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	TAMPA TRIBUNE/WFLA INVESTIGATION A Demanding Leader Builds Deeper Life Into A Wealthy Empire TAMPA - In a dilapidated neighborhood in Tampa's inner city, in a century-old church, a religious empire is quietly growing. Led by a Pentecostal charismatic, it now spans half the United States, holds millions of dollars in property and possessions, and rakes in millions more in donations. Its patriarch is Melvin B. Jefferson, who came to Tampa from Texas more than 20 years ago with a tent revival. Full Story

Special Coverage: Day 1

1999 van wreck in Ocala.

Sept. 21, 2003
Fatal Van Accident Leaves Driver, Church At Odds
The blue van swerved once, then again, before turning a horrifying pair of somersaults down the embankment along Florida's Turnpike near Fort Pierce.

Full Story

Brenda Jefferson and her husband, Melvin Jefferson

Sept. 21, 2003
Creating A Dependency Worries Other Clerics
TAMPA - It's an article of faith among many Christians that they should reach out to the poor. What troubles some about Bishop Melvin B. Jefferson's Deeper Life Christian Church is its expectation that followers reward the ministry for its services.

Full Story

Special Coverage: Day 2

Former pastor Keith Dixon

Sept. 22, 2003
Everybody Say 'Money!'
TAMPA - Deeper Life church says it raises funds to help the needy. But those once close to the church say its leader and his relatives reap the rewards.

Full Story

Sept. 22, 2003
Worldly Goods Surround Church Leader, Family
TAMPA - Bishop Melvin B. Jefferson professes not to have money. He tells his congregation that he and his wife live simply without benefiting from Deeper Life church.

Full Story

Brenda Jefferson

Sept. 22, 2003
She Demands; Congregation Pays
TAMPA - Pastor Brenda Jefferson stalks back and forth across the stage, studying another envelope with a contribution inside from a church member, then growls into a microphone at the parishioner.

Full Story

Sept. 22, 2003
As Church Expands, Unpaid Debts Accrue
TAMPA - While building Deeper Life Christian Church into a national enterprise, Bishop Melvin B. Jefferson and his organization have developed a history of failing to pay bills.

Full Story

Special Coverage: Day 3

Members of the Deeper Life choir.

Sept. 23, 2003
`An Emotional Imprisonment'
TAMPA - All that stood between Iree Bradley and his dead daughter was $119, the cost of a round-trip bus ticket. Bradley thought it was a small request to make, asking for help to see his daughter one last time at her funeral.

Full Story

Collection basket is passed around.

Sept. 23, 2003
When Questions Come, Church Stages A Spectacle
TAMPA - Guests were coming and everyone needed to be at the afternoon Bible class on time, dressed well, and on their best behavior.

Full Story

Sept. 23, 2003
Watchdogs Troubled By Church's Controls
TAMPA.The last time Deeper Life Christian Church made the news, its rigid control of its members' movements led some to call it a cult.

Full Story

Source: The Tampa Tribune

Multimedia

News Channel 8 is airing a six-part series on Deeper Life Christian Church. The reports will be archived below, along with three clips exclusive to TBO.com.

TBO.com Video:
• Melvin Jefferson asks for donations.
   View clip
• Brenda Jefferson urges contributions.
   View clip
• Church lawyer Dennis G. Brewer talks to reporters.
   View clip

News Channel 8 Reports:
• Part 1: The Crash
• Part 2: Follow The Money
• Part 3: Financial Problems
• Part 4: The Bishop�s Life
• Part 5: Jefferson Interview
• Part 6: Life Inside Deeper Life
• Sept. 28, 2003: Code Enforcement
• Sept. 29, 2003: Repairs Begin
• Sept. 30, 2003: Making Repairs
• Oct. 14, 2003: Code Inspections
• Nov. 23, 2003: Food For Thanksgiving

Graphics and Related Information:
• Deeper Life: A History
• Melvin Jefferson Biography
• Church Locations
• Church Properties In Hillsborough County
• About The Series

Documents:
• Public Notice of divorce filings by Melvin Jefferson and Brenda Jefferson.
   Read document
• 1996 and 1998 marriage certificates for Melvin and Brenda Jefferson.
   Marriage certificates
• Document showing money transfer from solicitors to a Jefferson relative.
   Money transfer
• 1996 marriage license for Melvin and Brenda Jefferson.
   Marriage license
• Code inspection report of Deeper Life house on Nebraska Avenue, Tampa.
   Inspection report
• Department of Veterans Affairs Document on Melvin Jefferson�s disability.
   Disability document
• Florida Highway Patrol diagram of June 2003 accident near Fort Pierce, Fla.
   Crash diagram
• Paternity suit affidavits by Florine Bostick.
   Document 1
   Document 2

Interactive:
Submit your comments regarding this series. • Tell us your thoughts
• Read your comments

From The Tampa Tribune:

12/31/03 Driver Charged In Van Accident
11/24/03 Deeper Life Food Giveaway Marks Season
10/10/03 Deeper Life Hires Contractor For Repairs
09/30/03 Deeper Life Denies Exodus
09/29/03 Church Meets City Deadline
09/26/03 City Sets Deadline For Deeper Life Houses
09/26/03 6 Houses
09/24/03 Deeper Pocket Ministries Is A Stretch Of Faith
09/01/03 Mixed Blessings
06/27/03 Deeper Life Ousts Driver Involved In Crash
06/26/03 Driver Challenges Deeper Life Church In Deadly Crash
06/11/03 Crash That Killed Church Member Unexplained

More Stories

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