The nephew of Controversial Israeli Pastor Benny Hinn, came forward several years ago with shocking allegations. He wrote a confession in, Christianity Today, which outline shocking examples of financial waste and faked faith healings. Hinn has been blasted for begging his flock to purchase him a $5 Million private jet and misappropriating ministry funds.
Costi Hinn, who still works as a pastor, described how he felt at the height of his uncles popularity. “I was traveling the world on a private Gulfstream jet doing “gospel” ministry and enjoying every luxury money could buy. 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. ..[With an] ocean-view villa, complete with private pool”
He says that the family empire was a mix of the royal family and the mafia. His uncle acted as if “God’s goal was not his glory but our gain. His grace was not to set us free from sin but to make us rich. The abundant life he offered wasn’t eternal, it was now. We lived the prosperity gospel.” He described how well the ‘prosperity’ gospel. treated his family.
He joined up after college to work as a “catcher” or someone who finds new converts. He describes working in that role as “A whirlwind tour of luxury: $25,000-a-night royal suites in Dubai, seaside resorts in Greece, tours of the Swiss Alps, villas on Lake Como in Italy, … shopping sprees at Harrods in London, and numerous trips to Israel, Hawaii, and everywhere in between.”
He went on to explain how, “The pay was great, we flew on our own private Gulfstream, and I got to buy custom suits. All I had to do was catch people and look spiritual!” But there were dark sides to the ministry. He recalled asking his father to heal a friend with cancer. He explained that “[My father] replied that we should pray for her at home rather than going to heal her…We only did healings in the crusades, where music created the atmosphere, money changed hands, and people approached us with the “right” amount of faith.”
His doubts began to grow when he thought about the unsuccessful healing attempts. “What about unsuccessful healing attempts? I learned that it was the sick person’s fault for doubting God. …I was told. “He can do what he wants.” After he met his now wife and took a position at another church, Costi Hinn realized that his uncles ministry was flawed and self serving.