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A Perspective on Benny Hinn's May 2006 'International Crusade' in Trinidad and Tobago by Bud Press May 28, 2006 Controversial faith-healer, Benny Hinn, has wrapped-up his May 19-21, 2006 International Crusade at the Queen's Park Savannah in Trinidad and Tobago. But the fires of controversy were already burning well before his multi-million dollar jet touched-down at the airport. During crusades here in the U.S. and in foreign countries, faith-healers such as Benny Hinn carry an excess amount of baggage of a different nature--not luggage or suitcases for their clothing--but excess baggage from false prophecies, false teachings, false healings, refusal to be accountable to both God and man, and unrepentant sin. Excess baggage of this nature is the result of departing from the faith, spending years speaking lies in hypocrisy, being overshadowed by deceiving spirits, and preaching doctrines of demons. Under these conditions, the mind becomes an open, festering wound--seared and sealed closed by the hot branding iron of deception (1 Timothy 4:1-2). No room for faith-healers Articles and news releases, written by both Christians and non-Christians alike, warned the Prime Minister and the people of Trinidad & Tobago about Benny Hinn's excess baggage, which seems to follow him here, there, and everywhere he goes. The Trinidad and Tobago news media reported that Hindu spokesman, Sat Maharaj, purchased full-page ads in newspapers, had $100,000 set aside to counter Benny Hinn's visit, and urged Trinidad's Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, to stop Benny Hinn from conducting his crusade. Reportedly, Sat Maharaj even petitioned the Trinidadian government and law enforcement officials to arrest Hinn upon his arrival in Trinidad.Individual Trinidadians, most of whom were aware of Benny Hinn's excess baggage since his last visit to Trinidad in 1999, expressed their own concerns, and made their voices heard in "Letters" to their newspapers. But with caution thrown to the wind, the religious juggernaut ruled the day, and Benny Hinn's entourage of assistants, bodyguards, "yes-men" and doctrines of demons landed in Trinidad with all of its pride and vainglory. Endorsing a wolf in custom-made clothing In spite of the warehouse of information and documentation that is readily available on Benny Hinn--in articles, books, audio and video-tapes, DVDs, news releases and, the internet--certain religious groups rose to the occasion, conducted meetings, lifted their religiously-correct/academic voices, and endorsed Benny Hinn's Trinidad and Tobago crusade (regardless of 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 1 John 4:1, the apostle Paul's warning to the church in Acts 20:27-31 and Galatians 1:6-9, and Jesus' own words in Matthew chapters 7 and 24). The Trinidad & Tobago Council of Evangelical Churches, Inc.; the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies; the Association of Independent Ministers; Arthur N.R. Robinson (former President of Trinidad); Prime Minister Patrick Manning; the religiously diverse, harmonious, and tolerant Inter-Religious Organisation; and hundreds of churches, joined their hands-of-compromise and welcomed a savage wolf in custom-made clothing to deceive the multitudes of innocent and gullible. By doing so, they announced to the world that their allegiance and loyalty is not with Jesus Christ and the truth of His word, but with Benny Hinn--the world's most prolific false prophet and false teacher. What has happened to rocking the Boat of Compromise and defending the faith (Jude 3)? What about the Scriptural commands found in Ephesians 5:11-12; Colossians 2:8; Romans 16:17-18; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; Galatians 2:4-5, and 2 Corinthians 11:3-4? What about Jesus' own words in Luke 9:23: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me (?). Instead, the compromisers' set-sail with, Don't confuse us with the facts, our minds are made up! on their lips. To avoid and downplay God's Scriptural commands is to usurp authority over His word. Endorsing a false teacher and false prophet is having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11-12). God says, Don't do it! but they do it anyway. Welcome to the apostasy... Letters to... In an informative effort, Christian Research Service provided individuals within the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies with the May 7 Letter to the People of Trinidad and Tobago. The Letter warned of the deception coming their way, and what to expect during Benny Hinn's so-called "healing" crusades.The Letter to the People of Trinidad and Tobago was also published in the "Letters to the Editor" section of the Caribbean Net News.On May 5, Christian Research Service sent a Letter to Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. The Letter informed Prime Minister Manning that Benny Hinn is a proven false prophet and false teacher--many times over--that Benny Hinn does not have the New Testament gift of healing, and that Benny Hinn's so-called "healing" crusades are dangerous to the spiritual welfare of those who seek a sincere relationship with Jesus Christ.The Letter to Prime Minister Manning also provided links to numerous discernment ministries that have spent years researching and exposing Benny Hinn and the Word-Faith Movement. As of this writing, there has been no reply from the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies or Prime Minister Manning, who, himself, is an open supporter of Benny Hinn. Action! Camera! But no photographs! On May 18, one day before Benny Hinn's crusade was scheduled to begin, Christian Research Service provided A Few Suggestions to the major news media in Trinidad and Tobago. This, too, was carried in the "Letters" section of the Caribbean Net News and The Trinidad Guardian.While the Suggestions are self-explanatory, they encouraged the news media to document what took place at the crusade, and reminded them of the importance of holding Benny Hinn accountable. And the news media tried to do just that! But they found out real quick just how controversial Benny Hinn's crusades really are (refer to the Trinidad & Tobago's Newsday article, Hinn rally keeps media from 'healed' and the Editorial, Did Hinn heal?).Afterall, Benny Hinn reportedly proclaimed to those who attended day-one of the crusade: "'People of God, expect your miracle tonight'" and "'Why not now, why not here, why not tonight?'" (Sean Douglas, "Benny Hinn promises miracles," Trinidad & Tobago's Newsday, May 21, 2006).Benny Hinn has a track-record of rejecting photographic and video-taping scrutiny from the news media during his crusades. As the following quotes from the May 21 Trinidad & Tobago's Newsday demonstrates, Hinn left the Trinidad and Tobago news media with a bad taste in their mouth: "During the three-hour rally and in the time leading up to it, media personnel
suffered from a constant low-level but persistent intimidation by various classes
of security personnel and ushers. Nevertheless, the news media took the Suggestions seriously, and paid special attention to "...how many people are confined to wheelchairs, and how many leave the crusade, unhealed, still confined to their wheelchairs (such as those who suffer from Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis and Spina Bifida)" (excerpt from A Few Suggestions ).Time is an enemy... And speaking of children confined to wheelchairs, the pictures included with The Trinidad Guardian article, They all look for miracles, are enough to stir the emotions and melt the hardest of hearts. It is difficult enough to see both children and adults confined to wheelchairs with crippling diseases. But the difficulty is compounded when they are brought to a "miracle/healing" crusade, only to be avoided altogether.Yes, God still heals and still performs miracles. But if Benny Hinn truly had the Biblical gift of healing, as outlined in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, he would immediately go to the hospitals and emergency rooms in every country he visits. But he doesn't, because Benny Hinn does not have the Biblical gift of healing. Take a serious look at these pictures in The Trinidad Guardian, then ask yourself these questions: Were the boys frail, twisted bodies healed, or did they leave Benny Hinn's "healing" crusade the same way they came in?Benny Hinn's "Miracle" crusades leave a trail-of-tears and broken hearts. Many people who truly love the Lord attend the crusades with a hope and a prayer that they will be healed. When they aren't healed, they blame themselves and feel unworthy and undeserving. The burning question is, When are people going to wake-up, trust in God alone, and avoid the Benny Hinn's of this world? In his article, "'Crime level will go down,'" Julien Neaves reported Benny Hinn saying that, "thousands of people had been healed during the past three days" ( Trinidad & Tobago Express, May 23, 2006). Perhaps the news media will conduct a follow up soon, then inform their readers of the results."Thousands" healed? Really? Prove it, Benny! Indeed, time is an enemy of a false prophet and a false healer. Crusade attendance estimates (here we go again) In his May 3, 2006 appeal to his partners titled, "I am making urgent decisions," Benny Hinn wrote that he is "...making urgent decisions and I need your help today!" He also wrote that "...we are seeing the greatest spiritual victories and facing critical decisions concerning whether we should cancel several upcoming crusades" (on file). Hinn not only stressed the importance of "sowing a seed" to prevent the cancellation of future crusades, but played the numbers game, as he has done in the past, and wrote: "We have just completed the highly anticipated Holy Spirit Miracle Crusade in Copenhagen, Denmark. Soon afterward, we go to Billings, Montana. From there we travel to Trinidad and Tobago, where over 200,000 people are expected for each service, and people are coming from all over South and Central America and the Caribbean" (complete E-Newsletter on file, emp. added). Note Hinn's words, "over 200,000 people are expected for each service." On a special website developed for Benny Hinn's 2006 Trinidad and Tobago crusade, the Event Coordinator, Pastor Kris Maharaj, writes: "Something else that we can expect is that when a hundred and fifty thousand people or more (as was estimated in the last event) lift their voices to worship God in the Queens Park Savannah, it is going to bring such a tremendous annointing that is going to impact and change the atmosphere over our nation for good. I trust you will be one of those voices. Pastor Kris Maharaj EVENT COORDINATOR" ("Benny Hinn Ministries Miracle Event" website for Trinidad and Tobago, click on "What is the Event about?" at http://www.bennyhinntrinidad.org ).But according to the following news releases, the expected and predicted attendance numbers during Hinn's three-day crusade were estimated at about "30,000" people per service: Trinidad & Tobago's Newsday (May 17, 2006): "And event co-ordinator pastor Kris Maharaj is predicting a 30,000 strong turnout for the crusade’s opening at 4 pm on Friday" (emp. added). United Press International Religion & Spirituality Forum (May 19, 2006): "The area around the Savannah has been fenced and seating for 30,000 was being arranged" (emp. added). Trinidad & Tobago Express (May 19, 2006): "The area around the Savannah has been fenced and volunteers were setting up chairs for the 30,000 people expected daily" (emp. added). Trinidad & Tobago's Newsday (May 20, 2006): "To the sound of “How Great Thou Art” sung by a choir of 700 people drawn from local churches in front of a 30,000 strong crowd, Hinn made his entrance" (emp. added). Trinidad & Tobago Express (May 21, 2006): "Eleven-year-old Philomena told the congregation of approximately 30,000 people gathered at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, that she felt a spiritual "touch" and was healed of sickle cell anaemia. She fell to the ground, assisted by catchers, under the "anointing" and remained there for approximately 20 minutes" (emp. added). Trinidad & Tobago's Newsday (May 21, 2006): "Relating many times in the Bible of Jesus Christ healing people, Hinn declared: 'Why not now, why not here, why not tonight? He will do it again.' He told the 30,000-strong crowd that they could get their healing simply by believing and then doing some sort of act of affirmation. He softly said: 'Healing is as easy as breathing'" (emp. added). Trinidad & Tobago Express (May 23, 2006): "Thousands of people converged on the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, last Sunday to witness miracles on the final day of the Benny Hinn Holy Spirit Miracle Services" (emp. added).Again, refer to the "Benny Hinn Ministries Miracle Event" website for Trinidad and Tobago (at http://bennyhinntrinidad.org ), click on "Contact us for more info/tickets," and read the following requirements (emp. added):There is limited seating at the Queen's Park Savannah venue: 30,000 seats. Tickets will be alloted in the following priority: (a) specially invited guests (b) pastors of registered participating churches (c) Benny Hinn ministry partners (d) those who fill up buses (e) handicapped and sick people (f) the general public 30,000 attendees, not 150,000 as Pastor Kris Maharaj estimated, and not over 200,000 attendees per service, as Hinn expected. For further information on the attendance estimates at Benny Hinn's crusades in India and Fiji, please refer to the following articles: It Just Doesn't Add Up (Steve Muse, February 3, 2005) It Just Doesn't Add Up-Benny Hinn & Fiji (Steve Muse, March 6, 2006) Benny Hinn's 2006 Fiji Crusade-The Figures versus The Facts (Bud Press, May 11, 2006)One would think that the "handicapped and sick" would have first priority, and rate the front row seats. That isn't the case during Benny Hinn's crusades. The "handicapped" are kept in the rear of the crusade, away from the main stage and viewing area--Out of sight, out of mind, so to say... But if the "handicapped" were given first priority and front-row seating, Benny Hinn's ratings as an "anointed" healer would plunge immediately. Crime reduction in Trinidad and Tobago? Again, in his informative May 23 article, " 'Crime level will go down,'" Trinidad & Tobago Express reporter, Julien Neaves, wrote that, "On the last day of the Holy Spirit Miracle Services crusade, televangelist Benny Hinn asked for three minutes to pray for the nation and predicted that the current levels of crime would be reduced."Assuming that Benny Hinn left Trinidad after his final crusade on May 21, here is a sample of the headlines concerning major and violent crimes from the Trinidad and Tobago news media, during Hinn's crusade and after his departure (headlines listed up to May 26, 2006): Shootout at Republic Bank HORROR HOME: Two children raped, two molested at CRY facility POLICE HUNT CHILD RAPIST Guyanese woman on corruption charges Bandit kills woman answering cellphone Cop, 58, charged for raping wife Laventille villagers stage fiery protest Wanted for wounding in St Joseph $300,000 ATM stolen BVI chief minister urges residents to fight against crime Cops arrest man in orphan's rape Bandits attack Central travellers TTMA mourns murdered director Cameraman robbed [at gunpoint] Arima man, 60, shot Teacher held for cell porn Two murder suspects charged Judge alarmed at upsurge in sexual crimes against children Residents claim police brutality Alleged gang leader charged Sex abuse rampant in primary schools COPS RESCUE WOMEN FROM GANG OF RAPISTS Jail for robbing schoolboys Two years for jailbreak A Judge Reveals Sex Crimes Against Children are on the Rise, Especially in South Trinidad Murder Number 5 is Recorded in Less Than 24 Hours as a Woman is Stabbed Neighbour shot dead When it comes to major and violent crime, Trinidad and Tobago are no different than other parts of the world. Major and violent crime is on the rise everywhere. Admittedly, the world is full of spiritual darkness. Spiritual darkness is what Jesus Christ warned about 2,000 years ago. While we are at some point in the end of the age, Christians' are comforted knowing that Jesus is coming. As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, His disciples asked Him what would be the sign of His coming, and what would be the signs of the end of the age. Jesus responded with: See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ," and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold (Matthew 24:4-12).A cold, hate-filled heart contributes greatly towards an increase in lawlessness. Finally, prior to and during Benny Hinn's Trinidad and Tobago crusade, his website at www.bennyhinn.org carried information on the crusade. But as of this writing, with the exception of one article that briefly mentions Trinidad and Tobago, everything pertaining to the Trinidad and Tobago crusade seems to have mysteriously disappeared.Understandably, it takes time for a film-crew to review and edit hours of crusade footage. But as of this writing, there are no CRUSADE REPORTS or This Is Your Day telecasts listed for the Trinidad and Tobago crusade.Yet, there are CRUSADE REPORTS on Seoul, Korea; Fiji Islands; South Africa; Singapore, the United States, and many more that are readily available on the Benny Hinn Ministries website.Since "200,000 people" did not attend "each service" as Benny Hinn expected, was the Trinidad and Tobago crusade such a failure that the Benny Hinn Ministries website will not provide a report or a This Is Your Day telecast of the event? If so, what does this say about the importance of the crusade and people of Trinidad and Tobago? For further information, letters, and links to news articles concerning the Benny Hinn/Trinidad & Tobago Controversy, click HERE. |
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