A storm is brewing in American religious circles after an aggrieved church member and ex-nephew, Ryan Teaford, publicly accused popular televangelist Paula White of deception, exploitation and spiritual misconduct.
In a lengthy Facebook post that has since gone viral, Teaford painted a damning portrait of the high-profile pastor, alleging a pattern of manipulation, broken covenants and financial exploitation of vulnerable congregants. He described White as “a woman who has stolen from the innocent, exploited culture for personal empire, and casually discarded the very people she once claimed to serve.”
“Church, wake up!” Teaford warned, claiming that the threat to the faith is no longer looming but already entrenched “in the highest places of power.”
White, widely known for her proximity to political power and influence in faith-based initiatives, was accused of leveraging her position for personal gain while abandoning the very communities she once ministered to—particularly within Black congregations.
Teaford further alleged that following the death of Zachery Tims, White assumed leadership of his church, sidelining his widow, Riva Tims, and alienating long-standing members. He claimed the takeover transformed a thriving congregation into “another stepping stone” in her ministerial expansion.
The post also revisited her personal life, referencing past relationships, including her marriage to Jonathan Cain of the rock band Journey, and questioned her continued rise in ministry despite controversies.
In one of the most striking revelations, Teaford recounted a private conversation in which White allegedly dismissed concerns about criticism from Black media platform Larry Reid Live, saying the audience was “not my demographics anymore.”
“That is not a pastor speaking,” Teaford wrote. “That is a CEO who has moved on to a more profitable market.”
Framing his claims as “overdue exposure” rather than a personal attack, Teaford called for White to repent and step away from public ministry, warning that silence among religious leaders amounts to complicity.
“Stand guard, church,” he concluded. “The wolves are not at the door. Some are already inside the house—and some have the keys to the highest office in the land.”
As of press time, Paula White has not publicly responded to the allegations, which continue to spark intense debate across social and religious communities.
