Bishop Rudolph McKissick Issues Statement After News Breaks About IRS Filings

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Bishop Rudolph McKissick Jr., senior pastor of one of Florida’s most historic and influential churches, addressed his congregation Sunday after reports surfaced regarding substantial federal tax liens filed against him and his wife.

The statement came during an emotional church service at Bethel Church in downtown Jacksonville, where McKissick delivered a sermon centered on faith, perseverance, and moving forward despite adversity. The bishop appeared to reference the recent controversy indirectly, encouraging members not to allow setbacks or challenges to define their future.

During the service, McKissick described experiencing a brief health scare moments before taking the pulpit. He told worshippers that he had nearly fainted, saying he felt his vision blur and the voices around him become dim. Despite the incident, he continued preaching and credited God for sustaining him.

“And Satan tried his best to attack my body with a fainting spell,” McKissick said. “But by His stripes, I am healed.”

The congregation responded with applause and cheers as the pastor emphasized gratitude and faith. He repeatedly told members that “God’s been good,” encouraging them to focus on God’s blessings rather than their present struggles.

The sermon, titled “Let It Go,” centered on the biblical story of the prophet Samuel and King Saul. McKissick argued that people often become so consumed by past disappointments that they fail to recognize new opportunities emerging in their lives.

“Samuel became so consumed with Saul’s failure that he missed David’s emergence,” he said. “How many people miss what God is doing because they’re still crying over what God did?”

According to McKissick, individuals frequently become trapped by failed relationships, lost opportunities, career setbacks, and personal betrayals. He urged listeners to release the burdens of the past and remain open to future possibilities.

“The total purpose of your life was not and is not tied to what you have already been doing,” he told the congregation. “God’s got more than one purpose for your life.”

The sermon came just days after an investigative report revealed that McKissick and his wife, Kimberly McKissick, are listed on multiple federal tax liens totaling millions of dollars.

According to public records cited in the investigation, the couple was hit with a federal tax lien in April related to unpaid taxes covering multiple years between 2010 and 2014. Additional tax liens filed over the past decade reportedly bring the total amount associated with the filings to more than $3 million.

The report noted that records do not clearly indicate whether any of the liens have been paid, partially satisfied, or overlap with one another. Tax experts interviewed during the investigation explained that federal tax liens often result from unpaid tax liabilities that may include penalties and accrued interest.

Former IRS tax attorney Michael Jorgenson told reporters that individuals facing substantial tax obligations have several options available, including installment payment plans and offers in compromise. However, he warned that unresolved tax issues can eventually lead to more aggressive collection actions.

“The IRS will take even more punitive measures,” Jorgenson said during the report. “They can take assets, including your home, if you’re not careful.”

The investigation also noted that McKissick’s residence has been listed and removed from the real estate market multiple times over the past year. Property records indicate that the home, currently under contract, has been marketed for approximately $1.2 million.

Despite the scrutiny surrounding the tax filings, there is currently no indication that Bethel Church itself is subject to any federal tax lien. Legal experts point out that the IRS generally cannot place a lien on church property for a pastor’s personal tax debt unless it can demonstrate that church assets are being used to conceal personal income or property.

Founded in 1838, Bethel Church is recognized as the oldest Baptist congregation in Florida and remains one of the largest churches in the region. The church serves thousands of members and has played a significant role in Jacksonville’s religious and civic life for generations.

McKissick became senior pastor in 2013, succeeding his father and continuing a family legacy that has been closely associated with the church for decades.

In the days following publication of the investigative report, church officials and the McKissick family did not publicly address the specific allegations regarding the tax liens. However, many observers interpreted Sunday’s sermon as the bishop’s first public response to the controversy.

Rather than directly discussing the financial filings, McKissick focused on themes of resilience, identity, and spiritual purpose. He urged church members not to allow past events or present challenges to determine their future.

“Your anointing didn’t dry up when the last season dried up,” he told worshippers. “God still has purpose for you.”

As the congregation responded with enthusiastic applause, McKissick concluded by emphasizing that endings do not necessarily signify defeat.

“What ended did not empty you,” he said. “What ended revealed that there’s still more in you.”

For now, questions surrounding the tax filings remain unresolved. Whether the matter will result in additional legal or financial developments remains unclear. Meanwhile, McKissick’s message to his congregation was focused not on controversy, but on faith, perseverance, and the belief that difficult seasons do not define a person’s future.