Some of the tactics that are to be employed by Benny Hinn's ministry to 'release' the finance from the pockets of his admirers are identical to those which were being considered by the leadership of Cairns Christian Centre (AOG) about twelve years ago when attempting to raise 1.8 million dollars to pay for a 14 hectare block of land and brand new church and school facilities.

Although 1.3 million dollars were coerced from the small band of faithful members of the congregation in the form of pledges during the hype of the original fund raising (Capital Stewardship) campaign, and although the aim of the fund raising campaign was to see the entire facility debt free in three years, the original debt has been an albatross around the member's necks since that time, even increasing at one stage to 2.4 million dollars due to additional (school) building works taking place.

At this date, Cairns Christian Centre have hardly even begun to service the principal. However, earlier this year (1999), another Capital Giving Program was launched among much fanfare and the distribution of expensive, glossy brochures in which it was stated that this new program would "work toward the clearing of existing debt and enable Cairns Christian Centre to own their own land and buildings: Lock, Stock and Barrel" in "three years." Déjà vu!

During the Capital Stewardship fund raising campaign, which was launched about 1987, there were many suggestions tendered by interested parties as to how the huge amount of money required could be raised. One of the ideas put forth by the leadership was for metal plaques, inscribed with the donor's name, to be displayed on one of the walls of the new church building. There were to be different types of plaques for different levels of giving. It was even suggested that different walls within the building would signify different levels of giving. Of course, the more you gave, or pledged to give into the fund, the more noteworthy position of honour the plaque with your name would receive upon the designated wall of fame.

Because of the negative response leadership received from a minority within the congregation the idea was quashed. The very idea of displaying, for all to see, what one had sacrificed, for the sake of the pastor's vision, catered to man's pride and arrogance. It reeked of hypocrisy. The rich, in their abundance, would receive the places of honour, while the widow with her 'mite' would be fortunate if her giving would even cover the cost of the metal plaque. Thankfully, the idea never saw the light of day.

But now, Benny Hinn, who moved his Australian headquarters from Perth (W.A.) to Brisbane (Qld.) in 1998, is playing the same game. He's having a fund raising campaign to build some fancy 7.5 million dollar facility in Dallas, Texas, and he's appealing to Queenslanders to chip in with the promise that their names will be up in lights, so to speak. He's appealing to man's pride to achieve his goal and I don't think he will have too many problems, considering the level of 'self-love' that now prevails, not only in the world, but within Christendom. There's nothing like advertising for all to see what one has done for the furthering of God's kingdom, is there? The very thing that God warns us against in Scripture - hypocrisy and pride - Benny promotes.

What does Scripture tell us about giving to some 'worthy' cause and then having our names emblazoned upon some memorial wall of honour so that all can see what personal 'sacrifice' we have endured in our joyful giving unto the Lord? In Matthew 6:1-5, we read the Lord's clear warning against this very practice.

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."

"But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."

"But surely," some would contend, "this wouldn't apply to the 'partners' who will give to Benny's World Healing Centre, would it? It's for a good cause, isn't it? Benny's doing this for the Lord, isn't he? Surely God would be a bit flexible in this area when it's obvious that the money is needed for such a worthy enterprise, wouldn't he? Especially when it's going to bring Him the Glory."

To answer these questions I would recommend that these people seriously consider the words of the Lord in Matthew 7:21-25, where we read,

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine (the Logos - the doctrine of Christ), and doeth them (obeys the Word), I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."

We know what happens to the other house. Is Benny building his house, his eternal security, his very salvation, upon the rock solid foundation of the Logos, the doctrine of Christ? Or is he building his house upon the shifting, sinking sands of another doctrine? From my reading of the Scriptures, I see that Benny Hinn is an unwise person, and I would also be so bold to say that any person who follows his example, or his teaching, which demonstrably contradicts the Logos, the Words of Christ, is also an unwise person and will share in his fate. The blind lead the blind.

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." Matthew 23:15

And judging by the tone of the article by The Sunday Mail journalist, Terry Sweetman, another Scripture would be appropriate for Benny Hinn and his followers to read sometime.

"For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written." Romans 2:24

A separate question, arising from this subject of Benny Hinn building a World Healing Centre in Dallas, Texas, comes to mind. Why is there any need for such a centre?

On Trinity Broadcasting Network's Praise the Lord program on October 19, 1999, Benny Hinn told Paul Crouch, the owner of TBN, that the time was coming when thousands of people would be raised from the dead simply by placing their bodies in front of the TV set while TBN is broadcasting.

Part of the transcript of Hinn's 'confession of faith' follows.

"…here's first what I see for TBN. You're going to have people raised from the dead watching this network. You're going to have people raised from the dead watching TBN…I'm telling you, I see this in the Spirit. It's going to be so awesome - Jesus I give you praise for this - that people around the world - maybe not so much in America - people around the world who will lose loved ones, will say to undertakers, 'Not yet. I want to take my dead loved one and place him in front of that TV set for 24 hours.'…"

"…I'm telling you, I can feel the anointing talking here. People are going to be canceling funeral services and bringing their dead in their caskets, placing them - my God! I feel the anointing here - placing them before a television set, waiting for God's power to come through and touch them. And it's going to happen time and time - so much it's going to spread. You're going to hear it from Kenya to Mexico to Europe to South America, where people will be raised from the dead. So much so that the word will spread that if some dead person be put in front of this TV screen, they will be raised from the dead and they will be by the thousands…"

"…I see rows of caskets lining up in front of this TV set and I see them bringing them closer to the TV set and as people are coming closer I see loved ones picking up the hands of the dead and letting them touch the screen and people are getting raised as their hands are touching that screen…"

With Benny's prediction of such healing and restoring power radiating from the television set while TBN is broadcasting it seems to me a waste of good time, effort and money to even bother raising the 7.5 million dollars to build a World Healing Center. Apart from the Scriptural reason discussed at the beginning of this message, this is another good reason for Queenslanders not to listen to Benny's plaintive appeal to send him money.

Yours for contending earnestly for the Faith.

Hughie Seaborn.

Benny Hinn, American faith healer and beggar extraordinaire, honoured Queensland by choosing to set up his Australian headquarters in the Sunshine State.

Or maybe not, depending on how much faith you put in the charismatic showman.

So, it is only fair that Queenslanders should be at the head of the queue when it comes to financing his World Healing Centre, which is to be built in Dallas according to one of the slickest cadging letters I have ever seen.

An outraged Christian, who still nurses the quaint idea that faith is not necessarily measured in dollars, sent it on to me, his/her faith in Mr Hinn severely tested by the claim that followers should "obey the Lord" and kick in big time to finance his grandiose plans.

"Do your best," admonishes Mr Hinn, but "best" apparently takes on a whole new meaning when you live in a $1 million home and preside over an $85 million a year enterprise.

Adherents, it seems, will be "memorialized" in many different ways through the World Healing Centre and International Partner Headquarters. A cool $150,000 will put your name on the cornerstones of the "people's cathedral".

With due Christian humility, I would expect my name up in lights or embossed in gold for that sort of money.

But if that's a bit steep for you, $30,000 will put your name on a plaque in the Hall of Faith, $15,000 will put it on the wall of the Healing Gardens, and $4000-8000 will inscribe your moniker on the Fountain of Healing.

A lousy $2000 will put your name on a rock in the Healing Stream, for $1500 you will be remembered at the Eternal Flame of Healing, and $150 will get you a guernsey at the prayer tower.

But, be quick. The pastor expects his followers to cough up by December 31 so he can pay the $7.5 million for land, plans, and building permits.

For the record, I don't believe Hinn could cure a mild case of dandruff, but if he brings comfort to his followers, good luck to them.

And they can demonstrate their faith however they like, even if they have to mortgage their houses to do it (and some probably will).

But I can think of about a million more Christian ways to spend money. Just take a walk down the street and look about you.

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Benny Hinn's Letter

Raising Funds For The World Healing Center

(Comment: Amounts mentioned are in British Pounds Sterling)

Dear Partner,

Nothing is more fulfilling in the life of a believer or a ministry than to walk with the Lord in His perfect will. The Bible clearly tells us in Proverbs 3:6, "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

That has been my heart/s desire for nearly 25 years of ministry. What God has already done has been absolutely incredible and to Him be all the glory and the praise!

But He' s not finished yet. There is much more to be done in the Kingdom of God and I live to fulfill His calling on my life and ministry.

The Scriptures also declare in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven..."

We are in the beginning of a new season of ministry, with a fresh anointing from the Lord, and our most exciting days are before us. I believe, with all of my heart, the future is brighter than ever.

As you "know, the Lord recently directed us to move the headquarters of the healing ministry to Dallas, Texas, in order that He might fulfill His plan enabling us to reach the nations of the world with the Gospel. But our move to Dallas is just the first step. Our next step of faith will be the building of the World Healing Center, the fulfillment of a vision God gave me many years ago. This will be the heart and soul of this worldwide healing ministry.

I have enclosed a special brochure detailing the preliminary plans for the Center. It will be a place of prayer and a place of power!

First, the World Healing Center will be a statement to the world that God's miracle-working power is for today! God has given this ministry a mandate to take the message of His saving and healing power to every nation we can - and that is what I live for every day.

The World Healing Center with the People's Cathedral of Healing, the Healing Gardens, the fountains, the Eternal Healing Flame, and much more, have all been designed for one reason - to glorify the name of our wonderful Lord Jesus.

The entire grounds will be filled with a faith-charged atmosphere drawing people's hearts towards the Lord's love and grace.

As you review the enclosed plans, you will read about the beauty of the Healing Gardens and the statues depicting the miracles of our Lord. You will also find a description of the Healing Stream and the fountains. I want you to be able to picture the People's Healing Cathedral and the special services that will be conducted. There will be the Healing Chapels within the Cathedral where people can come and be ministered to 24 hours a day - every day of the week. And also, the Prayer Tower, open 24 hours a day, with prayer being offered up to God continually for your needs .

I am also thrilled to announce plans for the Healing Hall of Faith where great men and women of God and their ministries - past and present - will be honored. This part of the World Healing Center will document the legacy that these people of God have left for the generations to come. It will be truly inspiring.

Secondly, the World Healing Center will be home to your International Partner Headquarters. I pray that every Partner would be able to visit one day. I know you will be inspired by what you see. In fact, in the Partner Center you will be able to view every aspect of this ministry.

Third, the World Healing Center will be the headquarters for this ministry around the world. It will house our offices for all of our crusade ministries and partner relations.

The World Healing Center is the fulfillment of a life-long dream - to have a place where God's people can come to receive ministry any day of the week, any hour of the day.

What is exciting to me is to realize that in the Lord's timing, this will be the first healing center to be built in the new millennium. Construction is scheduled to begin on January 4, 2000 - the first work day of the New Year!

We are already in Phase One of development - securing the land, drawing plans, and obtaining building permits. There is so much more to tell you, but I simply do not have the room in this letter. There are many wonderful things to share with you about the World Healing Center. I think you can sense my joy about this wonderful new ministry center.

The vision God gave me so long ago is coming to life and I am writing you today, asking you to prayerfully consider your commitment - to be completed by year's end - to help establish the World Healing Center.

I know that every Partner can give at least one gift to the glory of God. In Phase One we must have £3.2 million by the end of the year to secure the land, pay for architectural planning and blueprints and building permits. By November, the land must be paid for, and in early December, the permits must be completed. That time will soon be here!

Will you join hands with me? Together, let's see this step of faith completed! I believe that some of our Partners will join me in making some significant gifts of £15,000, £30,000 or even £60,000. Others will make a special commitment of £5,000, £3,000, £1,500 or £1,000. But I'm also believing every Partner will participate with a gift of £300, £150 or £50 by the end of, the year. I am asking you to do your best today. Please read the brochure and pray about what your part will be, asking the Lord to speak to you about what you can do.

Your commitment will help us reach the goal, and whatever you can send now will help with the immediate needs. Remember, if everyone gives at least one sacrificial gift, this vision will become a reality.

Everlastingly at it,

Benny Hinn

P.S. Gifts to help establish the World Healing Center will be memorialized in many different ways throughout the property. From the Cornerstone Founder gifts of £60,000 or more, to those who give £50, all will be commemorated throughout the Healing Center. We all can't give equal gifts, but we can each give sacrificially. Do your best and obey the Lord as we partner together in establishing a beautiful ministry center and legacy to the miracle-working power of God in the world today!

1. HEALING HALL OF FAITH: £10,000
Names will be recognized by a plaque in this hall which will preserve the history of past and present healing ministries for generations to come.

2. HEALING GARDENS: £5,000
Your name, or that of a loved one, will be inscribed on the privacy walls surrounding healing scenes in the Healing Gardens.

3. FOUNTAIN OF HEALING: £1,500 - 3,000
Names will be inscribed on the beautiful fountain from which the waters will flow into the Healing Stream.

4. THE HEALING STREAM: £1,000
The banks of the Healing Stream, which runs through the Healing Gardens will be lined with stones bearing the names of those who give this special gift.

5. THE ETERNAL FLAME OF HEALING: £600
Your donation will be remembered at this special memorial to commemorate a loved one who has gone on before you, or to memorialize the name of family and friends

6. PRAYER TOWER: All gifts of £50 or more
Your name will be a permanent part of the Prayer Tower reaching out to millions with the message of healing to the ends of the earth.

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But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2 Peter 2:1-3

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Benny Hinn Unmasked

Compiled by
Neil Richardson - U.K. and Philip Powell - N.Z.

Click "here" to link to this important article.

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Click here to Email Hughie Seaborn - In Cairns, Qld., Australia

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