Lisa Gunter, a spokesperson for Stovall Weems, responded to a request for comment with the following statement:
This ruling has nothing to do with our claims. None of our claims have even been addressed yet. The judge’s ruling simply means that, as the complaint is currently written, she cannot distinguish our civil claims from church religious business. The judge, in this ruling, now gives us 20 days to file another amended complaint to clarify our claims apart from religious business. She did not rule on the merits of any claim. At this point, she is only deciding whether the claims will be heard in court by jury or by arbitration as provided for under church bylaws. Regardless of how the judge rules, our claims will be heard in one place or the other. Defendant Lee Wedekind and his co-defendants, will be held legally accountable either way, whether by jury or by arbitration. This case is just now beginning, not ending.
Celebration Church told News 4 Jax in a statement:
Celebration Church has grown and thrived since Pastor Tim Timberlake became the church’s spiritual leader in September 2021. Celebration’s board of trustees recently suspended Pastor Stovall Weems pending an investigation into certain decisions made by him in early 2021 that were not in the best interest of the church and were not approved by the board. As that investigation remains ongoing, the church does not intend to make any further comments about it at this time. Celebration is praying for a resolution for all parties involved, and is confident in God’s plan for the church and that ultimately the truth will prevail. We remain focused on advancing the kingdom of God.
This article has updated with a statement from a spokesperson for Stovall Weems.
