Published on August 12, 2024, 12:31 am

Image source: Fox News

Breaking news from North Carolina reports that the well-known megachurch pastor, Gilbert Andre Thompson Jr., more popularly referred to as “Pastor Andy,” of the World Overcomers Christian Church in Durham, has agreed upon a $1.3 million alimony settlement with his ex-wife. The 15,000-member church leader will be paying Dequilla LaShawn $12,000 monthly over a period of nine years following their recent divorce in July after being legally separated since March 2023.

The couple was married for an impressive 33-year stretch. As per the North Carolina divorce court documents, Pastor Andy got custody of their remarkable 58-acre property in Lolly Lane, Mebane near their current residence. However, upon sale of this property, Dequilla is set to receive only $50,000 out of it.

The ex-couple’s magnificent mansion is nothing short of luxurious and valued at a whopping $2.8 million by Zillow. It extends over 14,000-square-foot and comes fitted with elite facilities like a gymnasium, theater seating arrangement along with an infinity pool and hot tub according to real estate records cited from credible sources.

Interestingly enough, this mega-property was originally purchased by the megachurch from 2020 Properties LLC back in 2018 for a substantial amount of approximately $1.53 million and later transferred to Restore Community Development in 2021 without any monetary exchange involved in the process.

As per further proceedings amidst their divorce settlement scenario, additional assets were distributed which included a Rocky Mount rental house worth around $154k going into Dequilla’s possession while Pastor Andy took care of an ongoing $25k IRS debt issue. He also managed to retain all four cars belonging to their adult children along including his personal Ford F-150 vehicle.

In respect to business-related matters post-divorce settlement both parties voluntarily decided to keep control over their respective businesses. Pastor Andy retains Thompson Communications Group, LLC while Dequilla chooses to continue operating Projects of Home Inc.

Despite the megachurch’s prestigious reputation as one of America’s fastest-growing churches influences over a million people weekly via Pastor Thompson’s program called “The Truth,” The church and Pastor. A few court records reveal some legal hitches including two negligence lawsuits dealt between 2017 and now for the church lead by Pastor Thompson. Trusted news sources confirm a contract dispute and a complaint involving a minor too among these cases.

Renowned and respected within the Christian community, the pastor had founded this church back in 2003 and also guides a congregation of fellow pastors and church leaders. Authoring books with themes espousing religious values such as Real Love Dating, Real Love Marriage is another aspect of his contributions to expressing his Christian worldview.