Pastor Benny Hinn _ Jesus Depended on the Holy Spirit, and So Must You!

Pastor Benny Hinn _ Jesus Depended on the Holy Spirit, and So Must You!
Benny Hinn was born on December 3, 1952, in Jaffa, Israel, to parents of Greek-Eastern Orthodox heritage. His family background was a rich tapestry of Middle Eastern culture, faith, and complexity. His father, Costandi Hinn, was the mayor of Jaffa during the volatile post-war years, and his mother, Clemence Hinn, came from a devout Christian background. Benny grew up in a household where religion and tradition were deeply intertwined, though not yet marked by the Pentecostal fire that would later define his ministry.

As a child, Hinn attended a Catholic school in Jaffa, where he was known as quiet, introspective, and somewhat shy. He stuttered severely, which made public speaking and social interaction difficult. Yet even then, there was a deep curiosity about God and spiritual things—a spark that would later become a blazing calling.

In 1968, at the age of 15, Hinn’s family emigrated from Israel to Toronto, Canada, following political tension and social unrest in the Middle East. The move was challenging: Benny struggled to adapt to a new culture, language, and environment. However, this displacement became a divine setup for a life-changing encounter with God.
In February 1972, Benny Hinn attended a meeting led by Kathryn Kuhlman, a famous American healing evangelist known for her deep intimacy with the Holy Spirit. That service became a pivotal moment in his life. Hinn would later recall that the tangible presence of God he experienced there completely overwhelmed him — he was “immersed in glory.” From that day, he knew he was called to ministry.

Returning home, Benny began to spend hours in prayer, studying Scripture, and seeking to know the Holy Spirit personally. He read extensively about great revivalists like Smith Wigglesworth, Charles Finney, and Aimee Semple McPherson. Soon after, he began to feel the leading of the Holy Spirit to preach — something that terrified him due to his stuttering.

But in December 1973, during his first attempt to share his testimony before his class at Georges Vanier Secondary School in Toronto, a miracle occurred: his stuttering stopped completely. The experience confirmed his calling and gave him courage to step into full-time ministry.
By the mid-1970s, Benny began to preach in small churches and fellowship gatherings across Ontario. He developed a reputation for his passionate love for the Holy Spirit and his gentle, reverent approach to prayer and worship. His meetings were often marked by a tangible sense of God’s presence and reports of healing. People were drawn to the young man with an unmistakable anointing and an unusual grace when he spoke about the Holy Spirit.

In 1983, Benny Hinn founded the Orlando Christian Center (OCC) in Orlando, Florida. The church quickly grew from a few hundred members to several thousand. Hinn’s ministry exploded in visibility during the 1980s, as his healing services began to draw tens of thousands. His emphasis on the power of the Holy Spirit, miracles, and faith resonated deeply with people hungry for spiritual renewal.
In 1990, Hinn launched his daily television program “This Is Your Day”, which became one of the most widely viewed Christian broadcasts in the world. It aired in nearly 200 countries, featuring recordings of his healing crusades, interviews, and teachings. Viewers were mesmerized by his dramatic, faith-filled preaching style, his white suits, and the overwhelming emotional moments as people testified of miraculous healings.

By the late 1990s, Benny Hinn was holding Miracle Crusades in massive stadiums — from the United States to Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Some events drew over one million attendees, such as his historic services in Lagos, Nigeria, and India. Countless people testified of physical healings, emotional deliverance, and renewed faith in Christ.

Benny’s message was centered on the person of the Holy Spirit, not merely as a theological concept but as a living presence who guides, comforts, and empowers believers. His best-selling book “Good Morning, Holy Spirit” (1990) captured the essence of his ministry. In it, he recounted his intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit and taught believers how to walk daily in His fellowship. The book sold millions of copies worldwide and became a cornerstone of charismatic Christian literature.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Hinn’s influence expanded beyond measure. His ministry, headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, employed hundreds and supported numerous charitable efforts. He organized healing crusades, pastors’ conferences, and Holy Spirit nights globally, reaching an estimated one billion people through live events and television broadcasts.