HE TOUCHED ME

Copyright 1999 by Benny Hinn

All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured from the publisher to use or reproduce any part of this book e!cept
for brief "uotations in critical revie#s or articles.
$ublished in %ashville &ennessee by &homas %elson 'nc.
&he Bible version used in this publication is &H( %(W )'%* +A,(- .(/-'0%. Copyright 1919 1923 1924 &homas
%elson 'nc. $ublishers.
&he photographs that appear in this book are the property of Benny Hinn and Benny Hinn ,inistries and are used by
permission.
'-B% 3512645122151
$rinted in the 7nited -tates of America.
1 4 8 9 6 : B.* 39 38 34 31 33
This book is dedicated to my wonderful Lord and
Master, Jesus, God's Holy Son, who has done great
things. To Him belongs all the glory, now and
eermore. ! want to thank Him for my dear father,
"ostandi Hinn, and mother, "lemence, whom !
loe with all my heart.
CONTENTS
1 War Clouds over +affa 9
4 A Boy %amed &oufik 11
8 ;ire from Above 46
9 &he &urmoil 81
6 ;rom the )iosk to the Catacombs 81
: Will 't (ver (nd< 96
1 =He>s All '>ve *ot?= 61
2 =Can ' ,eet you<= 61
9 Would ' Be @eft Behind< :6
13 -hekinah? 19
11 &#o 0>Clock in the ,orning 21
14 A +ourney of ,iracles 96
18 =-he>s *oing to Be Aour Wife?= 138
19 A Coronation Bay 111
16 &he Crash 111
1: A ,andate from Heaven 148
11 +am Bo!es and Bibles? 149
12 &he Crusade (!perience 181
19 &he *reatest *ift 198
43 A ,iraculous $rophecy ;ulfilled 199
41 A &ransforming &ouch 166
C H A $ & ( / 1
1 WAR CLOUDS OVER JAFFA
=Benny ' need you to help me= said my beloved yet stern father
Costandi handing me a shovel. &here #as a tense uneasy tone in his
voice.
&his #as not an idle re"uest from a dad to his fourteen5year5old son.
't #as an orderCand ' kne# e!actly #hy he needed my help.
'mmediately #e began to dig a deep trench in the garden of our
home at 62 'bn /ashad in +affa 'sraelCthe historic port city on the
southern edge of modern &el Aviv. =' really hope this #on>t be
necessary= my dad lamented =but #e>d better be prepared. Who kno#s
#hat #ill happen< Who kno#s<=
After toiling several hours in the hot ,iddle (astern sun the trench
#as deep enough. 't could provide refuge for the entire Hinn householdC
plus room for a fe# neighbors #ho might need shelter. (arlier that same
#eek at College de ;reres the ;rench5Catholic school ' attended there
#as an air5raid drill and #e #ere herded into an underground bunker.
'nside our home my mother Clemence and my older sister /ose
#ere storing food and bottles of #ater. &hey #ere giving last5minute
instructions to my younger brothers and sister. 7p and do#n the street
people #ere painting the headlights of the cars blackCand covering the
#indo#s of their homes.
't #as the first #eek of +une 19:1. %ight after night our family
listened intently to /adio Cairo in our native Arabic language and #e
kne# that #ar #as imminent. +ust a fe# days earlier (gypt>s $resident
%asser announced that the entire (gyptian army #as to be on full alert. 'n
a #ell5publiciDed demonstration he moved large numbers of forces
through the streets of Cairo en route to the -inai. 'n some "uarters this
#as to be the battle to end all batdesCthreatening to once and for all
crush the nineteen5year5old state of 'srael and drive it into the sea.
9
13 H( & 07C H( B ,(
%asser #as at the peak of popularity and it seemed that hysteria had
seiDed the entire Arab #orld. +ordan -yria and @ebanon had Eoined in an
alliance for this historic confrontation plus contingents from -audi
Arabia )u#ait 'ra" and Algeria had pledged to Eoin the fray.
'n +affa the people #ere terrified. 'srael #as ringed by 463333 Arab
troopsCincluding 133333 (gyptian soldiers in the -inai. &here #ere
4333 tanks and more than 133 bomber and fighter aircraftCfar
outnumbering the forces of 'srael.
=Why<= ' asked again and again. =Why is this happening< Why do
people #ant to fight<= ' didn>t understand.
&he hatred and emotional bitterness that suddenly rose to the surface
in our community #ere shocking to me. 7ntil this moment ' did not kno#
the deep5rooted animosity that e!isted bet#een Arabs and +e#s.
'n our home things #ere different. Aes #e considered ourselves
$alestinians yet our doors #ere al#ays open to people from all "uarters.
,y father #orked for the 'sraeli government and #e counted among our
close friends ,uslims +e#s and Christians. /eligiously #e #ere *reek
0rthodo! yet ' attended a school run by Catholic nuns.
%o# #ith the looming clouds of #ar #e #ere feeling the pressure to
take sidesCand ' didn>t like it. =0h if #e could Eust leave this place= '
told my parents. =Any#here #ould be better than this?=
(*A$&'A%- /0,A%- A%B &7/)-
+affa #as the only home ' had ever kno#n. 'n the 19:3s it #as a
bustling mostly Arab community on the ,editerranean -ea #ith a great
yet troubled history. (very day ' #alked to school do#n Aefet -treet.
#efet is the Hebre# #ord for +aphethC%oah>s third sonC#ho is credited
#ith establishing the city after the ;lood.
,y brothers and ' often played on the docks #here +onah boarded
the ill5fated ship for &arshish. +ust a fe# feet a#ay is the house of -imon
the &anner #here $eter #as staying #hen the @ord instructed him to
preach to the *entiles.
+oppa F+affaG #as a Canaanite city in the tribute lists of $haraoh
&hutmose in the fifteenth century B.C. even before +oshua fought the
Battle of +ericho. And it #as #here the $hoenician king Hiram of &yre
unloaded cedar logs for )ing -olomon>s temple.
&he #inds of #ar had not been kind to my birthplace. +affa #as
invaded captured destroyed and rebuilt again and again. -imon the
.espasian the ,amluks %apoleon and Allenby have all claimed her.
&his strategic port has been ruled by the $hoenicians (gyptians
$hilistines /omans Arabs ,uslims and &urks. &he British took control
WA/ C @07B- 0.( / + A; ; A 11
in 1944 until it became part of the ne# state of 'srael in 1992.
+affa #asCand still isCan international melting pot. &ake a #alk
near the landmark +ubilee Clock &o#er built by the 0ttomans in 1931
and you>ll hear locals conversing in ;rench Bulgarian Arabic Hebre#
and other languages.
Buring my childhood the hundred thousand people of +affa had
become engulfed by the e!ploding population of &el Aviv to the north.
&oday the metropolis has the official name of &el Aviv5+affa. ,ore than
four hundred thousand call the area home.
&he sounds the sights and the smells of this city can never be erased
from my memory. (very time ' make a pilgrimage ' head straight for an
open5air bakery -aid Abou (lafia H -ons on Aefet -treet. %othing about
this place has changed. &hey still make their famous Arabic version of
piDDa #ith eggs baked on pita bread. &he style has caught on and no#
you see similar eateries all over 'srael. &his #as +affa>s first bakery in
1223 and is still run by the same family Ffour generations laterG. ' become
nostalgic Eust thinking about their bagels Da>atar breads Fa delicious
,iddle (astern spice concoction baked #ith olive oilG and cheese5 or
potato5filled Dambuska. 0h they are good?
=&H( ,(/C';7@ 0%(=
Because of my father>s uni"ue position in the community the people
of +affa seemed like an e!tended familyCregardless of their social
ethnic political or religious persuasion. &he area #as a district of &el
Aviv and my father Costandi Hinn can best be described as a liaison
bet#een the community and the 'sraeli government. He #as an imposing
man si! feet t#o inches tall #ith a soft yet po#erful personality. And he
#as perfect for the task.
&he maEority of my father>s time #as spent settling grievances
bet#een citiDens and government agenciesCplus finding employment for
those in need. He had offices in +affa and &el Aviv yet there seemed to
be a never5ending stream of people coming to our home #ith special
re"uests. He did not turn them a#ay.
,y father>s giving nature #as not a pretense. 't #as part of a
cherished legacy handed do#n for generations. 'mmediately follo#ing
World War ' my dad>s great5grandfather and his familyCthe CostandisC
emigrated from their native *reece to Ale!andria (gypt. &hey sa# a
bright future in trade and commerce. 0ne of his sons Fmy father>s
grandfatherG became involved in providing food and clothing for those in
poverty and the people #ould say =@et>s go to (l Hanoun=C#hich in
Arabic means =the merciful one= or =the gracious one.= @ater many
began to call him =Hinn=Cand the name caught on.
14 H( & 07C H( B ,(
-ince that>s #hat the people called him and he #as no# living in an
Arabic culture the decision #as made to change his last name from
Costandi to Hinn. ' am thankful that the same spirit of generosity remains
in our family to this day. F' recently learned that some of my relatives #ho
remained in (gypt chose to return to the Costandi family name.G
@ater one of the Hinn sons Fmy grandfatherG moved from (gypt to
$alestine and settled in the thriving Arab community of +affa. When he
married and had a boy he called him CostandiCto honor the *reek
family name.
0ver the years my mother has shared glimpses of her early life.
/ecently #ith a t#inkle in her eye she related ho# she met and fell in
love #ith my father.
Although my mother #as born in $alestine her mother>s family
emigrated from the impoverished southern (uropean nation of Armenia to
Beirut @ebanon many years earlier. Her father -alem -alameh #as a
$alestinian.
After a typical arranged marriage #hen she #as Eust si!teen years
old the couple settled in +affaCand among their children #as a lovely
daughter named Clemence.
,y grandfather #as a carpenter and also #orked as an inspector in
the orange groves.
B/(A)'%* &/AB'&'0%
As a young man Costandi Hinn lived in a $alestine that #as
governed by *reat Britain. He served in the British army from 1994 to
1999 and later moved to HaifaCabout si!ty miles up the coastC#here
he found #ork in the port>s customs office.
-eparated from his family in a city #here he #as a stranger his
social life practically came to a halt. =But ' don>t kno# anyone= he
confided to his father #hen they discussed asking for a girl>s hand in
marriage.
When Costandi came home for a visit one of his aunts told him about
a beautiful Armenian girl. =Her name is Clemence= she told him. =And
her family is also *reek 0rthodo!.= &hat fact #as e!tremely important.
=&oo young for me= e!claimed Costandi #hen he learned she #as
only fourteen years of age.
Ho#ever #hen a meeting #as finally arranged bet#een the Hinn and
-alameh families my father "uickly changed his mind. He said to himself
=-he is lovely. &his is the girl #ho #ill be my #ife.=
%ot many days later he #ent to the restaurant o#ned by ,r.
WA/ C @07B- 0.( / + A; ; A 18
-alameh and asked if he could speak privately #ith him. A very
nervous Costandi said =-ir ' have a re"uest. ' #ant something from you.=
Because of the respect that e!isted bet#een the t#o families he
ans#ered =Whatever you #ant. '>ll give it to you.= He smiled and said
=Bo you #ant my eyes<=
=%o= replied Costandi =' #ant your daughter Clemence.=
,r. -alameh did not hesitate. =Aes= he replied. =' am very pleased.
'f that is your #ish she #ill be yours.=
Aet #hen the #ord "uickly spread of #hat had taken place there
#as great consternation. =&hat>s not the #ay it is done?= shouted one
agitated grandmother. =Why didn>t his father come and ask for her hand
the proper #ay< A young man doesn>t go to a restaurant and ask such a
"uestion by himself?=
According to custom in the ,iddle (astCeven to this dayC
marriages are to be arranged bet#een parents. -o to honor tradition the
elder Hinns made the re"uest personally and soon everyone #as smiling.
Costandi bought a gold ring and proudly placed it on the finger of
Clemence. 7nfortunately their plans for marriage #ere about to be
shattered by forces that #ould shake the very foundation of $alestine.
&0/% A$A/&
't #as April 1992 and the tension in +affa had spilled into the streets.
Cars #ere being firebombed. -tores #ere being looted. -nipers lurked on
the rooftops. %ight after night the rioting #as out of control.
-ince 1944 $alestine had been operated as a British mandate yet
no# that #as about to drastically change. 't #as announced that on ,ay
16 the BritishCalong #ith 133333 British troops holding a fragile peace
C#ould be leaving. &he ne# state of 'srael #as about to be born
officially endorsed by the #orld community.
-ince the end of World War '' hundreds of thousands of +e#ish
refugees had disembarked at +affa and Haifa returning to their ancient
homeland. &he panic that spread through the Arab #orld #as
unprecedented. 'n +affa alone the Arab population plummeted from
13333 to Eust over 9333. ;amilies abandoned their homes and fled to
(gypt +ordan -yria and @ebanon.
&he -alameh family grabbed their belongings and hurriedly left for
/amallah a city Eust north of +erusalem. &he Hinns unsure of the future
chose to remain in +affa. Clemence and Costandi #ere no# separated by
more than miles. &here #as an armed border bet#een them that #as
illegal to cross.
0n ,ay 9 1992 after a complete breakdo#n of municipal services
19 H( & 07C H( B ,(
the remaining leaders of +affa issued a proclamation declaring it =an open
city=Can undefended to#n. &here #ould be no more fighting. &he
community #ould submit to +e#ish rule.
Costandi #as able to secure employment at the postal service in +affa
yet his heart #as in /amallah. =All ' could think about #as finding a #ay
to see Clemence= he said. He spent days plotting and schemingC
determined to someho# bridge that border and return #ith the girl he so
deeply loved.
'n 1999 Costandi told the family that he #as taking a leave of
absence from his #ork and #ould secretly make his #ay to /amallah.
Without much notice he Eourneyed at night along the coastline to the city
of *aDa. &here he secured passage on a boat headed for (gypt and
traveled incognito by bus to +ordan.
&he reunion #ith Clemence #as #ell #orth the risk yet the greatest
barrier #as still ahead. Ho# #ould he legally bring her home< When and
ho# #ould they marry< What documents #ould be necessary to make the
marriage legal<
=Aour father stayed for a long period of time= my mother told me.
=And #e talked about ho# #e could return to +affa.= Buring this period
Costandi found #ork #ith the /ed Cross in Amman.
Amal the mother of Clemence had an idea. =Why don>t you have
t#o marriages< 0ne here in /amallah so you #ill have documentation
and the other in +affa so it #ill be recogniDed by the 'sraelis<=
&he plan #orked and #ith great relief to the couple the guards at
the border nodded their approval and allo#ed Costandi and his si!teen5
year5old bride to enter the country and return to +affa.
=$@(A-( @0/B?=
%o# under 'sraeli rule +affa>s maEor industry the citrus e!port
business once again began to thrive. =+affa 0ranges=Clarge and
succulentC#ere Fand still areG in high demand throughout (urope. &he
#ord Jaffa stamped on an orange simply meant it #as gro#n in 'srael and
shipped through the +affa port. Costandi #ho kne# most of the people in
charge #as "uickly hired as an inspector.
;or Clemence her life centered around her devotion to her husband
Cand to the *reek 0rthodo! Church. Aet there #as something that
deeply troubled her.
'n Becember 1964 Clemence #as at the -t. @ouis ;rench Hospital on
Aefet -treet about to give birth to her second child.
;rom her room the third #indo# from the corner of this historic
1228 building she gaDed at the deep blue #aters of the ,editerranean. 't
WA/ C @07B- 0.( / + A; ; A 16
seemed to stretch to infinity.
'n the distance she could see a black cluster of rocksCthe
Andromeda rocks. According to *reek legend the maiden Andromeda
#as chained to one of them #hen $erseus fle# do#n on his #inged horse
sle# the sea monster and rescued her.
%o# Clemence #ished someone could s#oop do#n and save her
from one more year of humiliation and disgrace. (ven though she #as
devoutly religious she didn>t kno# about having a personal relationship
#ith the @ord. Aet in that humble hospital room in her o#n #ay she
made a bargain #ith *od.
-he #alked over to the #indo# looked up into the sky and spoke
from the depths of her beingI =*od ' have only one re"uest. 'f Aou>ll give
me a boy '>ll give him back to Aou.=
Again she repeated her cry. =$lease @ord. 'f Aou>ll give me a boy '
#ill give him back to Aou.=
=' -AW -'J @'@'(-=
Aou must understand the culture of the ,iddle (ast to realiDe the
dilemma she faced.
&he first child born to Costandi and Clemence Hinn #as a beautiful
girl named /ose. Aet in the Hinn ancestral tradition the firstborn should
have been a son and heir.
-he could hear the biting #ords from some of the Hinn family ringing
in her ears. &hey chided her for her failure to produce a boy. =After all=
one of them told her =each of your other sister5in5la#s had boys.= &he
Eeering and mocking often reduced her to tears. -he felt embarrassment
and shame. &hat night on her hospital bed her eyes #ere moist as she fell
asleep.
&he ne!t day ho#ever her #ish #as granted. 0n Wednesday
Becember 8 1964 at 4I33 $.,. ' #as born.
When ' #as young my mother told me about a dream she had Eust
after my birth. ' thought it concerned a bou"uet of roses but recently she
e!plained it #as about lilies.
=' sa# si! liliesCsi! beautiful lilies in my hand= she said. =And '
sa# +esus enter my room. He came to me and asked me for one of them.
And ' gave Him one lily.=
When she a#akened Clemence asked herself What does this dream
mean< What can it be<
(ventually our family #as to have si! boys and t#o girls yet my
mother never forgot her bargain #ith *od. =Benny= she said =you #ere
1: H( & 07C H( B ,(
the lily ' presented to +esus.=
C H A $ & ( / 4
2 A BOY NAMED TOUFIK
't is the custom of *reek 0rthodo! families to give a child one name at
birth and a Christian nameCusually after a saint or a priestC#hen they
are baptiDed into the church. -ince ' #as the first son ' #as proudly
named after my dad>s father &oufik. Almost immediately my aunts
uncles and cousins began calling me =&ou &ou.=
,y baptism took place at the residence of the *reek 0rthodo! priest
in the historic area of +affa kno#n as the 0ld City. 0fficiating #as
Benedictus a friend of our family #ho became the patriarch of +erusalem.
%ot only did he anoint me #ith oil and #aterCbut ' #as also given his
name. %o# it #as officialI ' #as &oufik Benedictus Hinn. @ater ' #ould
simply be called =Benny.=
&he only house ' kne# in +affa once belonged to a family #ho fled
$alestine #hen the city #as practically deserted during the bloodshed of
1992. &hey left in great haste and possession of the imposing three5story
structure #as given to the *reek 0rthodo! Church. ,y father #as
overEoyed #hen the local priest asked =,r. Hinn #ould you consider
moving your family into this residence<= We #ould occupy only one level
of the house but there #as ample room.
&he location #as #onderful. 't #as situated on a high bluff Eust t#o
blocks from the blue #aters of the ,editerranean yet only a short #alk to
the heart of the community.
What an active place it became. &he top floor of the building #as
given to the treasurer of the church the second story became the *reek
0rthodo! Club a gathering place for organiDations of the church and our
home #as located on the ground floor.
&he imposing beige and rust structure had beautiful columns #ith
#ide stairs leading to the second level. 'n the courtyard sat a fountain
stocked #ith tropical fish. Behind the house #as a large garden #ith
11
12 H( & 07C H( B ,(
blooming citrus trees and flo#ersCand a #alk#ay that led to the beach.
0n the facade of the building #as the insignia of the *reek 0rthodo!
ClubCan organiDation my father #as president of for several years.
0ur home had a spacious family room and t#o large bedroomsCone
for my parents and the other for the gro#ing household. ;irst there #as
/ose then me follo#ed by my brothers Chris Willie Henry and
-ammy and another sister ,ary. By the time ' #as a teen our bedroom
in +affa began to resemble a hospital #ard. &he eighth child ,ichael #as
born later in Canada.
-ituated at the back of the house on a raised level #as the kitchen.
&hat>s #here ' spent a great amount of time as a childChelping my
mother prepare food. What #as my favorite task< ,aking pita bread. '
learned ho# to mi! Eust the right amount of #ater dough and yeast. ,y
mother used to brag =Benny makes the best bread in to#n.= &hey even
used it on occasion for communion at our church.
=&A)( &H'-. '&>- A07/-?=
,y father>s involvement in social #ork e!tended far beyond office
hours. He #as e!tremely gracious to people and there #as a steady stream
of local people visiting our homeCespecially those looking for #ork. $art
of my father>s duties as a government liaison to the community #as to
authoriDe the paper#ork for laborers. ;or e!ample a hospital #ould say
=We need ten #orkers immediately.= -o my father #ould intervie# the
prospects and make the choices.
'n the back of the garden he stored huge bags of flour he constantly
purchased. When someone #as in need he #ould say =Here take this
flour #ith you. 't>s yours?=
,y mother a #onderful ,iddle (astern cook added to the
hospitality. =Why don>t you stay for something to eat<= she #ould tell
them.
0n -aturdays and -undays our house #as overflo#ing. We #ould
use the ovens of a bakery about 933 feet from our house to bake bread
from the dough #e had mi!ed at home. ,y brothers #ould help me as #e
put the dough in big round dishes on our heads and #alked to the bakery
every #eekend. While they #ere playing '>d sit there and #atch the bread
rise calling them #hen it #as ready.
0ur dining table #as a picture of abundance. &here #ere al#ays a
doDen dishesCstuffed s"uash rice #rapped #ith grape leaves spicy
foods and hummusCa puree of chickpeas. ;or dessert there #ere s#eets
such as baklava a delicate layered pastry dripping #ith honey.
$erhaps the reason ' eat very little meat today is because it #as not
A B0A %A,( B & 07; ' ) 19
served in great "uantities in our home and ' didn>t develop a taste for it.
(ven no# ' much prefer dishes made #ith vegetables and rice.
=,A CH'@B/(% ,A W(A@&H=
When ' tell people about my father>s generosity they say =0h he
must have been such a Eoy to be around.=
&o be candid my dad>s personality put the fear of *od in me and my
brothers and sisters yet #e loved him deeply.
When the visitors #ere gone and only our family #as at the table #e
#ould eat "uickly and "uietly. &here #ere no family discussions at
mealtime and ' kne# practically nothing about my father>s #ork until '
#as a teenager. We never talked about money politics or maEor issues.
0ne matter ho#ever #as clearly understood. 'f #e talked at the
table #e #ere in trouble. And if #e #ere really mischievous he #ould
give us a spanking on the spotC#ith a stick.
We kne# that my father>s occupation involved a great amount of
pressure.
When he came home from #ork he al#ays took a short nap and #e
kne# better than to #ake him. ' can still remember the day a distraught
#oman came looking for my dad. =%o '>m sorry you can>t see him. He>s
sleeping= one of my bothers insisted.
$aying no attention the #oman barged right in brushed us aside and
#alked into his bedroom #aking him #ith a stick she #as carrying. 0h
#hat a commotion that caused. A fe# seconds later the #oman #as
running out the front doorCand my dad #as chasing her #ith her o#n
stick? &hen the tables turned? We #ere all in deep trouble for allo#ing the
#oman to enter the house.
,om #as never the disciplinarian in our home. 't #asn>t necessary.
,y father dished out all that #as re"uiredCand perhaps a little more.
0ne day he came home to find Chris and ' fighting. =Chris come over
here= my dad demanded. =He put his feet on the toes of my brother
looked him in the eyes and gave Chris a stern scolding. &hen he did the
same to me.
Bespite his strict #ays #e #ere all vying for my father>s attention.
&he smallest act of kindness from him meant the #orld.
' recall the time he took a business trip to Cyprus #hen ' #as about
si! years old. He brought back a toy gun for me to play #ith. 't #as about
t#elve inches long and sparks #ould shoot from it every time you pulled
the trigger. &#o days later #hen my brother Chris took the little gun
from me and broke it ' thought ' #ould never stop crying. &his #as no
ordinary toy. 't #as one of my most cherished possessionsCbecause it
43 H( & 07C H( B ,(
#as from my dad.
0n the outside my father>s shell #as harder than a tortoise but '
never doubted his love for me. /arely #ould he pay us a personal
compliment yet he #ould say the most glo#ing things about us to my
motherCand she could not keep it a secret.
0nce #hen a neighbor said =Costandi you must be proud of your
children= he replied =,y children are my #ealth. '>m not a millionaire
but ' have a #onderful family #ho are all healthy. ' am blessed.=
,y mother and father never openly displayed any of the affection
they shared bet#een each other. ' can>t even remember seeing my parents
holding hands. 't Eust #asn>t done? Aet #e could feel the depth of their
love.
H(/C7@(- &A/KA% A%B &H( @0%( /A%*(/
-aturday? 0h #e couldn>t #ait for -aturday. As sure as the sun
#ould rise ,om #ould be in the kitchen making sand#iches and
lemonade for us to take to the beach. Although the sea #as only a stone>s
thro# from our home #e loved the beach at Bat Aam a forty5five5minute
#alk south of +affa. Bad al#ays #ent #ith usCand there #ere usually a
fe# cousins tagging along.
We thought nothing of #alking that distance. We #alked every#here.
,y father didn>t o#n an automobile the entire time #e lived in 'sraelChe
either #alked to #ork or took public transportation.
We could al#ays depend on the #eather. $eople are surprised to
learn that rarely does a drop of rain fall on 'srael from ,ay through
%ovember.
' liked the #ater but not the rough5and5tumble play of some of my
brothers. ' preferred to stay a fe# paces a#ay from the cro#d. -ome
people thought ' #as a loner. Actually ' didn>t particularly like the idea of
dro#ning?
'f it #as #indy #e #ould fly kites on the beachCrunning as fast as
our legs could carry us.
'n the afternoon #e>d rush back home eat some corn5on5the5cob and
#alk upstairs to the *reek 0rthodo! Club to #atch the #eekly movies for
kids. @aurel and Hardy. Hercules. &arDan. &he @one /anger. Bad #as the
proEectionist and #e sa# them allCin (nglish #ith no subtitles.
*lued to the screen '>d #atch those movies and dream of leaving
'srael and moving to the West. =&hat>s me= ' #ould say to myself. =&here
' am right there?=
When #e played co#boys and 'ndians in the yard ' al#ays pretended
' #as an American and bragged about my kno#ledge of the 7nited -tates
A B0A %A,( B & 07; ' ) 41
Ceven though it #as limited to #hat ' had seen on the screen.
-ince ' #as small for my age the boys in the neighborhood thought
they had someone to pick on. -ure ' could defend myself but rarely #as
it necessary. ,y brothers #atched over me like eagles. 0nce #hen a
*reek boy hit me my brother Chris Eumped in and began pounding the
kid #ith his fists. When it #as over the boy #as taken to the hospital #ith
a broken arm. 0h #as Chris in trouble?
' WA- -H7%%(B
' #ish ' could tell you that my childhood in +affa #as perfect and
#ithout trauma. &hat is not the case. ;rom the age of three my self5image
#as so shattered that ' continually #anted to run and hide. &he
humiliation and shame ' e!perienced began #ith a horrible stuttering
problem that surfaced #hen ' #as sent to preschool. As members of my
family #ill tell you it took #hat seemed forever for me to complete one
simple sentence.
,y speech #as so halting that my teachers precious Catholic nuns
avoided asking me "uestions in classCattempting to spare me from
embarrassment. At playtime ' #as shunned. &he boys and girls didn>t #ant
to talk to me because ' had such a difficult time responding. As a result '
had fe# friends.
By the time ' reached my fifth birthday ' began #ithdra#ing from
anyone #ho came near. ,any nights ' buried my head in my pillo# and
cried myself to sleep. When people came to visit our home ' #ould run to
my room and cra#l under the bed hoping no one #ould find me. '
thought !f they hear me they're $ust going to make fun of my stuttering.
Chris my younger brother #as keenly a#are of my problem and
became both my protector and my spokesman. 0ften #hen someone
#ould ask me a "uestion Chris #ould ans#er before ' had the chance to
say a #ord.
$eople can be cruel to someone #ith a handicap. (ven those #ho
loved me said =Benny #ith your speech problem you probably #on>t
amount to much in life.= &hose #ords repeated in so many subtle #ays
became indelibly etched on my young mind.
,y mother once sent me to a neighbor>s home to give the #oman
something she had re"uested. ' haven>t a clue #hat ' took but ' #ill never
forget #hat #as said. &he #oman looked at me and began to laugh. -he
remarked =Why did your mother send someone #ho can>t talk<=
0ne morning my father asked me to #alk to a nearby house to pick
up some birdseed. ' #as Eust five years old. When ' arrived at the door of
the house a man came out #ith the seed and spoke #ords that affected me
deeply. He said =Why do you look so dumb<=
44 H( & 07C H( B ,(
,y self5#orth had already been devalued and no# ' #as being told '
appeared to be =dumb.= BeEected ' #ent a#ay thinking He said ! looked
dumb, so ! must be%
$eter Bahou the boy #ho lived ne!t door #as concerned about my
problem. We #ould sit together on the front steps and he #ould hand me
a book. =Benny '>d like you to read to me.= -ome days my stuttering #as
so severe he #ould have to calm me do#n. ='t>s okay= $eter assured me
=you don>t have to do it no#. We can read later.=
;A&H(/ H(%/A
,y formal education began at the Catholic %uns> -chool. &o this day
' can close my eyes and picture my kindergarten teacherCa tall thin
blue5eyed ;rench nun #ho #ore glasses. ' don>t recall anything specific
she taught me ' only kno# ho# much she cared. =Aou are a very special
young man= she #ould tell me. =Aou are very special.= 0h ho# ' needed
to hear those #ords.
0n a recent trip to +affa ' asked the driver of our van to stop on
Aefet -treet in front of the College de ;reres F-chool of BrothersG a
Catholic institution built in 1224. 't #as my school from the first grade
for#ard. &here #ere 933 students #hen ' attendedCit has no# gro#n to
more than 933.
' opened the door to room 15C a classroom #here ' spent so many
days and little had changed. =@et me tell you about that blackboard= '
told the friends #ho accompanied me. ='f your name #as ever #ritten
there you #ere in deep trouble. %o one #as allo#ed to talk to you until
your name #as removed.= 't #as an effective form of punishment.
;ortunately because of my "uiet nature my name didn>t make the list.
&o my delight ;ather Henry Helou #as present during our visit. He
had been one of my earliest teachers and #as still on the faculty of the
school. After #e e!changed greetings he told us that he #atches our
television programs #hich are broadcast in 'srael. =' never thought
Benny #ould be a speaker= he told those #ho gathered around. =' used to
teach religion and every student #as asked "uestions but ' often skipped
Benny to keep him from being embarrassed.= And he added =%o# #hen
' see him on television ' say >'s he the same one<>=
' smile #hen ' realiDe that ' learned to stutter in several languages.
@essons at the Catholic school #ere in ;rench and Hebre#. *reek #as
spoken in our churchCand often at home since my father>s heritage #as
*reek. &he principal language of our family ho#ever #as Arabic.
0n school day afternoons the minute #e #alked into the house #e
immediately did our home#ork. &here #asn>t any choice. ,y dad hired a
#oman #e laughingly called the =gestapo=C#ho #as both a baby5sitter
A B0A %A,( B & 07; ' ) 48
and a tutor. -he looked over our shoulder to make certain our assignments
#ere perfect.
;inally #hen she told us that study time #as over #e rushed to the
television set to #atch stations from @ebanon Cyprus or (gyptCmostly
American cartoons or programs such as Gunsmoke.
A typical night after dinner #ould find Bad in the back of the house
talking #ith friends #hile ,om #ould sit on the front porch catching up
on the local gossip #ith #omen of the neighborhood. ,y brothers and
sisters #ould usually #atch another &. program before our eight o>clock
bedtime.
'n our room #e>d often fall asleep #ith our little radio tuned to
,iddle (astern music coming from an (gyptian or +ordanian station.
-ome nights '>d read one of the books ' checked out of the libraryClike
the ;rench language version of &in Tin Tin.
-chool started promptly at 2I33 A.,. a t#enty5minute #alk from our
house. -ome days it took a little longer because ' #ould stop at a store on
the #ay to buy a donut #ith cream on the inside. %o# that #as a treat?
=B0%>& &(@@ ,0,?=
' loved my brothers and sisters yet each personality #as as different
as chalk from cheese.
/ose #as my older sister and ' al#ays looked up to her yet as kids
#e had our s"uabbles. 'f ' had a secret she #as the last person '>d tellC
kno#ing she>d spread the ne#s before sundo#n.
Christopher one year my Eunior #as a card5carrying troublemaker.
,ore than once he came home #ith a bloody nose bragging =' #as only
trying to protect you Benny.=
&he gentleman #ho lived on the top floor of our house ,r. @utfalla
Hanna #as kind to me but not to ChrisCand it #as mutual. He used to
park his car in the garage attached to the back of the house. And for a fe#
days one summer Chris took great delight in giving him t#o flat tires
making the poor man>s life miserable. 't abruptly stopped #hen ,r.
Hanna told my father =)eep your boy a#ay from my car or ' don>t kno#
#hat ' #ill do?=
Willie ne!t in line #as one of my favorite brothers. He #as "uiet
and shyL al#ays thinking and an e!tremely hard #orker. Who did '
confide in< Willie. 'f there ever #as a =Bon>t tell ,om about this=
moment ' #ould #hisper it to him.
&hen came HenryCperhaps even more mischievous than Chris. We
sometimes laughed at him for being a little clumsyCespecially the day he
ran into the Communion table at the *reek 0rthodo! church #e attended
49 H( & 07C H( B ,(
and made "uite a mess. Henry also had an active imagination and had us
believing outlandish stories.
As children my brothers and ' loved to #atch #restling on television
Cand follo#ing the matches #e tried a fe# moves on one another. Again
it #as Chris #ho did most of the damage. Ho#ever ' once broke Henry>s
fingerCand one day little Willie had to be taken to the hospital #ith a
broken arm.
-ammy #as Eust a tot #hen #e lived in +affa. ' helped my mother
look after himCand often changed his diaper. &o this day he is still =my
little brother.=
,ary my younger sister #as the last of the Hinns to be born in
'srael. &here #as al#ays something special about her. &hose #ho #ere
present #hen she #as baptiDed into the *reek 0rthodo! Church still talk
about the glo# that came over her face.
,y aunts and uncles #ere constantly bragging about my brothers and
sistersCpredicting for each of them great success. ' #as the one for
#hom they #orried.
'hat will become of (enny) they #ondered thinking about my
impediment.
Would this =heavy tongue= be a burden ' #ould al#ays carry<
C H A $ & ( / 8
3 FIRE FROM ABOVE
=Benny #ould you like to become an altar boy<= asked ;ather *regorios
the priest at -t. *eorges ChurchCthe central *reek 0rthodo! church in
+affa.
' #as thrilled. After all -t. *eorge>s played a central role in my life
and its rich traditions #ere #oven into the fabric of our family. What a
colorful beautiful edifice it #as decorated #ith religious icons and #all
paintings.
;rom as early as ' can recall ' #as taught that by praying to the
.irgin ,ary and the saints ' #as communicating #ith *od. 't #as also
the custom of church members to kiss the icons.
;ather *regorios taught us that liturgical #orship is designed to
appeal to all the sensesCthe #orshipper>s eyes see the beauty of the
sacred paintings his ears hear the age5old hymns he smells the incense
and tastes of the Communion. ' #as also instructed that our body is to
glorify the Creator by symbolic gestures and our spirit rises in adoration
of the heavenly ;ather.
At the age of seven ' said my confession learned the %icene Creed
and participated in the (ucharist. &hen as an altar boy ' #ore special
robes and assisted the priest during the service. -ometimes ' #ould carry
a candle or hold the incense. &he serviceCcalled the Bivine @iturgyChas
not changed since the early days of Christianity.
't #as al#ays a special day #hen the priest #ould include me #ith
church members #ho #ere invited to his residence for a meal. He #as a
cherished friend of our family.
,y introduction to miracles took place at the site Eust outside +affa
#here $eter raised &abitha from the dead. 0nce each year the entire
*reek 0rthodo! community gathered at the spot for an all5day celebration
46
4: H( & 07C H( B ,(
and picnic.
At the special service the priest recounted the story from -cripture
#here $eter knelt ne!t to the dead #oman and prayed >=&abitha arise.>
And she opened her eyes and #hen she sa# $eter she sat up. &hen he
gave her his hand and lifted her upL and #hen he had called the saints and
#ido#s he presented her alive. And it became kno#n throughout all
+oppa and many believed on the @ord= FActs 9I93594G.
A */(A& '%;@7(%C(
Because of the daily training in Catholic schools over many years in
my heart ' also considered myself to be a Catholic. ' attended ,ass
regularly and kne# ho# to pray Hail ,ary the %icene Creed the @ord>s
$rayer and other prescribed prayers.
&he Catholic sisters had a great spiritual influence on me. At school
they taught me the -cripture at a very young age. 't #as there ' first
learned about Abraham 'saac +acob and the miracles of Christ.
Bid my parents protest< %o. A private Catholic school education #as
considered to be the best available. Aet on -unday ' also felt comfortable
being involved in the rituals of the *reek 0rthodo! Church.
Buring this time of intense religious instruction ' #ould bring my
specific re"uests to *od yet ' did not kno# ho# to personally talk to the
@ord. 'n reality my prayer life #as very organiDedCand very routine.
'n many #ays ' feel blessed #hen ' think about the spiritual training '
received. ' often think How many kids are taught the *ld Testament in
Hebrew) +nd how many young ,eo,le get to take field tri,s that make
God's 'ord literally come alie)
' remember traveling into the %egev and being taught about Abraham
Cstanding ne!t to the #ell he had dug. &hat e!perience #ill never leave
me.
A -$(C'A@ *';&
Without "uestion seeds from heaven #ere being so#n into my life.
0nce #hen ' #as about seven years old a gentleman from %aDareth
knocked on the door of our house. He #as a born5again evangelical
ChristianCsomething ' had no concept of at the time.
He gave me a very special giftCa small booklet that contained a
portion of the Bible. 't #as illustrated #ith colorful dra#ings.
About t#o #eeks later he returned #ith a second booklet. ' had a big
smile on my face as ' said =&hank you sir.=
-omeho# ' #as dra#n to the booklets and #as e!cited every time
; ' / ( ; / 0, AB0.( 41
the man came to our door. ' believe he kne# that ' #as responding to the
-criptures #hile others in the neighborhood sho#ed little interest.
An!ious to receive the entire set of booklets ' asked =Would you
bring me all of the Bible<= 0n his ne!t visit that>s #hat the man from
%aDareth gave me.
;rom the events of +esus> life ' had learned at school ' cut out the
pictures from different booklets and put the life of Christ in orderC
making my o#n special volume.
&o me this #as a treasure. ' kept the book in my room for years and
recounted the story of Christ again and again.
"L!"-, "L!"-, "L!"-
'n both the *reek 0rthodo! tradition and the Catholic church there is
a strong emphasis on miracles and healing. ,y mother added ,iddle
(astern folk remedies to her belief and often practiced these treatments
on her children.
0nce ' #as "uite sick #ith a chest cold and my mother asked me to
lie do#n on my stomach. -he took small glass cups placed alcohol5
doused cotton balls in them and lit them on fire.
0ne by one she #ould place the cups on my backCabout t#enty of
them. -ince fire needs o!ygen the fire #ould immediately be
e!tinguished and ' could feel the suctionCpulling the cold right out of
me.
When she #ould pull off the cups you could hear the click, click,
click. =@ook Benny here>s your cold= my mother said sho#ing me ho#
the burned cotton had become greenish.
&his method of =sucking out a cold= is still practiced today.
' can also recall the time my mother had a disease that sho#ed up as
boil5like eruptions on her skin. ,any of them began to bleed and the
condition stayed for #eeks.
,y mother didn>t kno# #hat to do until a #oman sho#ed up at our
home and said =Cover your body #ith fig leaves.=
We laughed and thought the #oman had lost her mind. ,y mother
ho#ever follo#ed the advice and the ne!t morning the boils #ere gone.
&hey never returned.
Aears later #hile ' #as reading the 0ld &estament this -cripture
Eumped out at meI HeDekiah #as suffering and 'saiah said =@et them take
a lump of figs and apply it as a poultice on the boil and he shall recover=
F'sa. 82I41G. HeDekiah #as healed?
' @00)(B '%&0 H'- (A(-
42 H( & 07C H( B ,(
$eople have asked =Benny #hen did the @ord begin to move in your
life<=
At the age of eleven *od spoke to me through a vision of the nightC
the only time anything like it occurred during my childhood in +affa. ' can
recall it as if it happened yesterday. ' sa# +esus #alk into my bedroom.
He #as #earing a robe that #as #hiter than #hite and a deep red mantle
#as draped over His shoulders.
' sa# everythingCHis hair His eyes. ' sa# the nail prints in His
hands.
At this early time in my life ' did not kno# +esus. ' had not asked
Christ to come into my heart. Aet the moment ' sa# Him ' kne# it #as
the @ord.
' #as asleep #hen it happened but suddenly my young body #as
caught up in an incredible sensation that can only be described as
=electric.= ' felt charged as if someone had plugged me into a #ired
socket. &here #as a numbnessCas if a million needles #ere pricking my
body.
At that moment the @ord stood before me and He looked at me #ith
the most beautiful eyes. He smiled and His arms #ere open #ide. ' could
feel His presenceCit #as marvelous.
&he @ord didn>t say anything. He Eust looked at me and then
disappeared.
Almost instantly ' #as #ide a#ake and could scarcely understand
#hat #as happening. *od had allo#ed me to e!perience a vision that
#ould create an indelible impression on my young life.
As ' a#akened the #ondrous sensation #as still there. ' opened my
eyes and looked all around but this intense po#er that ' had never
e!perienced before continued to surge through me. ' felt totally paralyDed
and couldn>t move a muscle. Aet ' #as in control. &his unusual and
indescribable feeling overtook meCyet didn>t dominate me.
;or the first time +esus touched my life.
&he ne!t morning ' told my mother about the e!perience and she still
remembers her #ords to me. -he responded =&hen you must be a saint.=
0f course ' #as certainly no =saint= but my mother believed that if
+esus came to me He must be preparing me for a higher calling.
B/'%*'%* &H( H0@A ;'/(?
(very year the day before (aster the churches of our area #ould
choose five representatives to travel to +erusalem on =Holy ;ire
-aturday.= ,y father #as al#ays on that committee and ' #as asked by
; ' / ( ; / 0, AB0.( 49
the priest to accompany the men.
&he purpose of the Eourney #as to bring back the Holy @ightCa fire
that is said to miraculously appear inside the tomb of Christ once each
year to mark the /esurrection. 't #as a great honor yet highly unusual
that a young boy #ould be given this opportunity.
@eaving +affa early on -aturday morning our first destination #as the
*reek 0rthodo! church in #est +erusalem. /epresentatives #ere there
from every part of 'srael.
't>s important to understand that during those years 'sraeli citiDens
could not Eourney to the Holy -epulcher ChurchCthe place of +esus>
tomb. &his #as prior to the 19:1 -i! Bay War and the church #as located
in east +erusalem in territory that belonged to +ordanCstill in a state of
#ar #ith 'srael at the time.
While #e #aited the much5anticipated event #as taking place. &his
#as the day #hen fire from heaven is believed to suddenly appear in the
Holy -epulcherCEust as it has for centuries.
When the patriarch and his entourage enter the basilica the crush of
people is amaDing. $erhaps you have seen the coverage of this celebration
on national television. &housand of #orshippers are holding candles #ith
great e!pectation. At noon the lights go out and the patriarch enters the
tomb to #ait for the Holy @ight.
As the time dra#s near people begin to chant in a loud voice =@ord
have mercy? @ord have mercy?=
'nside the sepulcher at a certain moment the Holy @ight is said to
supernaturally flash from deep inside the tomb. 't lights a little lamp of
olive oil placed near it. After reading prayers the patriarch uses the lamp
to light t#o clusters of thirty5three candles he is holding.
When he emerges from the tomb there is great reEoicing. Bells begin
to ring and the resurrection of Christ is celebrated by the passing of the
fireCfirst to the official representatives of the 0rthodo! and Armenian
churches then to the assembled cro#d.
&he divine light is unusual. 't is said to have a bluish hue and at the
first moments of its appearance the priests say it #ill not burn their hands
or face. (very year several pilgrims report seeing candles light up of their
o#n accord.
At a specified time #e #ould go to the military5guarded ,andelbaum
*ate that separated east and #est +erusalem #aiting to have the Holy ;ire
passed from the other side. &he moment #as also special to my father and
me because across the barbed5#ire border #as my uncle ,ichael #ho
al#ays Eourneyed from /amallah for the occasion.
'n the distance #e could see the pilgrims coming to#ard us #ith
83 H( & 07C H( B ,(
their candles burningCready to transfer the Holy @ight to people #ho
#ould carry the flame to their churches for (aster.
(very church had special oil lamps that #ould keep the light glo#ing
the entire year. &hen Eust before (aster they #ould e!tinguish the flame
C#aiting for the ne# light of the /esurrection.
0n the road back to +affa people #ere #aiting for us in to#n after
to#n #ith their candles unlitCplaces like /emla and @od. ' felt honored.
0ne of the men on the Eourney said =Benny you are the only boy in
'srael #ho carries the Holy ;ire to the churches.=
When my father and ' finally reached home after the events of the
day ' #as too e!cited to be tired. $lus the ne!t day #as (aster.
&o mark the special day the Boy -cout troop to #hich ' belonged led
an annual parade from the *reek 0rthodo! Club Fon the second level of
our houseG to -t. *eorge>s Church.
We held banners and played trumpets and drums. ;rom our home to
the church people lined the streets #aiting for our troop to pass by.
't #as (aster? A time to celebrate.
,y greatest thrill that day #as not marching in a parade or #aving a
flag. 'n -t. *eorge>s Church ' looked at the flickering light in the lamps
of oil and said =&hank Aou @ord for allo#ing me to carry the Holy
;ire.=
C H A $ & ( / 9
4 THE TURMOIL
=Ho# many days until #e leave<= ' an!iously asked my mother.
='t #on>t be long= she said smiling. =Aou>ll see your grandmother
soon.=
Although *randma Amal lived less than t#o hours a#ay the heavily
fortified border that separated 'srael from the Arab nations #as a barrier
that divided our family. When my mother>s family chose to flee from +affa
to +ordan during the conflict in 1992 they didn>t realiDe ho# permanent
the isolation from their relatives #ould be.
Buring those years the la# strictly prohibited people from crossing
back and forthCe!cept for a three5day period at Christmas each year. &he
+ordanian government entered into a treaty #ith 'srael permitting families
to visit their relatives on the West Bank but only at Christmastime.
=Aou have no idea ho# e!cited #e #ere during our annual trip to
your house in /amallah= ' told my mother>s sister Chafouah recently.
=%o it #asn>t Eust your family #ho #as thrilled= she told me. =&hat
#as the highlight of our yearCamong our most cherished memories.=
-ince #e didn>t o#n a car my father hired a ta!i for the Eourney to
the border. 7nfortunately that>s as far as he could go. Bad didn>t make the
complete trip #ith us to /amallah on the West Bank. =,r. Hinn= his
'sraeli superiors told him =because of your position #ith the government
#e think it #ould be too dangerous for you to cross the border.=
-ince my father had many ac"uaintances at the checkpoint they
#ould #alk us through #ithout a problem.
,eeting us on the +ordanian side #ould usually be my uncle ,ichael
in his #ell5preserved ,odel5& ;ord. He>d give us all big hugs and take us
the rest of the #ay. *randma>s house #as al#ays packed #ith relativesC
including 7ncle Boutros and his family #ho arrived from @ebanon.
81
84 H( & 07C H( B ,(
Buring my childhood the holiday season #as not about e!changing
e!pensive gifts. 't focused on being together #ith family. ,y aunts and
uncles gave us coins at both (aster and Christmas and #e #ould run to
the store to buy ice cream and candy.
'n /amallah there #ere plenty of special treats. Before my
grandfather -alem passed a#ay he o#ned a small store that sold
sand#iches and s#eets. He #ould let us dip into the candy Ears.
CH((/'%* /(@A&'.(-
' loved my mother>s family because they accepted me despite my
speech problems. 0thers made fun but not the -alameh family.
At their house ' became an e!trovert.
=When are you going to put on the sho#<= my little cousins begged.
&hey #ere talking about a skit or a =production= ' organiDed every year
during our visit.
Buring those years there #as a popular television comedy program in
the region titled .octor, .octor, /ollow Me%
We did our o#n version of the sho#Ccomplete #ith song5and5dance
routines. Aou should have seen usCme Willie Chris and our cousins
entertaining a room full of cheering e!uberant relatives.
At Christmas one of my uncles played =$apa %oel= handing out
small toys and trinkets and the story of Christ>s birth #as read.
Buring most years #e stayed in /amallah for three days. And
although our visits #ere brief ' still have many fond memories ' cherish
from those times.
'% &H( *A/BA*(?
't #as impossible to live in 'srael during the si!ties #ithout feeling
the escalating political tension. Almost daily there #ere ne#s reports of
skirmishes along the border from (gypt to @ebanon.
0ur house in contrast to most families> in +affa seemed like a small
branch of the 7nited %ations. 0n our porch and in our living room you>d
find ,uslims Christians and +e#sCconversing hour after hour.
0ne afternoon #hen ' #as t#elve a general in the 'sraeli army #ho
#as a good friend of my father stopped by for a visit. He parked his Eeep
in front of the house.
-ince our home #as situated on a hill he made sure the #heels
turned to#ard the curb. (very time he>d come my brothers and ' Eumped
into the Eeep and pretended #e #ere in the army. &his day ' #as in the
back #ith little Henry Willie #as up front and Chris #as behind the
& H( & 7/ ,0' @ 88
#heel.
-omeho# Chris shifted the gears into neutral and straightened the
#heels and the vehicle began to roll back#ard. A neighbor sa# #hat #as
happening and rushed over Eust in time to rescue Henry. Willie and Chris
frantically Eumped from the Eeep leaving me behind.
+ust as the Eeep #as about to crash ' Eumped into the neighborhood
garbage dump at the bottom of the hill. &he army vehicle flipped three or
four times. 't #as totally demolished.
' don>t even #ant to talk about the trouble #e #ere in #ith my dad?
&he army general ho#ever took the event in stride.
'%&(%-( $/(--7/(
' thank *od that ' #as brought up in a home that did not harbor
hatred and resentment. ,y father often said =Bon>t look at a situation
from one side of the table. Al#ays vie# it from four sides.=
0ne evening he asked all the boys in the family to gather together.
=*entlemen= he began =the forces in the ,iddle (ast #ill al#ays be in
conflict. (ven if there is peace there #ill al#ays be politics.= He
continued =When ' #as born there #ere problems. '>m going to live
through the problems and #hen ' die there #ill still be problems.=
Buring the first several months of 19:1 #ar #as the number one
discussion on the streets of +affa. (gypt #as rattling its sabers and 'ra"
and -audi Arabia pledged their solidarity #ith the Arab nations bordering
'srael. &he "uestion of all5out conflict #as no longer if but when.
'n our community ' could feel the intense pressure to take sides and
our family had no such plans. $eople kne# #e #ere *reek 0rthodo!
Christians and tested our loyalties. ,ore than once my father #as
physically threatened for refusing to favor one faction over another.
At every turn ' sa# hatred rising to the surface and ' thought 'hy
can't we $ust leae0now% ,y brothers and sisters felt the same.
Any#here #ould be fineCBelgiumCBritainCit didn>t matter. We
#anted to escape this atmosphere of poison.
WH0 '- W'%%'%*<
' #as at school on ,onday morning +une 6 19:1 #hen the sirens
began to #ail. 'mmediately #e #ere all sent home.
We huddled around the radio listening to the reports from Cairo.
With military music playing in the background the announcer declared
=0ur forces are turning back the enemy on all fronts.=
We looked at one another and said =&hey must be close. &hey>re
89 H( & 07C H( B ,(
going to sho# up any minute no#.= We #ere ready to Eump into our
carefully dug bunkers.
&hat night neighbors came to our darkened house to listen to the
reports from (gypt. &he ne#s #as identical. &heir army #as moving
across the -inai and 'srael #as suffering massive defeats in the air on
land and at sea. =Where are the planes<= #e asked as #e looked into the
southern skies.
By the second and third days if the reports from Cairo had been
accurate 'srael>s military #ould have been defeated three or four times
over.
&he (gyptians #ho broke the government order and listened to the
British Broadcasting Corporation learned #hat #as truly taking place.
Within the first fe# hours of 'srael>s ,onday morning surprise air
strike most of (gypt>s ,i*541s #ere destroyed #hile they #ere still on
the ground. %ineteen (gyptian airfields #ere hit on the first day of #ar.
By the close of the second day 'srael had destroyed 91: (gyptian
aircraft and (gypt>s 1333335man army #as in full retreat. 'n one historic
#eek 'srael captured all of the -inai the West Bank and the *olan
Heights significantly e!panding its boundaries.
/amallah the home of my mother>s family #as the scene of an
intense battle. When the bullets stopped flying it no longer belonged to
+ordan. 't #as no# in 'sraeli hands.
=What has happened to my family<= my mother pleaded again and
again. -he #as desperate for ne#s.
0ne #eek after the #ar ' remember seeing my father dressed in
'sraeli army fatigues. His behavior seemed mysterious and he had little to
sayCand that night he did not come home.
Ho#ever the ne!t day he returned #ith fantastic ne#s. =Aour family
is fine= he announced proudly to my mother. He #ent on to tell her that
the 'sraeli officers had provided the uniform and had personally taken him
to /amallah in the West Bank. ' #as deeply touched that my father had
earned such respect and trust from the 'sraeli government.
Although his visit #as brief it #as a great source of comfort to my
mother.
=W(>/( ,0.'%*=
' didn>t realiDe it but my father #anted to leave 'srael before #e as a
family did.
About one year before the -i! Bay War one of his +e#ish co#orkers
said =Costandi you really need to #atch out for your family. Aou should
& H( & 7/ ,0' @ 86
seriously consider leaving.=
;or months my father had spoken "uietly #ith his Arab friends about
the process involved in emigration. He #as active in international service
clubs and on a first5name basis #ith diplomats #ho lived in our area. Bay
after day my dad #as gathering valuable information that #ould affect
the future of his family.
(arly in 19:2 my father called us together and announced he #as
making plans for us to leave the country. =$lease don>t discuss it #ith
anyone because there may be some problems #ith our e!it visas.=
At one point he thought of moving to Belgium because #e had some
relatives there. ' thought that #ould be great because ' already kne# the
;rench language. 0f course ' #as ready to move anywhere.
A fe# days later ho#ever an attache from the Canadian embassy
came to our home and sho#ed us a brief film on life in Canada. &oronto
looked like an e!citing city. &#o of my father>s brothers had moved to
Canada but #e doubted they #ere financially "ualified to become our
official sponsors.
A BA/*A'% W'&H *0B
0h ho# ' #anted to get a#ay from the turmoil of the ,iddle (ast.
0ne afternoon alone ' got do#n on my kneesCon that hard rockCand
made a vo# to *od. =@ord =' prayed =if Aou #ill get us out '>ll bring
Aou the biggest Ear of olive oil ' can find.= And ' added =When #e get to
&oronto '>ll bring it to church and present it to Aou in thanksgiving.=
At the time bargaining #ith *od didn>t seem out of place. And olive
oil #as a precious commodity in the *reek 0rthodo! ChurchCused in the
sanctuary oil lamps. -o ' made the vo#.
About one #eek later a man from the Canadian embassy phoned my
father to say =,r. Hinn #e>ve #orked everything outCdon>t ask me
ho#. All of your paper#ork is in order and you can leave #henever you
are ready.=
Almost immediately #e sold our possessions and made preparations
for a ne# life in %orth America.
We #ere not a #ealthy family. &he cost of flying to a ne# country
and establishing a home #as beyond our financial capability. -everal
miracles made the move to Canada possible. &he *reek 0rthodo! Church
put us in touch #ith agencies that helped sponsor our tripCfunds #e paid
back after #e #ere established in &oronto. %e!t our neighbors the
Bahou family #ere connected #ith a travel agency that assisted us #ith
the tickets. Also the 'sraeli officials my father #orked #ith satisfied the
government of Canada by certifying the trust#orthiness of Costandi Hinn.
8: H( & 07C H( B ,(
,y father #as in the prime of life in his early forties #ith a good
stable futureCyet he put his family first. He sacrificed his future and gave
up his dreams so that #e could have ours.
Buring those last fe# days in the Holy @and my skin #as tingling
#ith e!citement. ' didn>t kno# ho# or #hy but ' felt there #as a great
tomorro# #aiting for me.
+onah left the harbor of +affa and the result #as the salvation of
%ineveh. $eter heard the voice of *od in +affa and he spread the message
to Caesarea and to the ends of the earth.
' #as Eust a boy. Aet as the giant Eet aircraft left the &el Aviv airport
there #as a lump in my throat. ' #ondered 'ill ! eer see those
wonderful "atholic nuns who so loingly taught me) 'ill ! eer meet
/ather Gregorios again)
As the plane turned and #e headed over the blue #aters of the
,editerranean ' looked back and said one last fare#ell to the only home
' had ever kno#n.
C H A $ & ( / 6
5 FROM THE KIOSK TO THE CATACOMBS
When the Hinn family #alked through customs in &oronto there #as no
red carpet or brass band. We #ere immigrants "uietly entering a ne#
land and facing an uncertain future. We arrived #ith the clothes on our
backs a fe# possessions in our suitcases and a little money from #hat #e
had sold in +affaCenough to get by for a short time.
,y father had no promise of a Eob and our housing #as a small
rented apartment. What a shock to land suddenly in a =foreign= culture. '
thought ' kne# a little (nglish from #atching American television
programs as a child yet it #as intimidating to be totally surrounded by
this ne# language.
,y father #ho spoke better (nglish than any member of our family
filled out an employment application and landed a Eob selling insurance.
' #ill never kno# #hether it #as the pressure of raising a large
family or his self5confidence in meeting people but my dad "uickly
became a success in his ne# occupation. 0nly a fe# months after arriving
in Canada #e moved into our o#n homeCon Crossbo# Crescent in the
%orth Aork section of &oronto not far from the ne# ;airvie# ,all. We
#ere all proud of our ne# surroundings.
'nstead of -aturday #alks to the beach no# there #ere -unday
picnics on the grassy slope of a nearby park. We #ere often Eoined by my
father>s t#o brothersC(lias and /aoufCand their families. (lias moved
to &oronto via Belgium and /aouf F#ith his #ife and thirteen childrenG
came to Canada directly from +affa. &he men smoked and talked politics
the #omen gossiped and #e chased our cousins around the park.
At least once a month there #as a big party at our home #here
everybody rela!ed and danced to the familiar blare of Arabic music.
=A07>/( H'/(B?=
81
82 H( & 07C H( B ,(
;or the first time in my life ' attended a public schoolC*eorges
.anier -econdary -chool. And since most of the students my age had
part5time Eobs that>s #hat ' #anted to do.
At the ;airvie# ,all there #as a little kiosk that sold hot dogs and
ice cream. (ven though ' had no previous #ork e!perience the boss said
=Aou>re hired?= -o that>s #here you could find me every day after school.
0n my first payday ' took the small check home and elated sho#ed
it to my mom. =@ook. &his is for me. 't has my name on it?=
&he ne!t -aturday ' #alked into a grocery store and asked the
manager =Where can ' find the olive oil< ' need the largest Eug or
container of it you have.= He found #hat ' #as looking for.
0n -unday morning ' proudly #alked into the *reek 0rthodo!
church and fulfilled the vo# ' had made to *od in +affa. ' placed the oil at
the front of the altar and "uietly said =&hank Aou @ord. &hank Aou for
bringing us safely to our ne# home.=
HAB B0B ;@'$$(B<
Because of my speech impediment ' #asn>t much of a
conversationalist at the kioskCbut ' sure learned ho# to dish out the ice
cream. &he fello# ' #orked #ith #as named Bob.
=What>s this<= ' asked him #hen ' arrived at #ork one day in 1913.
&he booth looked #eird. All over the #alls he had tacked little strips of
paper #ith verses from the Bible #ritten on them. ' thought This guy has
fli,,ed%
(arlier Bob had told me he #as some kind of a ChristianCfar
different from a *reek 0rthodo!. 'hy all these Scri,ture erses) '
#ondered. +re they for me) ! ,robably know the (ible better than he
does%
Curiosity got the better of me and ' asked =What>s #ith the little
pieces of paper<= &hat #as the opening he #as #aiting for. Almost
instantly Bob began to tell me about +esusCand ho# He died on the
cross for my sin. ' thought he #ould never stopL and #hen he finally did '
decided to stay as far a#ay from this #eirdo as ' could.
't didn>t #ork. 7nless ' "uit my Eob '>d have to be in that ice cream
stand #ith him every afternoon.
Bob #as relentless. Again and again he brought up the topic of
religionCand even moreChe continually talked about being =born
again=Csomething that #as not part of my vie# of -cripture.
' breathed a sigh of relief #hen Bob finally "uit his Eob at the kiosk.
,any of his =soul5#inning= friends ho#ever attended my high school
and for the ne!t t#o years ' avoided them #henever possible. ' thought
; / 0, & H( )' 0- ) & 0 & H( CA& AC 0,B- 89
'hat a bunch of kooks%
&heir vie# of religion seemed completely opposite of #hat ' had
been taught by the Catholic nuns and 0rthodo! priest.
*od ho#ever found a #ay to arrest my attention.
A% (%B@(-- CHA-,
Buring my senior year at *eorges .anier for the second time in my
life ' had an encounter #ith the @ord. 't came in the form of an
unforgettable dream.
'n +affa #hen ' #as eleven the vision of +esus standing before me
made an indelible impression on me. Ho#ever no# in &oronto my
lifestyle #as different. ' #as not involved in the study of -cripture. Aes '
still attended church but #hat ' #as about to e!perience came as a
surpriseCtotally une!pected.
@et me relate #hat happened in my bedroom on that chilly night in
;ebruary 1914 #hen ' #as nineteen years old.
As the dream unfolded ' found myself #alking do#n a long dark
stair#ay. &he path #as steepCso steep ' thought ' #ould fall. And it #as
leading me into a deep endless chasm.
(ven more ' #as bound by a chain to a prisoner in front of me and to
one behind. ' #as dressed in the clothing of a convict. Chains #ere
shackled to my ankles and around my #rists. &hen as far as ' could see
ahead and behind me there #as a never5ending line of captives.
&he shaft #as dimly lit yet through the haDe ' #atched doDens of
small people moving around. ' couldn>t see their faces and their bodies
#ere barely visible. &hey looked like imps #ith strange5shaped earsCand
#e #ere being pulled do#n the stairs by them. 't seemed as though #e
#ere a herd of cattle being taken to the slaughterhouseCor perhaps even
#orse.
&hen in a flash the angel of the @ord appeared. 't #as a glorious
sight to behold. And the heavenly being hovered Eust ahead of me only a
fe# steps a#ay.
What a sight? A bright and beautiful angel in the midst of that dark
forbidding hole.
Almost instantly the angel looked into my eyes and motioned #ith
his hand for me to Eoin him. ,y eyes #ere riveted to his and ' began to
#alk to#ard him. -uddenly the bonds fell from my hands and feet. %o
longer #as ' chained to my fello# prisoners.
&he angel "uickly led me through an open door#ay and into a
beautifully lit area. And the moment ' stepped beyond the door#ay the
93 H( & 07C H( B ,(
heavenly being took me by the hand and dropped me on Bon ,ills /oad
Cnear the corner of *eorges .anier -chool. He left me Eust inches from
the school #all right beside a #indo#.
Within one or t#o seconds the angel disappeared.
' #ondered 'hat does all of this mean)
CA% '& H7/&<
&he ne!t morning ' a#oke early and rushed off to school before
classes began. ' needed to study in the library. ' #as seated at a large
table concentrating on my #ork #hen a small group of students
approached me. 'mmediately ' kne# they #ere the same ones #ho had
been giving me all this =+esus talk.=
=Would you like to Eoin us in our morning prayer meeting<= one of
them asked. &hey pointed to a room that #as Eust off the library. '
thought 'ell, ,erha,s !'ll get them off my back if ! agree. +fter all, one
little ,rayer meeting isn't going to hurt me.
=All right= ' said as they #alked #ith me to#ard the room. 't #asn>t a
large group only t#elve or fifteen students. ,y chair ho#ever #as right
in the middle.
-uddenly every member of the group raised their hands to#ard
heaven and began to pray in languages '>d never heard before. ,y eyes
became the siDe of saucers. &hese #ere students ' had kno#n in my
classesCno# talking to *od #ith sounds ' did not understand.
7ntil that time in my life ' had never heard of speaking in tongues
and ' #as astonished. Here ' #as in a public school surrounded by a
bunch of fanatics and ' didn>t comprehend it. All ' could do #as #atch.
&hen one or t#o minutes later something amaDing occurred. Beep
inside me s#elled a sudden urge to prayCsadly ' didn>t kno# #hat to
say. 0h every night ' prayed to ,ary +oseph and all the saints but =Hail
,ary= did not seem appropriate for #hat ' #as feeling.
'n my years of religious instruction ' had never been taught the
=sinner>s prayer.=
,y mind flashed back to Bob in the kiosk saying =Aou>ve got to
meet +esus. Aou>ve got to meet Him?=
,eet Him< ' thought ' already kne# Him.
=C0,( BAC)=
' #as uncomfortable. All around me #ere students lost in #orshipC
yet no one #as praying #ith me or even for me. Without "uestion this
#as the most intense spiritual atmosphere ' had ever encountered.
; / 0, & H( )' 0- ) & 0 & H( CA& AC 0,B- 91
&he idea that ' #as a sinner had never crossed my mind. ' #as a
devout Catholic #ho prayed every night and confessed #hether ' needed
to or not.
'n the middle of that room ' closed my eyes and spoke four #ords
that changed my life forever. 0ut loud ' said =@ord +esus come back.=
' had no idea #hy those #ere the only #ords that came out of my
mouth. Again ' said =@ord +esus come back.=
What did it mean< Bid ' think +esus had departed from my life< ' had
no ans#ers. Aet the instant ' uttered those #ords something came over me
that took me back to the numbness ' felt #hen ' #as eleven years old. 't
#as not as intense but ' felt the voltage of that same force surging
through me. &hen ' said to the @ord =Come into my heart.= And #hat a
glorious moment that #as?
His po#er #as cleansing me from the inside out. ' felt absolutely
clean and pure.
-uddenly in a moment of time ' sa# +esus. &here He #as. +esus the
-on of *od.
&he students continued to prayCuna#are of #hat #as taking place in
my life. &hen one by one they began slipping out of the room headed
for their classes.
' looked at the clock. 't #as five minutes to eight o>clock in the
morning. ' sat there cryingCnot kno#ing #hat to say or do.
'n that classroom though ' didn>t fully comprehend it +esus became
as real to me as the floor beneath my feet. ,y prayer had been so simple
yet ' kne# something e!traordinary took place that ,onday morning in
;ebruary.
' rushed do#n the hall#ayCalmost late for history class one of my
favorite subEects. &hat semester #e #ere studying the Chinese
/evolution. 't could have been any revolution because that morning '
didn>t hear a #ord the teacher #as saying. What had transpired a fe#
minutes earlier #ould not leave me. When ' closed my eyesCthere #as
+esus. When ' opened them He #as still there. %othing could erase the
picture of the @ord>s face ' continued to see that day.
'>m sure some students #ondered #hy ' #as #iping tears from my
eyes. All ' could say #as =+esus ' love Aou? . . . +esus ' love Aou?=
As ' left school ' #alked do#n the side#alk to the corner and
glanced at the #indo# of the library. 'nstantly everything began to fall
into placeCthe angel the dreamCit all came tumbling back.
' #ondered 'hat is God trying to tell me) 'hat is ha,,ening in my
life)
94 H( & 07C H( B ,(
0$(%'%* &H( B00)
'n my bedroom #as a big black Bible. ' can>t remember #here it
came fromL it had been mine for years. 'n fact it #as the only Bible in our
home.
'>m sure the pages hadn>t been turned since our arrival in Canada yet
' #as no# dra#n to it like a magnet. ' sat on the edge of my bed opened
the sacred book and prayed =@ord Aou>ve got to sho# me #hat has
happened today.=
' turned to the %e# &estamentCthe *ospelsCand began soaking up
-cripture like a sponge. ' didn>t realiDe it then but the Holy -pirit #as
becoming my teacher.
&hose students at the prayer meeting did not rush up to me and say
=%o# here>s #hat the Bible says.= 'n fact they had no clue about #hat
had occurred during the past t#enty5four hours.
&hen there #ere my parents. ;earing their reaction ' did not utter one
#ord to my mother and father.
' had only been reading a fe# minutes #hen ' found myself saying
out loud again =+esus ' surrender all to Aou. $lease @ord +esus take all
of me.=
'n every verse the plan of salvation #as being made real. ' kept
saying to myself ='>ve never seen that before?= 0r =' didn>t kno# that #as
in the Bible.= &he -criptures came alive and began to take residence
inside me.
&he afternoon turned to evening then to night. ' didn>t stop reading
from that black Bible until three or four o>clock in the morning. ;inally '
fell asleepC#ith a peace and assurance in my heart ' had never kno#n.
' could hardly #ait for school to begin the ne!t morning. &he
moment ' spotted those =fanatics= ' ran up and said =Hey '>d like you to
take me to your church.=
=-ure= they said #ith smiles on their faces. =0ur fello#ship meets
every &hursday night and #e kno# you>ll love it.=
A% 7%7-7A@ ;@0C)
&hey called it =the Catacombs=Cyet it certainly #asn>t hidden nor
#as it underground. ' #as totally unprepared for #hat ' #as about to
e!perience #ith my ne#found friends.
&his #as a church unlike any ' had ever attended. When #e #alked
into the sanctuary of -t. $aul>s CathedralCan Anglican church in
do#nto#n &orontoCthere #ere more than t#o thousand e!uberant young
people #ith their hands lifted to#ard heavenCpraising *od singing and
; / 0, & H( )' 0- ) & 0 & H( CA& AC 0,B- 98
dancing before the @ord.
&hese #ere the days of the =+esus $eople=Cand the room #as full of
born5again =hippies= #ho still hadn>t cut their hair. &hey #ere Eumping
up and do#nCmaking a Eoyful noise unto the @ord. 't #as hard for me to
believe that a place like this really e!isted. Aet someho# from the very
first night ' felt at home. And after #hat had transpired t#o days earlier
' too raised my hands and began #orshiping *od.
&he shepherds of this most unusual flock #ere ,erv and ,erla
Watson. ,erv #as a talented high school band director #ho had a life5
changing e!perience through the Holy -pirit. ,erla #as a gifted
song#riter and praise leader. -ome of ,erv>s students asked if he #ould
help them start a Christian club on campus. &hey decided to call it the
=Catacombs Club= because they believed the times resembled the second
days of the /oman (mpire.
=We started #ith only si! kids in a school of si!teen hundred= ,erv
later told me. =&hen it gre# to one hundredCthree hundredCfive
hundred and more.= Watson became chairman of the Christian
$erforming Arts of Canada #hich produced giant music festivals. &he
Catacombs kept gro#ingCfinally moving to -t. $aul>s to accommodate
the cro#ds.
&he service that night lasted more than three hours yet it seemed like
thirty minutes.
At the conclusion ,erv Watson announced =' #ant all of you #ho
#ould like to make a public confession of your sin to step for#ard. We
are going to pray as you ask Christ to come into your heart.=
' didn>t understand much about *od>s po#er yet inside ' #as
tingling. &hen ' thought ! don't think ! should go down there because !'m
already saed. ' #as convinced that the @ord took control of my life at
five minutes to eight on ,onday morning. %o# it #as &hursday.
But someho# ' couldn>t restrain myself. ' began #alking do#n that
aisle as fast as ' could. A voice inside #as telling me Go u, there.
Here in a charismatic service at an Anglican church a professing
Catholic from a *reek 0rthodo! home made a public confession of his
acceptance of Christ. =+esus= ' said ='>m asking Aou to be the @ord of
my life.=
%othing in the Holy @and could compare #ith this. +esus #as not an
icon or a statue in a cathedral. He #as alive and living in meCin
&oronto?
All the #ay home ' #as smiling. &he presence of the @ord #as
literally all over my being. ' kne# ' #ould have to tell my mother #hat
had happened to her nineteen5year5old sonC' didn>t have the courage to
99 H( & 07C H( B ,(
tell my father.
=,ama '>ve got some good ne#s for you= ' #hispered. ='>ve been
saved.=
'n one split second her Ea# #as set. -he glared at me and demanded
to kno# =-aved from what)1
=&rust me= ' "uietly replied. =Aou>ll understand.=
C H A $ & ( / :
6 WILL IT EVER END?
't #as unthinkable?
;rom the moment ' a#akened on ;riday morning and for the rest of
the day a picture kept flashing before me. (very#here ' #entCat school
at the kiosk and that evening at homeC' sa# myself preaching.
' #as not standing behind a pulpit in a neighborhood church. 'nstead
there #ere huge cro#ds of people gathered and ' #as standing before
them #earing a suit. ,y hair #as trimmed and neat and ' #as #alking
back and forth across the platformCboldly proclaiming the Word of *od.
't #as a picture ' could not shake.
&hat afternoon ' sa# Bob the guy ' had #orked #ith at the ;airvie#
,allC#ho had once plastered the kiosk #alls #ith -cripture. =Aou>ll
never believe #hat has happened to me this #eek= ' began and "uickly
filled him in on the details of ho# ' had found +esus.
&hen ' shared the fact that ' sa# myself preaching. =Bob all day long
it>s been like this. ' can>t erase the picture of me speaking in huge open5air
rallies in stadiums in churches in concert halls.= ' continued =&here are
people as far as the eye can see. What do you think it means<=
'>m sure Bob must have #ondered ho# ' #ould ever be able to stand
before an audience and speak. His #ords ho#ever #ere totally
encouraging. =&here can only be one e!planation= he told me. =*od is
preparing you for a great ministry. ' think it>s #onderful.=
A% 07&-'B(/
At home the situation "uickly deteriorated turning from dreadful to
disaster. ;rom the moment of my conversion my entire family began to
harass and ridicule me. 't #as horrible.
' kne# my father #ould be upset but the reaction of my mother
96
9: H( & 07C H( B ,(
surprised me. -he had al#ays sho#n me such love and affection. Ho#
could her attitude change so "uicklyCand so drastically< 0vernight it
seemed ' #as being treated as an outsiderCsomeone #ho had betrayed
the family.
,y great offense #as not in finding Christ it #as in breaking
tradition. ' doubt that the West #ill ever understand the thinking of
,iddle (asterners on this topic. 't is treated as an unpardonable sin that
brings humiliation to the family.
=Bon>t you realiDe you are dishonoring our reputation<= my father
scolded. =Benny you are ruining our family name.=
Why did they feel such betrayal that ' had become =born again=< As
*reek 0rthodo! they believe they are the real ChristiansCand they have
the historical documentation to back them up #ith a church dating back
to the time of Christ.
' #ill al#ays have a deep respect for those in the *reek 0rthodo!
Church and other (astern =high church= orders. &he honor they give to
things that are sacred is beyond reproach. &he problem ho#ever is one '
#as raised #ith. &he faith is rich in dogma form and ritual but
impoverished #hen it comes to *od>s presence or the anointing of the
Holy -pirit. (verything ' have seen tells me they are steeped in tradition
but they do not seem to understand the fullness of the -pirit.
What ' had no# discovered #as a ,ersonal ChristianityCa +esus #ho
#as living in my heart. 0n that ,onday morning at five minutes to eight
my life #as transformed. 't #as something my family Eust could not
comprehend.
;rom the firestorm that erupted ' kne# ' had t#o choicesI either stifle
my conversation about Christ or be thro#n out of my home. %othing
ho#ever could douse the flame that #as no# burning in my heart.
When ' "uietly told Chris Willie and Henry about my e!perience
#ith +esus they ran to my father and said =Bad this country is making
Benny nuts?= &hen #hen ' added ' #as being called to preach the gospel
that #as even #orse. =;irst you can>t speak (nglish= they chided me.
=And secondCyou can>t speak at all?= &hey laughed uproariously and
taunted =Benny a ,reacher) Aou>ll neer be a preacher.=
,y youngest brother ,ichael didn>t understand all the commotion.
He #as only three years old at the time. He #as born about one year after
#e left 'sraelCthe only true Canadian in the family.
=A07>@@ B0 WHA& ' -AA?=
What a tremendous change came to my life. (arly in the morning my
big Bible #as open and ' #as drinking in the Word. ,y maEor interest
W' @@ ' & ( .( / ( %B< 91
that final semester of high school #as no longer history theater or
;rench. ' Eust #anted to be in those prayer meetings and spend time #ith
my gro#ing circle of born5again friends. And ' #asn>t shy about sharing
my testimony at the kiosk in ;airvie# ,all.
At night '>d try any e!cuse to get out of the house so ' could rush to
a youth fello#ship or a prayer meeting. (very &hursday night possible '>d
be back at the Catacombs.
&he tension ' felt in the presence of my father #as almost
indescribable. When he discovered ho# often '>d been going to church
services he shouted =Why do you #ant to do that< Why<= ,y father
actually believed ' #as losing my mind.
Bad #ent to one of his friends and arranged for the man to hire me to
#ork in his factory. 'n his opinion ' had no choice in the matter. =Benny=
my father sternly told me =you are my son living in my house and you
#ill do #hat ' say.=
Actually the idea #as =@et>s #ork him such long hours he #on>t
have time to attend church.=
,y father drove me to the factory and #aited #hile ' #ent in for the
intervie#. ' kne# in a split second ho#ever this #as not for me. &he
boss #as one of the toughest most mean5spirited men ' had ever met. '
thought There's no way ! could eer work for this man.
=Well #hen do you start<= my father #anted to kno# #hen ' got
back to the car.
=;ather= ' replied =' could never have him for a boss. '>m not
#orking there. '>m going to keep my Eob at the kiosk.=
&o be honest ' felt sorry for my dad that day. He #as e!asperated
#ith me. =-on= he said =#hat do you #ant me to do for you< &ell me
#hat it is. '>ll do anything you ask if you>ll Eust please leave this +esus of
yours.=
' turned to my father and replied =Aou can do anything you #ant but
' #ould rather die than give up #hat '>ve found.=
Almost instantly the atmosphere turned ugly. &here #as another
outburst of ridicule and scorn.
H( WA- -H0C)(B?
As the months passed there #as less and less communication #ith
my dad. At the dinner table ' #as totally ignored. He acted as if ' #ere
not present.
-lo#ly my mother>s attitude softened. -he did her best to be a
peacemaker yet ' kne# the topic of religion #as taboo. ,om earned a
92 H( & 07C H( B ,(
fe# e!tra dollars by doing alterations and often gave me spending money.
*etting to a prayer meeting or to a youth service became an
increasing problem. 0ne of the only times my father spoke to me #as to
say =Absolutely not= #hen ' asked permission to attend church. 'n our
culture it #as unthinkable to disobey your parents.
As a son still living under the roof of my parents ' did everything in
my po#er to be obedient. 0ut of respect ' #ould ask =Can ' go to the
meeting tonight<=
=%o= he #ould grumble. And '>d go up to my room to pray =$lease
@ord. Change his mind.= &hen '>d come back do#n and ask again.
0nce he #arned me =Aou can go to that church of yours but if you
mention the name of +esus Eust one more time you>ll #ish you hadn>t?= He
threatened to kick me out of the house.
-everal #eeks later at home on a day ' #as basking in #hat the @ord
#as doing in my life ' said #ithout thinking =0h thank Aou +esus.=
,y father #alked over to me and slapped my face. =/emember #hat
' told you<= he gro#led.
&he pain ' felt #as not because of his slap. ' #as hurting for the
family ' loved so muchCa family ' prayed #ould one day kno# and love
+esus as ' did.
0ver time kno#ing ' #ould not give up my father softened a little.
-(( A $-ACH'A&/'-&<
-piritually ' #as feasting at a ban"ueting table.
&he Catacombs al#ays brought in outstanding speakers and special
guestsC#ho sometimes #ould never reach the pulpit because of the spirit
of praise and #orship that descended like a mighty cloud. &here #ere
nights the band began playing in the -piritCcello violas trumpets
drums and a five5rank pipe organCsome of the most beautiful sounds
you>ve ever heard.
Aou never kne# #hat to e!pect in those services. 0ne night a group
from =&he Church of -atan= sho#ed up to raise havoc only to have three
of them come crying to the altar for salvation?
)ids #ere kicking the drug habit. &housands of lives #ere being
revolutioniDed.
0n -undays ' began to attend a church pastored by ,a!#ell Whyte
an outstanding teacher of *od>s Word #ho became a spiritual mentor to
me. $astor Whyte #as the minister #ho baptiDed me in #ater.
At home my brothers continued to make fun of me. &hey #ould
mock charismatic Christians and laugh at the thought of my someday
W' @@ ' & ( .( / ( %B< 99
becoming a preacher. &he longer it continued the more ' prayed =@ord
#ill it ever end< Will they ever come to kno# Aou<=
-omeho# my dad found out that ' had been telling my little sister
,ary about the @ord. (!ploding #ith anger he yelled =Bon>t you ever
talk to her again about these things.=
About the only member of my family ' could talk to #as little
,ichael.
&o my parents the situation #as desperate. ,y father>s mother came
to visit from +affa and tried to convince me to renounce my ne#found
faith. =Benny you are an embarrassment to the family name= she said.
=Bon>t you understand the shame you>re causing<=
'n desperation my father even made an appointment for me to see a
psychiatrist. And #hat #as the doctor>s conclusion<
=$erhaps your son is going through a difficult phase. He>ll snap out of
it.=
@ooking back the #all that separated me from my parents must have
been in *od>s divine plan. 't caused me to spend hundreds of hours in my
roomCalone #ith *od. ' prayed ' #orshiped and studied the Word.
&here #as a strong foundation being established in my lifeCone ' #ould
surely need in the days ahead.
'n late 1918 ,erv and ,erla Watson took me aside and said
=Benny #e have been #atching your life and believe *od #ants to use
you. We>d like you to become a member of our praise and #orship team
at the Catacombs.=
&ears #elled up in my eyes as ' said =0f course '>ll do it?= (ven
though ' didn>t have the ability to speak in public ' kne# that *od had
called me to the ministryCand this #as the start.
&he ne!t &hursday night ' #as on the platform at -t. $aul>s. ,y
hands #ere raised to heaven as our team helped lead that huge audience in
praises to the @ord. And ' remember the night ' felt the -pirit move me to
speak a psalm letting the @ord give me the #ords in the -pirit. (ven
though my speech #as halting and ' didn>t have command of the language
' kne# *od #as using me.
=-7/( '>@@ *0=
=0h it #as so good to see you on the platform last #eek= said +im
$oynter a ;ree ,ethodist minister #ho stopped to buy some ice cream at
the ;airvie# ,all. ' had kno#n +im for several months.
As #e talked about the things of the @ord +im began telling me about
a charter bus trip he #as helping arrange to attend one of )athryn
)uhlman>s meetings in $ittsburgh.
63 H( & 07C H( B ,(
' probably didn>t sho# much e!citement that day because ' had seen
her briefly on television and couldn>t really relate. ' thought she talked
rather funny and even looked a little strange. But since +im #as my friend
' said =&hat sounds like a good trip. -ure '>ll go #ith you.=
0n &hursday about a #eek before Christmas in 1918 a packed bus
left &oronto about mid5morning. =+im you>ll never kno# #hat a tough
time ' had #ith my father about this Eourney.= After a great deal of
protest he grudgingly gave his permission. 0ther than a Boy -cout camp5
out in 'srael ' could not remember spending a night a#ay from my family
up to this point in my entire life.
+im $oynter a gentle5spirited man #as one of the finest Christians '
have ever kno#n. 0ver the years he and his #ife ,arian took in more
than si!ty people off the streets and helped turn their lives around. ,any
have gone on to be ministers Christian business leaders even a university
president. -eated near me on the charter bus to $ittsburgh #as Ale!
$arachin a former drug addict the $oynters reached out to help. He later
became the president of a Christian broadcasting outreach in Canada.
&he trip to $ittsburgh should have taken seven hours but #e #ere
slo#ed by a sudden sno#storm. We didn>t arrive at our hotel until one
o>clock in the morning.
=Benny #e have to be up at five= +im told me.
=;ive in the morning<= ' e!claimed. =Why so early<=
='f #e are not standing outside the doors of the building by si!
o>clock #e>ll never get a seat= said +im.
&he ne!t morning ' had "uite a surprise.
C H A $ & ( / 1
7 "HES ALL IVE !OT""
&he scene #as difficult to imagine. 'n the preda#n darkness on the streets
of do#nto#n $ittsburgh hundreds of people #ere standing in the
freeDing bitter cold. &hey filled the side#alk and steps leading to the
;irst $resbyterian ChurchCand the doors #ouldn>t be opening for another
t#o hours?
When +im $oynter a#akened me Eust one hour earlier ' put on every
piece of #arm clothing ' could findCincluding sno# boots a #ool
s#eater heavy coat and leather gloves.
-ince ' #as smaller in stature than +im ' began moving closer to the
doorsCmaking sure he #as right behind me. As the first rays of sunlight
began to brighten the scene ' must have looked surprised #hen ' sa#
people sleeping on the steps. A #oman standing ne!t to me commented
=&hey>ve been here all night. 't>s like this every time?=
-uddenly as ' stood there ' felt a most unusual sensation. ,y body
began to vibrateCmuch as if someone had taken me by the shoulders and
begun to shake me. ;or a second ' thought the bitter #eather #as playing
tricks on me. Aet ' had plenty of #arm clothing on and didn>t feel
e!ceptionally cold.
&he shaking that came over me #as uncontrollable and #ould not
stop. &he trembling felt like nothing ' had ever e!perienced. ' didn>t #ant
to tell +im but my very bones #ere rattling. ' could feel it in my legs my
head and all through my body. ' #ondered 'hat in the world is going
on) "ould this be the ,ower of God)
While this continued the doors of the sanctuary #ere about to be
unlocked and the gro#ing throng of people surged. ' #as #orried that
those #ho #ere no# pressed against me could also feel the vibration.
+im gave me some last5minute advice. =Benny= he said =#hen those
61
64 H( & 07C H( B ,(
doors open run Eust as fast as you can.=
' asked =Why<=
He had been to these meetings before and cautioned me ='f you don>t
hurry they>ll run right over you.=
' heeded his advice and #hen the doors to ;irst $resbyterian #ere
opened ' ran past everyone in sightCushers old people young peopleC
and "uickly reached the front of the sanctuary.
When ' attempted to sit do#n ho#ever an usher announced =Aou
can>t sit there. &hat ro#>s reserved.= @ater ' found out that ,iss
)uhlman>s staff carefully selected the people #ho #ould sit in the front
ro#. -he #as e!tremely sensitive to the -pirit and #anted only prayed5up
positive supporters of her ministry right in front of her.
7nfortunately the second ro# #as already packedL still +im and '
#ere able to claim a good seat on ro# three.
-&'@@ -HA)'%*
&he service #ouldn>t be starting for another hour so ' removed my
heavy coat boots and gloves and rela!ed. ' realiDed that the shaking that
had begun outside #as still thereCeven more pronounced than before.
%o# ' could feel the pounding throbs and vibrations up and do#n my
arms and legs. 't felt as if they #ere attached to a machine of some kind.
&his #as an e!perience so unusual to me that ' became frightened.
&he organist began playing yet ' paid little attention. All my thoughts
#ere focused on this trembling that #as affecting me from head to toe.
%o ' didn>t feel sick or as if ' #ere coming do#n #ith a virus. 't #as Eust
the oppositeCand the longer it continued the more beautiful and peaceful
it became. All fear and an!iety left me.
' looked up and #ithout any announcement )athryn )uhlman
appeared. Almost instantly the atmosphere in that room became electric.
&o be honest ' had no idea #hat to e!pect. ' didn>t hear voices or
heavenly angels singingC' only kne# my body had been shaking for
three solid hours.
A *(%&@( B/((K(
,iss )uhlman led the audience in singing =Ho# *reat &hou Art.=
-pontaneously ' stood to my feet lifted my hands as high as they #ould
go and began singing at the top of my lungsI
&hen sings my soul ,y -avior *od to &heeI Ho#
great &hou art? Ho# great &hou art?
,y cheeks became moistCnever before had tears #elled in my eyes
= H( > - A@@ ' > .( *0& ? = 68
so "uickly. ' felt lifted into the very presence of *od.
' #asn>t singing the #ay ' normally sang in church. ' sang #ith my
entire being. And #hen #e came to the #ords =&hen sings my soul= it
literally echoed from my soul.
' became so lost in praise that ' hardly realiDed that my shaking had
subsidedCit had completely stopped.
'n the ne!t fe# minutes of that meeting ' thought ' had left this planet
Craptured into the courts of heaven. &he #orship #as far beyond
anything ' had e!perienced in &oronto. ' can only describe it as coming
face5to5face #ith pure spiritual truth. ' had no idea #hat others #ere
feeling. ' only kne# ' #as meeting *od Himself.
As the glorious #orship continued ' felt a gentle breeDe begin to
blo#. And #ith my hands still raised #orshiping the @ord ' briefly
opened my eyes to see #here this draft of #ind #as coming from. 't #as
like a soft breeDeCvery gentle very slo#.
' lifted my head back and looked up at the stained5glass #indo#s.
&hey #eren>t open and besides they #ere much too high to allo# in such
a draft.
What #as this unusual breeDe< 'n many #ays it felt like a current of
airCmoving do#n one of my arms and up the other.
' #ondered 'hat is ha,,ening) "ould ! eer dare tell anyone what
! feel) They would neer understand this.
&he #aves of that #ind continued to #ash over me for #hat seemed
like ten minutes. %e!t ' felt as if my body #ere being #rapped in a #arm
pure blanket.
=HA.( ,(/CA=
0n the platform ,iss )uhlman began ministering to the people
though ' hardly noticed. ' #as totally lost in the -piritCfeeling the @ord
closer to me than ever in my e!istence.
At that moment ' felt an over#helming urge to talk to the @ord yet
all ' could "uietly say #as =Bear +esus please have mercy on me.= '
repeated those #ords again =+esus please have mercy on me.=
' felt so un#orthy to be receiving such an outpouring of *od>s love. '
#as much like 'saiah #hen he entered the presence of the @ord. He cried
=Woe is me for ' am undone? Because ' am a man of unclean lips and '
d#ell in the midst of a people of unclean lipsL for my eyes have seen the
)ing the @0/B of hosts= F'sa. :I6G.
A similar thing occurred #hen people met +esus. &hey sa# their o#n
filthCand their desperate need to be cleansed. 'n that beautiful sanctuary
69 H( & 07C H( B ,(
#ith a noted #oman evangelist speaking from the platform that is e!actly
#hat #as happening to Benny Hinn. &he searchlight of heaven illumined
my heart. ' could clearly see my faults my imperfections my #eaknesses
and my sins.
0ver and over ' pleaded =Bear +esus please have mercy on me.=
-uddenly ' heard the unmistakable voice of the @ord. *ently He said
to me =,y mercy is abundant on you.=
-ince the day ' became a Christian ' had prayed to the @ord. And
no# He #as talking to me? ' #anted this communion to last forever.
As the service progressed ' continued to "uietly cry #ithout shame
or embarrassment. What life had to offer could never compare #ith this. '
#as being transformed by the -pirit and nothing else #as important. &his
#as #hat the Word describes as =peace . . . #hich surpasses all
understanding= F$hil. 9I1G.
'n the midst of this glorious #orship the #ords of the @ord kept
ringing in my earsI =,y mercy is abundant on you.=
WHA '- -H( C/A'%*<
' had heard from +im $oynter and others about the incredible
miracles that had taken place in ,iss )uhlman>s services yet ' #asn>t
prepared for #hat ' #as about to #itness. ;or the ne!t three hours people
streamed to the front of the auditorium an!ious to give testimony to the
healings that #ere taking placeCin that very meeting.
' #atched a #oman rise from her #heelchair. $eople #ho #ere deaf
suddenly could hear. &here #ere others healed of arthritis headaches
tumors and other infirmities.
0h #hat a service that #as? ' had never been so moved and touched
by *od>s po#er.
As the meeting continued and ' #as "uietly praying ' realiDed that
everything had become hushed. ' immediately thought 2lease, Lord,
don't eer let this meeting end.
When ' looked up ,iss )uhlman>s head #as buried in her handsC
and she began to sob. As her sobs became louder and louder every
person in the room halted their movement. &he ushers didn>t move a
muscle. (very eye #as fi!ed on her.
' #ondered 'hat could she be crying about) ' had never seen a
minister #ith that kind of reactionCand ' #as told later that )athryn had
never done anything like this before.
Her sobbing continued for #hat must have been t#o minutes. &hen
in a flash her head #as thrust back and her eyes #ere aflameCshe #as
= H( > - A@@ ' > .( *0& ? = 66
Eust a fe# feet in front of me.
Her demeanor instantly changed and she took on a certaintyCa holy
boldness.
With great emotion and po#er she pointed her finger out to#ard the
audience. At the same time you could see the lines of pain etched on her
countenance.
;illed #ith obvious agony and still sobbing she looked out at the
vast throng and said =$lease=Cstretching out the #ordC=$leeeease
don>t grieve the Holy -pirit.=
-he #as literally pleading. =$lease= she begged =don>t grieve the
Holy -pirit.=
Her eyes seemed to be looking straight at me.
As she spoke those #ords ' #as motionless almost afraid to breathe.
' had both of my hands on the pe# in front of me #ondering 'hat will
ha,,en ne3t)
&hen ,iss )uhlman said =Bon>t you understand< He>s all '>ve got?=
' didn>t "uite grasp #hat she meant yet she continued to plead.
=$lease? Bon>t #ound Him. He>s all '>ve got. Bon>t #ound the 0ne ' love?=
'f ' live to be 143 ' #ill never forget those #ordsCand ho# deeply
she pleaded.
=,A C@0-(-& ;/'(%B=
-ince becoming a born5again believer ' had heard many evangelists
ministers and teachers talk about the Holy -piritCbut not like this. &heir
teaching had to do #ith the gifts of the -pirit tongues or prophecyC
never =He>s my closest most personal most intimate most beloved
friend.=
What #as )athryn )uhlman saying< -he spoke of a person #ho #as
real #ho #as alive. %e!t #ith great emphasis she pointed her long
finger do#n at the cro#d and said #ith great confidence =He>s more real
to me than youCmore real than anything in this #orld?=
At that momentC#hen she spoke those #ordsCsomething
penetrated deep inside me. Again ' cried and said =@ord please let me
kno# Aou like this.=
-ince this #as my first e!perience in such a meeting ' thought
everyone present #ould feel #hat ' felt. %o# ' kno# that *od deals #ith
us as individualsCand ' am convinced that much of #hat took place in
that service #as prepared by *od for me.
Bid ' fully understand everything that happened in that service< 't
#as not possible. Aet ' had no doubt that *od>s po#er and reality had
6: H( & 07C H( B ,(
transformed my life.
As the service #as about to conclude ' looked up and sa# #hat
seemed to be a mist that #as around and over the head of the #oman
evangelist. ' thought for a moment ' had been crying so much it #as Eust
meCor an illusion. ' looked again and it #as real. &hrough the mist her
face #as shining like a light.
&hinking back on that incredible day ' don>t feel the @ord #as trying
to give any glory to ,iss )uhlman. ' am convinced ho#ever that He
used that meeting to manifest His a#esome po#er to me.
&he people began to file out yet ' didn>t #ant to vacate that pe#.
'nstead ' sat do#n to reflect on #hat had Eust transpired. ' thought *h, if
my family could only e3,erience what ! hae $ust felt.
' could have lingered there all day but the bus #as #aiting. At the
back of the sanctuary ' paused turning around one last time. ' pondered
=What did she mean< What #as she really saying #hen she talked about
her friend the Holy -pirit<=
All the #ay back to &oronto ' kept thinking How could the Holy
S,irit be so real to her) !s He really a person<> ' asked several people to
help me understand yet they couldn>t.
' arrived home totally e!haustedChaving only four hours of sleep in
t#o days.
But *od #as not finished #ith me yet.
C H A $ & ( / 2
# "CAN I MEET YOU?"
(very bone in my body #as aching for sleep yet my eyes #ere #ide open
Cmy spirit still soaring from this most incredible day.
&hen as ' lay stretched out on my bed in &oronto it seemed that
something #as tugging at me. ' #as being pulled off the mattress and onto
my knees. &he sensation #as strange but ' did not resist.
'n that dark room ' kne# *od #as at #ork and ' #as more than
ready to follo# His leading.
,y heart #as filled #ith "uestions and ' didn>t "uite kno# #here to
begin. ' #ondered How can ! hae what that eangelist in 2ittsburgh
had e3,erienced) &hat>s #hat ' desired more than anything in this #orld
Cto e!perience the reality of #hat )athryn )uhlman had talked about?
;rom the moment she uttered the #ords =He>s more real than
anything in this #orld= ' developed a hunger a craving to kno# the Holy
-pirit in that same dimension. Aet ' hardly kne# #here to begin.
&hat night on my knees three days before Christmas 1918 ' kne# in
my heart #hat ' #anted to say but ho# could ' e!press it<
'&>- HA$$(%'%* A*A'%
-ince childhood ' had heard about the Holy -pirit. He #as part of the
&rinity and a member of the *odhead to be #orshiped. %ever had '
thought of Him as a person to be addressed. What #ords should ' use<
Where should ' start<
' decided to begin the only #ay ' kne#C#ith my o#n simple
vocabulary.
'n my bedroom on Crossbo# Crescent -treet that night ' prayed
=Holy -piritC)athryn )uhlman says Aou are her friend.= ' continued ='
don>t think ' kno# Aou. %o# before today ' thought ' did. But after that
61
62 H( & 07C H( B ,(
meeting ' realiDe ' really don>t.=
'n childlike faith ' asked =Can ' meet Aou< Can ' really meet Aou<=
' #as greatly concerned about my #ords. ' thought !s what !'m
saying right) Should ! be s,eaking to the Holy S,irit this way) &hen it
occurred to me !f ! am truthful and honest, God will show me whether
!'m right or wrong.
After my feeble attempt to speak to the Holy -pirit ' #aitedCand
#aited. &here seemed to be no response. An!ious ' began to #onder !s
there really such an e3,erience as meeting the Holy S,irit) "an it truly
ha,,en)
&hen kneeling on the floor #ith my eyes still closed ' felt
something that resembled a Eolt of electricity. 'nstantly my body began to
vibrateCalmost an e!act repeat of the t#o hours ' #aited in the cold
outside the church in $ittsburghCand #hat ' felt for another hour in the
sanctuary.
*h. !t's ha,,ening again, ' thought. &his time ho#ever ' #as in my
o#n #arm room dressed in my paEamas. -till the trembling #as the same.
' didn>t #ant to open my eyes. 't seemed everything that happened to
me in the service #as no# taking place at once. Aes ' #as shaking but '
also felt the #arm soft blanket of *od>s presence draped around me. Ho#
could heaven be any greater<
&here He #asCthe Holy -pirit had entered my room. And He #as as
real as the bed ' #as kneeling beside. ;or the ne!t several hours ' #as
crying and laughing at the same time. 't #as as though my bedroom had
been lifted into heaven itself. %othing in my t#enty5one years could
compare #ith this visitation. 't #as Eoy unspeakable?
'f my mother and fatherC#ho #ere Eust do#n the hallChad kno#n
#hat their son #as e!periencing '>m sure they #ould have e!ploded. Ho#
could they ever understand<
&A@)'%* W'&H ,A ;/'(%B
;rom the moment the Holy -pirit made Himself real that night He
#as no longer a nebulous concept or a far5off invisible =third person= of
the &rinity. He #as aliveCHe had a personality.
When ' finally opened my eyes ' #as surprised to find that ' #as still
in my room kneeling on the same floorCthe po#er of *od>s -pirit still
tingling in my body.
'n the early hours of the morning ' dropped off to sleep una#are of
the miracle that *od had #rought in me.
&he sun #as barely rising on that crisp Canadian morningCbut ' #as
= C A% ' ,( ( & A07< = 69
#ide a#ake. ' #as an!ious to talk once more to my ne#found friend.
&he first #ords out of my mouth #ere =*ood morning Holy -pirit?=
&he instant ' uttered them that same heavenly atmosphere permeated
the room. &he shaking and vibrating #ere goneL ' felt the #armth and
peace of His presence.
&hose #ords seemed so natural for me to say. =*ood morning Holy
-pirit.= ' #as conversing #ith my friendCthe same friend that )athryn
)uhlman had talked about.
' have been asked ='s that the night you #ere filled #ith the -pirit<=
&hat e!perience in my bedroom #as far beyond speaking in tongues.
0h yes ' spoke in a heavenly language yet #hat ' am sharing #ith you is
far beyond tongues. ' #as filled #ith His ,resence. ;or the first time '
met the person of the Holy -pirit. And from that moment for#ard He
became my counselor my companion my friend.
%0& BA ,'*H&
After #elcoming the -pirit that remarkable day ' opened my Bible
not kno#ing #here to begin. As ' turned back the cover of the Holy Book
' felt Him thereCas if He #ere sitting right beside me. ,y eyes did not
see His face or gaDe upon His countenance but ' #as keenly a#are of
#here He #as in my room. And starting #ith that day ' began to kno#
His personality.
;or nearly t#o years since ' gave my life to Christ ' had diligently
studied *od>s Word. %o# the Bible took on incredible substance and a
totally ne# dimension. When ' had a "uestion ' #ould say =Holy -pirit
sho# it to me in the Word.= And He did?
;or e!ample He directed me to +ohn 1:I19I =He #ill glorify ,e for
He #ill take of #hat is ,ine and declare it to you.= And ' understood that
He came to glorify and magnify +esus.
' learned that only the Holy -pirit can reveal +esus to the hearts of
men. =But #hen the Helper comes #hom ' shall send to you from the
;ather the -pirit of truth #ho proceeds from the ;ather He #ill testify of
,e= F+ohn 16I4:G.
' #anted to kno# #hy He had come and He pointed me to these
#ordsI =We have received not the spirit of the #orld but the -pirit #ho
is from *od that #e might kno# the things that have been freely given to
us by *od= F1 Cor. 4I14G.
&o say that the Bible became alive is an understatement. ' no#
understood the authority of the #ordsI >=%ot by might nor by po#er but
by ,y -pirit> says the @0/B= FKech. 9I:G.
:3 H( & 07C H( B ,(
&hrough -cripture He affirmed the a#esome transformation that #as
taking place in my life. ,orning after morning day after day ' gre# to
kno# my friend.
&o me the most dramatic change occurred in my prayer life. ' said
=Holy -pirit since Aou kno# the ;ather so #ell #ould Aou help me
pray<=
With the -pirit>s guidance ' began to call on the ;ather. 't #as as if '
had had a personal introduction to the Almighty.
' remember ' had "uestions concerning the fatherhood of *od. &he
-pirit opened the Word and pointed to this passageI =As many as are led
by the -pirit of *od these are sons of *od. ;or you did not receive the
spirit of bondage again to fear but you received the -pirit of adoption by
#hom #e cry out >Abba ;ather>= F/om. 2I19516G.
' thought about #hat +esus said concerning the Holy -piritCthat He
#ould be our comforter teacher and guide. %o# this heavenly instructor
had become my friend.
;or the first time ' understood #hat +esus meant #hen He told His
disciples to follo# HimCand then later told them the Holy -pirit #ould
guide them into all truth. ' began to understand that only the -pirit of *od
can cause us to follo# the @ord.
'n my room ' #as receiving an education greater than any university
or seminary could offer. ,y teacher #as the -pirit Himself.
;or days #eeks then months my search of the -criptures continued
and my "uestions #ere being ans#ered. (ven more ' felt His strength and
might. &here #ere times ' #ould literally have to prop myself up against
the bed because of the intensity and the po#er of the Holy -pirit ' felt in
my room. At other moments He #as gentle and tenderCand the love ' felt
#as greater than anything ' had ever kno#n.
&H( &/A'%
,y parents immediately recogniDed that something unusual had taken
place. 'f you think they #ere upset at my conversion you should have
seen them no#? Whether it #as confusion consternation or conviction '
#asn>t sure nevertheless ' felt their gro#ing #rath.
0utside my home the reaction #as totally reversed. -everal of my
Christian friends #ere already buDDing about the fact that there had been a
maEor transformation in my life. =-omething has definitely happened to
Benny= they #ould tell their friends.
About one #eek after my encounter +im $oynter picked me up and
drove me to the apartment of Ale! $arachin and his #ife. Ale! had been
#ith us on the e!cursion to $ittsburgh.
= C A% ' ,( ( & A07< = :1
' had been talking by phone #ith +im about some of the miraculous
things that had transpired in the past fe# daysCincluding a vision *od
had allo#ed me to see.
=&ell Ale! #hat happened= +im insisted. =&ell him about your
vision.=
@ooking at me '>m sure the $arachins #ondered How could the
Lord eer use somebody like (enny) ,y long hair #as sticking out under
a beanie cap that #as pulled do#n tight over my ears. &hey also kne# '
could hardly complete a sentence #ithout stammering.
&hat afternoon in their dining room ' shared #ith them a most
unusual vision. =' #as traveling on a railroad car that had no #alls= ' told
them. ='t #as Eust an open flatbed car.=
' e!plained that ' #as seated in the middle of the car that #as being
pulled by a po#erful locomotive. =-itting all around me #ere a great
number of people= ' said. =-uddenly the train started picking up speed
going faster and faster.=
&he ride turned to chaos as the train began tearing around corners.
=$eople began falling off the car= ' e!plained. =Aet ' stayed in the center.
And the only reason ' didn>t suffer the same fate #as because of a po#er
that #as coming do#n on top of my head. 't #as safely holding me in
place #hile the locomotive picked up steam.=
As ' continued e!plaining the vision the Holy -pirit filled that dining
room to such an e!tent Ale! fell to the floor under *od>s po#er.
@ater +im talked #ith me concerning #hat the @ord had revealed.
;rom that first #eek #hen the -pirit enveloped my life +im felt that '
#ould be involved in a most uni"ue ministry. He said =Benny *od is
going to launch you into ministry #ith incredible speed. And there #ill be
many people #ho #ill try to go along for the ride but they #ill fall by the
#ayside. *od is telling me that if you remain close to Him you #ill stay
centeredCe!actly #here He #ants you to be.=
'& C07@B %0& B( C0%&A'%(B
A fe# days later +im $oynter asked if ' #ould go #ith him to a
service he #as asked to conduct for /ev. Weldon +ohnsonC#ho #as
starting a ne# church in a school. 't #as announced as a healing service.
,any of those in the congregation #ere people #ho had gone to
$ittsburgh on one of the charter buses +im had helped to arrange. A large
number of them #ere @atvians.
&hat night +im led the singing #ith his accordion. After a #ord of
testimony he called those for#ard #ho #anted a special touch from *od.
He also asked me to Eoin him at the altar to help him lay hands on the
:4 H( & 07C H( B ,(
people.
HalleluEah? *od #as faithful. &he -pirit that had anointed me in my
room overflo#ed to those close by.
' thank *od for those @atvian people. &hey not only felt *od>s
po#er they began to pray for me as if ' #ere one of their sons. (ven
before ' had ever preached they #ere some of my early prayer #arriors.
' remember the afternoon +im and his #ife invited me to attend a
,ethodist church #here they #ere conducting a meeting. Having spent
the entire day searching the Word and delighting in the anointing of the
-pirit ' thought this #ould be a perfect ending for my day. ' #as an!ious
to go.
When ' heard +im honking the car horn ' ran do#n the stairs still
feeling the @ord>s presence on me.
&he moment ' Eumped into the front seat and shut the door +im began
to #eep and started to sing the chorus =Alleluia? Alleluia?= He turned to
me and said =Benny can you feel the Holy -pirit>s presence in this car<=
=Aes ' can= ' responded.
+im could hardly drive. He continued to #eep before the @ord.
AB-0@7&(@A A,AK(B
=Would you mind if ' #ent along<= ' asked Ale! $arachin #hen he
told me he #as going to give his testimony of ho# he #as delivered from
drugs.
&he service #as at ;aith &emple a church pastored by Winston '.
%unes one of the most remarkable -pirit5led ministers #ho ever lived. At
the conclusion of the meeting Br. %unes stood and announced =' feel
*od #ants these young men to minister around the altar tonight not me.=
(ven though ' had not participated in the service Ale! motioned for
me to come for#ard. As ' began laying my hands on people the po#er of
*od began falling. ' #as startledCabsolutely amaDed at #hat *od #as
doing.
,ean#hile ' continued to go #ith +im $oynter to hold healing
services for Weldon +ohnsonC#here the @atvians attended. &he cro#ds
not only #ere gro#ing but one night #e drove up to see a long line of
people "ueuing outside the door #aiting to get in. ' #as astonished.
=What>s going on<= ' asked +im.
=,ay ' tell you something= +im "uietly responded. =Word is getting
around that there is a young man by the name of Benny #ho has the
anointing of the Holy -pirit on his life. &hese dear people Eust #ant to be
near that anointing.=
= C A% ' ,( ( & A07< = :8
&hose precious @atvians #ere the early supporters of my
=ministry=Ca ministry that had not really begun.
&hat night again after +im spoke there #as a po#erful presence of
the @ord. We prayed for people and many #ere blessed greatly by the
po#er of *od.
&he train #as beginning to moveCand it #as picking up speed.
C H A $ & ( / 9
$ WOULD I BE LEFT BEHIND?
As ' look back at #hat the @ord has done even selling ice cream #as part
of *od>s divine plan that led me to #here ' am at this moment. Aou see it
#as in that little shop #here ' met +im $oynter #ho told me about a
#oman evangelist by the name of )athryn )uhlman. ' traveled #ith him
to a service in $ittsburgh $ennsylvania that dramatically transformed my
entire future.
After my Eob at the ;airvie# ,all ' accepted a position as a filing
clerk for the Catholic -chool Board in &oronto #here the @ord continued
His intense #ork in my heart.
When ' left the house in the morning the Holy -pirit #ould go #ith
me. At times ' actually felt -omeone beside me. 0n the #ay to #ork
traveling on the bus ' #ould often feel the urge to start conversing #ith
Him. And ' #ould begin to pray for the salvation of those on the busCthe
Holy -pirit burdened me for their souls.
&he minute my #orkday #as over ' rushed home to continue my
fello#ship #ith the @ord. ,y room became a sacred haven and #hen '
#as not #orking ' #ould often stay home Eust to commune #ith Him.
=What ' #ant is #hat ' have right no#= ' told the @ord during those
days. =Whatever it is don>t let it end.= ' began to understand more fully
the apostle $aul>s desire for =the fello#ship of the Holy -pirit.=
A /0A/'%* '%;(/%0
0ne day in April 1919 ' asked the @ord =Why are Aou blessing me
in this #ay<= and =Why are all these things happening to me<= ;or ' kne#
that *od surely did not impart His presence for spiritual picnics.
&hen suddenly #ith my eyes #ide open as ' began to pray ' sa#
someone standing in front of me. &hat person #as totally engulfed in
flames and ' could not tell #hether it #as a man or a #oman. His or her
:6
:: H( & 07C H( B ,(
feet #ere not touching the ground. &he mouth of this being #as opening
and closingCsimilar to #hat the Word describes as =gnashing of teeth.=
As ' sa# this person enveloped in tormenting flames ' cried =%o?
%o? %o?=Cnot kno#ing #hy ' said that.
'n that moment the @ord spoke to me in an audible voice. He said
=$reach the gospel.=
,y response #as =But @ord ' can>t talk.=
@ater that night the @ord gave me a dream in #hich ' sa# an angel.
He carried a chain in his hand attached to a door that seemed to fill the
heavens. He pulled open the door and there #ere people as far as the eye
could see. &hen he took me to a higher place.
@ooking at that same cro#d ' sa# they #ere all moving to#ard a
large deep valley that #as a roaring inferno of fire. 't #as terrifying. '
sa# thousands of people falling into that blaDing abyss. &hose on the front
lines #ere trying to resist but the crush of humanity pushed them into the
flames.
Again the @ord spoke very distinctly and said ='f you do not preach
every soul #ho falls #ill be your responsibility.=
&his #as the second time the @ord had made it clear that ' #as to
minister His WordConce at the time of my conversion and no# through
this vision. ' kne# that everything occurring in my life #as for one
purpose onlyI to proclaim the gospel.
-omeone recently asked =Benny if you had not met +esus #hat do
you think your life #ould have become<=
When ' #as seventeen or eighteen ' believed that someday ' #ould
go into politics or perhaps find employment in the travel industry. &hank
*od all of that #as reordered #hen Christ made Himself realCand
sho#ed me my future.
=B(A/ +07/%A@=
Buring these momentous times ' kept daily EournalsC#hich are no#
some of my most treasured possessions. 't #as not a diary #ith typical
entries such as =&onight ' #ent to the Catacombs= or ='>m having a
difficult time #ith my father today.= 'nstead this #as a personal account
of my spiritual Eourney. Bay after day ' faithfully recorded #hat ' had
learned from the Word and #hat *od #as teaching me.
At the beginning of 1919 ' #roteI
@ord make my life full of Aou.
@et every day belong to Aou.
@et every moment be #ith Aou.
W07@B ' B( @( ; & B( H' %B< :1
@et me live for Aour glory.
,ay my days give Aou praise
and may my heart give Aou love
and adoration. ,ay +esus be all to me
every moment of every day.
&he -pirit of the @ord #as not only on me He even began to saturate
our homeCso much so that my brothers and sisters began to develop a
spiritual hunger. 0ne by one they came to me and began to ask "uestions.
&hey>d say =Benny '>ve been #atching you. &his +esus is real isn>t He<=
,y sister ,ary gave her heart to the @ord first and #ithin the ne!t
fe# months my little brothers -ammy and Willie got saved. All ' could do
#as reEoice? A miracle #as taking place in our homeCand ' had not even
begun to preach.
As you can imagine my father #as outraged. Was he losing his
#hole family to this +esus< He didn>t kno# ho# to handle the situation.
,y parents had already seen the turnaround in meCand no# #ere
#itnessing the same phenomenon in more of their children.
=H'*H $/A'-(-=
Whenever there #as a charter bus going to a )athryn )uhlman
meeting in $ittsburgh ' did my best to be on board. ' #as captivated by
her ministryCand listened to her almost every night from the po#erful
633335#att radio station WW.A in Wheeling West .irginia.
' #as not only being fed by the -pirit Himself but by a host of *od>s
chosen servants. 'n addition to the &hursday night meetings at the
Catacombs you could often find me at a place called BeDekCa ;riday
night charismatic meeting in Campbellville about thirty miles south#est
of &oronto.
:2 H( & 07C H( B ,(
Benny>s mother and father Clemence and Constandi Hinn.
F@eft to rightG Benny>s cousin &oufik his brother Chris
Benny and his sister /ose.
Costandi Hinn #ith three of his sons Fleft to rightG Benny
Willie and Chris.
Benny>s mother Clemence Fsecond from rightG #ith her
t#o brothers and sister. &hat>s Benny standing in front of
his mom.
W07@B ' B( @( ; & B( H' %B< :9
Benny #ith some of his friends from the -hekinah days in
(urope in 1919.
,adame (leasha and +oshua.
-uDanne and Benny at their #edding on August 9 1919.
+essica FleftG and %atasha #ith their dogs.
13 H( & 07C H( B ,(
$reaching at a conference on the Holy -pirit in +erusalem.
,inistering in the early days in Canada F#ith ;red Bro#ne
in the backgroundG.
,inistering at Calvary Assembly in 0rlando #ith /oy
Harthern.
Breaking ground at 0rlando Christian Center. &hree board
members #ho assisted Benny greatly in these early days
#ere ;loyd ,incy Fholding the microphoneG Wes Benton
and &om -pence Ffar right in glassesG.
W07@B ' B( @( ; & B( H' %B< 11
With His Holiness $ope +ohn $aul ''.
$astor Benny #ith the late )ing Hussein of +ordan.
14 H( & 07C H( B ,(
$astor Benny and 0ral /oberts.
-haring a moment #ith $aul and +an Crouch.
$astor Benny and his #ife -uDanne at a crusade.
(vangelist /e! Humbard sho#ing his affection for Benny
#ith /onn Haus in the background FleftG.
W07@B ' B( @( ; & B( H' %B< 18
)athryn )uhlman.
+im $oynter ministering at a crusade.
With Br. @ester -umrall.
19 H( & 07C H( B ,(
'n *ermany visiting the @utheran -isters of ,ary an order
begun by ,other Basilea -chlink #hose ministry touched
$astor Benny>s life greatly.
+oshua and (leasha at a crusade.
F@eft to rightG %atasha (leasha +essica and +oshua.
-uDanne +essica and %atasha at a crusade.
Benny>s mother Clemence holding the arm of Mueen /ania
of +ordan.
W07@B ' B( @( ; & B( H' %B< 16
$reaching in $apua %e# *uinea. &he cro#d of 833333 in $apua %e# *uinea.
-ome of the 633333 people #ho attended the crusade in
,anila.
A crusade in @ouisville )entucky. A typical monthly
crusade such as this #ill dra# cro#ds of up to 43333 for
each service.
An artist>s rendering of the ne# World Healing Center.
1: H( & 07C H( B ,(
&he services #ere held in a retreat center that #as the vision of
Bernie Warren a 7nited Church of Canada pastor #ho launched the
ministry after receiving the baptism of the Holy -pirit. He named the
center BeDek after the place #here the 'sraelites gathered to be refreshed
and encouraged as they faced an important battle F1 -am. 11G.
Buring the #eek it #as an oasis for the counseling of alcoholics
those #anting to get off drugs and people #ith other needs. (very ;riday
night ho#ever it hosted a charismatic meetingCsomething rather ne# to
the mainline churches in the area.
&here #as an unusual freedom of #orship in those services. $eople
lifted their hands and #ould often =sing in tongues.= -ome nights #e #ere
led by the -pirit into =High $raises.= As $salm 199I: declares =@et the
high praises of *od be in their mouth.=
,any brought their musical instrumentsCtrumpets tambourines
drums guitars banEos flutes and violins. ,embers of a fello#ship called
the House of $hiladelphia Eoined in #ith =Bavidic #orship= called by
many =dancing before the @ord.=
'n those meetings ' #as lost in the a#esome presence of *od and
gre# from the Word ' received from Bernie Warren.
0n +une 13 1919 my Eournal readsI
After ' came from BeDek ' had a #onderful
e!perience in my room. As ' #as praying my heart
#as filled #ith EoyCand peace #as all over my
room. 0h it #as so beautiful. ' #as praying at
about one5thirty or t#o o>clock FandG suddenly '
felt a hand touch me. 't #as soft and landed on my
heart. ,y heart suddenly started beating and the
hand stayed for about thirty seconds. As ' felt the
hand a tremendous #arm feeling came over me.
,y #hole body #as over#helmed #ith that
tremendous feeling of heat. ' kne# the @ord
touched me. +esus came and touched me. 0h His
love. 't is higher than all heavens. 0h the deep
deep love of +esus.
$AC)'%* ,A BA*-
Beginning #ith a summer #orkshop in 1918 ,erv and ,erla
Watson organiDed #hat they called =-hekinah=Ca maEor production of
#orship and praise unlike anything that had ever been presented. And
they asked me to be part of the team.
&he music #as first5class #ith singers inspirational dancers and
W07@B ' B( @( ; & B( H' %B< 11
banners. We #ere not Eust going through the motions this #as a dramatic
presentation #ith great anthems such as =$repare Ae the Way of the
@ord= and =A#ake 0 'srael.=
,ost of the music #as #ritten and arranged by the Watsons #ho
#ere classically trained. ,ore than ninety young people participated in
the first concert in &oronto.
-o great #as the response that the decision #as made to take the
production to (urope for a t#o5and5a5half5month tour in the summer of
1919. 0h ho# ' longed to be part of that e!perience.
-tarting early that spring ,onday night rehearsals #ere scheduled in
preparation for the announced tour. As summer gre# near si!ty5three
people #ere planning to go to (uropeCincluding me.
&here #ere only t#o small problems. ;irst my father absolutely
forbade me to go. -econd ' had no funds for such a tripCand no idea of
ho# to obtain any.
'n prayer ho#ever my faith came alive and ' #as convinced that
*od #ould make a #ay. 'n fact ' #as so confident that ' began to make
preparations and packed my bags. -till ' had no money and no ticket?
&he ,onday night before the team #as to depart for (ngland ' #as there
for the final rehearsal. =@ord= ' prayed =didn>t Aou tell me ' #ould be
spending this summer #ith >-hekinah><=
Was ' #rong< Would ' be left behind<
C H A $ & ( / 1 3
1% SHEKINAH"
=Ho# are Aou going to do it @ord<= ' prayed as the final ,onday night
=-hekinah= rehearsal began. ' kne# that ' #as going to (urope as much as
' kne# my name.
About half#ay through the session ,erv Watson took me aside and
said =Benny ,erla and ' have been praying and the @ord told us to
provide your plane fare=Cand he handed me the Air Canada ticket.
=0h this is #onderful= ' e!claimed. =&his is marvelous?=
' #as absolutely over#helmed by their generosity. @ater ' learned
that the Watsons had mortgaged their home to make the summer Eourney
possible.
&he moment the rehearsal #as over ' rushed home to tell my parents
that ' #as leaving that #eek for (urope. =-ee here is the ticket?= ' said
opening the envelope.
=Who gave you that<= replied my father angrily. =Bid you bribe
someone<=
=%o= ' told him. ='t #as a gift from some people #ho really #ant
me to be on this trip.=
=;ine= he gruffed. =+ust go then.= And he reached into his pocket
and handed me N46. &o me that gesture #as amaDingCit #as as if he had
handed me N46333.
0n +une 12 1919 Eust as ' #as leaving for the airport my father said
=When you get there call collect and ask for yourself.= &hat #ay he
#ould kno# ' had arrived and #ouldn>t have to pay for the call.
=' can>t do that Bad= ' responded. ='t #ould be lying. Bon>t #orry
'>m still going to call you.=
=Aou>d better not call me #ithout making it collect= he continued to
19
23 H( & 07C H( B ,(
insist.
&he ne!t day ' #ent to the &oronto airport #ith my ticket my
suitcase and N46.
What an adventure it #as?
&he first afternoon ' arrived at the home of a beautiful family near
@ondon #ho #ere involved in Aouth #ith a ,ission. ' immediately asked
=,ay ' use your phone< ' need to call my parents to let them kno# '
arrived safely.= And ' added ='>ll pay you for the call.= ' #as going to
give them part of the N46 that #as in my pocket.
=Certainly. *o right ahead= the man of the house insisted.
' picked up the phone and dialed =3= for operator and a #oman came
on the line. =(!cuse me sir= she said. =' kno# this may sound like a
strange "uestion but are you a Christian<=
' #as in shock #ondering 'ho had ! reached) +nd how did she
know)
=Aes ' am= ' "uickly responded. =' am a Christian.=
As *od is my #itness the operator said =&he @ord let me kno# you
#ould be calling and He told me to pay for your call.=
At that point ' didn>t kno# #hether the person ' #as speaking to #as
from (ngland Canada or heaven?
'n her professional voice she asked =What number #ould you like
me to dial please<=
't #as late at night &oronto time and my dad ans#ered the phone.
=&his is Benny= ' told him. =' Eust #anted you to kno# that ' made it to
(ngland. (verything is fine. '>m staying #ith some very nice people.=
=' thought ' told you to call me collect?= he snapped.
=Bon>t #orry '>m not paying for this call= ' "uickly responded.
After a couple of curse #ords he said =&hose poor people in
(nglandCyou>re doing this to them<=
=%o Bad they>re not paying for it either= ' replied.
0bviously aggravated he retorted =What kind of Christian are you
lying about this<=
=0h you #ouldn>t understand= ' told him. And he hung up the
phone.
A B07B@(5B(C)(/
&he #ord Shekinah speaks of *od>s d#elling place presence and
glory. &hat>s #hat #e earnestly prayed #ould happen to every person #ho
- H( )' %AH? 21
attended the nightly concertsCthat *od>s glory #ould touch their life.
0ur transportation #as a double5decker bus that a Christian man in
(ngland let the Watsons have for Eust one British pound. Behind the bus
#ere t#o trucks filled #ith production e"uipment and our suitcases.
,ost nights #e #ere hosted by individual families and ' began to
meet the most #onderful Christians.
&he concerts held in *othic cathedrals concert halls and large
churches #ere spectacular. When si!ty5three -pirit5filled young people
began to #orship the @ord through soul5stirring music dramatic pageant
and dance the audiences immediately Eoined in praise. ,any of the songs
#e sang #ere #ritten by ,erla WatsonCincluding one that became a
#orld#ide favoriteI =+ehovah +ireh ,y $rovider His *race 's -ufficient
for ,e.=
We even performed an open5air concert at &rafalgar -"uare in
do#nto#n @ondon.
Almost every morning #e had a chapel service and #ere blessed by
the ministry of outstanding local preachers and Bible teachers.
As ' look back at my Eournal ' realiDe that it #as not the beautiful
edifices or tourist attractions that held my attention. ,y one great desire
#as to be close to the -avior.
'n (ngland on +une 4: 1919 ' #roteI
Bear +esus. &ake this day and make it Aours. $lease
place in my heart that fire and love for Aou. @ord
+esus take my thoughts and make them Aours. ,ay
' think on Aou alone today @ord. $lease help me
Holy -pirit and use me for +esus> sake. Amen.
@(--0%- 0; ;A'&H
&he tour #ound its #ay through Belgium *ermany and -#itDerland.
And on -unday morning August 12 1919 in Holland #e had the
memorable e!perience of attending the home church of Corrie ten Boom.
Corrie author of The Hiding 2lace, spoke that morning on the importance
of total surrender. Her unforgettable message #as titled =&he *love=C
and #hat it means to place our life in the ,aster>s hand.
Corrie illustrated the message #ith a glove in her hand telling us that
=#e are the glove and the hand is the @ordCand as #e surrender
ourselves one part at a time the @ord fits the glove.= 't #as a message '
began to put into practice.
After a final concert in Holland #e headed for home on the fifth of
-eptember. ' #as restlessCkno#ing that *od #as calling me to be more
than Eust part of a singing group. ;inancially *od used that Eourney to
24 H( & 07C H( B ,(
teach me #hat it means to step out in faith.
,y money gre# and multiplied. With absolutely no prompting total
strangers came up to me and said =Here the @ord told me to give you
this.=
' returned to &oronto #ith ne# clothes and ne# luggage. And ' said
to my father =Bad ' #ant to thank you for the t#enty5five dollars= as '
handed it back to him.
He Eust shook his head.
'& HA$$(%(B A& -H'@0
&he entire fall of 1919 my fello#ship #ith the Holy -pirit
intensified. Aet there #as a burden on my heart that gre# heavier.
;inally in %ovember ' couldn>t avoid the subEect any longer. ' said
to the @ord =' #ill preach the gospel on one conditionI that Aou #ill be
#ith me in every service.= And then ' reminded Him =@ord Aou kno#
that ' can>t talk.= ' #orried continually about my speech problem and the
fact that ' #as going to embarrass myself.
-till embedded in my mind>s eye #as the picture of the burning man
Cand the sound of the @ord saying ='f you do not preach everyone #ho
falls #ill be your responsibility.=
' thought ' must begin to ,reach. But #ouldn>t passing out tracts be
good enough<
0ne afternoon the first #eek of Becember ' #as sitting in the home
of -tan and -hirley $hillips in 0sha#a about thirty miles east of &oronto.
=Can ' tell you something<= ' asked. %ever before had ' felt led to
share #ith anyone the full story of my e!periences dreams and visions.
;or nearly three hours ' poured out my heart including details only the
@ord and ' kne#. ' told them of my increasing heavy burden for lost souls.
Before ' had finished -tanley stopped me and said =Benny tonight
you must come to our church and share your heart.= &hey had a
fello#ship called -hiloCabout a hundred people at the &rinity Assembly
of *od in 0sha#a. &he church #as pastored by the /everend )enneth
Beesley #hose son *ary #ould one day Eoin the ministerial staff of the
World 0utreach Church in 0rlando.
' phoned ,arilyn -troud and asked her to help #ith the music. ' had
kno#n her for nearly t#o yearsCshe #as part of the Catacombs praise
and #orship team and #as on the =-hekinah= Eourney.
' #ish you could have seen me. ,y hair tumbled do#n to my
shoulders and ' hadn>t dressed for church because the invitation had been
totally une!pected.
- H( )' %AH? 28
&hat night Becember 1 1919 -tan $hillips introduced me to the
group and for the first time in my life ' stood behind a pulpit to preach.
&he instant ' opened my mouth ' felt something touch my tongue and
it #as loosened. &here #ere a fe# seconds of numbness then ' began to
proclaim *od>s Word #ith absolute fluency.
Here>s #hat #as amaDing. *od didn>t heal me #hen ' #as sitting in
the audience. He didn>t heal me #hen ' #as #alking up to the platform.
He didn>t heal me #hen ' stood behind the pulpit. *od performed the
miracle #hen ' opened my mouth.
&he moment my tongue loosened ' said to myself =&hat>s it?= &he
stuttering #as gone all of itCand it has never returned. &hank Aou
+esus?
After my message ' invited people to come for#ard to be prayed for.
About ten responded. %o one kne# about being slain in the -pirit yet as '
prayed for these dear people they began falling under *od>s anointing.
When ' looked up almost everyone in the building #as coming to the
front for prayer. What a mighty #ork the @ord did that night?
=Benny #hen you began to speak my Ea# dropped open= ,arilyn
-troud told me after the service. =What ' sa# tonight #as a miracle.=
-'J -&/A$$'%* B7&CH,(%
&he ne!t day ,arilyn phoned Bernie Warren at the BeDek center in
Campbellville and asked =Bo you remember Benny Hinn<=
=0f course ' do= replied Bernie. He thought of me as =Eust one of the
kids= #ho came out to the meetings from the Catacombs.
=Well you need to see him= said ,arilyn =because something
special is happening in his life. 't #ould be great if you could have him
come and minister to your people.=
' #ent to see Bernie Warren at BeDek the follo#ing ;riday and
shared #ith him #hat had happened to me in 0sha#a. We talked about
the manifestations and people being po#erfully touched by the Holy
-pirit. 0ur conversation continued until late in the afternoon. ' felt
honored that this highly respected minister had spent this time #ith me.
=Benny ' feel led to ask you to participate in the service tonight=
said Bernie. =(!pound on #hat you are telling me.=
0f course ' eagerly agreed.
Hundreds of people #ere packed into the center that evening. After a
short message the -pirit led me to call people for#ard. &he first to
respond #ere si! big strapping ButchmenL they to#ered over me.
' prayed and boom, do#n they #entCall of them? &he altars #ere
29 H( & 07C H( B ,(
"uickly filled and many #ere blessed and healed that night by the po#er
of *od.
At the close of the meeting Bernie Warren stepped to the
microphone and announced =@adies and gentlemen ' kno# some of you
may have "uestions about #hat you have #itnessed here tonight. But '
#ant you to kno# that ' affirm the ministry the @ord has given to Benny
Hinn.=
=-0,(&H'%* ' WA- %0& (J$(C&'%*=
0n the last day of 1919 ' sat do#n #ith my Eournal and #rote a
summary of the marvelous events that had transpiredI
%ineteen seventy5four has been the greatest year
'>ve had. And ' kno# that 1916 #ill even be a
greater year full of service for the @ord +esus. ' Eust
pray that ' may love Him more than ever. All of last
year . . . '>ve e!perienced a tremendous fello#ship
#ith the @ord. +esus #as never so close the Holy
-pirit #as never so real. ,any times in prayer '>ve
e!perienced His presence #hich brought me great
Eoy and love and peace. &here #ere times ' could
not stand properly because His presence #as #ith
me. ,y love for +esus gre# in a great #ay and the
Holy -pirit has #orked to make +esus the center of
my life. ' had many hard trials and tests but it
seemed as though each trial brought me closer to
+esus.
As ' look back ' am simply amaDed at the change
that has taken place and the things '>ve learned that
' don>t think '>ll ever forget. &he Holy -pirit has
truly done some great things. He has caused me to
come to the cross #hen my sins #ere before me. He
has given me a great desire to serve the @ord and a
hunger to be fully His. He has caused death to come
upon the areas of self and still more He #ill
crucify. He has placed a burden for souls and a love
'>ve never kno#n. &ruly '>ve changed from *lory to
*lory.
' came home Ffrom the -hekinah trip to (uropeG
hungry and thirsty for His closeness and fello#ship
and for almost t#o months all ' did #as pray and
pour my heart out. &hese #ere very hard months for
me because the Holy -pirit #as doing deep #ork
that hurts. But ho# thankful ' am for He made me
a better man having more of +esus and His love.
- H( )' %AH? 26
;or these t#o months ' had a great hunger and
longing to serve the @ord so ' started to pray that
*od #ould sho# me His #ill and so He did by
placing in my heart this burden for souls. ' al#ays
kne# ' #ould one day preach the gospel but no# it
#as stronger than ever. ' kne# ' had to do
something but didn>t kno# #hat or ho#. At the
same time the Holy -pirit #as preparing something
' #as not e!pecting.
'n my Eournal ' #rote the account of -tan and -hirley $hillips inviting
me to give my testimony at their church in 0sha#aCand the #onderful
po#er of *od that descended. And here are the final #ords ' #rote on the
last day of 1919I
&his started this ministry #hich is the ministry of
the Holy -pirit. . . and the @ord is moving in a
mighty #ay. ' kno# that ' have nothing to do #ith
anything that happens and ' pray to *od ' never
#ill for my longing is only to preach the gospel
and to see souls saved. +esus use me only for Aour
glory. ;or Aour sake Amen.
&hat Christmas ' had much to celebrate. At the age of t#enty5t#o '
had preached my first sermon and had seen *od confirm His Word #ith
signs follo#ing. And the impediment that had plagued me since childhood
#as completely healed.
$raise *od my stuttering #as gone?
He touched me? 0h He touched me?
C H A $ & ( / 1 1
11 TWO OCLOCK IN THE MORNIN!
=Benny #e believe *od #ants to use you in a mighty #ay= my friend
+im $oynter told meCspeaking for a group of ministers #ho had asked
me to conduct some meetings in Willo#dale a suburb of &oronto. =We>re
going to rent the cafeteria of a public school and leave the rest up to the
@ord.=
't #as ;ebruary 1916 Eust t#o months after ' had first shared my
testimony at the church in 0sha#a.
&his confirmed the unmistakable voice of the Holy -pirit prompting
me that it #as time to begin conducting #eekly meetings in &oronto. &he
@ord said =;ollo# ,e. Hear ,y voice and many #ill be led to Christ.=
&he ministers in Willo#dale #ere taking "uite a chance. ' certainly
had no track record as an evangelist. ' #as simply a young man #ho had
turned his life completely over to the @ord. &hose #ho gathered in the
cafeteria that night did not kno# #hat to e!pect and neither did '?
Because of $oynter>s connections as a ;ree ,ethodist people from
that denomination came out in force. 'n fact some of their ministers
#anted me to become ordained by that church.
At Willo#dale #e conducted several services before ' felt led to ask
those #ho needed a healing touch from *od to come for#ard for prayer.
'n those days ' formed a =healing line= and personally prayed for those
individuals #ho re"uested prayer. &he @ord began to do some marvelous
things. $eople #ere delivered from serious addictions families #ere
reunited and there #ere testimonies of miracles. &he emphasis ho#ever
#as on salvation and each service al#ays included an invitation for
people to find Christ.
Buring these early days of ministry ' #as e!tremely naive. And as the
cro#ds gre# there #ere all kinds of people desiring to be part of the
21
22 H( & 07C H( B ,(
services. ;or e!ample if someone told me =&he @ord has given me a
song for the meeting tonight= ' #ould let them sing. 0r if someone had
=a #ord from *od= '>d let them share.
't #asn>t long ho#ever until ' realiDed some #ere hearing their o#n
voice and ' asked the @ord to give me discernment.
Bespite my immaturity the cro#ds gre#.
=' think #e need to find a larger auditorium and continue these
services= said one of the sponsoring ministers. &o my delight #e moved
to *eorges .anier -econdary -chool #here ' had once attendedCthe
same building #here ' had asked the @ord to come into my heart at a
student5led early morning prayer meeting.
,any people from ethnic backgrounds attended those ,onday night
services in 1916 especially the @atvians.
' am the first to admit that my early sermons had little content. &hey
#ere basically my testimony of the #ork of the -piritCof ho# He made
Himself real to me. 'n those days ' really didn>t kno# too much about
organiDing my thoughts and preparing a message. ' simply communicated
from the depths of my heart.
&he ministry began to mushroom. 't seemed that nearly every day '
#as invited to a church or fello#ship group to minister. &he services #ere
totally led by the -pirit and ' listened intently to His voice. ' felt in the
perfect center of *od>s #ill.
=$/AA +', $/AA?=
At home there #as still such tremendous tension ' didn>t dare tell my
parents that ' #as actually preaching. &hey had no inkling. )eeping it
"uiet for so long #as a miracle in itself. ,y brothers and sisters #ere
a#are but they didn>t tell Bad because they kne# it #ould be the end of
me?
Also since there #as so little communication around the house my
mother and father didn>t kno# ' had been healed of my speech
impediment. &here had al#ays been times #hen ' could speak #ithout a
noticeable problem for a short periodCbefore something set the stuttering
off again.
'n April 1916 a ne#spaper ad #ith my picture appeared in the
Toronto Star. ' #as preaching at a little pentecostal church on the #est
side of &oronto and the pastor #anted to attract some visitors.
't #orked. 7nkno#n to me my parents Costandi and Clemence
thumbed through the paper and spotted the ad.
&hat -unday night as ' #as seated on the platform ' looked up
during the song service and could hardly believe my eyes. Coming in the
& W0 0> C @0C ) ' % & H( ,0/%' %* 29
door #ere my mother and fatherCbeing ushered to a seat to#ard the back
of the auditorium.
This is it% ' thought. 'hat's going to ha,,en to me)
' don>t think '>ve been as frightened in my life. ,y heart almost
stopped and ' could feel the perspiration on my forehead. ,y #orst
nightmare could not have matched this. ' #as petrifiedCtoo startled to
laugh and too shocked to cry.
-eated ne!t to me on the platform #as my faithful friend +im
$oynter. ' leaned over to him and #hispered =$ray +im. $ray?=
He #as shocked #hen ' told him my mother and dad #ere there.
'mmediately a thousand thoughts flashed through my mind not the
least of #hich #as Lord, !'ll know ! am really healed if ! don't stutter
tonight. Buring the four previous months there #as never a time ' #as so
nervous during a serviceCand an!iety al#ays made me stutter.
=@ord Aou>ve got to help me= ' prayed as ' stepped to the pulpit to
preach. &hen as ' opened my mouth #ords began flo#ing out of me like
a river. ' found myself actually =listening= to #hat the -pirit directed me
to say.
' must tell you ho#ever that ' could not bring myself to look in the
direction of my parents not even for a fleeting glance.
As ' preached ' kne# that my concern about stuttering #as needless.
*od had healed me and the healing #as permanent.
When ' had finished my message ' could feel the po#er of *od all
through that auditorium. ' asked those #ho needed a healing to come
for#ard for prayer. ' kept #ondering 'hat must my mom and dad be
thinking of all this)
As people came to the altar ' noticed my parents slip from their seats
and e!it the back door.
When the service #as over ' slumped do#n in one of the pulpit
chairs and said =+im you>ve really got to pray. Bo you realiDe that in the
ne!t fe# hours my destiny #ill be decided<= Breading the inevitable
confrontation ' told him =' may have to sleep at your house tonight.=
@'-&(%'%* '% B'-B(@'(;
' #ent out to the parking lot and climbed into my t#o5door $ontiacC
the first car ' had ever o#ned. 't #as #hite #ith a red vinyl roof. ' had
bought it from my brother Willie.
;or the ne!t several hours ' drove aimlessly around &oronto
determined to #ait until at least t#o in the morning to go home. ' couldn>t
bear the thought of facing my parents and kne# by that time they #ould
93 H( & 07C H( B ,(
probably be sleeping.
Muietly Eust after t#o o>clock in the morning ' parked in front of the
house and turned off the ignition. &hen ' tiptoed up the steps and slo#ly
turned the key in the lock.
When ' opened the front door ' #as startled by #hat ' sa#. &here in
front of me seated on the couch #ere my mom and dad. ' had been
panic5stricken #hen ' sa# them #alk into that church but this #as even
#orse. ,y knees began to tremble and ' looked for a place to sit do#n.
,y father #as the first to speak and ' listened in disbelief.
=-on= he said softly =ho# can #e become like you<=
Was ' hearing #hat ' thought ' #as hearing< Was this the same man
#ho had been so offended by my conversion< &he father #ho had
absolutely forbidden the name of +esus to be spoken in our home<
=We really #ant to kno#= he said. =&ell us ho# #e can have #hat
you have.=
' looked at my dear mother and sa# tears begin to fall do#n her
beautiful cheeks. ' couldn>t contain my Eoy at that moment. ' began to
#eep. And for the ne!t hour of that unforgettable night ' opened the
-criptures and led my parents to the saving kno#ledge of the @ord +esus
Christ.
At one point my daddy said =Benny do you kno# #hat convinced
me<= He told me that #hen ' began preaching he turned to my mother
and said =&hat>s not your son. Aour son can>t talk? His *od must be real.=
&he marvelous conversion of my parents allo#ed the @ord to literally
s#eep through the rest of the family. ,ary -ammy and Willie had
already given their hearts to Christ and no# it happened to Henry /ose
and my little brother ,ike. &he last one to come into the fold #as Chris.
'f you>ve ever heard about =household salvation= this #as it?
;or the first time the Hinn home #as transformed into =heaven on
earth=? And the change #as not temporary. 't #as a permanent #ork of
the -pirit.
='&>- ,(?=
'n ,ay 1916 the @ord impressed me to do something ' had never
done before. By that time our services #ere being held in the beautiful
fello#ship hall of -t. $aul>s Anglican Church in do#nto#n &oronto.
Buring one meeting #ith several hundred people present ' looked across
the audience and obeyed #hat the @ord #as telling me. =-omeone #ith a
leg problem is being healed= ' declared.
%o one stood up so ' repeated the #ords. =-omeone #ith a leg
& W0 0> C @0C ) ' % & H( ,0/%' %* 91
problem is being healed right no#? $lease stand up.=
About a minute later a young #oman #ith long red hair rose to her
feet and began to make her #ay to the platform. ='t>s me?= she e!claimed.
=' have been healed.=
;rom that moment *od changed the direction of the ministry. 'n
service after service people #ere being healed and delivered #hile the
meeting #as taking place. &here #ere no more healing lines for the laying
on of hands. &he @ord began to do His #ork all across the auditoriumC
and so many #ere touched that there #as not time to hear all of the
testimonies.
&he cro#ds gre# and gre# until #e had to move ,onday night
meetings from the fello#ship hall into the large sanctuary of -t. $aul>s
Anglican ChurchCthe same facility the Catacombs had used on
&hursdays.
H(AB'%* %0/&H
=Benny #e>re buying a plane ticket for you to go #ith us to -ault
-ainte ,arie=Ca to#n in north#est 0ntario across the border from the
7pper $eninsula of ,ichigan.
=What>s going on up there<= ' asked.
=&here>s a ;ull *ospel Businessmen>s convention and '>ve told the
directors all about you= said my friend +ohn Arnott.
(arlier that year +ohn had been invited to the second meeting '
conducted at *eorges .anier -econdary -chool and had become a
#onderful friend and great supporter of my ministry. As +ohn later told
me =We kne# that this #as the anointing of *odCit #as something #e
had longed for.=
When )athryn )uhlman came to Canada that year +ohn his friend
-andy ;leming and ' volunteered to sing in the choir. We sat through the
meeting and cried like babiesCpraying for the -pirit to be poured out on
our lives.
+ohn and his #ife had the hearts of servants. &hey #ould drive me to
meetings help arrange the chairs and he #ould even carry my luggage.
We used to pray together as #e drove the high#ays of 0ntario =0h
+esus don>t ever give us rest until #e truly kno# Aou in all Aour glory
and po#er.=
,any years later +ohn Arnott #ould lead a #orld#ide revival that
became kno#n as the =&oronto Blessing= and pastor the &oronto Airport
Christian ;ello#ship.
'n those days +ohn #as a successful entrepreneur #ho o#ned several
farms and businesses in southern 0ntario.
94 H( & 07C H( B ,(
As #e headed to the airport to fly to -ault -ainte ,arie in -eptember
1916 +ohn said =Benny you need to kno# that the purpose of this trip is
Eust to introduce you to the leadership of the ;ull *ospel Businessmen>s
;ello#ship.=
=Aou mean '>m not speaking<= ' asked.
&hey confessed that there #as great resistance from some of the
leadership. 'n fact one director told +ohn =%o #e don>t #ant a novice on
the platform.=
When #e arrived at the Holiday 'nn +ohn persuaded the conference
chairman to let me give a short testimony.
=;riends= the leader of the service announced =#e are happy to have
a young man from &oronto #ith us today and #e>ve asked him to share
#ith you for the ne!t fe# minutes.=
' #alked nervously to the platform kno#ing hardly anyone in the
buildingCand they certainly didn>t kno# me. &hen Eust as ' began
wham% The po#er of *od hit that place like a hurricane of category five.
;or the ne!t hour and a half people #ere #eeping bodies #ere slain
prostrate before the @ord and miracles #ere taking place all over the
room.
' kne# instantly that this #ould not be my last visit to northern
Canada.
%7&- A%B B0@&-
&he ne!t afternoon as the courtesy van #as about to leave the
Holiday 'nn for the airport the innkeeper stopped me and said =,r.
Hinn ' #ould like you to meet one of our local ministers. &his is
/everend ;red -pring.=
;red #asn>t there for the businessmen>s meetingL he had been
attending a #edding reception in the same facility.
='>m the pastor of the (lim $entecostal &abernacle an Assemblies of
*od church here= he told me. &hen this manC#ho had the most uni"ue
sideburns ' had ever seenCsaid something that surprised even him. ='>d
like you to come and speak in my church= he asked.
As ;red -pring told me later =&hat #as totally out of character for
me. ' #as very picky about #ho ' allo#ed to speak in my pulpit. Aour
name #as vaguely familiar and ' had heard some#here that you #ere a
ne# evangelist involved in a healing ministryL ' Eust felt led to ask you.=
,y response to $astor -pring>s invitation #as ='>ll be there?=
&hat fall ' returned to -ault -ainte ,arie for a three5night crusade
#ith ;red -pring. By -unday night the people #ere lined up outside the
& W0 0> C @0C ) ' % & H( ,0/%' %* 98
(lim $entecostal &abernacle #aiting for a seat.
=Benny my board is a little upset but ' #ant you to promise me
you>ll come back soon.= (vidently #hat #as taking place in the services
#as far from typical. 't left some old5timers shaking their heads.
;red also told me that his church maintenance man #as upset. =Can>t
you stop that guy from doing that<=
=Boing #hat<= $astor -pring #anted to kno#.
=Well having all those people being slain in the -pirit back in the
pe#s= he replied.
=What>s the problem<= ;red in"uired.
=-ome of the pe#s are coming loose from the floor and #e have to
drill out the bolts and replace them.=
;red Eust smiled. &he #ork *od #as about to do in -ault -ainte
,arie #as more important than a fe# nuts and bolts.
C H A $ & ( / 1 4
12 A JOURNEY OF MIRACLES
=Benny ' believe you need to return to northern 0ntario at least three or
four times a year= ;red -pring told me.
='s that an invitation<= ' chuckled.
(very time ' visited -ault -ainte ,arie for services the cro#ds gre#
C#e had to move from the church to the White $ines Collegiate -chool
auditorium.
' loved being in #hat #e called =the north country= #ith ;red and his
#ife Bette. ;red #ould borro# a four5#heel vehicle and #e #ould travel
as far north as #e could go before running out of roads often preaching in
small churches.
' still smile #hen ' think about the service #e conducted in a place
called Wa#a. &he #onderful pastor there had been an airplane pilot #ith
%orthland ,issions an Assemblies of *od outreach in northern Canada.
7nfortunately the man had lost his arm in an accident. He fell off a
pontoon and his arm #as severed by the blade of the plane>s propeller.
%o# he #ore a false arm and a cla#.
We had a #onderful meeting in a church that #as Eammed to
overflo#ing. And #hen the service #as over ' #anted to thank everybody
#ho had participated. =' think #e ought to give the pastor a good hand= '
said.
&he people started laughingCincluding the ministerCand ' didn>t
kno# #hy. ' turned to ;red and said =What did ' say<=
=Aou asked them to give the pastor a good hand,1 he e!plained
chuckling.
't>s one of the fe# times '>ve been embarrassed on the platform.
&H( '%B'A% CH'(;
96
9: H( & 07C H( B ,(
Buring one of our trips up north #e held a meeting in the village of
-panish 0ntario about 863 miles from &oronto. 't #as an 'ndian
settlement.
&he 'ndians are gracious people yet "uite stoic #ith stern faces and
Eutting chins. As ' preached about *od>s miracle5#orking po#er most of
them Eust sat there #ith their arms folded.
As ' #as about to conclude a large 'ndian man stood to his feet and
began slo#ly #alking up the aisle #ith his #ife and family. He #alked
#ith crutches. His face #as e!pressionless as he continued to make his
#ay to the front. As he came closer and closer ' #aited for someone to
stop him but no one moved.
By the time he reached the front of the auditorium all eyes #ere
focused on him.
=-ir ho# can ' help you<= ' asked reluctantly as he #alked up on the
platform.
&he man looked directly into my eyes and said =Aou say that *od
heals.=
=Aes He does= ' ans#ered.
&he 'ndian then proceeded to tell me #hat #as #rong #ith himCand
the list of ailments #as long indeed. He #ent on to e!plain that he had
been a cripple for t#enty5eight years and that his #ife #as ill #ith cancer.
He also told us that his little girl suffered from a skin disease that caused
severe bleeding on the skin>s surfaceCand that the little baby his #ife #as
carrying in her arms #as also ill.
=Aou say *od heals= he repeated. =&hen prove it?=
As ' looked at the man and his family standing before me ' kne#
there #as nothing ' could do for them. 'n desperation ' #ent to my knees
Cand asked all the preachers and a Catholic priest on the platform to Eoin
me. ' lifted my hands and said =Bear +esus? ' am not preaching my
gospel. ' am preaching #our gospel? &his man is asking me to prove it.
&his is Aour gospelC#ou prove it dear +esus?=
&he #ords had barely left my lips #hen ' heard a loud commotion. '
opened my eyes to discover the entire family on the floor to the side of me
Cpiled one on top of the other. &hey all #ent do#n under the po#er of
the Holy -pirit.
' #as amaDed at #hat ' sa#.
='>ve been healed?= shouted the father as he leaped to his feet. ='>ve
been healed?= He #as Eumping up and do#n in Eoy and tears. &hen he
pulled back his little girl>s sleeve revealing skin as perfect as that of a
baby. &he skin disease had vanished and she #as healed too?Cand so
A + 07/ %( A 0; ,' / AC @( - 91
#ere the #ife and the little child.
As you can imagine the audience #as e!cited. -ubdued and "uiet
Eust moments before they #ere no# praising *od for the miracles that
had taken place.
/evival came to that little communityCand +esus received all the
praise.
&o this day ' am deeply moved every time ' think of #hat *od did in
-panish 0ntario.
0% B0A/B
*od obviously had a purpose in allo#ing me to meet ;red -pring in
northern Canada. 't #as the beginning of a relationship #ith a man #ho
#as to play a vital role in the future of our ministry.
&hat same year #hen #e organiDed the Benny Hinn (vangelistic
Association ;red #as not only a board member but he also became
e!ecutive director of the ministry. He fle# to &oronto almost every
,ondayCon his day offCto handle administrative details and coordinate
my speaking schedule.
&he @ord surrounded me #ith some #onderful men of *od. 0ur
board included Bavid -turrie )eith (lford ;rederick Bro#neCand
/ichard *reen a director of a maEor &oronto accounting firm handled
the finances.
Buring these days ' #as conducting at least five services every #eek
not Eust in CanadaL a gro#ing number of invitations #ere also coming
from the 7nited -tates.
+ohn Arnott #ho spent considerable time in ;lorida arranged my
first speaking tour in the -unshine -tate including meetings at the
&abernacle Church in ,elbourne #here +amie Buckingham #as the
pastor. ' also preached at a charismatic (piscopal church in ,aitland and
at the -t. +ames Catholic Church in 0rlando. &hose anointed meetings
opened many doors.
'n &oronto our ,onday night miracles services moved to the
spacious (vangelistic Center on Aork ,ills /oad. (very service #as
packed to capacity #ith standing room only. 0utside the parking
situation #as described as =sheer mayhem.= 0n any given ,onday you
might find a bus load of Catholics from Muebec a group of Arabs from
(gypt or people #ho had driven from ,ichigan %e# Aork or ,anitoba.
'n our meetings ' constantly told the cro#d to turn their eyes to#ard
our #onderful +esus. ' #ould tell them that *od does not say =' have
healing.= He al#ays says =' am the @ord #ho heals.= Healing is a person.
' preached that =the great secret to healing is the @ord +esus.=
92 H( & 07C H( B ,(
' found that ne# believersCopen to accepting everything *od had
for them #ere also open and more ready to receive their healing. And
they sa# the po#er of the %e# &estament church in action.
=,/. $(%&(C0-&=
At every turn *od #as instructing me and shaping my ministry.
' had only been preaching for about one year #hen ' #as asked to be
one of the speakers at a conference in Brockville a to#n in eastern
0ntario on the -t. @a#rence /iver. 't #as there ' met a gentleman #hom '
had come to regard as a giant in the faithCBavid Bu$lessis.
,illions around the #orld kne# and loved this man they called =,r.
$entecost.= He is the person #ho introduced the charismatic movement to
the Catholic church. His teaching on the baptism of the Holy -pirit had
been used mightily by *od and had influenced countless lives.
&he conference held in a hotel #as organiDed by ,audie $hillips a
#oman #ho #orked #ith )athryn )uhlman.
;ollo#ing a session #ith Bavid Bu$lessis as ' #as #alking do#n a
hall#ay ,audie called to me and asked =Would you #alk #ith Bavid to
his room<=
' #as elated and thought 'hat a ,riilege to be asked to walk this
serant of God to his hotel room.
,audie introduced me to Br. Bu$lessis and left. ' smiled at =,r.
$entecost= as #e #alked along. ' can still recall ho# neatly this rather
short #hite5haired man #as dressed carrying a dignified5looking
briefcase. ' #as thrilled for the chance to be near such a man of *od.
Walking do#n the hall#ay my mind #as #hirling #ith things ' #anted to
askCbut #asn>t sure ho#.
;inally deciding not to #aste this perfect opportunity ' gathered my
courage took a deep breath and asked =,r. Bu$lessis ho# can ' please
*od<=
&he moment those #ords left my lips he stopped #alking do#n the
hall#ay put his briefcase on the floor and turned to#ard me. $lacing his
thick short finger on my chest he pushed me back against the #all. &hen
he peered through his glasses and in a serious tone of voice said =Bon>t
even try.= And he added ='t>s not your abilityL it>s His ability in you.=
With that he promptly said =*ood night= stepped back picked up
his briefcase and disappeared into his room.
' Eust stood there #ith my back still pressed against that #allClost
for #ords.
'hat did he mean) ' #ondered. ' had e!pected a profound lengthy
A + 07/ %( A 0; ,' / AC @( - 99
ans#er from this spiritual giant and all he said #as =Bon>t even try. 't>s
not your abilityL it>s His ability in you.=
't took me several years to fully comprehend the great lesson found in
those #ords. ' no# kno# there is no need to attempt to please Him in my
o#n strength. &hat #ould be futileL for He completed the #ork on the
cross #hen He said ='t is finished?=
' have learned that all ' have to do is surrender to the Holy -piritC
and He #ill do the rest. &hat>s #hat Bavid Bu$lessis meant.
@ater Br. Bu$lessis and ' became close friends and ' had the
opportunity to talk #ith him about the things of the -pirit. 'n fact Eust
before he passed a#ay ' #as privileged to #ork #ith him for a short time
in association #ith my good friends /onn Haus and &ommy /eid. He had
a ministry that #as called =+ohn 11I41= #hich focused on forgiveness.
A CA%C(@(B ,((&'%*
'n late %ovember 1916 ' received a phone call from ,audie $hillips.
=Benny= she said =' kno# you have #anted to meet )athryn for some
time and ' have it all arranged. 'n fact ' have been telling her about your
ministry. Can you be in $ittsburgh ne!t ;riday morning< -he #ill be able
to meet #ith you right after the service.=
=0f course '>ll be there= ' replied #ith great e!citement. &he idea
that ' #ould finally have the opportunity to meet ,iss )uhlman #as
thrilling. ' #as an!ious to e!press my gratitude for the pivotal role she
had played in my life.
' arrived early at ;irst $resbyterian Church. As usual people #ere
lined up by the hundreds #aiting for the doors to open. A fe# minutes
later a staff member came to me and said =' kno# you are here to meet
#ith ,iss )uhlman after the service. Ho#ever she #ill not be here today.
-he is sick and has been taken to the hospital.=
%o one could remember anything like this happening before. )athryn
neer canceled a service. ,oments later the entire #aiting cro#d #as
given the same message. &he ne#s #as cause for great concern. &hey
#ere stunned. 'n hushed #hispers they asked one another =' #onder ho#
serious it really is<= =Bo you think they #ill tell us more<=
&here #as no reason for me to stay. ' left $ittsburgh and returned to
Canada.
&hree months later on ;ebruary 43 191: )athryn )uhlman died of
a heart condition.
When the ne#s of her death reached me ' buried my head in my
hands and began to cry. Although ' had never met her )athryn seemed
like a member of my family. -he had presented me #ith a ban"uet of
133 H( & 07C H( B ,(
spiritual food and her #ords had inspired me beyond measure. A flood of
memories flashed across my mind and all ' could do #as fall to my knees
and pray =@ord thank Aou for ,iss )uhlman. &hank Aou for using her
to touch my life.=
,any times '>ve been asked =Benny tell me about ,iss )uhlman.
What #as she like<=
&hey are surprised #hen ' say =0h ' never had the opportunity to
meet )athryn personally.= @ooking back on my Eourney to $ittsburgh '
believe #hat happened that day #as in *od>s providence.
As ' told members of my staff recently had ' met )athryn it is
possible that ' #ould have forever believed she gave the anointing to me
or that *od may have used her in some #ay to transfer it to me. %o the
@ord #anted me to clearly understand that the anointing comes from Him
not from any person.
' firmly believe *od uses His servants to influence us to #alk in His
#aysCeven to bring us into an atmosphere #here miracles occur. &he
@ord did not give me any special po#er or gift through )athryn )uhlman
instead He used her to help me find the anointing.
,'/AC@(- A%B ,(B'A
-tarting in 191: the press in Canada began to take notice of our
meetings. &here #ere front5page stories of the =,iracle /allies= #e #ere
conducting.
&he Toronto Globe and Mail sent reporters $eter Whelan and
Aubrey Wice to the service in Convocation Hall at the 7niversity of
&oronto. 7nder a banner headline =;aith HealingI &he $o#er of Belief=
they gave an account of the testimonies of healing. And they concluded
the feature by "uoting meI ='>m not interested in building up Benny Hinn.
'>m not and never #ill be. +esus is the 0ne . . . to be built up and e!alted.
We #ant to reach souls for the @ord +esus. ' #ant to see souls souls
souls souls souls. $eople do you understand that<=
&he Toronto Star, in a maEor feature ran the headline =Boes ;aith
Healing /eally Work<= A reporter presented four case studies of people
#ho had been healed in our services. He told about a shift #orker at the
*, plant in 0sha#a #ho had cancer of the throat. =&his #eek follo#ing
a checkup at the cancer clinic he #as told there is no trace of
malignancy.=
He also detailed the account of a Beaverton truckerI =A
nonchurchgoer #ho had suffered from congestive heart failure and slight
emphysema Fa lung diseaseG for seven years #as persuaded by friends to
attend a healing crusade. >' #ent to the doctor three days later and he told
me he could find nothing #rong> he says. >*od must have done it.>=
A + 07/ %( A 0; ,' / AC @( - 131
What about their doctors< &he reporter "uoted one as saying =@ook
there are more things happening in this #orld than #e kno# about.=
&elevision stations began to film documentaries of #hat *od #as
doing. &he Canadian Broadcasting Corporation FCBCG *lobal &. and
the huge independent station in &oronto Channel 9 produced ne#s
reports. &he stories in the media #ere not critical accounts but factual
descriptions of #hat #as taking place.
$(&/';'(B '% $'&&-B7/*H
0n ;ebruary 43 1911 ' #as invited to $ittsburgh to speak at a
memorial service honoring ,iss )uhlman. &he Carnegie ,usic Hall #as
filled.
' had been preaching for more than t#o years yet ' felt like a novice
that night. While the film of her ministry #as being sho#n ' looked out
from behind the stage curtain and my knees began to buckleCmy
stomach #as in knots. ,ost of these people did not kno# me and had
never before been in my meetings.
+immie ,cBonald her longtime crusade soloist introduced me and '
#as so nervous ' couldn>t speak. ' simply led the audience in singing
=+esus +esus &here>s +ust -omething About &hat %ame.= &hey sang it
over and over again.
After #hat seemed like an eternity ' finally thre# my arms in the air
and cried aloud =' can>t do it? @ord ' can>t do it?=
At that precise moment ' heard a voice deep inside me that said !'m
glad you can't. 4ow ! will.
'nstantly the apprehension and fear vanished. ,y physical body
rela!ed. ' began to speak #ords ' hadn>t prepared and the po#er of *od
began to touch people across the auditorium. 't #as a memorable moving
evening.
;or the ne!t three years ' held miracle services in $ittsburgh several
times each year at the Carnegie ,usic Hall and the -oldiers and -ailors
,emorial Hall sponsored by the )athryn )uhlman ;oundation.
'n the year follo#ing )athryn )uhlman>s passing ' #as asked by her
foundation to travel to cities across Canada and the 7nited -tates for
special miracle services. +immie ,cBonald sang the film of )athryn>s
@as .egas meeting #as sho#n and ' #ould minister. At Mueens#ay
Cathedral in &oronto ,cCormick $lace in Chicago and in .ancouver
people #ere being healed during the film, even before ' #alked onto the
platform. &he po#erful anointing *od had placed on her life #as still
present in those meetings.
C0%.(/-A&'0% '% A A(@@0W CAB
134 H( & 07C H( B ,(
'n both 191: and 1911 ' #as invited to speak at the Conference on
the Holy -pirit in +erusalem sponsored by @ogos 'nternational. 't #as my
first time back to my homeland since #e had emigrated eight years earlier.
&he burden ' felt for the ,iddle (ast #as overpo#ering. =@ord= ' prayed
=someho# open the door so that ' may one day return and preach Aour
message to the people of the Holy @and.=
'n both Canada and the 7nited -tates our ministry #as e!panding.
0n Becember 1 1911 #e held a three5year anniversary ban"uet at the
-heraton Center in &oronto. ,ore than one thousand people attended.
&he @ord #as blessing the ministry greatly and some encouraged me
to begin a television program. We contracted for a prime5time slot on a
maEor stationC-unday nights at 13I33 $.,. follo#ing 56 Minutes. &he
program #as called !t's a Miracle.
&oronto #as #here ' had been saved healed and touched by the
mighty -pirit of *od. &he press had nothing but good ne#s to report
about the ministry yet in my heart ' felt ' #ould soon be leaving the city.
' prayed for the leading of the Holy -pirit.
' kne# the @ord #as directing me to establish an international
ministry ' Eust didn>t kno# #here. &#o years earlier #hile riding in a
Aello# Cab in $ittsburgh ' had a conversation #ith the Holy -pirit
regarding this matter. He clearly sho#ed me that the ministry =#ill touch
the #orld.=
' #ondered 'here will it be) 4ew #ork) Los +ngeles) ,ore than 93
percent of our ministry #as taking place in the 7nited -tates. ' felt that>s
#here He #as leading but the precise location #as not clear.
&hrough some une!pected events *od #as about to reveal His plan.
C H A $ & ( / 1 8
13 "SHES !OIN! TO BE YOUR WIFE""
' #as more than frustrated #hen ' reached the airport check5in desk and
#as informed =,r. Hinn your flight to ,anila has been canceled.=
't #as the summer of 1912 and ' #as on my #ay to attend a +ohn
11I41 Conference in -ingapore headed by Bavid Bu$lessis. &here #ere a
number of minister friends ' #as looking for#ard to seeingCincluding
/onn Haus #ho at that time #as #orking #ith Bavid.
' booked a different flight that #as to stop in Hong )ong &hailand
then on to -ingaporeCmaking the trip much longer. ' barely arrived
before the final session of the conference. &o make matters #orse my
speaking schedule #as so tight ' had to return to &oronto almost
immediately.
&here #as a surprise #aiting for me on the return flight. /oy
Harthern #as on board. He #as a transplanted (nglishman and the pastor
of one of America>s largest Assemblies of *od churches at the timeC
Calvary Assembly in 0rlando ;lorida. ' had been a guest speaker in his
pulpit Fpreaching five times on one -undayG and it #as such a Eoy to see
him. =@et>s ask the ste#ardess to change our seating so #e can spend this
time together= /oy suggested.
We hadn>t been in the air long before he pulled out his #allet and
proudly said =@et me sho# you my girls.= ' had not met his entire family
since his t#in daughters #ere a#ay at college #hen ' #as in 0rlando.
&hey #ere attending (vangel College an Assemblies of *od liberal arts
school in -pringfield ,issouri.
He sho#ed me the photos of his three daughters one by one telling
me their names and a little bit about them. He held out one picture and
said =%o# this is -uDanne=Cand ' leaned over to get a better look.
'nstantly something inside #as saying She's going to be your wife. 't
138
139 H( & 07C H( B ,(
#asn>t an audible voice yet it #as unmistakable. She's going to be your
wife.
=Can ' look at that picture again<= ' asked /oy. And ' said to myself
=What a beautiful young lady.=
At the same time ' thought Lord, this is not the time to tell me about
a wife.
H( HA%B(B ,( &H( $H0%(
Buring that summer ' #as facing the first real crisis since launching
our ministry. Because of the enormous cost of the television programs in
Canada #e #ere under a burden of tremendous debtCsomething ' never
thought #ould happen. Although #e had ended the telecasts the bills #e
still o#ed #ere staggering.
0n the plane /oy Harthern got out his schedule book and said
=Benny let>s lock do#n a time you can be back in 0rlando this fall.= We
set the date and ' returned to his church in -eptember.
0ne afternoon during the crusade ' #as in /oy>s office #hen he
dialed the number of his daughter>s dorm room at (vangel College. 'n the
middle of their conversation he said =-uDanne there is someone here
#ho #ould like to say hello=Cand he handed the phone to me.
=-uDanne this is Benny Hinn= ' said in my #armest friendliest
voice. ='>ve heard some #onderful things about you. 'n fact your dad
sho#ed me your picture #hile #e #ere flying back from -ingapore
together. ' hope ' can meet you sometime.=
-he responded by saying ='>ve heard great things about you too.=
' didn>t kno# it at the time but her father had already sho#n -uDanne
my picture during the summer and said =What do your think of him< He
may be your type.=
-uDanne>s response #as =Whatever *od #ants?= And she didn>t think
any more about it.
'n 0ctober #hile ' #as in Canada -uDanne came home to ;lorida
for a mid5semester school break. 0ne afternoon #hile riding in the car
her mother $auline related a conversation she had #ith -uDanne>s
grandmother a #oman of prayer from Cardiff Wales. =Aour grandmother
asked the @ord >Who #ill -uDanne marry<> And the @ord told her >Benny
Hinn>=Cand that dear #oman had never even met me?
%ineteen5year5old -uDanne brushed it off as Eust a comment from
someone #ho #as getting "uite elderly and could simply be confused.
$lus she #as interested in her studies and #asn>t about to get into a
serious relationship.
= - H( > - *0' %* & 0 B( A07/ W' ; ( ? = 136
,A )%((- W(/( W(A)
As Christmas #as approaching ' telephoned /oy Harthern and
asked =What #ould you think about my coming do#n and spending a fe#
days #ith you during the holiday season<=
=Wonderful= he replied. =Can you be here for Christmas<=
' had never spent Christmas a#ay from my family before yet
something #as dra#ing me south and it #asn>t the ;lorida sun. ' still
remembered the photo ' had seen on the plane and the reaction ' felt in
my heart.
-uDanne returned home from college for the holidays and #as
informed that an evangelistCthe same one she had spoken #ith on the
phoneC#ould be spending the holidays at their home. =+ust treat him like
part of the family= $auline told her girls.
When ' arrived at the Hartherns> on -aturday -uDanne #asn>t there.
-he had gone ahead to the home of some people from the church #here
#e had all been invited for dinner. -he told me much later =' didn>t #ant
to seem an!ious to meet you.=
+ust after ' #alked into that home -uDanne came into the living room
from the kitchen. ' looked into her beautiful bluish5green eyes and my
knees became #eak?
A C0C0A B(ACH C0%;'/,A&'0%
Christmas #as on ,onday and the Hartherns opened their hearts to
meCand had my name on presents under the tree. After dinner ' said to
-uDanne =' have some friends in Cocoa Beach '>d like to visit this
afternoon. Would you care to go #ith me<=
=-ure. Why not<= she replied in a tone that said ='>m Eust going to be
polite.=
' drove to the home of ,a!ine and Harry @aBuke a #onderful
Christian couple ' met the first time ' #as in ;lorida speaking at +amie
Buckingham>s church. ,a!ine #as a very godly #omanCan intercessor.
We hadn>t been in their home t#o minutes #hen ,a!ine pulled me
aside and said =Benny that>s your #ife? When you #alked in there #as
an anointing on both of you?= &o me it #as another confirmation of #hat
' already felt.
='>, *0'%* &0 -7/$/'-( A07=
Buring these days -uDanne and ' had some #onderful conversations
about #hat it means to live the Christian life. ,ore and more ' #as
impressed by her simplicity and purity.
13: H( & 07C H( B ,(
Aou need to understand that ' had set e!tremely high standards for
the #oman ' #ould marryC' prayed for someone #ho had never touched
a cigarette never kissed a guy and #as still a virgin. -uDanne #as
meeting every e!pectation. (ven more important ' #as falling in love.
0n &hursday ' fle# to -an +ose California for year5end services at a
large church pastored by )enny ;orman. And before leaving ' asked
-uDanne if she had a picture ' could take #ith me. -he found a #allet5siDe
school photo.
/onn Haus met me at the airport and asked me something that #as
becoming his standard Eoke =Well Benny have you found a girlfriend
yet<=
='>m going to surprise you /onn= ' replied. =Actually ' like /oy
Harthern>s daughter.= ' proudly sho#ed him the photo.
Back in 0rlando -uDanne her sisters and mother began something
that had become an annual tradition. &hey entered into a time of fasting
and prayer to seek *od>s #ill for the year ahead.
-uDanne told me later that she began to feel something #as
happening bet#een us and prayed =@ord if this is Aou confirm it to me.
Have Benny call me today.=
/onn played a trick on me that day dialing my room and telling me
to call -uDanne stating =-he phoned me and asked for you to call.=
-o ' didCand #e had a marvelous conversation.
&he @ord used /onn>s little ploy to confirm again to -uDanne this #as
His #ill.
A &07*H &(-&
' #as so taken #ith -uDanne that ' asked the Hartherns if ' could fly
back and stay a fe# more days. Buring the time #e #ere together ' put
out =fleeces= to see if this #as truly the girl ' should marry and every
fleece #as ans#ered. ' thought !s this $ust coincidence, or does God
really want me to marry this young lady)
&hen ' tried one last signCa rather difficult one.
0n ,onday %e# Aear>s Bay seated in the plane on my #ay back to
;lorida ' had a talk #ith *od. ' said ='f she really is to be my #ife have
her say to me #hen ' get back >'>ve made you a cheesecake.>= &hat #as
the most unusual test ' could think of.
-uDanne met me at the 0rlando airport and the first #ords out of her
mouth #ere =Benny '>ve made you a cheesecake.= &hen she added
=Bon>t e!pect too much. '>ve never made a cheesecake before?=
-ince -uDanne #as preparing to return to (vangel College ' kne# '
= - H( > - *0' %* & 0 B( A07/ W' ; ( ? = 131
had little time to lose.
=&H'- W0%>& &A)( @0%*=
0n ;riday the Hartherns #ere up early getting ready for a prayer
meeting at the church called ='ntercessors for America.= /oy had already
left the house and $auline #as getting ready to leave.
When ' asked =Can ' talk #ith you<= $auline replied ='>m sure you
#ant to speak #ith me about -uDanne= making it easy for me. -he
thought ' #as going to ask permission to date their daughter.
)no#ing she #as in a hurry to leave ' said =&his #on>t take long.=
'n that room alone #here no one could hear ' must have stunned her
#hen ' said =' #ant to marry -uDanne. ' am in love #ith her.= &hen '
added ='>ve had a long list of things ' am looking for in a #ife and your
daughter meets every one.=
=Well #ell= she said in her crisp British accent hesitating =you
really need to speak #ith her father and he has already left for the prayer
meeting. Aou>ll have to talk #ith him #hen that>s over.=
-uDanne got dressed and #ent to the church #ith meCnot kno#ing
this conversation had even taken place.
When $auline arrived at the church she asked her husband to lead
the prayer meeting =,y mind Eust #ouldn>t be on the service= she told
him.
=What is it<= /oy #anted to kno#.
$auline replied ='f ' told you no# you #ould be distracted too.=
After the prayer meeting ' #ent into /oy Harthern>s office and after a
short conversation ' came right to the point. ' said =/oy ' #ould like to
marry your daughter.=
' kne# his ans#er #as =yes= #hen he smiled pulled out his calendar
and said =When do you think the #edding should take place<= We both
had e!tremely busy schedules.
&hen he said =Have you talked #ith -uDanne about this<=
=Well not really= ' sheepishly replied.
'mmediately /oy found -uDanne in the building and asked her to
come to his office. 'n front of the t#o of them ' asked =Will you marry
me<=
' #as overEoyed #hen she accepted on the spot.
-7KA%%(>- -(C/(&
&hat night -uDanne told me =Benny since ' #as raised in a pastor>s
132 H( & 07C H( B ,(
home ' kne# from the time ' #as very young that ' #anted to give my life
to ministry. ' felt deep do#n inside that ' #ould some day marry a
preacher.= And she told me another secret =-ince ' #as a little girl ' kne#
the man ' #ould marry #ould have dark hair dark eyes and an olive
comple!ion. Benny you are that man *od has for me.=
0n -aturday morning #e #ent to a local Ee#elry store and ' bought
her a diamond ring and slipped it on her finger right in the store.
A fe# nights later my father and my brother -ammy fle# do#n from
&oronto to be at the engagement dinner. &he noted Bible teacher Berek
$rince #ho #as speaking the ne!t day at Calvary Assembly #as a
special guest.
When the announcement #as made to the congregation on -unday
morning the #hole church erupted in applauseCand there #as a
prophecy given that #e #ould have a fruitful ministry together.
&he Hinn5Harthern #edding #as set to take place August 9 1919.
=@(&>- &A@)=
Before ' left 0rlando after an evening meal #ith the Hartherns /oy
asked me to Eoin him in their family room for a conversation. =@et>s talk=
he said.
-ince ' #as about to become his son5in5la# ' supposed there #ere
things he #anted to kno#. =&ell me about yourself= he began as #e sat
facing each other.
'mmediately ' started telling him about my family and everything
that seemed important. 0f course ' didn>t #ant to talk about the fact that
because of our television proEect our ministry #as saddled #ith an
enormous debt. ' thought !f ! mention that, he might hae second
thoughts about the man who is about to marry his daughter.
A fe# minutes into the conversation he brought up the subEect of
tithing and ' began to s"uirm. Aes ' had given to ministries as ' felt led
but ' #as not a strict tither in those daysCand /oy #as "uick to sense that
fact.
He leaned to#ard me and said =%ever forget this Benny. &he la# of
giving is a fi!ed la# you cannot change.=
At that point ' shared #ith him the #eight of the financial burden '
#as carrying. ' asked him =What should ' do<=
=-tart paying *od>s bills= he "uickly replied.
' said =/oy you don>t understand. ' don>t have enough money to pay
my bills.=
'gnoring my #ords he continued =Benny if you #ill pay *od>s bills
= - H( > - *0' %* & 0 B( A07/ W' ; ( ? = 139
He #ill pay yours.=
&#o days later -uDanne fle# to -pringfield ,issouri to retrieve her
belongings from the (vangel College dorm.
' caught a plane for &orontoC#ith /oy Harthern>s #ords still
echoing in my earsI ='f you #ill pay *od>s bills He #ill pay yours.= '
kne# *od #as speaking to me.
' drove straight from the airport to our ministry office about ten
minutes a#ay. As soon as ' greeted my secretary ' said =,arian get the
checkbook out.=
=What for<= she asked.
=+ust get it out= ' repeated. -he retrieved the ministry checkbook and
opened it on her desk.
=' #ant you to send a check for N1333 to . . .= and #ith that '
directed her to send specific amounts to a number of ministries and
mission organiDations. -he became so nervous her hand started to shake
as she #rote.
After she had completed t#o or three checks ,arian stopped and
asked =What are you doing<=
='>m Eust obeying *od= ' told her.
=Are you sure *od is talking to you<= she #anted to kno#.
=Absolutely= ' said emphatically. =Absolutely.=
;inally ,arian put do#n her pen and said =Aou can>t do this. Aou>re
going to be out of money soon and the ministry #ill be bankrupt.= &hen
she looked do#n at the list and said =' don>t understand. &hese are not
people to #hom you o#e any money.=
=' kno#= ' responded. =&hat>s money ' o#e *od so let>s obey Him.=
A B(W'@B(/(B B0A/B
(arlier that day flying to &oronto ' calculated that ' o#ed *od more
than ' o#ed the television station and ' #as determined to obey.
,arian #as still trembling #hen she had #ritten the last check. &hen
#hen ' #ent into another office she phoned all the board membersC#ho
no# numbered nine.
&hat same afternoon they gathered at the office for an emergency
meeting. =What are you doing<= they demanded to kno#.
' replied ='>m obeying *od.=
=But you>re in debt. Aou can>t do that= they obEected. =We have bills
to pay.=
113 H( & 07C H( B ,(
Without batting an eye ' said ='>m obeying *od. '>m paying *od>s
bills.=
0ur C$A spoke up and said =&his ministry #ill be finished today if
you do this.= &hen he began naming our creditors.
' continued =*od told me through one of His servants that ' am to
pay Him first.=
Baffled some of my board members resigned.
&hen ;red Bro#ne a #onderful Christian #ho o#ned a home
improvement company said =Are you sure *od spoke to you<=
=Aes= ' said #ith absolute confidence.
=Well if *od spoke to you '>ll stick #ith you.=
=&hank you= ' responded.
=,e too= echoed ;red -pring.
&hat same #eek money miraculously began pouring into our
ministry. &here #ere hand#ritten notes attached to many of the checks
=&he @ord told me to send this to you.=
Within a fe# short months all of our bills had been paidCand #e
have never stopped tithing.
WH'&( &7J(B0-
With the surprising events that transpired in Becember and +anuary '
had no more "uestions regarding the ne# location for the Benny Hinn
(vangelistic Association. 'n the spring of 1919 ' moved to 0rlando.
Buring these months ' still kept a hectic schedule yet ' spent every
moment possible #ith my bride5to5be. We fle# to &oronto and my family
opened their arms to her.
&he #edding on August 9 #as everything ' imaginedCand more.
$auline Harthern #rote a special ceremony that #as a combination of
traditional (nglish and American #eddingsC#ith a ,iddle (astern
blessing. ' forgot some of the lines of my vo#s but -uDanne Eust smiled.
-uDanne>s t#in sister @eanne #as the maid of honor and my
younger sister ,ary #as a bridesmaid along #ith -uDanne>s sister
(liDabeth. -uDanne>s cousins fle# in from (ngland and all of my brothers
plus -uDanne>s brother #ere part of the ceremonyClooking spiffy in their
#hite tu!edos. ,y niece &ina /ose>s daughter #as the flo#er girl.
&he ne!t day as #e #ere flying together over the $acific 0cean '
thought about ho# far the @ord had brought meC+affa &oronto 0rlando
and no# to Ha#aii for our honeymoon.
C H A $ & ( / 1 9
14 A CORONATION DAY
0ur first year of married life #as like a #hirl#ind. -uDanne and ' #ere in
services from Buffalo to AnaheimCplus -#eden Canada (ngland
*ermany and t#o Eourneys to 'srael. And our daily radio program #as
being heard in maEor cities including @os Angeles Betroit $hoeni!
&ulsa Benver ,iami and 0rlando.
@ike every married couple #e had some adEustments to make.
Although -uDanne #as determined to be a submissive #ife she revealed
her strong #ill #hen it #as necessary. ' realiDed ' had to soften some of
my ,iddle (astern attitudes or there #ould have been a clash of cultures.
=' have some #onderful ne#s= she told me in the fall of 1921. =&he
doctor says ' am pregnant.= ' #as thrilled beyond #ords.
0ur first daughter +essica #as born ,arch 46 1924. What an
e!citing time that #as. -he became the little princess of our home.
'& WA- -CA/A
,ost of the meetings ' conducted in those years #ere in churches.
We didn>t travel #ith a teamCit #as Eust -uDanne and myself flying from
city to city. With the responsibility of a child ho#ever she stayed close
to home.
0ur 0rlando family gre# even larger #hen my parents moved south
from CanadaCalong #ith some of my brothers.
,y father>s thoughts of an early retirement #ere shattered in
-eptember 1924. While lifting a bo! at his home he felt a strange
uncomfortable sensationClike something tearing in his lungs. 't #as
scary and he kne# that something #as #rong.
He made an appointment #ith a physician and after a series of tests
the doctor gave him some dreadful ne#s. =,r. Hinn= he said =' have to
111
114 H( & 07C H( B ,(
tell you that you have lung cancer.=
,y father hadn>t been seriously ill a day in his lifeL ho#ever he had
been a heavy smoker and this #as the result.
He could not believe it and told my mom =&hat doctor is craDy. '
need to talk #ith someone else.=
When ' heard the ne#s ' #as devastated. ' called the physician and
asked =-ir ho# can you be so sure that my father has lung cancer<=
='t sho#ed in the blood test= he replied.
' said =Baddy you need to get a second opinion. *o to your doctor
in Canada and have him check you. He>s kno#n you a long time.=
'mmediately he began making preparations for the Eourney.
' #as preaching a crusade at ;irst Assembly of *od in $ensacola
;lorida keeping in touch #ith my mother by phone.
=Benny= she told me one night =your father is not doing very #ell.
We>re leaving for &oronto tomorro#.=
' did everything in my po#er to find a #ay to 0rlando but it looked
impossible. &he flight ' planned to be on #as canceled. ' finally found the
pilot of a private single5engine airplane #ho agreed to take me to the
0rlando airport.
&he plane landed Eust as the commercial Eet carrying my father #as
taking off. ' had missed him.
Almost as "uickly as our family physician in &oronto e!amined my
father he made arrangements to have him admitted to the hospital.
@ater ' talked #ith him on the phone and could tell by his voice that
he #as losing his strength.
When ' reached &oronto he #as already in intensive care plugged
into a respirator and an intravenous feeding unit. He could not talk to me
or see me because of the heavy drugs he had been given. Ho#ever #hen '
#alked into the room he heard me and kne# ' #as there.
We prayed that *od #ould restore his body yet ' looked up to *od
and said ='f Aou #on>t heal him please take him home @ord.=
&#o nights later as ' #as sleeping at my sister>s home ' had a dream
and sa# my father. He #as beaming #ith Eoy his face #as aglo#.
&hat same day #hen ' a#oke there #as a phone call from the
hospital. =,r. Hinn #e regret to inform you that your father has passed
a#ay.= He died of lung cancer at the age of fifty5eight.
&here #as a peace and assurance in my heart that he #as no# in
heaven. ' thought once more of that night in 1916 #hen at t#o o>clock in
the morning in the living room of our home Costandi Hinn gave his heart
A C0/0%A& ' 0% BAA 118
to Christ.
0%@A A -H(@@
-ince most of our relatives still attended the *reek 0rthodo! church
in &oronto my mother thought it #ould be fitting that the funeral service
of her beloved husband be held in that church.
,om visited the priest and said =' #ant you to be in charge of the
first part of the service and ' #ant my son Benny to speak #hen you have
finished.=
When the priest protested ,other said =&his is our service and that>s
the #ay ' #ant it.= He reluctantly agreed.
&hree hundred friends and relatives gathered in the ornate sanctuary
of the *reek 0rthodo! church and my father>s casket #as placed before
the altar.
After the traditional religious ceremonies #ere concluded the priest
nodded for me to come to the front.
' opened my Bible and began to preach a simple message of
salvation. ' told the assembled cro#d =,y father is not in that casketC
that is only his shell.= ' read the -cripture that =to be absent from the body
is to be present #ith the @ord.=
At one point ' #alked over to the casket and began pounding on it.
=,y daddy is not in here?= ' declared. =He is not here? He>s gone to be
#ith +esus?=
(very person in that sanctuary #as staring at me. ' glanced over at
the priest and could tell by his e!pression that he #as "uite nervous. He
didn>t kno# ho# to react.
' then called my mother -uDanne my brothers and my sisters to the
front. We gathered around the casket and began to #orship the @ord. 0ur
eyes #ere closed and our hands #ere outstretched to#ard heaven.
-pontaneously #e began to sing =&hen sings my soul my -avior *od to
&hee Ho# great &hou art? Ho# great &hou art?=
When ' opened my eyes and looked at the congregation the people
#ere stunned. -ome #ere crying. At that moment ' felt led to give an altar
call. ='f you #ant to kno# this same +esus ' have been talking about '
#ould like to pray #ith you right no#= ' said.
-everal friends of my father gave their hearts to +esus that dayC
including t#o of my cousins.
't #as a coronation day?
/A@$H $/AA(B
119 H( & 07C H( B ,(
' felt the loss of my father deeply. 'n the last years of his life #e had
become e!tremely close. 't #as a loving relationship of mutual respect
made strong by the bonds of Calvary.
%o# that he #as gone my heart #as heavy.
&he #eek after the funeral ' stood behind the pulpit at ,elodyland in
Anaheim California and found it difficult to preach. After the service
riding in the car #ith my friend $astor /alph Wilkerson and his #ife
Allene ' said =/alph ' need you to pray for me. ' am really feeling the
loss of my dad.=
/ight in that car /alph began to pray out loudCand the presence of
the @ord came on me that night like a radiant sunrise. Briving do#n the
free#ay #e #ere singing and praising the @ord?
' thank *od for people like the Wilkersons #hom *od has sent into
my life at special moments.
A ;@'*H& &0 $H0(%'J
0n the day #e moved the head"uarters of our ministry to 0rlando
*od began to deal #ith me about opening a churchCa center of healing
and hope that #ould be the home base of a #orld#ide outreach.
$ersonally ' fought the idea. =@ord can>t ' Eust keep #alking through
the doors Aou are opening< Bo ' really need the responsibility of
pastoring a congregation<=
't seemed that every time ' prayed the call from the @ord became
stronger.
At one point ' said =@ord if Aou #ant me to build a church #hy
does it have to be in 0rlando< Why not some other city<= ' even thought
seriously about moving to $hoeni! AriDona.
' decided that on my ne!t trip to the West Coast ' #ould stop in
$hoeni! and survey the city. A fe# #eeks later that>s #here ' #as headed.
0n the plane ' #as seated ne!t to a gentleman from 0rlandoCa
businessman #ho happened to be (piscopalian. After #e conversed for a
fe# minutes he asked =What do you do for a living<=
When ' told him he said =Bo you have a card<=
=%o= ' replied =but ' have one of my ne#sletters.= And on the back
of it #as my schedule.
He looked it over and said =' don>t kno# #hy '>m telling you this but
you need to settle do#n and let some of these people come to you.=
' told him ='>m flying to $hoeni! today because '>m thinking about
moving my head"uarters there.=
A C0/0%A& ' 0% BAA 116
'n strong #ords he told me =&here>s no comparison. 0rlando is
going to be booming in the ne!t fe# years. &hat>s #here you need to be.=
=*0B -(%& H',=
After a short stay in $hoeni! ' continued on to -an +ose to minister
for my friend )enny ;orman #ho received a #ord from the @ord for me
saying ='f you don>t start a church in 0rlando you #ill be missing *od.=
;rom there ' #ent to &ampa ;lorida and the @ord gave me an almost
identical message through another man. &hen ' spoke for my dear friend
&ommy /eid in Buffalo %e# Aork #ho said =Aou must obey *od and
start a church in 0rlando.=
,ean#hile my father5in5la# /oy Harthern resigned as pastor of the
megachurch Calvary Assembly in 0rlando. $eople #ere telling me
=Benny this certainly leaves open the doors for you to begin a ne#
churchCand you #on>t be in competition #ith someone in the family.=
't seemed that every time ' prayed ' could see the skyline of 0rlando.
' sa# the faces of people in that city #ho #ere hungry for more of *od.
=@ord #hat are Aou saying to me<=
' said to -uDanne =' can>t shake this thing. &he @ord is really dealing
#ith me about starting a church here. 't #on>t go a#ay.=
0ne night after earnestly praying ' stood to my feet looked up to
heaven and said =0kay @ord '>m going to rent a large auditorium and
have a one5night service. 'f Aou fill that building for me '>ll kno# it is of
Aou and ' #ill start a church.=
=,'/AC@( @';( C(%&(/=
'n late fall 1924 #e booked the &upper#are Auditorium near
)issimmee Eust outside of 0rlando. %ot only #as the building packed it
#as one of the greatest meetings #e had ever e!perienced in the city.
;or the ne!t fe# months #e began making plans to begin a church
that #ould make an impact on the entire central ;lorida region. We leased
the Aouth for Christ building on *ore -treet in do#nto#n 0rlando and
announced that -unday ,arch 43 1928 the =,iracle @ife Center= #ould
convene its first service. ,ore than four hundred attended.
' had no idea ho# long ' #ould pastor a church in 0rlando. 't could
be for a year five years ten yearsCor even more. ,y prayer #as =@ord
'>m Eust obeying Aou.=
'n the late 1913s and early 1923s ' preached many times in
+acksonville ;lorida at a #onderful church pastored by $aul Kink. He
#as leaving about that same time and an outstanding musical group in his
church decided to move to 0rlando and become part of our ministry. ,y
11: H( & 07C H( B ,(
brother Willie #ho #as assisting me at ,iracle @ife Center at the time
#as delighted. He later married one of the young ladies in the singing
group.
&he church began #ith -unday afternoon services but soon #e #ere
having -unday morning -unday night and Wednesday night meetings.
'n the mid51913s ' began appearing as a guest on 2raise the Lord, the
flagship program of the &rinity Broadcasting %et#ork. $aul and +an
Crouch hosts of the telecast had given me a standing invitation to be on
the program anytime ' #as in southern California.
When $aul Crouch president of &B% heard that ' #as starting a
church he said =Benny #hy don>t you video your -unday services< '>ll
put you on the net#ork free. All you>ll have to pay is the local production
costs and send us the tapes.=
'mmediately #e assembled a television cre# and began filming the
-unday morning services from our *ore -treet location. ;rom 1928 to
1993 they carried the program every #eekCfree.
' meet people almost every #eek #hose lives #ere touched by those
-unday telecasts.
Week by #eek #ord of #hat *od #as doing at ,iracle @ife Center
began to spread. And -atan must have heard it too.
+ust t#o months after #e began our ministry in 0rlando tragedy
struck. 'n one une!pected moment -uDanne and ' #ere being hurled
headlong into the face of death.
C H A $ & ( / 1 6
15 THE CRASH
=We>re in trouble?= said the pilot.
&hose #ords #oke me from my sleep. We #ere flying in a small
single5engine private aircraft at 11333 feet returning to 0rlando from
%aples ;lorida in ,ay 1928. &here #ere si! of us on board. 't #as one
o>clock in the morning and the sky #as pitch black.
=' think #e are out of fuel= said the concerned pilot as the engine
sputtered and stopped.
-uDanne #as seated ne!t to me. -he #as doing her best to remain
calm yet ' could tell she #as e!tremely nervousCby the pain her nails
#ere inflicting on my arm as she gripped it tightly.
&he ne!t fe# intense minutes seemed to be an eternity. We #ere both
frightenedC' could feel my heart pounding against my rib cage.
' thought God in heaen, ! could be with #ou any minute. &hen '
began to ask myself Am ' ready<
At such a moment you have no idea ho# po#erful that "uestion
becomes. ,y ans#er left no room for doubt. Aes ' #as ready.
-uddenly as the plane #as falling and the pilot #as an!iously
searching for an emergency landing site my mind flashed back to an
event that had happened eight months earlier.
-A&A%>- -CH(,(
&he previous -eptember at the funeral home Eust before my father>s
memorial service the director approached me and said =/everend Hinn
#e need a necktie for your father. Could you get one for him<=
'mmediately ' took off the tie ' #as #earing and gave it to the
mortician. @ater after the funeral service ' #as standing before the coffin
111
112 H( & 07C H( B ,(
at the cemetery. As they #ere lo#ering the casket of my dear father into
the ground something happened that ' had almost dismissed from my
memory. But no# as the plane #as free5falling ' remembered it all too
clearly.
As the pallbearers continued lo#ering the coffin something unusual
began taking place. ' had given my necktie to my father yet suddenly '
felt a tightening around my neckCas if my o#n necktie #ere choking me.
At the same time ' heard a voice say =' #ill kill you #ithin one year.=
' immediately responded out loud and said =%o you #on>t?= ' kne#
that #hen -atan speaks ' had better talk back even if people #ere around.
' looked to#ard heaven and saidI =@ord +esus the devil can>t do
that?= 'nstantly ' heard the comforting assurance of the Holy -pirit. He
spoke only t#o #ords but they #ere all ' needed. &he -pirit said =He
#on>t.=
%o# on the plane those #ords of -atan took on an ominous toneI
='>m going to kill you #ithin one year?= &hankfully ' also recalled the
voice of the Holy -pirit.
't took Eust a second for the entire scene to flash through my mind.
&hen the peace of *od embraced me and ' heard the voice of the @ord
again tell meI =All is #ell?=
' turned to -uDanne and the frightened passengers and assured them
=Bon>t #orry. We>re going to be all right?=
7sually '>m "uite e!citable yet at that moment ' became totally calm.
Without the roar of the engine it became eerily "uiet in that plane. &he
pilot spotted an airstrip near Avon $ark ;lorida and did his best to
maneuver the troubled craftI to the run#ay. With no po#er it became
impossibleCand he missed it.
&he plane crashed.
&H( HA%B 0; A% A%*(@
We smashed into a tree and the small aircraft rolled over four times.
't #as totally destroyedCthe #heels #ere ripped off and hung in a tree.
&he fuselage #as so damaged that an onlooker #ould #onder if there
could be even one survivor. &he engine #as torn from its housing and #e
#ere upside do#n.
&he door of the plane had disappeared and ' cra#led out to realiDe
that there #as not a scratch on my body. ' #as untouched. 'n the darkness
disoriented ' began to run in circles for help not kno#ing #here ' #as or
#hat direction to head. ' concluded #e #ere in the middle of a farm. &hen
' thought 'hat in the world am ! doing) ! had better get back and hel,
Su7anne and the others.
& H( C/A- H 119
' ran to the plane to discover that ' #as the only one uninEured. &he
pilot #as making horrible sounds as ' tried to pull him out.
'n the darkness ' sa# -uDanne. Her leg #as hanging out of the door.
&here #as no movement and ' #ondered if she #as seriously inEured.
Besperate to get her out of the plane ' began to pull and as ' did it felt as
if -uDanne>s leg #as broken. ' soon discovered her arm #as also mangled.
,iraculously not one person #as killed in the crash. As the
ambulance raced to the crash siteCand it seemed to take foreverC'
began to cry =@ord the devil #anted to kill all of us but Aour angel #as
#ith us?=
@ater ' learned at that e!act moment a #oman in California #as
a#akened from her sleep. -he recounted the story to me of ho# *od
a#oke her and said =Benny Hinn and his #ife are in danger? $ray?= -he
told me =Aoung man the devil #anted to snuff out your life?=
Ho# #ell ' kne# it.
' also kne# that the @ord #as not finished #ith -uDanne and me. &he
Holy -pirit had given me the assurance that *od>s protection #as on our
lives for a reason.
A C0@0/;7@ B'B@(
' believe that establishing a ministry in 0rlando at that time in my life
#as divinely ordered. %ot only #ere people>s lives being miraculously
touched ' #as challenged to delve into *od>s Word day after day to
prepare myself for the services. All across the auditorium people had
their Bibles open taking notes on every message.
0n several occasions people have looked at my personal BibleCthe
one ' study and preach fromCand commented =&hat>s the most colorful
Bible '>ve ever seen. What are all those markings<=
;rom my &oronto days ' have made it a habit to color5code every
important -cripture ' read in the Word. 'n fact ' al#ays have seven
pencils #ith me #hen ' study the BibleCeach #ith a different color.
Here>s ho# ' mark the -cripturesI
/edI $romises.
BlueI &eachingCor learning.
Bro#nI .ery important.
0rangeI Commandments.
*reenI $rophecies and their fulfillment.
$urpleI $rayer.
Aello#I &hings to especially remember.
143 H( & 07C H( B ,(
-ometimes ' mi! t#o colors. ;or e!ampleI Bro#n and green tell me
this is a very important prophecy.
'n addition to adding color to the -criptures ' use a #ide5margin
)ing +ames .ersion of the BibleC#ith room for #riting notations.
='&>- A07/-?=
=What are #e going to do<= ' asked those #ho #ere helping me build
the ne# ministry. =We>re out of space.=
&he church #as less than four months old and there #as standing
room only at ,iracle @ife Center. With great urgency #e began searching
for land on #hich to build a permanent facility.
We soon found a large piece of property strategically located on
;orest City /oad in north 0rlando. 't #as on a lakeC@ake @ovely.
' remember the day ' #alked that property end to end praying
=@ord ' claim this land for Aou. ' claim it in +esus> name?=
' met the elderly #oman #ho o#ned the land and said =*od told me
this property #ould be ours.=
&hat didn>t seem to impress her. =Well /everend= she commented
=#e already have another buyer.=
='>m only telling you #hat the @ord instructed me= ' replied.
What ' failed to mention #as that #e didn>t have a dime to pay for it.
A fe# #eeks later ' returned to the #oman>s house and reiterated
=*od told me this property #ould be ours.=
&his time her response totally changed. -he replied =Well if you
can come up #ith the do#n payment '>ll sell you the land. &hen she made
a confession. =Aoung man let me tell you something you may find "uite
interesting.=
=What is it<= ' #anted to kno#.
=Well= she began =before my husband passed a#ay he made me
vo# that the only thing to be built on this property #ould be a church.=
&hen she said ='t>s yours?=
%eedless to say the follo#ing -unday there #as glory on *ore
-treet.
=@(&>- *0?=
A fe# days later ' #as in ,iami ;lorida speaking at a church that
#as started by my friend Bill -#ad a dynamic Christian businessman
#ho o#ned several automobile dealerships in 0hio. After the morning
service Bill said =Benny there>s a man in the hospital ' feel #e need to
& H( C/A- H 141
go and pray for. Will you go #ith me<=
&o be honest ' didn>t feel like going. 't #as an e!tremely hot and
humid day ' #as e!hausted from the service and felt ' needed to rest.
Bill ho#ever kept insisting that #e go and pray for this gentleman.
/eluctantly ' accompanied Bill to the man>s hospital room. He #as
on a dialysis machineCtubes every#here. His name #as ;loyd ,incy.
=;loyd this is Benny Hinn= said Bill. ='>ve asked him to come and
pray for you.=
,r. ,incy nodded in agreement.
' "uickly prayed for him asking the @ord to heal himCand subtly
gave Bill signals that implied =@et>s go?=
&hree #eeks later ;loyd and his #ife ,aryana attended our -unday
morning service at ,iracle @ife Center in 0rlando. ;loyd testified ho#
the @ord had healed him saying =&he moment you #alked out of that
hospital room ' #as completely healed by the po#er of *od.
Completely?=
Buring the service ' talked about the vision to construct a church on
the ne# propertyCand ' shared my passion to reach lost souls for the
@ord. When the meeting concluded ;loyd and ,aryana came to me and
said =$astor Benny the @ord told us to assist you in #hat He has called
you to do.=
't #as ;loyd and ,aryana #ho later helped the church put a large
sum of money on the ne# property.
'n spite of my hurried prayer in that hospital room the @ord #as
faithful.
*od continued to bless the church through the lives of many
outstanding individualsCpeople like Wes Benton and (mil &anis early
board members and great supporters of the ministry.
0n -unday %ovember 11 1928 #e had a groundbreaking service at
the ne# property and unveiled plans for the ne# 0rlando Christian
Center.
&W0 */(A& (.(%&-
-ince our -unday morning services #ere being televised by &B%
nationally and via satellite to several foreign countries there #ere visitors
in practically every service. =We didn>t Eust come to 0rlando to see
,ickey ,ouse= they #ould tell us. =We #atch you every #eek on
television and couldn>t #ait to get here.=
' #ill al#ays remember 1929 because of t#o great events that took
place. ;irst on ,ay 1 -uDanne and ' became the proud parents of our
144 H( & 07C H( B ,(
second childCa beautiful little girl #e named %atasha.
-econd #e moved into the ne# 48335seat auditorium on ;orest City
/oad. 't #as the beginning of a great spiritual adventure for me for my
family and for the thousands of lives that have been saved healed and
delivered because #e obeyed *od.
' had no #ay of kno#ing that =0CC= as it #as called #ould be the
launching pad for something even greater that *od #as preparing.
C H A $ & ( / 1 :
16 A MANDATE FROM HEAVEN
=Benny ' have some outstanding people coming to #ork #ith me and you
need to meet them= said my brother Henry #ho at the time #as a
traveling evangelist. 't #as +uly 192:.
After a Wednesday night service at our church Henry introduced me
to Bave and -heryl $alm"uist #ho had moved to 0rlando to be the
administrators of his ministry. $reviously this talented couple had been
staff members at -oul>s Harbor Church in ,inneapolis ,innesota and at
the Cathedral of &omorro# in Akron 0hio.
After the first time ' heard -heryl play the piano and organ ' asked
her to be part of the musical team at 0rlando Christian Center. &hey
became faithful members of the church. &hen in ;ebruary 1921 #hen
Bave $alm"uist and my brother Henry #ere driving me to the airport '
turned to Bave and said =Aou kno# you are to be a pastor at 0CCC'
have already discussed this #ith Henry and he gave his blessing.= &he
@ord confirmed this to Bave>s heart and he Eoined our staff the ne!t
month.
=WHA& A/( A07 B0'%* '% ;@0/'BA<=
A fe# #eeks later ' made a telephone call to a gentleman #ho had
played a pivotal role in my early Canada daysC;red -pring the pastor at
-ault -ainte ,arie #ho had been a founding member of my board.
;red had resigned from the church in Canada and after pastoring in
,ichigan and 0hio moved to @akeland ;loridaCuncertain of his future.
' still don>t kno# ho# his ne# telephone number came to my attention
but ' called him and said =;red #hat are you doing in ;lorida< ' #as on
my #ay to the airport and felt led of the Holy -pirit to call you.=
Belighted ;red responded =Benny it is so good to hear your voice.=
After a fe# pleasantries ' told him =' feel in my spirit you are to Eoin
148
149 H( & 07C H( B ,(
our staff in 0rlando. Aou don>t have to ans#er me right no#.=
He and his #ife Bette #ere in shock. Ho#ever t#elve days later
after praying about the matter ;red and Bette Eoined the staff.
=' )%0W +7-& &H( $(/-0%=
&hat same year ' #as in California appearing on the &rinity
Broadcasting %et#ork. A guest that night #as the bass singer Big +ohn
Hall. Buring a break in the program ' turned to +ohn and said =Bon>t
leave after the program. ' need to talk #ith you.=
When #e finally spoke ' asked =+ohn in your travels have you come
across anyone #ho #ould be a great minister of music for our church<=
We #ere looking for a person #ho had the -pirit of *od on his life and
someone #ho could take our music program to a higher level.
+ohn smiled and ans#ered =' think ' kno# Eust the person. His name
is +im Cernero. He #as the minister of music at ;irst Assembly in %orth
Holly#ood California and is no# at a church on the (ast Coast. Aou
should give him a call.=
Big +ohn Hall found the phone number and ' called +im Cernero the
ne!t morning. =Can you and your #ife fly to 0rlando this #eekend<= '
asked. +im #as rather surprised especially since he had seen me on &B%
the previous night.
=Aes= he responded. =We>ll be there.=
&hat -unday morning +im Cernero and his #ife sat in the audience. '
had never seen him direct a choir or lead an audience in #orship yet ' felt
strongly that *od #anted this man to be an integral part of our church. 'n
the middle of the service ' announced =+im ' feel this is of the @ord. '
believe you are to come and be our music minister.=
&he entire congregation erupted in spontaneous applause.
*od #as bringing together "uite a teamCthe $alm"uists ;red
-pring and no# +im Cernero. %one of us kne# #hat miracles tomorro#
#ould hold.
-&($$'%* '%&0 A %(W (/A
&hroughout 1929 every time ' prayed ' heard the @ord speaking very
distinctly about the future. *od #as clearly directing meI =Aou #ill be
conducting healing crusades all over the #orld.= Again Eust as happened
#hen ' gave my heart to the @ord in &oronto many years before ' sa#
giant stadiums packed to capacity #ith people streaming for#ard to
accept Christ.
;or some reason ' #as reluctant to pray for this to actually take
place. ' felt so un#orthy that *od #ould use me in such a #ay.
A ,A%BA& ( ; / 0, H( A.( % 146
&he pages of the calendar continued to turn yet ' avoided praying
that prayer. Bay after day ' #ould feel the urgency to fall to my knees and
ask *od to give me a #orld#ide healing ministry. Aet each time ' prayed
' could not bring myself to ask *od to give me #hat ' kne# He had
promised.
;inally the conviction in my heart became overpo#ering. ' #ent into
my study and poured out my heart. 1Lord,1 ' cried =' am giving myself
completely to Aou. ' am #illing to follo# Aour direction.= At that
moment the @ord gave me a vision through #hich He confirmed His #ill
to me.
&he ne!t #eek in one of the final services of 1929 ' stood before the
congregation in 0rlando and said =We are about to step into a ne# era of
ministryCone that #ill impact our #orld for eternity? ' am filled #ith
e!pectancy and e!citement as ' consider ministering in the nineties. %ever
before have ' felt such a stirring in my soul such anticipation at #hat is
about to break loose on *od>s people.= And ' continued =' have made a
decision to be at the forefront of this great revival. ' #ant to be ready to
move #hen *od says move boldly con"uering and possessing the land
taking back #hat -atan has stolen.=
*0B>- ;0/,7@A
As 1993 began ' traveled to -ingapore to speak at a conference.
&here #hile sitting on the platform before ' #as to minister *od began
to detail e!actly #hat ' #as to do #hen ' returned home. &hen He said
=&ake the message of ,y saving and healing po#er to the #orld through
daily television and healing crusades.=
%e!t the @ord gave me the =formula= of #hat ' #as to present on
that daily telecast. Ho# blessed ' #as. He #as telling me =Here>s #hat
you do and here>s ho# you do it.=
&he @ord instructed =0n the program pray for the sick give praise
reports and sho# ,y po#er.=
At the same time *od relayed the signal that it #as time to schedule
maEor crusades throughout the 7nited -tates as #ell as overseas. &hese
#ere uncharted #atersCplaces ' had never gone before.
When people hear that ' began preaching in 1919 they assume that
from the beginning ' had been involved in large meetings #ith a team of
associates. ;ar from it. With the e!ception of the #eekly services #e
conducted in &oronto most of my ministry #as at the invitation of a local
church or to speak at conferences.
%o# the marching orders *od had given #ere heading me in a
totally ne# directionCto schedule monthly crusades in large auditoriums
and arenas.
14: H( & 07C H( B ,(
&he minute ' returned to 0rlando ' picked up the phone and called
$aul and +an Crouch #ho had become my dear friends. -ince 1928 &B%
had broadcast our -unday morning preaching service and the financial
arrangement had not changedC&B% gave me the airtime free and #e
paid all production e!penses.
' kne# in advance that this re"uest #ould be different. &here #ould
be substantial costs involved including paying for the air5time. ' #as also
#ell a#are that #e didn>t have the resources to commit to a daily telecast.
=$aul this is Benny Hinn= ' began and immediately got right to the
point. =' kno# this is going to be difficult for you to believe but the @ord
told me to call you and ask you to give me a daily half5hour program on
&B%.=
=Well it>s amaDing that you called today= he responded.
=Why<= ' #anted to kno#.
=A program that has been on our net#ork for years is stopping
production and you can have the same time slotC11I83 A.,. every
morning.=
,y heart skipped a beat. Thank #ou, Lord% =&hat is absolutely
#onderful= ' replied. =$aul there is only one problem. ' don>t have the
money to pay for the time.=
=Benny= he said ='>m not going to #orry about that. Aou can pay us
#hen the money comes in.=
' #as #alking on clouds. *od had not only given me the blueprint
He had gone before me paving the #ay.
B0J 93
&he first #eek of ,arch 1993 Eust days before #e #ere to launch our
daily television program ' asked -heryl $alm"uist to go to the 0rlando
post office. We needed a mailing address that #ould be easy for our
television vie#ers to rememberChopefully a one5 or t#o5digit number.
=*et the best bo! number they #ill give us= ' told her. =And be sure
it is one #e #on>t have to change.=
-he returned and said =$astor #e can have Bo! 93.=
At that moment the @ord spoke to my heart and said that #ould be
our address for the ninetiesCuntil 1999Cafter that a change #ould take
place. ' only kne# the @ord>s mandate for that decade.
&here #as only one dilemma? &he post office bo! #as not largeL it
#as the smallest siDe they offered.
-heryl talked #ith the person in charge and said =We #ant to take
Bo! 93 but in the event #e receive more mail than this bo! #ill
A ,A%BA& ( ; / 0, H( A.( % 141
physically hold can #e still use the same bo!<=
=Well ho# many letters are you talking about<= he in"uired.
-heryl replied =@et>s say #e had one thousand or t#o thousand
pieces of mail in a day. Ho# #ould you handle that<=
=What makes you think you>re going to get that much mail<= he
"ueried.
=Well you never kno#= she replied.
&he postal officer said =@ady if you receive that much mail you
don>t have to #orry. We #ill load it in trays and put it in your car #hen
you drive by.=
=@00) A& &H'-?=
&he first daily broadcast of This !s #our .ay began on &B% ,arch
6 1993. At that time the telecast #as called Miracle !nasion.
&he miracle #as that #e #ere able to produce the program? We had
no studio. &hose first broadcasts #ere taped in my private office #hile
-heryl $alm"uist our organist and Bruce Hughes our pianist provided
background music from the church platform. Beside me #ere Bave
$alm"uist and )ent ,atto!.
)ent and his #ife began attending our church several years earlier.
&hey had been miraculously saved and he became the pastor of our
singles ministry.
After the program had been airing for a fe# days ' an!iously asked
=Well #hat are the people telling us in the mail< What>s the response to
the program<=
=We don>t kno# $astor= said Bave. =We haven>t been do#n to the
post office.=
=Well you>d better get there "uick= ' told them.
When Bave and )ent retrieved the mail nearly fifty letters had
arrived. =@ook at this?= they said beaming as they opened the envelopes.
&here #ere prayer re"uests testimonies of healing people receiving
Christ and some had even sent checks to help defray the cost of the
program.
&he ne!t day they returned #ith even moreCand #hat #e began to
receive #as thrilling.
-t. @ouis ,issouriI =' #atch your program every
day. ' laid my hands on the television screen and '
received my healing of a stomach problem.=
$ort Arthur &e!asI =' #as #atching your program
142 H( & 07C H( B ,(
and the @ord gave you a #ord of kno#ledge that
there #as a #oman named Alice that had been
praying to be delivered from gluttony. &hat #oman
#as me. $raise *od ' am delivered from food
addiction.=
-alt @ake City 7tahI =' #as healed of bursitis and
arthritis in my home #atching your crusade telecast.
' can do things no# ' haven>t been able to do for
years. ' #as using a #alker and a #heelchair . . . no
more? 'f it had not been for your &. ministry ' don>t
kno# #hat #ould have happened to me.=
Bakersfield CaliforniaI =&he @ord healed my ulcer
#hile #atching your television program. ' am ne#
in the @ord and had never #atched you before. Aou
#ere getting ready to pray for the sick. ,y ulcer
had been bothering me. As you prayed you called
out >stomach ulcer> and that #as me. ' am healed.
&hank Aou +esus?=
(vansville 'ndianaI =Aesterday #hen you asked
people to accept Christ as their -avior ' prayed the
sinner>s prayer #ith you. ' kno# ' #ill al#ays
remember it as the greatest day of my life.=
When letters like these began pouring in ' kne# *od #as confirming
His mandate. We built a makeshift studio in the overflo# room of
0rlando Christian Center Flater to be called World 0utreach ChurchG and
began to add television stations to our net#ork.
&oday #e look back and smile remembering the postal official #ho
scoffed at the idea #e #ould receive perhaps 1333 or more letters a day.
$raise *od #e surpassed it.
%o# in an average #eek #e receive any#here from 43333 to
83333 pieces of mailCin addition to thousands of phone calls every day?
C H A $ & ( / 1 1
17 JAM BO&ES AND BIBLES"
&he daily telecast #as only one part of *od>s instruction. He also directed
me to begin miracle crusadesCfirst in the 7nited -tates then into all the
#orld.
'n ,arch 1993 the same month the ne# television program began
#e scheduled our first t#o5day crusade in $hoeni! AriDona at the four5
thousand5seat .alley Cathedral. 'n the days leading up to the opening
service ' prayed =@ord '>m taking Aou at Aour Word. ' am launching out
in faith. $lease help us to fill this building for Aour glory.=
When #e drove to the auditorium ' could hardly believe it. $eople
#ere lined up at every door #aiting to get in. ,ore than eight thousand
sho#ed up that night and thousands could not enter the building.
After the service ' thought 'ell, that was $ust a one8time
,henomenon. Surely it won't ha,,en again tomorrow night%
&he ne!t morning #e began #hat #as to become a permanent feature
of our crusades a morning service #ith an emphasis on teaching. &he
service started at 13I33 A.,. By 1I83 in the afternoon ' said =' must stop.
't>s time for you dear people to go and have your lunch.=
0ne man in the front ro# yelled out =Aou>re not "uitting? ' came a
thousand miles for this teaching and you>re not "uitting?=
&he #hole audience responded #ith a shout of agreement. ;rom that
first morning session ' kne# that people #ere hungry for the Word of
*od. At the final service an even bigger cro#d attempted to get into the
building.
' told my staff ='t looks like #e need to find larger facilities for these
meetings.=
Within a short period of time our crusades #ere filling some of the
great arenas and coliseums in AmericaCfrom -an Antonio to Charlotte to
149
183 H( & 07C H( B ,(
@ong Beach.
H(>- 0% &H( WAA?
At home -uDanne #as holding do#n the fort #ith eight5year5old
+essica and %atasha #ho #as no# si!. 0f course ' still longed for a baby
boyCand ' kne# #hat ' #ould call himI Joshua.
Aears before 0ral /oberts taught me the importance of so#ing and
reaping. ' remember him saying =When you give your offering believe
for a harvest.=
(very -unday at our church #hen the offering plate #as passed to
me ' #ould say out loud for everyone to hear =&hank Aou @ord for my
+oshua.= 't #as no secret ' #anted a little boy.
'n the summer of 1993 on a -unday evening Eust before ' #alked on
the platform -uDanne came up and placed a pair of little booties on the
pulpit. &ied to them #as a note that said =Aour +oshua is on the #ay.=
&hat>s ho# ' found out she #as pregnant?
+oshua Hinn #as born ,arch 48 1991.
And there #as one more surprise in store. &he follo#ing year on
+une 4: 1994 the @ord blessed our home #ith a beautiful baby girl
(leasha.
&H( &(A, (J$A%B-
;rom the beginning of our crusades *od has surrounded me #ith an
incredible team. 0ur crusade manager #as Charlie ,cCuen a talented
hard#orking individual #ho #as involved in the visitation ministry of our
church. ' sa# his fervor for *od and said =@ord Aou can use that Deal in
our crusades.= (ven though he had never done anything remotely like this
before the @ord used him greatly. &oday Bonald Bean an anointed
gifted gentleman is doing that same Eob. Bonald and his #ife +oanne
are a great blessing to me and our #ork.
0ur second crusade #as in Anaheim California and ' invited a
singer by the name of -teve Brock to be the guest soloist. ' had met him
earlier #hen ' #as the speaker for a t#o5day revival sponsored by the
&rinity Broadcasting %et#ork.
&he first night in Anaheim ' started to sing a chorus and behind me
-teve began to harmoniDe. ;rom the moment #e started singing that
impromptu duet ' felt in my spirit that he should be part of our team.
&he follo#ing month ' called Alvin -laughter a singer #ho had
inspired our people #hen he came to minister at our church. =Alvin -teve
Brock has Eust Eoined our crusade ministry and ' feel you also need to be
part of #hat *od is doing in these services.=
+ A, B0J( - A%B B ' B @ ( - ? 181
&ogether -teve Brock and Alvin -laughter have touched the lives of
millions of people. ' am convinced today more than ever that anointed
music ushers people into the presence of the @ord.
At a time #hen ' desperately needed administrative help the @ord
sent a man by the name of *ene $olino. He carefully navigated the #aters
to steer us from our small beginnings to #here #e are today. Although he
no longer #orks #ith our ministry *od allo#ed him to give us direction
at this critical time.
'n *od>s perfect timing +oan *ieson came to #ork #ith our crusade
healing team for seven years.
Because of the gro#th of the ministry the @ord has allo#ed some
outstanding people to be added to our staff including &im @avender our
chief operating officerChe #as formerly #ith the $romise )eepers
organiDation. Also Eoining us #as $eter 'reland our chief financial
officer. &hese men are #onderful Christians and a great blessing to me
and this ministry.
'n addition *od has sent to us ,ichael (llison of (llison ,edia
Company in $hoeni! a valued consultantCplus Bennis Bre#er and
Bavid ,iddlebrook Christian attorneys in Ballas and +im *uinn one of
the finest C$As any#here. &hese are some of the finest professionals in
the business #orld #ho have become my close dear friends.
0thers #ho have taken roles of leadership include +ohn Wilson #ho
#as a partner #ith our ministry for many years )urt )Eellstrom #ho
became a very dear friend to my family Bon Boss #ho oversees the
audio at our crusades -ue @angford in our follo#5up ministry /. +.
@arson #ho heads our security team and %ancy $richard #ho has
skillfully handled my personal correspondence and schedule. ' thank the
@ord daily for these loyal and committed men and #omen.
&he #ork of 0rlando Christian CenterCand our crusade outreachC
moved steadily for#ard through the efforts of people such as ,ike
&homforde -teve Hill @arry ,uriello and Ayub ;leming.
't #ould be impossible to name all the individuals #ho through the
years have enabled our ministry to be #hat it is today.
)ent ,atto! the young man #ho Eoined our church staff in the
1923s became a source of great strength to me in our crusade ministry.
*od could not have sent someone more fitting than )ent. He loved life
and kne# #hen ' needed encouragement. &he @ord eventually led )ent
into his o#n ministry and he #ill al#ays be my dear friend.
Another person #ho #as not as high5profile as )ent yet #as vital to
the early crusade years #as Bavid Belgado from %e# Aork City. &he
son of a $uerto /ican pentecostal preacher Bave #as converted from a
184 H( & 07C H( B ,(
life of drug addiction and became a personal assistant to me. His loyalty
#as une"ualled and he #as held in great esteem by our staff. @ater in his
life after becoming deathly ill #ith hepatitis he died prematurely. His
death #as a mystery to his family our staff and myself. Although reports
of a drug relapse came to our attention follo#ing his death kno#ing
Bavid as ' didCand ho# deeply he loved *odC' can only leave the
circumstances of his passing in the hands of the @ord.
;or several years in the mid51993s /onn Haus became an associate
evangelist on our staff. ' had kno#n /onn for many yearsChe #as the
person #ho introduced me to my future father5in5la# /oy Harthern.
/onn came aboard at a time #hen ' needed a strong spiritual force by my
side. He is still close to me in the ministry.
*od has also graciously permitted many outstanding ministers of the
gospel to become a source of spiritual strength to meCpeople such as
Bon *eorge pastor of Calvary &emple Ballas &e!asL &ommy Barnett
pastor of ;irst Assembly of *od $hoeni! AriDonaL +ack Hayford pastor
of Church on the Way .an %uys CaliforniaL Ban BetDer pastor of ;irst
Assembly of *od ;t. ,yers ;loridaL /alph Wilkerson founder and
former pastor of ,elodyland Christian Center Anaheim CaliforniaL and
;red /oberts pastor of Burban Christian Center in -outh Africa.
' have also been greatly influenced by t#o men #ho have no# gone
on to be #ith the @ord. -oon after my conversion in &oronto ' began
attending Bibles studies taught by Br. Winston '. %unesCone of the great
teachers of our generation and a giant in the faith. ' still marvel at #hat '
learned from him in my early spiritual #alk.
Another man ' honor dearly is the late Br. @ester -umrallC#ho left
his mark on the church and the #orld. We continue to #ork #ith his sons
as they carry the torch of their father>s great #ork.
' am thankful for #hat these great servants of *od have meant to my
life.
-$'/'&7A@ W(A@&H
-oon after #e began our monthly miracle crusades ' felt led to invite
/e! Humbard the noted evangelist and pioneer of Christian television in
America to be a regular featured speaker for the ;riday morning
meetings. He is one of the greatest soul #inners in the history of
evangelism. /e! and his #ife ,aude Amiee #ere close friends of
)athryn )uhlman.
-uDanne and ' have counted it an honor to spend time #ith these
humble gracious servants of the @ord. ,any times #hen ' have needed
someone to share the burdens of this ministry /e! has al#ays been there.
' am also grateful to *od for sending 0ral and (velyn /oberts into
+ A, B0J( - A%B B ' B @ ( - ? 188
our lives many years ago. &he love they have e!tended to -uDanne and me
has been over#helming.
0nly eternity #ill reveal the spiritual #ealth ' have received from
0ralCand there is not a man on earth that has had a greater impact on my
life. ' have stated many times =' love him as my o#n father.=
We also cherish the time #e spend #ith his son and daughter5in5la#
/ichard and @indsey.
What a tremendous gift to this #orld 0ral /oberts 7niversity has
become? He has already left his mark on history. *od has used 0ral
/oberts to lay a mighty foundation for the healing ministry in this #orld.
,illions of lives have been affected by this one man. And the impact of
his ministry #ill be felt for generations to come. &he honorary doctorate
presented to me at 0/7 has special meaning because of the man for
#hom the institution is named.
=&H'- '- A@,0-& 7%/(A@=
;rom the beginning the impact the miracle crusades #ere having on
cities across the 7nited -tates #as often more than spiritual. ;or e!ample
#hen #e came to ;lint ,ichigan in August 1991 the /lint Journal
reported in their front5page feature =&hey hailed from throughout
,ichigan and from 'ndianaCeven .irginia and &ennessee and %e#
,e!ico. ;rom all corners of the country they came descending on ;lint>s
',A -ports Arena &hursday night seeking a miracle.= &he article "uoted
the spokesperson for the Convention and &ourist Bureau as saying
=(very hotel motel and bed5and5breakfast in *enessee County #as
booked for &hursday and tonightCabout 4:33 rooms total.
=&his is almost unreal= said the spokesperson. =&he phones are
ringing off the hook and ' hear it>s even #orse at the ',A arena.= &he
ne#s report stated =-ome crusade enthusiasts camped outside the arena
Wednesday night so they could be first in line for the free first5come
first5served seats. 0thers came early &hursday morning packing blankets
and la#n chairs coolers Eam bo!es and their Bibles.=
-imilar reports began to follo# the crusades across America.
,'/AC@(- '% &H( /A'%
*od>s mandate to me also included taking the gospel to the nations of
the #orldCand not Eust a token visit to a foreign city. We prepared for
maEor crusades in these countries as #e did in the 7nited -tates involving
scores of local churches and missionaries a crusade choir altar #orkers
and a follo#5up program for ne# converts.
At the crusade in ,anila in the $hilippines in ;ebruary 1994 the
Araneta Coliseum #as filledC#ith thousands more standing outside. &he
189 H( & 07C H( B ,(
ne#s reported that many arrived as early as four o>clock in the morning
Eust to #ait for the evening service.
When #e returned to the $hilippines sometime later 633333 people
attended the first night of the meeting.
0ften our overseas Eourneys are accompanied by the une!pected. At
our 1999 crusade at Huracan -tadium in Buenos Aires Argentina as the
cro#ds gathered early in the day rain began to fallCand the deluge
continued all afternoon. &he stadium officials refused to allo# the
meeting to take place that evening due to the potential safety risk from
uncovered electrical #ires on the soccer field.
&hat night *od #orked in an unusual #ay. We #ere given time on a
maEor commercial net#ork to conduct a live miracle service on national
television. &he broadcast reached most of Argentina plus parts of three
adEoining -outh American countries. ,iracles took place in the studio
audience and reports of healing began flooding in from vie#ers.
&he ne!t night the 1333335seat Huracan -tadium #as literally
overflo#ing. &housands stood on the muddy rain5soaked field praising
and #orshiping the @ord as the choir sang =%ada (s 'mpossible=
F%othing 's 'mpossibleG. &he follo#ing morning nine thousand pastors
packed a do#nto#n arena as ' preached on =%o /etirement in the
)ingdom.=
&o this day #e hear reports of churches that are still e!periencing
revival because of the spiritual outpouring pastors received from the @ord
in that meeting. &o +esus belongs all the glory.
A ;/A*/A%C( A W'%B
'n crusades in the 7nited -tates and overseas ' never cease to be
amaDed at the demonstration of *od>s po#er.
0ne night at a service in Betroit the presence of the @ord #as so
a#esome that you could smell its fragranceCa fragrance that permeated
the building so that thousands testified to e!periencing it. ' am convinced
that the presence of *od intensifies #hen there is total unity of believers
in the service.
'n $retoria -outh Africa a #ind #as felt by thousands that started in
the upper part of the building and s#ept across the entire audience.
'n Bogata Colombia the presence of the Holy -pirit #as so
a#esome that the @ord spoke to me and said ='n one hour ' am going to
#alk in here.= ' looked at my #atch and it #as ten minutes until eight
o>clock.
'mmediately ' paused to tell the cro#d e!actly #hat the @ord had
Eust said. &hen #e continued #ith the service. 0ne hour later at ten
+ A, B0J( - A%B B ' B @ ( - ? 186
minutes to nine the po#er and presence of *od hit the building #ith such
magnitude that people in that circular building began falling from the
outside inCall in the same directionCas if a giant #ave had hit them. 'f
you can imagine a circle then another circle #ithin it and a smaller circle
in the middle. When the po#er of *od hit people fell in perfect #aves
around those circles until practically every person in that building #as on
the floor.
't #as a time of great emotion and people #ere "uite shaken by the
e!perience. ' had never #itnessed anything like it before.
'n that same service about thirty minutes later the @ord stopped me
again and instructed me to have the people become "uiet. He said =&ell
them as they listen they #ill hear the singing of angels.=
&hat is e!actly #hat took place.
H7%*/A ;0/ &H( A%0'%&'%*
$eople have asked me =Benny #hy do you think your crusade
ministry burst onto the #orld scene #ith such force at the start of the
1993s<=
' can list several reasons. ' feel that people began attending our
meetings in great numbers because they #ere hungry for the anointing of
*odCand they #anted to be in an atmosphere #here it is present.
'n these crusades it is not uncommon to see hundreds of ministers at
the morning service #eeping deeply moved seeking the anointing of the
Holy -pirit.
&he television program certainly contributed to the large crusades
since every day people all over the #orld #ere able to see the po#er of
*od displayed.
'n 1993 a book ' #as inspired to #rite Good Morning, Holy S,irit,
#as released by &homas %elson $ublishers. &o the surprise of everyone
involved in the proEectCincluding meCthe book began flying off the
bookshelves. -tores could not keep them in stock and it Doomed to the
top of the Christian bookseller charts. 't remained there for si!teen
months.
,illions of copies #ere sold in the 7nited -tates and through more
than forty foreign translations. "hristianity Today reported that it is =one
of the best5selling Christian books of all time.=
&he president and C(0 of &homas %elson $ublishers -am ,oore
and his brother Chuck ,oore t#o gentlemen of @ebanese origin have
become my dear friends. 0ver the years they have been great supporters
of this ministry.
18: H( & 07C H( B ,(
&W'-&'%* -C/'$&7/(<
'f Good Morning, Holy S,irit had met #ith mediocre success no one
#ould have paid much attention. Ho#ever because of its rocketlike rise
in Christian publishing the critics had a heyday. &hey s#ooped do#n on
the manuscript like vulturesCtrying to find something to pick apart.
0ne organiDation in particular the Christian /esearch 'nstitute FC/'G
in 'rvine California took great e!ception to many of the teachings in the
book. &o most observers ho#ever the underlying problem #as #hether a
person believed that spiritual gifts are available for Christians today.
' had no problem revising some passages of the book for
clarificationL ho#ever ' #as not about to change my belief about the
#ork of the Holy -pirit.
Hank Hanegraff president of C/' charged me #ith =t#isting
-cripture.=
When he began to bring my name up on his radio program ' felt it
#as important for me to meet #ith him and talk about some of the issues
he had discussed. We met on several occasions.
' do admit there have been times #hen ' have made a statement that
#as incorrect. Because #e are continually gro#ing in the @ord preachers
and laypeople alike must be open to the @ord>s correction. Ho#ever ' do
not believe it is right #hen a minister corrects his theologyCor his vie#
on a point of -criptureCand the critics continue to bring up that same
subEect.
=@(&>- %0& B( ;00@'-H=
-ince #e are a high5profile ministry '>ve come to e!pect scrutiny
from the mediaCand #e certainly have had our share. We have been the
focus of national television investigative reports. 'n every case these
reports have helped the ministry to become stronger.
&he @ord has also opened doors allo#ing me to appear on programs
such as Larry -ing Lie, #here ' have been #armly received. ' have
found many in the secular media to be fair in their coverage of our
ministry. ' told one reporter =' have far more difficulty #ith religious
e!tremists #ho believe they are *od>s messengers.=
Ho# can ' criticiDe the press #hen they have attracted hundreds of
thousands of people to our crusades to hear the Word< ,any of these
people have been #onderfully saved and miraculously healed. &hank
*od all things #ork together for good.
C H A $ & ( / 1 2
1# THE CRUSADE E&'ERIENCE
-ome people see a mar"uee on an arena that reads =Benny Hinn ,iracle
Crusade= and mistakenly think that ' have some kind of special healing
po#er. ;ar from it. What happens in our meetings has absolutely nothing
to do #ith meCit has eerything to do with the fact that the healing
,ower of the Holy S,irit is aailable to all.
't is the #orking of the -pirit that brings healing deliverance and
salvation.
Ho# do ' prepare myself to become an instrument of the @ord<
&hose #ho kno# our ministryCespecially members of our crusade team
Cfully understand that ' have to literally separate myself from the #orld
before ' #alk on that platform.
0ur typical crusade includes three servicesI &hursday night ;riday
morning and ;riday night. -tarting at t#o o>clock on &hursday afternoon
everything about my life changes. ,y immediate staff kno#s there are to
be no phone calls from my office and no interruptions of any kind. &hat is
#hen ' begin to prepare myself physically mentally and spiritually for
the first service. ' ask *od to help me become ready in every #ay. ' don>t
#ant to be lacking in any areaCespecially spiritually.
*od cannot use a heart that is distracted and a body that is e!hausted.
'>ve got to be a vessel He can use. &hat>s #hy ' #ill not allo# anyone to
disturb meCregardless of #ho they are. $erhaps more than any other
people my #ife and children fully understand and appreciate ho# ' feel
about becoming ready for a miracle service.
;riday is the same. %o disruptions. ' #on>t permit anything to pollute
my mind body or spirit. %o radio or television. %o ne#spaper. %o
outside influences.
Why is this so vital< ' am fully a#are of the fact that thousands of
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182 H( & 07C H( B ,(
people have made great sacrifices and often have traveled long distances
to attend these meetings. ,any are suffering #ith incurable diseases and
infirmities praying that this #ill be their moment of healing. Can ' do any
less than to totally prepare myself and surrender to the @ord<
' learned many years ago that the only #ay ' could have a successful
ministry #as to find people #ho are Eust as anointed in their ministries as '
am in mine. &hen ' have to trust them to run their offices so ' can be free
to focus on ministry. 'f they can>t be trusted then it is time for them to
move on.
A -(%-( 0; (J$(C&A%CA
Anyone arriving early for one of our crusades #ill sense the faith and
e!pectation. 0ften it is driDDling and still dark #hen people begin to line
up for a meeting that #ill not begin for another t#elve or fourteen hours.
&hese people are hungry for *od and #illing to #ait for the best seats.
-ome come #ith bags full of snacks books and other items to help
pass the time. &hey spend the day making friends #ith others in lineC
talking reading singing praying and #aiting for the time the doors #ill
open.
By midday the lines #ill have lengthened considerably and most
people kno# #hat those around them have come e!pectingCthey are
e!pecting miracles.
'nside about seventy5five key volunteers Ffrom a master list of about
t#o hundred regularsG are at their posts. &hese are professional people
from all over the country #ho at their o#n e!pense are at our monthly
crusades. &he regular volunteers coordinate the activities of hundreds of
local people #ho come to helpCfrom an army of ushers to those #ho #ill
assist the healing team.
When the doors finally open and the people rush to#ard their seats
the chatter of voices creates an e!cited roar throughout the building. &he
crusade choir is already in place and as they begin to rehearse many
onlookers sing along. &he atmosphere seems charged and an anointing of
*od>s presence has already begun to descend.
0n the main level ministry team #orkers are encouraging the sick
and sharing testimonies of healing. As the choir continues to rehearse the
seats are filling fast. .olunteer #orkers rush here and there all over the
arena finaliDing everything in preparation for the service.
At 1I33 $.,. the lights dim and the roar of voices becomes a hushed
silence as an announcer>s voice #elcomes the thousands #ho have
gathered for the miracle service. Blue lights slo#ly embrace the silhouette
of Bruce Hughes seated at a 95foot -tein#ay piano playing a favorite old
hymn #ith artistic perfection. A final arpeggio on the keyboard signals the
& H( C /7- AB( ( J$ ( / ' ( %C ( 189
end of the solo.
/esounding applause #elcomes +im Cernero our music director as
he takes his place before the one5thousand5voice crusade choir. As they
sing the momentum builds and soon people stand all over the arena as the
mass choir begins =&hen sings my soul ,y -avior *od to &heeI O Ho#
great &hou art? Ho# great &hou art?=
&he thousands #ho fill the arena are lifted into a place of glorious
praise and #orship.
' cannot begin to describe #hat ' am feeling as ' #alk onto the
platform at that moment and continue to lead the audience in #orship.
(verything ' have prayed forCeverything *od has prepared my life forC
seems #rapped up in that moment. And ' kno# that the Holy -pirit is
about to descend #ith great po#er?
-teve Brock and other special soloists sing crusade favorites and the
love of *od becomes almost tangible. ,any faces are streaked #ith tears
as people from many different backgrounds bask in *od>s presence. &he
e!pressions on their faces tell any observer that +esus Christ is real He
loves them and He is present to touch them and meet their needs.
As ' begin to preach the Word of *od faith rises.
At one point in the service ' give an altar callI ='f you #ant to give
your heart to +esus Christ if you #ant to kno# Him as your -avior and
@ord come do#n to the front of the platform #here ' can pray #ith you.=
' stand in a#e every time ' see the people streaming to the front filling
every aisle. As the choir sings =+ust As ' Am= thousands give their lives
to +esus Christ. @ater as they #alk back to their seats ' often lead a
beautiful song of #orship and the cro#d Eoins in.
=&HA%) A07 ;0/ A07/ ,(/CA?=
&he time passes "uickly and #orship fills the arena once more. What
seemed impossible for some Eust hours earlier is no# possible. &he *od
of miracles is here.
0ften ' #ill become suddenly filled #ith a fiery presence that
envelops me and ' begin to pray #ith authority rebuking sickness and
disease. ='f *od has touched you line up to my left and my right= '
re"uest. ,any are already there an!ious to testify of *od>s healing po#er
in their life.
At the side of the platform a member of our healing team reports
=$astor this lady has come all the #ay from Cincinnati 0hio believing
for *od to heal her from cancer. -he has no more pain?=
At that moment all ' can say is =Bear +esus thank Aou for Aour
mercy.= &he audience erupts in applause and praise in gratitude for #hat
193 H( & 07C H( B ,(
*od has done.
$eople come one after another to declare they have been healed by
the po#er of *od. Cancer asthma heart disease diabetes emphysema
alcoholism drug addiction and more.
&he po#er of *od often e!plodes in the arenaCand in every heartC
as onlookers reEoice #ith each person #ho steps onto the platform to tell
of *od>s divine touch upon them.
When the last song has been sung and the cro#d begins to disperse
and file out of the auditorium ' seldom #ant to leave the platform. ;aces
are radiant beaming full of life and Eoy. 't is apparent they have
e!perienced the presence of *od in a #ay they never imagined possible. '
pray that because of that e!perience they #ill never be the same again.
C/7-AB(/ 1
'f you #alk behind the crusade stage past a corridor of black
curtains you>ll find Crusader 1Cour state5of5the5art mobile television
production unit. &his forty5nine5foot custom5built truck trailer contains
the highest5"uality e"uipment for capturing on video every detail of #hat
you see on This !s #our .ay%
+eff $ittman our television producer is one of the finest in the
industry. (ven more he feels divinely called to stand by my side in
spreading the message of the gospel. We have spent hundreds of hours
together in all parts of the #orld and ' kno# the dedication #ith #hich he
approaches his task. +eff>s goal is to capture the anointing in the services
and minister to a person>s needC#hether it>s a Christian #ho is
discouraged an alcoholic #ho needs deliverance a mother #hose son Eust
ran a#ay from home or a husband #hose #ife Eust took the children and
left.
Working closely #ith him are directors &ruett Hancock and *ene
BaileyCand the longtime announcer for the program )eith Curtis.
+eff and ' talk about every facet of the program from a particular
song #e #ill use to the testimony of someone #ho has been healed. And
before every broadcast #e pray that vie#ers #ill be touched by *od>s
po#er.
(very time ' receive a letter telling me =' #as saved by #atching the
program= or =' #as healed through your television ministry= ' kno# it
#as not by accident. &o our television cre# their #ork is a ministry.
We recently dedicated our ne# World ,edia Center studio in Aliso
.ieEo California. 0ur e"uipment rivals that of any net#ork studio in @os
Angeles or %e# AorkCand it>s all for the glory of *od.
' am convinced that #e must =speak peace to the nations . . . to the
& H( C /7- AB( ( J$ ( / ' ( %C ( 191
ends of the earth= FKech. 9I13G. ,y goal is to someho# reach every home
in every country #ith the gospel. We are taking the message of *od>s
saving and healing po#er into every nation that #ill accept our broadcast.
,any governments that have long forbidden the Christian message
are no# being reached via satellite.
&his uni"ue television outreach is part of *od>s calling on my life.
&H( ,'--'0% 0; ,AJ
$arked outside every crusade arena you>ll see doDens of busesC
church buses school buses charters and tour buses. ;or many people this
is a ministry in itself.
,a! Colver of 'ndianapolis became involved in bringing people to
our crusades #hen he assisted his aging mother in leaving a cro#ded
Chicago arena after a ,iracle Crusade in 1994. As they #atched people
climb aboard ,a! realiDed that those #ho came on buses #ere assured a
seat earlier than the general public. 't #as the beginning of a uni"ue
ministry.
&he first trip he organiDed #as to our crusade in Cincinnati a fe#
months later. And no# he has accompanied more than 1433 people to
t#elve more crusades. 'n addition ,a! began a church in 'ndianapolis
called @iving Word. He says ='t #as birthed out of the anointing #e
received in the meetings.=
$astor Colver and his #ife focus on taking the burden of travel off
the shoulders of the elderly and sick providing safety and comfort
throughout the entire crusade e!perience.
&hey begin planning for the trip t#o or three months before one of
our crusades. &hen he rents the buses and the hotel rooms and charges
about N133 for the package.
What>s important to ,a! are results. He told us that many bus
travelers come e!pecting miracles. =A lot of handicapped people are on
the trip and many of our people get healed= he said. =&he long bus ride
allo#s an atmosphere of faith to be created. We stay focused= said $astor
,a!. =&he first thing ' say every morning is >$raise *od? &his is your day
for a miracle?>=
&hey even #atch a video of one of our services on the Eourney. And
many miracles actually take place during the bus trips to and from the
miracle services. =We #ere driving to %ashville and half#ay there '
heard a shout in the back of the bus. -omeone #as healed= said ,a!. =As
#e travel back to 'ndianapolis #e let people give their testimonies. And
some are healed on the #ay home. 't>s glorious= he says.
$HA-'C'A%- '% ,'%'-&/A
194 H( & 07C H( B ,(
When #e began our church in 0rlando among our first members
#ere Bonald Colbert ,.B. and his #ife ,ary. Bon is a -pirit5filled
family doctor in @ong#ood ;lorida #ho is my personal physician and
also assists us in the crusades.
We have physicians at our meetings to check those #ho claim to have
been healed during the services. &heir #ork is very important to us.
Because of their medical training crusade physicians are able to conduct
a cursory e!amination of those #ho have been touched by *od>s po#er.
&hey help confirm a person>s healing before sending him or her up to the
platform to give a testimony.
Why #ould medical physicians volunteer to take part in a ,iracle
Crusade< 'n this case they share a uni"ue perspective of the miraculous
healing po#er of +esus.
Br. -ydel Barnes another of our crusade physicians has her practice
in the inner city of &ampa ;lorida. -everal years ago she attended one of
our crusades in Atlanta and said =As a physician it #as an e!perience
that surpassed anything ' thought ' #ould ever see.= -he added ='
remember in particular a little boy #ith cerebral palsy. ' #as sitting high
in the rafters some#here and ' #as looking do#n at him. As someone
prayed for the child ' sa# the -pirit of *od come upon him. He began to
run #hen he #as previously unable to #alk= she said. =' kne# this #as
something far beyond medical kno#ledge and rationaliDation.=
Br. Barnes #as overcome by #hat she #itnessed in that meeting. -he
began to pray =@ord ' #ant to be like one of the disciples #ho #alked
#ith +esus. ' #ant to be part of these miracles.=
-he allots the time in her busy schedule to volunteer at most of our
crusades.
Br. Baniel *orduek began helping at our meetings after he #as
miraculously healed of cancer in one of our crusades in $uerto /ico. 'n
199: he #as diagnosed #ith prostate cancer of an aggressive type that had
spread to his bones. He #as given no hope for survival. &oday he is
cancer5free and volunteers his time as a crusade physician.
.olunteersCtelevisions cre#sCbus ministriesCcrusade physicians
Cthey are all crucial members of a team that is dedicated to reaching the
#orld for Christ.
C H A $ & ( / 1 9
1$ THE !REATEST !IFT
't #as late in the evening and ' #as rela!ing seated in a comfortable chair
#ith my son +oshua spra#led on my lap. &hat same afternoon ' had
flo#n in from a crusade on the West Coast and my boy #ho #as about
five at the time #as so e!cited to see his daddy.
Bo#n the hall#ay ' could hear the familiar busy sounds of +essica
and %atasha getting ready for bed. (leasha our youngest daughter #as
already sleeping.
As the house gre# "uiet +oshua snuggled closer to me. When '
glanced do#n ' noticed that he #as fast asleep in my arms. He looked so
peaceful nestled thereCalmost angelic. ' sat "uietly stroking his bro#n
hair cherishing the moment. ' thought 'hat a wonderful gift from the
Lord.
*od has allo#ed me to traverse the #orld meet distinguished leaders
of many nations and do many things yet these e!periences pale in
comparison to the precious moments ' spend #ith my children. As a
father there is nothing ' #ould not do for my +essica %atasha +oshua
and (leasha. ' love them.
(ach of my children is special and *od has made them uni"ue
individuals.
+(--'CA
0ur oldest daughter +essica has gro#n to be a tall lovely confident
young lady. -ometimes ' tease her about looking Eust like me and she
"uickly responds #ith a t#inkle in her dark eyes =/emember '>m
(nglish too like ,om?=
Certainly there is a degree of pressure on our children because of the
high5profile nature of our ministry yet it doesn>t seem to unduly bother
them. When +essica #as a sophomore at @ake ,ary High -chool she #as
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199 H( & 07C H( B ,(
the focus of a feature article in the *rlando Sentinel. -he told the
reporter =&o me it>s not like living #ith someone famous. 't>s Eust my
dad.= And she added =,y dad and ' are very close. We are e!actly
alike.=
When +essica turned si!teen ' gave her a cell phone. &here #as a
reason for my gift. As she told a friend ='t>s amaDing. %o matter #here
my dad may be in the #orld he al#ays kno#s #hat time my curfe# is and
' kno# that phone is going to ring. -ure enough it>s Bad.=
&hank *od for modern technology?
-uDanne and ' have been thrilled to see +essica>s strength of character
and her great compassion to#ard others.
%A&A-HA
0ur second daughter %atasha fills our house #ith life and
e!citementCshe is al#ays bubbling. By choice she doesn>t seek attention
publicly saying as little as possible. $rivately ho#ever she doesn>t hold
much back? &he minute ' #alk into the house ' can al#ays count on her to
give me an opinion and tell me e!actly #hat>s on her mind.
=&asha= as #e call her is e!tremely self5disciplined. -he>s the one
#ho comes home from school and tackles her home#ork immediatelyC
totally finishing her assignments before any leisure activities.
-ince early childhood %atasha has had a passion for missions and
talked about children she #anted to help in foreign lands. -he Eumped at
the opportunity to travel to Kambia and ,e!icoCnot to attend our
crusades but to #ork and minister #ith other young people on trips
organiDed by the church my brother -ammy pastors in 0rlando.
+0-H7A
+oshua< Well he>s all boy. +ust mention any sport and he>s ready to
tackle itCbasketball soccer karate and especially hockey. ' #as amaDed
the first time ' sa# him speed do#n the floor of a gym playing hockey on
/ollerblades.
,y +oshua is al#ays full of surprises and '>m never "uite sure #hat to
e!pect. He>s definitely not shy #hen ' invite him to Eoin me on the
platform. -ince he #as three or four he #ould Eump at the chance to grab
the microphone and say =Hello= or ask to sing a song. &he =Hello= is by
far the most predictable. ' remember bringing him to the platform at a
Becember crusade and he #anted to sing a Christmas song. =What #ould
you like to sing<= ' asked him.
=Bashing &hrough the -no#= he replied.
-ince this #as a ,iracle Crusade ' had hoped he #ould at least
& H( */( A& ( - & *' ; & 196
choose =-ilent %ight= or =A#ay in a ,anger.= %o. He #anted to sing
=Bashing &hrough the -no#= so that>s e!actly #hat the people heard that
night?
,y heart is filled #ith e!pectation for +oshua>s future.
(@(A-HA
0ur youngest daughter is (leasha the =baby= of the family yet she is
gro#ing by leaps and bounds. What a s#eetheart she isCsuch a peaceful
child and a Eoy to be near. ,y #ife -uDanne and ' can hardly remember
a time #hen she has cried for any reason. /egardless of the
circumstances #e can count on (leasha to be happy.
(ven from early infancy #hen it #as time for bed she #ould lie
do#n close her eyes and go to sleep. %o protest no tears no delay Eust
=%ight night.=
-he>s Eust as content playing alone or #ith other childrenCit seems to
make little difference. ,any nights '>ll look and find her in her room
engrossed in a book or dra#ing a picture.
(leasha is e"ually at home taking ballet lessons Eoining a karate
class or singing on the platform #ith her brother +oshua. -he loves
everythingCespecially her brother. &hey are inseparable.
H7*- )'--(- A%B CA/B-
-omeone asked me recently =What is the best Christmas present you
ever received from your kids<=
' didn>t have to think long for the ans#er. (very Christmas and on our
birthdays -uDanne and ' receive a special card from each of our children.
&he message is not something they have purchased in a store but #ords
they have #ritten from their hearts. ,ore than once ' have #iped a tear
from my eye #hen ' read =,erry Christmas to the greatest daddy in the
#hole #ide #orld= or =' love you on your birthday and every day of the
year.=
Hugs kisses and cardsCthese are the presents ' #ill al#ays treasure.
-ome people are surprised #hen they first spend time around our
children. 0ne minister friend commented ='>m shocked. &hey>re all so
normalCso do#n to earth.=
' laughed and replied ='sn>t that ho# they>re supposed to be<=
&hey are typical active kids each #ith a uni"ue temperament.
+oshua and +essica are more strong5#illed and assertive #hile %atasha
and (leasha have personalities that are tran"uil and passive. We thank
*od they are all such loving children.
19: H( & 07C H( B ,(
B(C'-'0%- B(C'-'0%-
-uDanne and ' made a decision early in our marriage that #hen #e
became parents #e #ould give our children the love security and
discipline they needed yet #e #ould not isolate them from the real #orld.
;or e!ample in the lo#er grades our children have gone to private
Christian schools. 'n high school ho#ever +essica and %atasha have
attended public schoolsCand their faith and Christian commitment have
remained strong. We have been especially pleased #ith the acceptance
our children have received in public schools.
0h there have been times #hen other kids have taunted themCfor
e!ample making fun of people falling under the po#er of *od. 't>s
interesting to note ho#ever that such things happened in a Christian
institution not in a public school.
0ur kids are not perfect. As young people they have e!perienced
typical adolescent struggles but *od has been faithful and #e are so
proud of the #ay they conduct their lives.
As parents #e have tried to give our children guidelines and let them
be kidsL to learn from their mistakes and to do their o#n gro#ing up.
-uDanne #as raised as a $)Ca =preacher>s kid=Cand her mother told
her =' don>t e!pect you to be the best kid in the church but please don>t
be the #orst.= We have raised our children #ith the same philosophy.
0ne of the great "uandaries ' have faced is trying to obey the call of
*od on my life for a #orld#ide ministry and be a responsible husband
and father.
&here have been many sleepless nights #hen -uDanne has felt as
though she #ere raising the children aloneCand at times has almost
collapsed under the burden. ,ore than once she has stood on the promise
of the Word that *od =#ould be a husband to me and a father to my
children.= &he @ord has never never failed.
(arlier ' spoke of the time #hen -uDanne and ' #ere first married
and she traveled #ith me to all of our meetings. -he is a #oman of prayer
and obeys the voice of the @ord.
When +essica #as born -uDanne said =Benny ' kno# you #ant me
#ith you in the meetings but ' feel that *od needs me hereCat homeC
giving +essica all of my attention.= -he took it as a calling. &hen came
%atasha +oshua and (leasha and she has never #avered in her
conviction to be a strong anchor for our family. ' thank *od every day for
His cover of blessing on -uDanne and on our home.
%o# #ith our oldest children becoming young adults -uDanne is
becoming more involved in our public ministry yet she still believes our
children and myself are her number one priority. As she often comments
& H( */( A& ( - & *' ; & 191
=,inistry begins in the home.=
'& HA$$(%(B A& &H( $0%B
' could never begin to count the hours #e have spent on our knees
praying for each of our children.
=@ord ' give Aou +essica= ' #ould pray. =$rotect her from harm.
,ay she al#ays love Aou.=
=And no# %atasha @ord. Hold her in Aour loving arms and never
let her go.=
&hen ' #ould pray for +oshua =*od may he become a man of
righteousnessCand a strong #arrior for Aou.=
=And (leasha @ord. ' give this beautiful child to Aour care. %ever
let her stray from Aou.=
'n the years that have so "uickly passed ' have stood on the
platforms of the #orld and prayed the prayer of faith for millions of
people. ;rom -ingapore to -outh Africa entire families have received
*od>s anointing and been touched by His po#er. But #hat about my o#n
family< What about my children< ' prayed that they too #ould
e!perience the reality of the Holy -pirit. At an early age they had asked
the @ord to come into their hearts but ' #anted them to e!perience
everything *od had for them.
0n 0ctober 2 1992 #e #ere holding a miracle service at an arena
kno#n as =&he $ond= in Anaheim California. ' had conducted meetings
in southern California many times yet that night the -pirit of *od #as
like a fireCpeople could feel the anointing spreading all over the
building.
' looked do#n on the front ro# and there #ere -uDanne and our four
beautiful children #ho had flo#n in from 0rlando to be #ith me. As
people #ere #orshiping in the -pirit ' #as praying =@ord touch my
children tonight. ,ay they kno# Aour mighty po#er.=
't #as during this time that +essica #ho had Eust begun her Eunior
year of high school had been going through typical adolescent
adEustments and as parents #e #ere concerned.
&hat night ' felt led to ask my children to come to the platformC'
#as going to introduce them to the audience. Ho#ever *od had
something else in mind. &he moment they approached me in the center of
the stage the anointing became so strong that #hen ' turned to#ard them
all four of my children fell to the floor. &here #ere +essica %atasha
+oshua and (leasha slain in the -pirit by the po#er of *od. 't #as a
beautiful sight and ' began to #eep before the @ord. When something
like that happens to your o#n children it is an incredible feeling.
192 H( & 07C H( B ,(
*od did an amaDing #ork that night. When they returned to 0rlando
their Christian #itness took on a boldness #e had never seenCand the
effects of that meeting are still evident.
&he story of my children remains to be #ritten. ' can only pray that
each chapter #ill be filled #ith faith hope and love.
C H A $ & ( / 4 3
2% A MIRACULOUS 'RO'HECY FULFILLED
'n the late 1913s ' spoke in Ballas &e!as at the ministerial training
institute Christ for the %ations. ' left the platform #ith the director of the
ministry ,rs. ;rieda @indsay a #onderful friend and the #ife of the
founder of C;% the late *ordon @indsay. Beside me ' noticed that a
gentleman #ith #hite hair #as follo#ing us.
=Aoung man? Aoung man?= he said in a strong forceful voice.
As ' looked back the man began to prophesy. =&hus saith the @ord=
he began. =&he day #ill come #hen you #ill preach ,y gospel in the
Arab #orld.=
' looked at ,rs. @indsay and "uietly commented =&his man is
craDy?=
-he did not respond and ' continued =&here is no #ay ' #ould be
permitted to go and preach in the Arab #orldCeven if ' #anted to. ,y
passport says >Born in 'srael.=>
,rs. @indsay turned to me and #ith a kno#ing look on her face
said =&his man has never been #rong.= And she dismissed the incident.
,'--'%* &H( $@A%(
A short time later ' #as at the airport in 0tta#a Canada #ith Harald
Bredesen #ho #as about to catch a plane to another city. Bredesen is one
of *od>s choice servantsCa former @utheran minister #ho invented the
term =charismatic rene#al.=
We #ere in the airport restaurant and the #aitress had Eust taken our
order. ' asked Harald =What time does your plane leave<= He looked at
his #atch and realiDed the flight #as leaving in ten minutes. We grabbed
his t#o large suitcases and headed straight for the gateConly to be told
=Aou>ll have to go to the main counter to check those in.=
199
163 H( & 07C H( B ,(
With that mission accomplished Harald ran for his plane. About
half#ay up the stairs he paused turned around and announced =But
Benny '>m not finished talking #ith you.= &hen he calmly #alked back
do#n to the tarmac.
He sauntered into the terminalCas if he had all the time in the #orld.
Harald then placed his hands on my shoulders and began to talk. =Benny
*od has given me a #ord for you.=
='>m ready to receive it= ' ans#ered #ith curiosity.
=*od has told me that He is going to use you to reach the Arab #orld
Cbeginning #ith the heads of state.= And he added =Aou are going to be
preaching all over the ,iddle (ast.=
' looked out the #indo# Eust in time to see Harald>s plane taking off
C#ith his luggage on board. 't didn>t seem to faDe him at all. =0h don>t
#orry= he said and smiled. ='>ll catch the ne!t flight. ' Eust felt you
needed to hear this.=
0nly a fe# months later on ,arch 41 1919 the headline of the
Jerusalem 2ost read ='srael and (gypt -ign $eace &reaty Beclaring (nd
to 835Aear -tate of War.= 't #as 'srael>s first5ever peace treaty #ith a
neighboring Arab state and a fulfillment of 'saiah 19.
'&>- '% ,A B@00B
,any times ' have been asked =Benny #hat are your dreams< What
are your goals< 'f there #as something you could accomplish that #ould
have special significance #hat #ould it be<=
-ince my call to ministry ' have had a burning desire to bring the
message of +esus Christ and the po#er of the Holy -pirit to my homeland
Cand to the nations of the ,iddle (ast. Although ' have strayed far from
its shores ' can still feel the sand of the ,editerranean under my feet.
+affa is still in my blood and every #eek ' take time to read the
international edition of the Jerusalem 2ost.
'n several uni"ue #ays the prophecy spoken by the gentleman in
Ballas and Harald Bredesen began to unfold.
&hrough the .oice of HopeCa television station founded by *eorge
0tis in @ebanon and no# o#ned and operated by CB%Cand through
satellite our ministry has developed a large and loyal audience in 'srael
and several surrounding Arab nations. We receive letters from vie#ers in
-yria +ordan and (gypt saying =,y life has been transformed.=
&ravelers staying in the hotels of +erusalem #atch This !s #our .ay
on cable televisionCand it is seen in homes all over the nation. As a
result #hen ' have meetings in 'srael thousands come to see the po#er of
*od.
A ,' /AC7@07- $ / 0$ H( C A ; 7@; ' @ @ ( B 161
' believe it is providential that ' #as born in the land of the Bible. 'n
both the +e#ish and Arab #orlds #e are received by people and many
governments #ith open arms.
' love it #hen people in the region see my olive comple!ion and tell
me =Aou look like one of us.= '>m proud of that fact.
A /0AA@ '%.'&A&'0%
'n 1991 before his death ' had the honor of meeting privately #ith
His ,aEesty )ing Hussein of +ordan. 0ur conversation focused on the
process and prospects for peace in the ,iddle (ast and on the passion of
his heartCthe care and #elfare of children in his country. @ater #e
#ould see firsthand the commitment )ing Hussein made to the orphans of
his nation.
Both the king and his firstborn son $rince Abdullah F#ho has no#
succeeded him as kingG greeted our television audience and e!tended a
personal invitation for us to visit +ordan.
;or t#o decades #e had taken thousands of partners and friends #ith
us to 'sraelCfilling as many as si! 191>s in one trip. And no# #e #ere
being invited to bring a large group to +ordan.
&he minister of tourism for that nation came to our %ashville
&ennessee crusade and addressed our audience #ith a message on the
importance of Arabs and +e#s learning to live together harmoniously.
(.(%&;7@ BAA- '% A,,A%
Amman +ordan is "uite a contrast from the lush green foliage and
often muggy #eather of 0rlando ;lorida. ;rom my hotel #indo# ' #as
drinking in the brilliant blue skyCnot a cloud in sight. &he air #as desert
dry. &he days #ere hotCand the nights brought little relief. @o# #hite5
stucco buildings stretched off to#ard the gently rolling hills in the
distance. &he predominant color #as bro#nCin all different huesC
interrupted occasionally by the dusty greens of scrubby vegetation.
&he invitation of )ing Hussein to come to his nation and the
permission to minister freely #as no# a reality. 't #as -eptember 1992.
,ore than t#o thousand of our partners had traveled #ith us by plane
to 'srael and most e!tended the Eourney to include these eventful days in
+ordan. &his is the land on #hich ,oses (liEah (lisha and so many
biblical figures #alked. We #ere taken by government guides to ,ount
%ebo the location from #hich *od sho#ed ,oses the promised land Eust
before his death and to the recently discovered site from #here (liEah
ascended to heaven. We also visited Aaron>s tomb near historic $etra.
We #ere escorted to a former residence of )ing HusseinCa beautiful
palace that he designated to become an orphanage. 7ntil his death the
164 H( & 07C H( B ,(
king #as in contact almost daily #ith these needy children. He kne#
them by name and #as concerned for their future.
'n Amman #e met #ith $rincess /ania Fno# Mueen of +ordanG to
present the nation>s needy #ith 1433 cases of medical and surgical
supplies and 96333 pounds of assorted dry goodsCincluding flour
beans and potatoes. &he food distribution #as a combined effort bet#een
our ministry and @e-ea the continuing #ork of the late Br. @ester
-umrall.
$rincess /ania coordinated the effort through the royal family and
personally assisted us in distributing food to many underprivileged
+ordanians.
&H( H(, 0; H'- *A/,(%&
=We have arranged for you to use the $alace of Culture= a
government official informed me. &he four5thousand5seat building is the
largest auditorium in AmmanCan impressive meeting place reserved for
special events and invited guests. %o# it #as being made open to the
public for our meeting. ' #as told that the significance of this invitation
could not be overstated.
't #as incredible. As a child in +affa ' never believed for a second
that ' #ould step into an Arab country. And no# ' #as standing in the
capital of +ordan preaching as not only the guest of the government but
protected by national soldiers. AmaDing?
&he building #as filled to capacity and officials of His ,aEesty #ere
there to #elcome our crusade team to the country. Because of our
television outreach in the area people came from several Arab countries
C@ebanon (gypt -yria and 'ra".
' can still speak enough Arabic to communicate but for this service
#e used an interpreter so ' could be free to minister as ' have around the
#orld. ,y message that night #as about the #oman #ho touched the hem
of +esus> garment and ' told the people ='f you reach out and touch Him
you can also be saved and healed.=
0n faces across that auditorium ' could see a hunger for the Word of
*od. &hen #hen #e led people in praise and #orship miracles began to
take place and people testified to #hat *od #as doing.
' didn>t alter my message simply because ' #as in another culture.
Without hesitation ' invited people to ask Christ into their heartsCto
become their personal -avior. ;rom all parts of that building they came
streaming to the front. ' could hardly believe #hat ' #as seeing. ' thought
to myself +m ! really ,reaching the gos,el in an +rab country) !s this
really ha,,ening)
A ,' /AC7@07- $ / 0$ H( C A ; 7@; ' @ @ ( B 168
' asked the people to repeat after me in Arabic. =@ord +esus '>m a
sinner. ;orgive my sin. Come into my heart. ' give Aou my life. '
surrender all. Wash me in Aour blood. ,ake me clean dear +esus. ;ill me
#ith Aour -pirit. Come and touch my life right no#. Amen.=
&he @ord had allo#ed me to return to this #ar5ravaged land and #alk
through doors that only He could open.
*od>s timetable for the ,iddle (ast is still unfolding. ;rom the
invitations #e continue to receive from government leaders in the region
' believe entire nations are going to meet the $rince of $eace.
As ' #rite this book the @ord has already opened the doors for me to
minister in eight Arab nations.
&he Eourney has only begun.
C H A $ & ( / 4 1
21 A TRANSFORMIN! TOUCH
'n 1914 almost simultaneously #ith my conversion *od told me ' #as to
preach the gospel and bring people to the cross of His dear -onCthat #as
my primary responsibility.
%o# after t#enty5five years of ministry ' am placing more attention
on soul #inning than ever. Although ' have al#ays focused on the
message of salvation the @ord has impressed upon me the need for an
even greater emphasis. &he most incredible harvest of souls #e have ever
seen occurred #hen #e took our team to &rinidad +amaica %e# *uinea
Hungary the 7kraine and *uyana.
We traveled to $apua %e# *uinea at the official invitation of the
prime minister Bill -kate #ho personally re"uested that ' come and
speak to the nation. What a glorious time it #as? 'n e!cess of 833333
people attended the services daily. ' #as invited to speak at a special
prayer breakfast #ith the $arliament and to pray for the nation>s
leadership. &he front page of the national ne#spaper featured the crusade
under the banner =&he $o#er of ;aith.=
't>s impossible to describe ho# ' felt #hen $rime ,inister -kate
stood before the vast audience and declared =&he prime minister of this
country is none other than +esus Christ?=
,ost important an entire nation was touched by the mighty ,ower of
the Holy S,irit. ' am still praising *od.
A fe# #eeks later in +amaica more than 433333 attended one
serviceCgovernment officials told us it #as the largest cro#d ever
gathered together in the history of the nation. %e!t in )iev in the
7kraine #hen ' gave the invitation for souls people came flooding to the
front from all over that packed soccer stadiumCincluding some #ho had
#atched the entire service perched in the branches of trees. &hey #ere
like Kacchaeus of old #ho came do#n from a sycamore tree in +ericho to
166
16: H( & 07C H( B ,(
meet +esus.
' praised *od and said =&hank Aou @ord for the greatest
outpouring in these t#enty5five years of ministry.=
'n Eust these fe# international crusades up#ard of 863333 people
publicly accepted Christ as their -aviorCand even more through our
daily television program This !s #our .ay, and 7nited -tates crusades.
And again to our #onderful @ord +esus belongs all the glory.
BA A@@ ,(A%-
0n Becember 9 1992 surrounded by pioneers of Christian television
and noted ministers from around the #orld #e dedicated our ne# World
,edia Center in Aliso .ieEo California. ;rom this state5of5the5art studio
and production facility #e are able to e!pand our global television
outreach.
Why am ' so committed to reaching the lost through every means
possible< +esus said =&his gospel of the kingdom #ill be preached in all
the #orld as a #itness to all the nations and then the end #ill come=
F,att. 49I19G.
'n addition to television and the printed #ord our partners around the
#orld have enabled us to touch the lives of the needyCincluding helping
thousands of orphans on a continuing basis.
' thank the @ord for our partners daily. Without them these things
#ould not be possibleCand ' kno# one day the @ord Himself #ill re#ard
each of them. &hese dear people have sacrificially givenCand continue to
giveCto see souls saved bodies healed and multitudes delivered from
the po#er of the enemy.
When ' began this ministry after the great visitation ' received from
the @ord ' #ondered ho# *od #ould accomplish the vision. %o# '
kno#. He is doing it through His #onderful people. And to every partner
reading this book ' say from the bottom of my heart =&hank you? &hank
you? &hank you?=
A %(W (/A
(arlier ' e!plained the significance of Bo! 93 in 0rlando. At the
time *od spoke to my heart and said that #ould be our address for the
ninetiesCuntil 1999Cbut after that a change #ould take place.
Buring the decade *od blessed our ministry beyond measure and our
head"uarters in 0rlando #as bursting at the seams. Workers #ere
scattered across the comple!. And after looking at the situation it #as
clear #e had outgro#n the property.
We #ere faced #ith the prospect of outsourcing parts of our ministry
A & /A%- ; 0/,' %* & 07C H 161
and moving people to other facilities. ' kne# that remaining in our present
location #ould stifle and perhaps even halt our gro#th. =@ord are Aou
talking to me<= ' "uestioned.
&hroughout the years *od has directed me #ith lights that #ere
either red or greenCnever yello#. His leading has al#ays been clear.
&hree years earlier my #ife -uDanne startled me #hen she said
=Benny the @ord spoke to me and said that the head"uarters of the
healing ministry #ould move to Ballas &e!as.=
=Ballas<= ' responded in amaDement. =Well if *od is really talking
to you please tell the @ord to also speak to me.= And the subEect #as
dropped.
0ne year later something "uite similar happened. &he @ord spoke to
me about moving our family to southern California #here our television
studio and media ministry are located. When ' shared this #ith -uDanne
she said =Well if this is important the @ord #ill speak to both of us.=
'n the summer of 1999 *od>s direction became crystal clear to both
-uDanne and meCthe lights had turned green? 0ur family made the move
to California and #e announced that the head"uarters of the healing
ministry #as relocating to Ballas.
&H( /'*H& B(C'-'0%
' #ish you could have attended the meeting of our board of directors
as #e discussed #hat #as about to transpire. ' have never seen such a
burst of e!citement and creativity. &here #as also a mighty presence of
the @ord as #e recommitted ourselves to reaching the #orld for Christ. 't
#as obvious that to accomplish #hat *od has called us to do this #as the
right decision.
0ur accountants after considerable analysis concluded =&his is
good ste#ardship. &he relocation to Ballas #ill save millions of dollars
over the ne!t fe# years.=
&his central 7.-. location #ith its maEor airport #ill cut travel costs
dramatically and make the #orld more accessible for our people. Also
the ,etrople! area has the resources #e need to e!pand our outreach and
utiliDe current technology to touch lost and hurting people around the
globe.
;or "uite some time #e had been using the services of a maEor
accounting firm in Ballas. %o# their in5house audits #ill be only a short
drive rather than involving e!pensive flights and housing. 'n addition the
firm #e use for legal representation is head"uartered in Ballas.
We are embarking on the second "uarter5century of ministry #ith a
vision #ider than any ocean. $lans are under#ay for a World Healing
162 H( & 07C H( B ,(
Center and 'nternational $artner Head"uarters. 't is designed in an old5
#orld architectural style and finished #ith a stone foundation similar to
those found in the Holy @and. 't #ill truly be a beautiful setting that #ill
inspire all #ho come to visitCa place of hope and healing.
&he World Healing Center and 'nternational $artner Head"uarters
#ill includeI
&he Healing GardensCa place of special beauty and tran"uility
#here faith can be strengthened amid a lush setting of trees plants pools
and streams. As you #alk the garden paths you #ill hear biblical
accounts of the miracles from the 0ld and %e# &estaments at special
locations #here life5siDe bronDe statues #ill depict those events.
&he Healing StreamCflo#ing throughout the gardens and
representing the healing stream that flo#s from our @ord. &his #ill be a
lovely brook that originates at the Healing ;ountain. As it #inds through
the gardens there #ill be several places to sit and enEoy the presence of
the @ord.
&he Healing /ountainCan area #here people #ill be reminded
through -criptures inscribed at every fountainhead of the miracle5
#orking po#er of *od.
&he 2eo,le's Healing "athedralCthe spire atop the roof the stone
e!terior and stained5glass #indo#s #ill all help create an unforgettable
setting for the special services to be held there. &he auditorium and
interior #ill resemble a great cathedral you #ould see in (urope. 'n
addition there #ill be special prayer and healing booths in private areas
of the cathedral designed for personal ministry.
The !nternational 2artner "enterC#here visitors #ill be able to see
the many different outreaches of the ministry. &here #ill be vie#ing
screens around the interior and #ith the use of audiovisual media people
can see and =be a part of= crusade services and international outreaches.
&he Hall of /aithC#here #e #ill honor miracle ministries and
evangelists of the past and present. &his #ill be a living legacy to the
healing po#er of *od and the great men and #omen #ho have ans#ered
His call. &here #ill also be a chapel #ith animation that #ill minister
especially to children.
&he Healing 2rayer TowerCa place #here prayer #ill be offered up
t#enty5four hours a day seven days a #eek. &his outreach #ill e!tend
*od>s saving and healing po#er to people #ho #ill phone or visit from
around the #orld.
&he 9ternal Healing /lameC#ill be lit t#enty5four hours a day 8:6
days a year reminding us that the miracle5#orking po#er of *od is
al#ays available.
A & /A%- ; 0/,' %* & 07C H 169
'n addition there #ill be an outdoor amphitheater for special events
a Healing @ibrary and much more.
&he World Healing Center and 'nternational $artner Head"uarters is
going to be a memorable place anointed of the @ord to touch lives around
the #orld. 't is the central point of our ministry and #ill be visited by
thousands of partners and visitors from many nations.
(verything #e have planned for this property has one purpose in
mindCto let the #orld kno# there is still 0ne in heaven #ho declares ='
am the @0/B #ho heals you= F(!. 16I4:G and that =+esus Christ is the
same yesterday today and forever= FHeb. 18I2G.
&he ne# center #ill complement the television production facilities
in California and our ministry offices in Canada *reat Britain Australia
and other nations.
,ost important the limits have been removed from our gro#th. +ust
as ' felt ' #as in *od>s perfect #ill by establishing a church in 0rlando in
the early 1923s ' feel that same assurance as #e embark on this ne#
venture. ' #ill be forever grateful to the congregation and the staff of
World 0utreach ChurchCkno#n for many years as 0rlando Christian
Center. &heir love to#ard me and my family #as #ithout limits and '
thank *od for the lives that #ere touched because #e ans#ered *od>s
call.
&hose of you #ho kno# this ministry understand that it involves
doDens of proEects in many different locations yet it all stems from one
callingCto take the saing and healing message of the gos,el to eery
nation of the earth.
WHA& A +07/%(A?
&here have been many special moments in this "uarter5century of
miraclesCand ' have received more honors than ' deserve. Ho#ever
none have more meaning than something that #as said to me one night in
a little second5story apartment in /amallah 'sraelCacross the street from
#here my late grandfather had his candy and sand#ich shop.
,y dear Armenian grandmother Amal before she passed from this
life #as seated beside me on the couch of her humble home. -everal of
my cousins #ere gathered around. &his elderly #oman #ho for so many
years had found it impossible to understand my spiritual conversion
placed her time5#orn hands over mine and "uietly said =Benny no# you
are the patriarch of our family.=
&hose are #ords ' #ill al#ays revere. 't is also a responsibility ' do
not take lightly.
' had no idea of the drastic transformation that #as about to occur
1:3 H( & 07C H( B ,(
#hen ' #alked into that student5led prayer meeting at *eorges .anier
-econdary -chool in &oronto so many years ago. What a Eourney it has
been?
&#enty5five years ago Becember 1 1919 ' stood on the platform of
a small church in 0sha#a 0ntario. &hat night *od touched me. He
loosened my stammering tongue and ' have never stopped telling the
#orld about the *od of love and miracles ' serve.
@ast #eek as ' once again stood on a crusade platform my eyes #ere
filled #ith tears as ' considered ho# far *od has brought me. ;rom the
depths of my heart ' sangI
He touched me
0h He touched me.
And 0h the Eoy that floods my soul.
-omething happened and no# ' kno#.
He touched me and made me #hole.
P
&his is not the end of the story. ' pray that if the @ord tarries the ne!t
t#enty5five years #ill be greater than anything ' have ever imagined
C=%o# to Him #ho is able to do e!ceedingly abundantly above all that
#e ask or think according to the po#er that #orks in us= F(ph. 8I43G.
And ' pray my life #ill al#ays glorify my #onderful @ord and ,aster
+esus Christ the -on of the living *od. Amen?
P=He &ouched ,e= #ords and music by William +. *aither. Copyright 19:8 William +. *aither 'nc. All
rights controlled by *aither Copyright ,anagement. 7sed by permission.