Benny Hinn’s Biography: From Family to Controversies
For many years, Benny Hinn has held a prominent position in the realm of gospel and televangelism.
His ascent to the leadership of a prominent megachurch and his impactful healing campaigns have propelled him to worldwide renown.
Family life and siblings
Benny Hinn’s family immigrated from Greece to Palestine and made their home in Jaffa, a port city that is now part of modern Tel Aviv in Israel. Benny Hinn was born there on December 3, 1952.
Toufik Benedictus “Benny” Hinn was born to Constandi Hinn and Celmence Hinn. He has six siblings: Michael Hinn, Henry Hinn, William Hinn, Chris Hinn, Sam Hinn, and Rose Hinn.
Following the six-day conflict, commonly referred to as the June War or the 1967 Arab–Israeli War, in which Israel faced off against a coalition of Arab nations, Hinn’s family relocated to Canada in 1968.
Venturing into gospel and televangelism
When he was 20 years old, Benny Hinn experienced a moment of salvation, deciding to dedicate his life to Jesus Christ in February 1972, with the support of his high school friends who prayed alongside him.
Not long after, Benny Hinn, then in his early twenties, received a calling to preach the gospel, initiating an evangelical movement that rapidly expanded and reached across the world.
In 1974, Hinn received a vision in which he recounted seeing people falling into a raging fire with a voice telling him that “if you do not preach, every soul that falls will be your responsibility!”.
He began his journey in spreading the Gospel from the pulpit on December 7, 1974, and since then, the preacher has continuously pursued his mission of saving souls through Miracle Healing Services, conferences, TV broadcasts, online platforms, printed materials, and audio-video recordings, never wavering in his dedication.
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Motivated by his passion for rescuing souls, Hinn journeyed to Orlando, Florida, where he established the Orlando Christian Center in 1983 and organized televised Miracle Healing Crusades in the subsequent years.
In 1990, he initiated a fresh daily talk show named “This Is Your Day,” highlighting accounts from individuals purportedly cured during his miracle campaigns.
The growth of the Benny Hinn Ministries/World Healing Center Church was swift, extending its reach across the United States, with Benny Hinn founding the main offices in Grapevine, Texas.
Marriage, divorce, and restoration of marriage
Benny Hinn and Suzanne Harthern Hinn tied the knot on August 4, 1979. Suzanne remained a steadfast supporter as Hinn’s ministry flourished until 2010 when their relationship encountered turbulence and they parted ways through divorce.
Don Price, the longstanding senior advisor to Benny Hinn Ministries, officially acknowledged in February 2010 that Suzanne initiated divorce proceedings in Orange County Superior Court on February 1, 2010, citing irreconcilable differences.
When the petition was submitted, the pair had been apart for seven days starting from January 26th.
The reconciliation of the Hinns’ marriage on March 3, 2013, was attributed to prayers, repentance, forgiveness, and personal healing, culminating in their remarriage.
While they were separated, rumors emerged claiming that Hinn was romantically involved with another preacher, Paula White. The National Enquirer even published a report, accompanied by photos, suggesting that Benny Hinn and Paula White were seen leaving a hotel in Rome while holding hands.
Hinn and Paula dispelled the allegations, with the preacher refuting any romantic involvement and emphasizing their friendship.
Controversial healing miracles and prosperity gospel
Hinn has become embroiled in controversies as accusations of staging fraudulent miracles have emerged.
Costi Hinn, the nephew of Benny Hinn, who spent years working alongside the famous televangelist, was showcased in a documentary titled “The Insider: Tales from Inside Benny Hinn Ministries” produced by the Fifth Estate.
Costi Hinn asserted that the TV preacher is deceptive, exploiting the prosperity gospel to build a business that harms individuals, and he mentioned that fabricated miracles were prevalent in Hinn’s healing events.
“It is just like a Ponzi scheme. The only guy getting rich is the guy at the top.” Costi stated.
Insiders revealed that the preacher was surrounded by “screeners” who would block those who were genuinely sick and in need of healing from reaching the pulpit where Hinn performed his miracles and only allowed certain persons to “be healed”.
“I saw the testimony of healing and the stories of healing but I never saw once saw a real healing” Costi revealed in the documentary in which journalists went undercover and questioned the healings, tracing some of those who attended the healing services.
The documentary followed individuals who had participated in Hinn’s healing events.
Hinn refuted the accusations, including those made by his nephew, stating that they were misleading, incorrect, and unfounded.
Charity initiatives
The televangelist’s organization is spearheading multiple projects.
The children’s homes in Mexico and Asia associated with the ministry are part of the initiatives undertaken by My Father’s House.
Additional domains encompass feeding initiatives, emergency assistance, medical treatment, supplying sustenance, attire, housing, educational support, and religious instruction for numerous individuals.
Benny Hinn’s Biography: From Family to Controversies
