Isaac Hunter Denies Wife’s Domestic-Abuse Allegations

Isaac Hunter, former senior pastor of Summit Church in Orlando, Fla., has denied his wife’s allegations that he posed a threat to her and their children.

“Never in my life have I threatened to harm my children in any way. Nor have I ever lifted a hand against my wife, harmed her physically or threatened to do so,” said Isaac, 35.

Rhonda Hunter, 35, filed a domestic violence petition on Friday against her husband, stating that she fears for her life and the lives of their three children—two daughters and a son, ages 11, 9 and 5. “Isaac is unstable and has demonstrated erratic behavior, alcohol abuse, and fits of rage,” she wrote in the report.

Isaac said he was saddened by Rhonda’s allegations, but denied her description of him.

“I love my children very much. I do not wish to battle the allegations in the media but silence seems to me to be a tacit confession of all that has been said in my wife’s petition—to which I adamantly disagree,” his statement said.

Isaac Hunter admitted to an extramarital affair and resigned from his post as senior pastor at Summit Church in Orlando, Fla., on Nov. 26, one day after his 13th wedding anniversary. Hunter is the middle child of prominent evangelist Joel C. Hunter, senior pastor of Northland, A Church Distributed, in Longwood, Fla., and spiritual adviser to President Barack Obama.

Isaac Hunter founded Summit Church in 2002. It has since become one of the fastest-growing churches in Central Florida with five locations and an estimated 5,000 worshippers. The church grew out of a ministry the younger Hunter started at his father’s megachurch.

Lauren Heatwole McCorvie, Isaac’s attorney, reportedly said he would prefer to work things out behind the scenes instead of filing a rebuttal with the court. McCorvie noted that the court order prohibits Isaac from speaking to Rhonda, so any discussion must be between attorneys.

“We think it does more damage at this point to all the family to continue to hash this out in public,” the Orlando Sentinel reported her saying.

A hearing, which will decide whether the temporary order should be made permanent, is set for 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 13. Isaac Hunter will have a chance to respond to his wife’s accusations at that time, which McCorvie says he plans to do.

“We deny the accuracy of all the allegations in the petition,” she stated. “I intend to address these allegations at the hearing.”