In his very first prayer meeting, the evangelist claimed that the world was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Jesus. Controversial US evangelist Benny Hinn arrived here on Thursday evening along with his seven-member ministerial team and a dozen bouncers from Los Angeles by a chartered flight. Jesus is going to come back again for the sake of people … people across the globe are waiting and looking for Him (Christ) like water in the desert, Hinn reportedly said at a closed-door choir and prayer meeting soon after his arrival. Former High Court judge Justice M F Saldhana, former DGP Srinivasalu, Member of Parliament H T Sangliana were among those present at the meeting. Benny Hinn claimed he had seen Jesus twice. Jesus appeared when I was 11. It had an electrifying effect, felt like a million needles pierced into me. Much later, I had the same vision. I never believed in Jesus until then.
Later, I had visions of prayer rallies across Asia and South Africa, Hinn said, adding that he plans a similar meeting in Nigeria in the next few months. ?My mother had a daughter and prayed for a son, saying Give me a son, I?ll give him back to you. And I was born, Hinn told the group. When he noticed a disabled boy in the group, he asked everyone to pray, saying, I am not a healer… only He (Jesus) is. I am only His messenger… we ll all pray together tomorrow (Friday).He went on to pledge US $250,000 for tsunami victims. To the media and the outside world, he remained elusive, refusing to be photographed or interviewed. Hinns elder brother Henry Hinn, the only one to speak to the media, claimed he (Henry) was born dumb, but could speak because of his brother. Upon his arrival, Benny was escorted directly to Leela Palace, amidst tight security. Apart from his inner ring of personal security officials, policemen have been deployed in and around the hotel. According to a senior police officer, two floors in the hotel have been kept vacant for security reasons. As the evangelist?s admirers are all set for the three-day Festival of Blessings (starting on Friday evening) featuring the Pray for India programme, presided over by him, over 10,000 policemen are deployed to take care of security at Jakkur aerodrome. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the show. Several entry and exit points have been carved out of the airfield?s compound wall. Enclosures have been set up for people, including the sick and the physically challenged. Over 200 BMTC buses are going to be pressed into service for the benefit of those attending the Benny Hinn show.
As many as 67 giant TV screens will help participants to get a close view of the evangelist. A choir consisting of 2,200 members will lead the praise and worship at the festival. With the High Court directive the festival is expected to go on peacefully. The road to Jakkur is dusty what with the widening of Bellary Road and levelling of land behind the airfield for the new Arkavathy Layout. Saffron banners along the road leading to the venue scream: Benny Hinn Go Back and We will simply not tolerate Hinn. On the eve of the Benny Hinn programme some parts of the city are tense with protests against the programme getting louder. With the Hindu Jagarana Vedike calling a bundh on Bakrid day police are on tenterhooks. To make matters worse for the programme, several Christian groups are also protesting against Hinn?s practices. The issues that have engaged the attention of the public in the run-up to the so-called ?Prayer for India meeting include the claims of miracles and suspicions that there would be large-scale religious conversion.