Who Is Benny Hinn?
Benny Hinn is an Israeli-born American-Canadian televangelist, faith healer, and author known for his large-scale “Miracle Crusades.” His full birth name is Toufik Benedictus Hinn, and he is associated with the charismatic Christian movement. His ministry broadcasts internationally through his television program, This Is Your Day.
When and Where Was Benny Hinn Born?
Benny Hinn was born on December 3, 1952, in Jaffa, Israel. He is 73 years old as of 2026. Jaffa is located about an hour from the Jerusalem Holy Land.
What Was Benny Hinn’s Family Background?
Benny Hinn’s parents were Costandi and Clemence Hinn, and his father served as the mayor of Jaffa. The family had Greek, Palestinian, and Armenian heritage. Benny has five brothers and two sisters, and the Hinn family were devout Eastern Orthodox followers.
What Was Benny Hinn’s Childhood Like?
Benny Hinn’s early years were marked by three defining challenges and experiences:
- He was a shy boy who struggled with a severe stutter throughout much of his childhood.
- Although raised in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, he attended a private Catholic school.
- When Benny was 15 years old, the Arab-Israeli War prompted his father to move the family to Canada.
When Did Benny Hinn Convert to Pentecostalism?
After relocating to Canada, Benny Hinn changed his religious affiliation, converting from Greek Orthodoxy to Pentecostalism. He met a group of committed young Christians in Canada and became increasingly drawn to their teachings, a shift his family did not welcome at the time.
Who Influenced Benny Hinn’s Early Ministry?
Benny Hinn’s ministry style was shaped by two influential figures. Canadian pastor Dr. Winston I. Nunes mentored him directly, while the healing ministry of evangelist Kathryn Kuhlman had a major impact on his development, leading him to travel by chartered bus to attend several of her services.
When Did Benny Hinn Begin Preaching?
Benny Hinn described a vision in April 1974 in which he saw people falling into a fiery inferno and heard a call to preach. On December 7, 1974, four days after his 22nd birthday, he preached his first sermon. During that same sermon, his lifelong stuttering problem was healed.
Who Is Benny Hinn Married To?
Benny Hinn married Suzanne Harthern on August 4, 1979. The couple had four children together: three daughters, Jessica, Natasha, and Eleasha, and one son, Joshua. The couple divorced in 2010, remarried in 2013, and divorced again in 2025.
What Ministry Did Benny Hinn Found?
Benny Hinn founded the Orlando Christian Center in 1983. His ministry has since expanded into international televised crusades and a global media presence reaching audiences across multiple continents.
What Are Benny Hinn’s Miracle Crusades?
Benny Hinn’s Miracle Crusades are large faith-healing events with three defining features:
- They are held in large venues in major cities around the world.
- They are broadcast internationally through his television ministry.
- Recent crusades have drawn massive crowds, including a June 2025 event in Kampala, Uganda, that drew more than 1.5 million attendees from over 40 nations, including 50,000 pastors.
What Message Does Benny Hinn Preach?
Benny Hinn frequently preaches a prosperity gospel message, teaching that faith and donations to the church are divinely rewarded with health, wealth, and happiness in this life.
Has Benny Hinn Faced Criticism?
Yes. Benny Hinn has faced significant criticism throughout his career, including scrutiny of his lavish lifestyle and claims that he has taken advantage of vulnerable followers. Three specific points of controversy stand out:
- His ministry, finances, and the accuracy of his claimed miracles have been examined by multiple television programs.
- His ministry was one of six televangelist organizations examined by the United States Senate Committee on Finance beginning in 2007.
- His nephew, Costi Hinn, has publicly criticized his uncle’s teachings and ministry practices.
Did Benny Hinn Ever Step Back From the Prosperity Gospel?
Benny Hinn publicly renounced his practice of selling divine blessings in September 2019, though critics said the statement did not go far enough to address broader concerns about his ministry.
What Books Has Benny Hinn Written?
Benny Hinn is the author of several best-selling books, including Good Morning, Holy Spirit. His written work extends his teaching beyond televised crusades, reaching readers through published Christian literature.
How Does Benny Hinn Compare to Other Prosperity Gospel Televangelists?
| Televangelist | Birthplace | Ministry Founded | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benny Hinn | Jaffa, Israel | Orlando Christian Center, 1983 | Miracle Crusades, prosperity gospel |
| Paula White | Tupelo, Mississippi, USA | New Destiny Christian Center | Prosperity gospel, political ministry ties |
The table above compares Benny Hinn to another prominent prosperity gospel figure by birthplace, ministry founding, and area of recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Benny Hinn
What is Benny Hinn’s full name?
Benny Hinn’s full name is Toufik Benedictus Hinn.
Where was Benny Hinn born?
Benny Hinn was born in Jaffa, Israel.
Is Benny Hinn married?
Benny Hinn was married to Suzanne Harthern, but the couple divorced in 2025 after remarrying in 2013.
When did Benny Hinn start preaching?
Benny Hinn preached his first sermon on December 7, 1974.
What is Benny Hinn known for?
Benny Hinn is known for his Miracle Crusades, faith-healing services, and prosperity gospel teaching broadcast through his television ministry, This Is Your Day.