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Divorce Documents Reveal Lavish Lifestyle of North Carolina Megachurch Pastor
By Sheila Stogsdill- August 4, 2024
- 2:35 pm CDT
- 13 Comments
The lavish lifestyle of a North Carolina megachurch pastor, including a $2.8 million dollar home and a $1.3 million alimony agreement, has been revealed in recently filed divorce papers.
The pastor, Gilbert Andre Thompson, Jr., who pastors the 15,000-member World Overcomers Christian Church in Durham, N.C., was granted an “absolute” divorce on July 1 from his wife of 33 years, Dequilla LaShawn. Thompson, also known as “Pastor Andy,” filed for the divorce on June 10.
The two-page divorce decree showed the couple were legally separated in March 2023. An “absolute” divorce is granted after a couple have been separated for at least a year and a day, according to a North Carolina government website.
The $1.3 million alimony payment is broken down to $12,000 a month for nine years, according to the settlement agreement and property settlement.
A woman who identified herself as a church employee who oversees media inquiries politely hung up the phone when questioned about the Thompson’s divorce.
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The property agreement spells out Pastor Andy Thompson will assume the couple’s 58 acres in Lolly Lane, in Mebane, N.C. which is located to the north of their current home.
Public records show the Thompsons’ residence is a 14,000-square foot, four-bedroom six-bathroom house in Mebane, North Carolina. According to published real estate records, the home is equipped with a gym, theatre seating, an infinity pool, and a hot tub. The house is worth $2.8 million, according to Zillow.
North Carolina land records show World Overcomers Christian bought the Thompson’s residence from 2020 properties LLC in 2018 for $1.53 million. The church turned around and deeded it over to another non-profit organization, Restore Community Development, in 2021. Land records show no money was exchanged in this transaction.
Land records show Restore Community Development is not utilizing the exemption status of a non-profit organization’s parsonage.
When the 58-acreage is sold, Dequilla Thompson will receive only $50,000, according to the property agreement.
The agreement also granted Dequilla Thompson the couple’s modest rental house, a 1,600 square foot house, estimated around $154,000 in Rocky Mount, NC.
As part of the agreement, Andy Thompson assumed a $25,602 IRS debt.
His four adult children’s automobiles are in his name, including a 2021 Kia Forte, 2024 Kia Seltos, a 2016 Jeep Cherokee and a 2013 Cadillac STS. He was also responsible for payments and expenses associated with the Forte, Seltos and the Cherokee and his personal vehicle, a Ford F-150, while Dequilla Thomson was awarded a 2010 Kia Soul.
Dequilla Thompson retained control of her business, Projects of Home Inc., and Andy Thompson retained control of his business Thompson Communications Group, LLC.
Touted on Pastor Thompson’s personal website as marriage counselors, Andy and Lashawn Thompson advertised the “wisdom and knowledge” that “helped them retain ‘Real Love’ for nearly 30 years.” In a July 28 sermon, a wedding ring was not visible on Thompson’s left hand.
Andy Thompson has authored two books — “Real Love Dating” and “Real Love Marriage,” according to his website.
Overcomers Christian Church was established in 2003 and boasts it “is one of the fastest growing churches in America. Its website also claims that God is using Andy Thompson “to impact over 1 million people each week through his innovative, in your face, faith filled television program called ‘The Truth.’”
The church’s website doesn’t identify with a denomination or organization affiliation but does say Thompson established the Overcomers Christian Church fellowship of pastors and church leaders.
“Pastor Andy realized a need for pastors and leaders to be pastored. OCF is a place where pastors and leaders can come receive insight, fellowship with other leaders and be ministered to,” according to the website.
Court records show two negligence lawsuits, a contract dispute, and one complaint involving a minor, was filed against the church and Pastor Thompson since 2017.
Divorce Documents Reveal Lavish Lifestyle of North Carolina Megachurch Pastor
Recently filed divorce papers reveal lavish lifestyle of North Carolina megachurch pastor, Andy Thompson, including a $2.8 million residence
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