Televangelist Benny Hinn is a larger than life figure as he roams around on stage in front of thousands of admirers, preaching his particular brand of religion far and wide via television audiences.

Recently, however, according to the LA Times, Hinn faced one person who was not as enamored with his performance: his wife Suzanne. At the beginning of February, Suzanne filed for divorce from her husband of more than 30 years in Orange County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences. The two had separated in late January, and were living in different residences.

According to a statement from Benny Hinn Ministeries, the celebrity preacher was caught completely unaware by his wife’s divorce filing:

Pastor Benny Hinn and his immediate family were shocked and saddened to learn of this news without any previous notice. Although Pastor Hinn has faithfully endeavored to bring healing to their relationship, those efforts failed and were met with the petition for divorce that was filed without notice.

Benny Hinn is a proponent of the branch of Christian gospel called prosperity gospel. Prosperity gospel teaches that those Christians whose religious priorities are straight will be rewarded with earthly wealth and health. He is also a purveyor of what he depicts to be spiritual healings, involving the traditional laying of the hands upon his congregation’s foreheads and chanting healing words of faith.

Hinn has become a broadcasting juggernaut for Christian television. His sermons are viewed by millions of people across the world every day, and he travels internationally to preach across the globe. To travel on these so-called “Miracle Crusades” across the land, he employs a private plane, called the Dove One.

It’s unclear what the exact financial situation is regarding Hinn’s ministry or personal fortunes. Suzanne Hinn’s divorce filing did not feature any financial information. He has been criticized in the past for his lavish lifestyle, facing criticism from watchdog groups and other Christians.

Even Senator Charles Grassley from Iowa is investigating Hinn along with other televangelists to determine if he has complied with tax laws for non-profits.

Suzanne Hinn’s attorney did not comment on the divorce filing, according to the firm’s policy of withholding comment unless the client approves it.
The LA Times spoke with J. Lee Grady, a contributing editor to the Pentecostal news magazine Charisma. Grady claimed that the Hinn divorce filing is the latest in a series of high-profile divorces and “moral failures” among Pentecostal leaders.

Another fairly recent and highly visible case of such moral failures was that of Ted Haggard, the evangelical preacher who admitted to sexual liaisons with a male prostitute and drug use.

Grady also felt that Hinn’s congregation and audience would feel the emotional impact of the divorce. “It will be devastating to the people who have supported Benny Hinn’s evangelistic work around the world,” said Grady. “Obviously because their ministry has been very public, they will need to issue a statement to their supporters to explain how this happened.”

This entry was posted on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 10:45 am and is filed under Celebrity Divorce. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.