Tribune photo by VICTOR JUNCO

TAMPA - Interest from potential buyers of Without Walls International Church's campuses here and in Lakeland caused church leaders to put the buildings up for sale, a church representative said in a statement Wednesday.

"The church's two properties are situated in areas of significant development and have appreciated significantly," said the written statement from Tucker/Hall Inc. public relations. "To keep the church's expansion options open, the executive leadership of Without Walls International Church decided that the time was right to list both properties."

Without Walls leaders had declined to comment for a story in Wednesday's Tribune about their hiring real estate agents to sell the 13.3-acre Tampa property near International Plaza and the 75-acre campus in Lakeland.

The statement did not elaborate on what expansion options the church may be considering. Attendance at Without Walls, once touted as the nation's fastest-growing church, has declined in recent months.

Lakeland Campus Bought For $15 Million

The church wants $30 million for the Tampa property. It's unclear how much it wants for the Lakeland property, for which it paid about $15 million in 2005.

In May, the Tribune reported about financial troubles at the church and broken promises made by its founders, Randy and Paula White. In August, the Whites announced they were divorcing.

In November, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, launched an inquiry into Without Walls and the teleministry it spawned, Paula White Ministries, along with five other multimillion-dollar ministries. The senator is concerned that the ministry leaders could be using money from their tax-exempt organizations to finance lavish lifestyles.

The Whites have refused to answer the senator's questions.

Without Walls' statement suggested the future could include a smaller church building.

"The church could consider using the proceeds on a more focused, functional church facility to meet the needs of its congregation," the statement said. "It could decide to use any excess proceeds to continue and expand its many current community outreach programs."

Board's Approval Not Needed Yet

The fact that the campuses are on the market came as a surprise to some congregants and at least one church board member.

"I had no clue this was on the table," said Alick Clark, a board member from Acton, Calif. "You can't make a decision like that without the board's approval. Right?"

The church statement Wednesday said the decision to list the properties did not require board approval, but a contract to sell would.

Reaction to the potential sale was mixed and fueled speculation about the church's future.

Sonja Krout, a former congregant who left the church when she moved to Riverview, said she wasn't bothered by the fact the decision to sell was made quietly.

"The members don't always have to be told everything," she said, adding: "I learned so much while I was there. My heart goes out to" the Whites.

Jill Wells, a private investigator in the Tampa Bay area, started taking an interest in the church about a year ago. She said she thinks the potential sale indicates that Randy White is in the final steps of shutting down the ministry.

Reporter Baird Helgeson can be reached at bhelgeson@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7668. Reporter Michelle Bearden can be reached at mbearden@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7613. Keyword: Without Walls, for past stories, video and to post comments.