanita Bynum
OH GospelFab! Fans!! Just when I thought I had seen it all, Prophetess Juanita Bynum always takes it to another level. She turned 50 recently and boy did she do it in style in a wedding dress. Seriously, I have never seen anything like this… EVER! I am not too sure if this is a trend that will catch on but it is definitely one for the books in the saga that is the tale of Prophetess Juanita Bynum. Essence Magazine released the exclusives, but it was just so interesting that I just had to bring it to you. So what do you think?? Seriously? Has she lost it? or is there some reasonable explanation?
But what Essence didn’t tell you, you know GospelFab! will… So, a wedding dress to a Birthday Party seems a bit odd, but to those who attended it made sense. Worn in costume-like fashion to further the illustrations in her sacred ceremony that was held in the beginning of her Party, the wedding dress among other things represented those things she was to reclaim from the past.
Her second ensemble, the Black skirt with the pictures of herself, also had pictures of her along with her father. The skirt was a revamped skirt made of satin that she had worn to a previous award show that was decorated by Bynum with photos of her father that had just passed away several months ago from a heart attack. A man, whom Bynum considered to be her rock through the whole ordeal. It was also to show that she now has fun in her life and it represented balance displayed through the performance of an excerpt of Hairspray by teens from an Atlanta Performing Arts School.
Bynum had to have her Wedding Dress altered after dropping two sizes since her wedding. The dress was adorned with Swarovski crystals, took nine months to make, cost $65,000 and her wedding ceremony cost $1.2 million.
When she sat down with Kenya Byrd of Essence she revealed some of the thought process behind this “new” Juanita Bynum. When asked why she wore a wedding dress to her birthday celebration she responded, “One of the greatest moments of my life was the day that I married. That day was supposed to be the defining moment of my life when I would show the world that I had stepped into my womanhood. It was always the original intention of my dress and I refused to let it not be because it was made for me. So I wore it because I felt like someone had robbed me of that right. I waited so many years to walk in it and I wanted to give the dress the honor for which it had been made. My father told me to always face your fears head-on, and since this was the dress that is connected to the incident for which the whole world remembered me, I said that if I’m going to cross over I have to go back and stand in the same place.”
When asked was it tough to wear that dress that was connected to pain, she replied, “Not at all. When I opened it up my first vision wasn’t: “This is the dress I married the wrong person in.” I touched the dress and said, “I almost forgot how beautiful this dress is.” When I stood in that dress for the second time I looked at myself in amazement because I knew the real moment that I waited for all my life had come again for me to define who I was. So that’s when God gave me my new name, Juanita Bynum, II, because I have redefined myself and been reborn.” OK did she really just change her name to Juanita Bynum, II???
SO she raised a sword in her wedding dress on her Birthday for this reason: “… I told my manager when I lifted that sword [during my birthday celebration] I had something on me and that I’m getting ready to fight for every woman I know who has low self-esteem, feels like she can’t get herself together or has been made to feel like trash. That fight is in me for real now,” stated Bynum, II.
OK, so now that I am finished holding my head on this one, tell me what you think. I honestly can doing but just pray for her on this one. I understand the emotion behind it and at the same time look at this cock-eyed and head tilted wondering if something is not seriously emerging out of this depression that she found herself in after her divorce that is not healthy and is being displayed in these acts. No really, I wish I knew one person who went to this party. Dag I did, but invite me next time, because this is something that I can only believe with my own eyes. To read more of the article click here. Check out the gallery for more photos from her Birthday Party.
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Prophetess Juanita Bynum
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Prophetess Juanita Bynum
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Items that were part of the sacred ceremony
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The Second Ensemble
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“I love you Daddy”
For some reason, I get the feeling she’s obsessed with relationships/marriage. I will say a prayer for her tonight. I hope people don’t turn away from Jesus by her wacky ways.
by DC Fab!
Maybe the pain of the divorce and then her father passing has pushed her to this. It’s a dress – and if the dress holds more weight than the marriage (stepping into her womanhood should have started before she married him)… all i have left is ‘wow!” just “WOW!!”
by Kelly
These are comments written to me from another site in regards to this article:
Kelly Grimes at 6:50pm January 27
Nah, [GospelFab!], something ain’t right. Maybe the pain of the divorce and then her father passing has pushed her to this. It’s a dress – and if the dress holds more weight than the marriage (stepping into her womanhood should have started before she married ole boy)… all i have left is ‘wow!” just “WOW!!”
André Bringingholinessback Harris at 7:01pm January 27
i pray she didnt legally change her name! i still ♥ that woman of GOD, seriously the LORD USED HER TO BRING ABOUT MY DELIVERANCE!….
LaTarsha Watson at 7:10pm January 27
She has not been the same since the incident with Bishop Weeks. Just a little thought he may have hit her a little to hard and she is not thinking clearly. Now I can see her wearing a nice Ball Gown to her 50th Birthday Party but not a Wedding Dress. Now the Gown with the pictures of her dad on it, lets just say I am going to leave that one alone. Phrophetes Bynum is in my prayers.
Sara R. Hendricks at 7:32pm January 27
Hey girl, I’m new to the lineup! But let me give it a shot! Speech less is what I am. I understand parts of what she is saying but, I thought the wedding dress was a little out of place. The thing about Dr. Bynum, who I love and who no doubt is a woman of God, but the thing about her is that parts of her have become too theatrical. The realness of her has somewhat faded. The more she tries to expose herself the more unauthentic it seems. Now don’t get it twisted, I’m not putting her down, I’m not hating, I just don’t feel the authentic side of her is being displayed. But I am not the one to judge. And I don’t know her personally, so I could be wrong. But, there is something about God that is real and not theatrical. Just like when he met Moses, he said: “I am”. God is. We are. Nothing behind it, no explanations just be.
Sara-
Felecia Commodore at 8:29pm January 27
I can’t even think of something to say. I agree with the first comment..shouldn’t your womanhood start before a marriage? Marriage may be a part of your woman hood but it shouldn’t be where it starts. And why was the “wedding” something you were waiting for, rather than the marriage. A wedding is just a ceremony, the marriage is the God ordained union and ministry…smh. But eh, maybe she’ll start a trend, I’ve been delivered from some stuff..maybe I’ll call myself Felecia Commodore, XII…lol.
by Gospel Fab
FOOLISHNESS
by Toni
People that don’t understand the life of a celebrity would say that.
“Are you a celebrity or a minister”?
by Kesha
Wow!! It is amazing to me how there is a consensus that folks are troubled about her saying she is celebrity. When in fact folks are really roasting her about this birthday bash. If she wasnt a celebrity before she is now with everyone having something to say about the event. Dr.Bynum is an anointed woman and no one can take that away from her. She is misunderstood by some but totally understood by others. Just because you may not agree with how she did it, if you took the time to look at what she did then you are interested it what she is doing. And to me it is harsh to say someone is crazy or they lost it because they do something different than what everyone else does. It shows that we are in a society that looks for the same things in all people. How bland our society would be if everyone did things the same. I wonder how many people could go through all she has been through and still get up and preach to the masses what God is saying. And one thing about it we all do something that society doesn’t agree with but we all don’t have the pleasure of having it displayed on youtube, magazines and newspaper articles. Just my thoughts.
by Kelly
Here are some more of what people are sending me via email:
Thanks keep it coming…
Byron Nichols at 6:46am January 28
womanhood doesn’t start at 50. you’re a MOTHER in Zion now!! throngs of women eat up every word you say. chill out, prophetess. why not wear something normal from saks? I love her because she taught me how to pray. and so that’s what I will do.
Kesha Boyce Williams at 8:17am January 28
The celebrity comment says volumes to me. Are you a celebrity or a minister? It seems like she wore the dress to get the attention and get her name back in the press. How about getting in the press for “good works” and not “gimmicks”. Shouldn’t good works stand alone?
André Bringingholinessback Harris at 11:54am January 28
I AGREE WITH BYRON!…like she looked a mess, but at the same time SHE CAN DO WHAT SHE WANTS….i could see if she was invited to someone else party wearing that “STUFF”…lol then she would have been out of place…..SHE HAS HELPED ME, THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST THAT EMPOWERED HER, to be delivered, and to HELP ME LEARN HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE INTERCESSOR…so i cant BASH SOMEONE WHO HAS IMPACTED ME SO!…♥
Byron Nichols at 12:07pm January 28
in the words of one of my best friends Adam Johnson, “be normal!”
by Gospel Fab
Bynum is grasping for attention, any attention at all that she can acquire. The truth is that her following, those HURTING women who followed her lock, stock and barrel and gave to her their last dollars in exchange for her inspiration, watched her, just a few years ago, in an ELABORATE presentation of what many believe was a sham wedding from the beginning. I’m sorry, but the reality is that Juanita Bynum was over the top A LONG TIME AGO. She needs our continued prayers and I pray that the women who have yearned for guidance will focus within themselves and not see this symbolic attempt at a comeback as exemplary.
Juanita, get a grip!
by Chenise Lytrelle
WOW!! All I can say is “Sheerah”!!
by bostonfab
My heart goes out to her. As a woman of God who preaches and travels I know what it is like to go through a divorce and to lose a parent. Though I don’t know her hurt, something IS very, very wrong. I sat down for awhile, allowed God to heal me and slowly picked back up. The authenticity is not there. It is conjured up and not pure. Her make-up (being very excessive) is also a clue to where she is. You would have to listen to her early ministry to know why I say that. It’s too much. And it is sad? The message is OFF. It is not deep! OFF. Where are those strong men and women of God who kept her grounded at one time? Lord have mercy on my sister in Christ. I pray her strength in the Lord and honestly true repentance and mental help.
by Michelle
We live in a world where everyone mistakes honesty for judgement. So aside from Juanita Bynum, there is a God who tells all Saints thru the word to do everything in moderation. Further, when it comes to the gospel, God thru the prophets said freely you received, freely you should give. Paul said follow me as I follow Christ. Too many fail to see when someone has stopped following Christ. I personally have stopped following so many religous personalities because even though they have a form of godliness they are far from what his word requires.
by bernard singleton
Let us not be too fast to jugde
we have to pray for her and tust that all things
will indeed work for her good.
this however should make us all
sit up. he who thinks is standing…..
by Mercy
I too have learned a great deal from Juanita Bynum. I think many of us have noticed a shift to excess in her ministry (and the ministry of many others). It’s not easy to watch. I was stunned by the lavishness and excesses of her wedding.
Additionally, there have been fashion excesses, makeup, hair, nails. The departure from who she was during her early ministry is notable and startling. She’s become more gimicky and commercial. I agree that her message is a bit “off,” and seems to be more geared to either self-edification or just tickling the ears of the listener. Most of all, when I look at her now I get the sense that she’s hurting…which makes me sad.
I lover her and will continue pray.
by Darla
Look deeper, God may be doing something in her…Maybe the dress represents her giving (marrying) her self back to God…it’s probably just a representation. Sometimes to get back on track we have to do things for ourselves, regardles of what people think of us in the end…God had people do weird things in the bible…but He’s a”Wonderful” God and thats his choice…just a thought. Continued blessings…
by Meka
Pray for our sister. Gifts and callings are without repentance. I do believe she is still hurting. Hurt people, hurt people. This is a very critical time in her life. Many that started out in church may have been hurt in some way that was a tragic incident to them and instead of allowing God to heal them they kept going and the enemy was able to manipulate that hurt and pain. Then you get the Jim Jones; David Koreshs etc who’s focus has been blurred and skewed by that hurt and pain. I am not at all saying this is where our sister is going but as the body of Christ we must keep our shepherds in prayer at all times. They get way much more mental, physical and emotional attacks than we that sit in the pews do. Pray that she has those around her to keep her accountable as well. These are the end times and our love must not be cold are we all are in danger of falling away! One of satan’s deadliest weapon against us is DECEPTION! May we continue to walk in LOVE with our Lord and in TRUTH!
by Dave Sanders
She is free to do as she pleases. Too much timeis spendt what she is doing or not doing. Regardless of what others feel, the woman is pressing into God with faults, failures etc…. and reaching her destiny as she go.
by Tami
Woman of God you are an inspiration to me I wish you would come to South Africa one day to me that will be a dream come true. Your words make the woman in me to realise how special she is. You are a true blessing to this age.
by khanyi
…….Stop Cursing…..Stop criticizing… Stop Hating B/Cos This Are D Fruits Of The Flesh. Galatians 5Vs. 19-26
I thank God, that we still have millions of people who fear God. You that criticize someone else are you perfect before God? First, judge yourself and stop judging others. This woman is called of God and if you honor God, you’ll be very careful what you say about God’s servants. Saul hated David and was doing everything he can to kill him but David still love him and said I cannot speak against or touch God anointed.
So my dear, Love Prophetess Bynum, Speak good of her for we are all different the way we express ourselves, what you’re seeing is her, you can’t change it and if you criticize her you are sinning against God. God called her the way she is. (1 Corinthians 1 Vs 20- 29) Remember the foolishness of God is wiser than men, before God the bible said she stands right “so what are you saying” I LOVE JUANITA BYNUM. I pray God to forgive all of you that criticize her and curse her you don’t have the Fear of God and u do not read you bible, b/cos if you do, you’ll rather pray for God instruments if you think he/she is not leaving right “ you that think you stand take heed less you fall”.
Tricia
Nigeria
by Tricia
Please, lets keep praying for this great oracle for her to come of her life treathening challanges instead of condeming her.
by Wisdom Onuabuchi
Please, lets keep praying for this great oracle of God, for her to come of her life treathening challanges instead of condeming her.
by Wisdom Onuabuchi
God shd have mercy on us and he shd remove every spark that is making us not see clearly.we are al fallible to falling if it her time let pray for her and let God our creator do the judging.i lov ur persona and we wil all continue to pray for you.annie from Ghana.
by annie fiawornu
It seems to me by the tone of your article that you have a problem with prophetess juanita bynum. what ever she does, does not effect you or the body of christ as a whole, out side of her ministering. i suggest that you tend to your own affairs and leave god’s annointed out of your version of gospel gossip! this is nothing more than an attempt to bash, embarrass or feed negativity to a woman who has done nothing more than serve The Lord as best she can. Leave her alone, please.
by arthur miller
bless her heart
by Jerrell
I do agree with Arthur Miller and the following, Kelly, Khanyi from SA (home girl), Tricia, Wisdom, Annie, Jarrell. It is not our position to judge and more condemned is gossip, it follows a certain spirit in itself. Coming from South Africa I still look at forgiveness that Mandela gave those who never looked nor did things like him. As Christians we are entrusted with more, WALK IN LOVE and PRAY, AS JESUS DOES, OUR INTERCESSOR, FOR EACH OTHER.
Let’s leave secular ‘critiquing’ (but Christ-like feedback) to the world brothers and sisters. If one of us is hurting, I hope we all understand hurt and pain, we don’t call for it and we do not have similar ways of dealing with it.
I am listening and watching daily her dvd ‘PASSION UNPLUGGED’ and say God keep on strengthening her, even in her pain she still stands and You find Your way thru her to heal me and many others around the world.
Remember Jesus healed on the Sabbath, was it David who ate ‘communion bread’ cos he was starving, Peter had to eat those ‘filthy God forbidden birds’, Hosea had to marry a prostitute…WHO ARE WE, WHAT DO WE KNOW OF WHAT GOD IS DOING IN HER LIFE…even more so CONVERSATIONS AND AGREEMENTS SHE’S HAVING WITH GOD. I say this personally cos I said once LORD USE THIS MESS OF MINE FOR YOUR GLORY, HELP ME OUT OF IT COS I CAN’T HELP MYSELF. Do yu know God heard me?
As yu say sister Juanita in this dvd GOD IS GATHERING YOUR ENEMIES SO THEY CAN WATCH YOU EAT FROM A TABLE SET BY HIM.
Down at the foot of Africa I say JESUS LOVES YU, I love yu Juanita sis, with so so many, and we praise God as He lifts you UP. By God’s Grace, yu pioneered and assisted in deliverance of so many, hence they MUST PRAISE GOD FOR THAT AND ANY THING THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND ABOUT YOU, BRING IT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS TO GOD. I BELIEVE DAVID COULD HAVE DONE LIKEWISE ABOUT SAUL, OTHERWISE WITH ALL WE READ OF HIM, MHHH, ‘HE WOULDN’T DESERVE TO BE CALLED ONE AFTER YOUR OWN HEART’. There was something that no man could comprehend in his intimacy with God!!!!!!
by Mapaseka
just say a prayer for her, and for all of God’s ministers. they ll need that all the days of their lives. it takes you to be a minister to know how complex and yet assuring things can be
by minister fred khako
ARE YOU BORN AGAIN? ANYONE THAT HAS COMMENTED, MAKE SURE, YOU MAKE IT TO HEAVEN AT THE END OF IT ALL, FOR IT IS APPOINTED “ONCE” FOR MAN TO ‘DIE’ AND AFTER DEATH, ‘JUDGEMENT’.(HEBREWS 9-27). MAY GOD BE GRACIOUS UNTO YOU, BLESS YOU, AND CAUSE HIS FACE TO SHINE ON U ALL, AMEN! I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH, AND LETS REMEMBER EACH OTHER ALWAYS IN PRAYER.
LOVE
PASTOR BABS
(GHANA)
by PASTOR BABS
excelente a atroagir si angubra riasobano con tista. firias irita se decira son ceranto mi cadedosim elado y anteland omosug petra.
by Um echtes Geld spielen
And you call yourself a christian,bashing and soliciting comments that do not uplift or honor a woman of God simply because she did not run by you for your approval how she intended to celebrate her birthday!! wow.be she rifght or wrong,its not your place to dissect her life ,her intentions or her mental state and add ” am praying for her” clause to make it holy!!remember the word of God says touch not the annointed of God that is why,David did not attempt to touch King Saul even though the king was after him and David had opportunities where he could have killed the king!!
by sheila
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Ok! So My first question would indeed be if you really wanted to cross over why go back?.. I Understand her logic But I too can stand like you cock-eyed and head tilted wondering.. Is she facing some sort of Depression. I mean only time will heal her from the pain she has gone through and don’t get me wrong I think she is highly anointed but seriously though Some things are just better left alone.. And this I believe should have been left alone you turning 50 is a major event don’t wear your wedding dress remember the past Wear your golden Gown and look towards your future. LET IT GO.. and this name change I will leave up in the air because it is clearly lingering over my head in the air. But as a side Joke Swarovski crystals and 65G’s I would have worn it every weekend LOL!
by Marissa