He replied that we should pray for her at home rather than going to heal her. One day I asked my father if we could go heal my friend from school who had lost her hair due to cancer. Within the family, we didn’t tolerate criticism. Well-known ministry leaders took to the airwaves warning people about our teachings, and local pastors told their congregations to steer clear of pulpits filled by a “Hinn.” At the time, I believed we were being persecuted like Jesus and Paul, and that our critics were just jealous of our blessings. Dateline NBC, The Fifth Estate (a Canadian news program), and other shows did investigative work. Throughout those years we faced countless criticisms from both inside and outside the church. On top of that, we bought a $2 million ocean-view home in Dana Point, California, where another Benz joined the fleet. We lived in a 10,000-square-foot mansion guarded by a private gate, drove two Mercedes Benz vehicles, vacationed in exotic destinations, and shopped at the most expensive stores. During my teenage years, he would travel nearly twice a month with my uncle, Benny Hinn. My father pastored a small church in Vancouver, British Columbia. The abundant life he offered wasn’t eternal, it was now. His grace was not to set us free from sin but to make us rich. God’s goal was not his glory but our gain. Rubbing him the right way-by giving money and having enough faith-would unlock your spiritual inheritance. Though Jesus Christ was still a part of our gospel, he was more of a magic genie than the King of Kings. Our lifestyle was lavish, our loyalty was enforced, and our version of the gospel was big business. Growing up in the Hinn family empire was like belonging to some hybrid of the royal family and the mafia. There was just one problem: We weren’t preaching the same gospel as Paul. Little did I know that this coastline was part of the Aegean Sea-the same body of water the apostle Paul sailed while spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. After all, I was serving Jesus Christ and living the abundant life he promised. Boasting my very own ocean-view villa, complete with private pool and over 2,000 square feet of living space, I perched on the rocks above the water’s edge and rejoiced in the life I was living. After a comfortable flight and my favorite meal (lasagna) made by our personal chef, we prepared for a ministry trip by resting at The Grand Resort: Lagonissi. I was traveling the world on a private Gulfstream jet doing “gospel” ministry and enjoying every luxury money could buy. Almost 15 years ago, on a shoreline outside of Athens, Greece, I stood confident in my relationship with the Lord and my ministry trajectory.
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