MinistryWatch.com Issues Donor Alert for Benny Hinn

Donors advised to find other ministries to support while questions of finances, unfounded claims of healings, nontransparency and other issues addressed

Lincoln Tribune/June 1, 2005
By Daniel E. Martin

Matthews, N.C. – Wall Watchers, through its donor empowerment Website www.MinistryWatch.com, has issued a Donor Alert for Benny Hinn Ministries/World Outreach Church (BHM).

Wall Watchers’ CEO Rusty Leonard explained, “Recent facts and allegations aired on NBC DATELINE – coupled with MinistryWatch.com’s previous concerns about the self-serving ‘prosperity theology’ taught by Benny Hinn – has caused MinistryWatch.com to recommend that donors prayerfully consider redirecting their gifts to one of the many biblically-based ministries that are not only more transparent in their dealings with the public but also treat donor’s funds as a sacred trust dedicated exclusively for the Lord’s work.”

Included in the accusations launched by Benny Hinn critics for the DATELINE broadcast are claims that Hinn and his family enjoy a lavish lifestyle with funds intended for charitable purposes, that he preaches a fraudulent, self-serving version of the Bible, that he manipulates individuals at “healing crusades” for personal gain, that he makes unsubstantiated claims of healings, and that the ministry is nontransparent and lacks independent board oversight.

Leonard argued, “It is Hinn’s refusal to be accountable to anyone – rooted in a conveniently defiant view of accountability where he is to answer only to God since he receives extra-biblical words, hence the Word of Faith moniker – that is the primary precipitant for each of the critiques identified above. Donors deserve more and the Bible requires a higher standard. Hence, MinistryWatch.com recommends that donors prayerfully consider withholding contributions to Benny Hinn. Those that oppose such action should consider that the reported exorbitant spending of the Hinn family reveals that BHM has far more money than it needs to carry out its ministry. MinistryWatch.com also recommends that all Christians join with it in praying specifically that Benny Hinn and his family acknowledge their failures in the stewardship of the money entrusted to them by donors, and humbly submit themselves to a process of personal repentance and restoration.”